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Dave, from your narrative, it seems obvious to me that you're more than
qualified to succeed Phil and continue the show. Whaddaya think? ; )
Danny
On Sep 8, 2005, at 4:41 PM, Dave Becker wrote:
> I want to echo all the accolades and I hope this post doesn't seem like
> a Biography-type narrative, but this news needs my personal reflection
> on Phil Dirt's amazing career at KFJC!
>
> My wife and I moved into Silicon Valley in the late 80s. I discovered
> Phil's Surf's Up! KFJC show soon after and was hooked from day 1. A
> radio DJ was exclusively playing the music I loved! How could I not be
> thrilled? Phil was educating and entertaining from the first. To come
> home or go out on a Saturday night hearing Phil's show in the car.a
> steady voice of reassurance and fun reverb!
>
> By 1991, I remember taping a LIVE show that featured The Insect
> Surfers
> for the entire show! In many ways the "pre-Internet/pre-PulpFiction"
> late 80s and early 90s were very exciting for the advancement of Surf.
> With his direct support, Phil's show simply became part of the
> neo-Surf
> ecosystem. A lot of the new bands came from the Bay Area and Phil was
> there to support them. This was the era when The Phantom Surfers and
> The
> Trashwomen would play The Kilowatt in San Fran; MOAM? was making noise
> in Athens; the Boss Martians, The Surf Trio and Satan's Pilgrims
> rousing
> the Northwest. Meanwhile, Phil Dirt was busy playing both well-known
> and
> obscure first wave Surf (whew, whatta collection!), BUT ALSO 2nd wave
> and emerging acts like John & The Nightriders, Surfraiders, Halibuts,
> Agent Orange, The Mermen, The Insect Surfers, The Shockwaves, The
> Ultras, Laika and The Cosmonauts, The Aquavelvets, The Apemen, The
> Woodies, Shadowy Men, Pollo Del Mar, Teisco Del Rey and others.
> Another
> band that Phil worked closely with in those "earlier days" was The
> Berzerkers (with Dino, formerly of Da Monz). Several of these now
> well-known bands that Phil helped support early on have proven "hard
> core" and continue to play regularly even today! It's even great to
> see
> The Berzerkers carrying on and periodically reuniting for local Bay
> Area
> shows.
>
> By the mid 90s, Phil kept adding the newer upcoming bands like The
> Eliminators, The Surfdusters, Brazil2001, The Torpedoes, The
> Penetrators
> and Los Straitjackets to the KFJC playlist roster and had some of them
> in for some LIVE Foothill College Campus shows or Pit performances on
> the air. Pulp Fiction's Surf music "inspiration" sent this huge new
> wave
> of bands to Phil for review and KFJC airplay of their material. Phil's
> "Surf's Up!" KFJC show had become THE voice of Surf music and gave
> wonderful exposure to all the new bands, which has continued ever
> since.
> Phil would say "this is stuff you're not gonna hear anywhere else but
> KFJC!" How true?! Would I ever have hoped to hear a band like
> Australia's GT Stringer, Italy's Cosmonauti or Japan's Surf Coasters
> had
> it not been for Phil Dirt's Surf's Up!? By then, you knew there was
> there was definitely a movement underway, which has since become a
> self-sustaining surge of bands, fans and internet communities. THIS is
> what Phil Dirt & KFJC helped to foster with his show along with the
> mammoth ReverbCentral website, LIVE mics from "the PIT", Foothill
> College campus in-person band performances, the fundraiser CDs and
> chatroom knowledge. The Surf community continues to explode worldwide
> today from the root that Phil and his show helped forge. We all owe
> him
> our gratitude for his dedication to the Surf genre.his true calling.
>
> One the songs that Phil has played consistently over the years in all
> its forms, has been Latinia, one of the prettiest Surf songs ever. a
> perfect sunset song for your California nights in the Bay Area.
> Another
> of my personal favorites has been The Surfraiders' Point Conception
> '63.
> Along with Steel Pier, these are also songs that resonate over the
> years
> for me from his show.
>
> I have enjoyed contributing to KFJC for many years and being an annual
> "guest DJ" on Phil's broadcasts. When we were together on the air, he
> always made me feel at home and I always did what I could to get Phil
> to
> expose his wealth of knowledge to his listeners. As ambassador, Phil's
> show helped me spread the word about the East Coast Surf resurgence
> going on with NESMA. 'Twas also my pleasure on occasion to volunteer
> and
> answer the phones down at KFJC during the fundraiser shows. I am
> saddened that KFJC is truly losing a legend.
>
> Now, Phil, I'm hoping it's only your show being affected by your
> retirement decision. We still need you as the "Gandalf of Surf!"Â You
> and your warm voice have given us so many reverb-soaked Saturday
> nights
> and believe me, your KFJC Surf's Up! radio show will be sorely missed.
> But yes, it's now time to take back some of your own Saturdays and we
> all know you've earned it many times over. Our gratitude is boundless.
>
> Best of luck in your hobbies and future career endeavors,
>
> bIG wAvE Dave Becker
> Bass, The Aquamarines, Folk In A, The Tube Sharks, Club D'Jive
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From:
> [mailto:]
> >On Behalf Of Phil Dirt
> >Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 12:59 PM
> >To: ; ;
> Cowabunga;
> >;
> >Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Retiring from KFJC
> >
> >Since the question has arisen...
> >
> >I have decided to leave KFJC, a decision undertaken back in December
> >2004. Reasons are many, but basically it's time.
> >
> >I was at KFJC between 1964 and 1967. KFJC was 10 watts mono with a
> >coverage area no bigger than Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. At that
> >time, KFJC was under the direction of Ken Clark, who was a television
> >refuge and believed that radio drama was coming back. He attracted
> >mostly theatre people to the station. KFJC was only on the air 4 PM
> to
> >10:15 PM Monday through Friday. Programming was stiff to say the
> least.
> >4-5 was an easy music show, with a different host each day of the
> week.
> >5-6 was the Owl's Nest, hosted by local KXRX personality Bob Hollman.
> >He played a mix of pedestrian and tweaky jazz and the like, mixed
> with
> >Foothill College doings. It was a sort of voice of Foothill show. He
> >wasn't staff, everyone else was. Interestingly, Hollman used a brief
> >excerpt of Dick Dale and his Del-tones' "Surfin' Drums" as an opening
> >theme.
> >
> >Afterward, various prerecorded dramas, plays, and pre-NPR programs
> ran
> >until 10 PM. News came at 10 that was supposed to run 10 minutes. The
> >guy who did the rip and read loved to talk to himself, and often ran
> >until 10:25. One night, I shut off his mic, ran his close theme,
> signed
> >off, shut down the transmitter, and locked up, leaving him inside
> still
> >reading the news.
> >
> >Each day of the week, a different operator was assigned to run the
> >broadcast day. I was assigned Tuesday. During the 4-5 show, we were
> >allowed to play instrumental music that was easy listening. We're
> >talking Percy Faith and Ferrante & Teischer here. I once got in BIG
> >trouble for playing one soft and slushy Ventures instro, a trick
> >repeated during the Owl Show when Kenn Ellner (vocalist of the Count
> V)
> >played the Seekers' "Georgie Girl." These were too "rock" for KFJC.
> >This might give you an idea of the atmosphere.
> >
> >There were three of us at KFJC that weren't in the theatre crowd.
> Three
> >that wanted to do actual radio - top forty radio a la South Bay
> legend
> >KLIV. Around 1966, Ben Boding, Len Shapiro and I convinced Ken Clarke
> >to allow us to do rock 'n' roll radio on Saturdays from 9 Am until 3
> >PM. We each had two-hour shows. I was 9-11 AM. The first few records
> I
> >played included the Chocolate Watchband "Sweet Young Thing" and the
> >Sonics "Louie Louie."
> >
> >In early 1967, we were told that "combo saturday" was to be no more,
> >effective immediately. It seemed the self-appointed saviors of
> theatre
> >had pressured Clark to end what we were doing, and he did so without
> >warning or allowing recourse. Like any good 19 year old, I went
> linear
> >and got thrown out of KFJC by the dean after being accused of mental
> >imbalance. It was very traumatic.
> >
> >By 1970, Clark was gone and there was rock programming on KFJC. It
> was
> >trying to be like KMPX/KSAN. Within a few years, it was just playing
> >records, no different than the other 7 or 8 progressive rock stations
> >in the Bay Area. In 1978, there were a few upstarts that wanted to
> play
> >the "new music," but they were getting intense pressure not to. A
> lock
> >out and revolution later and KFJC was reborn. By 1980, power was
> >boosted to 250 watts and the transmitter moved to the top of Black
> >Mountain, allowing coverage to extend over most of the Bay Area.
> >
> >I found myself listening to the "new music" on KFJC and noticing that
> >the "kids" on the air had a very shallow musical depth historically.
> I
> >still recall the trigger event for me, a guy back announcing a punk
> >band's version of a Bo Diddley song as a "Rolling Stones song." I
> >decided to rejoin the station with the purpose of producing a rock
> >history program.
> >
> >I started work on "waves," writing and researching, using my library
> >and borrowing material from Encore Records via Stretch Rieldle. The
> >idea was to look at the evolution of the music and its genres, not
> from
> >a chart perspective, but through the innovators and trigger points.
> >Unsung heroes and legends alike. Intended to be 13 half-hour
> episodes,
> >it ended up being 132 episodes.
> >
> >In 1982, I took on a Sunday Afternoon show called "Relix," which had
> >been an oldies show. I converted it to a garage band show, and added
> a
> >10-minute weekly surf instro segment. It grew from there.
> >
> >Then in 1983, there was "Maximum Louie Louie." That story is on my
> site
> >and elsewhere on the net.
> >
> >23 years surf has been on KFJC. Over 300 surfbands have played live
> in
> >the Pit, plus a few legends like the Chocolate Watchband and
> >Colorfinger. Remote live recordings add bands like the Eliminators,
> >Hawkwind, Nik Turner's Space Ritual, Spiral Realms, the first South
> Bay
> >Surf Band Reunion, Ron Wilson and the Surfaris at OT Prices, dozens
> of
> >soundboard sessions at local clubs when surfbands played, and more.
> >
> >8 Surf CD's, 15 or more live surfband events on campus, and more than
> >$250,000 raised for KFJC. I believe "Summer Surf" to be the first
> >exclusive to the station live music fundraising CD.
> >
> >In the mean time, I proposed a real radio course for KFJC, wrote a
> text
> >in it's 15th year and 30 revision, developed a DJ training lab
> course,
> >sat in most management chairs at KFJC, and consulted on many
> decisions.
> >I have recorded albums, mixed albums, and provided tracks on nearly a
> >hundred releases. I launched Reverb Central in 1994, thinking I was
> >going to be the last guy on earth on the internet.
> >
> >I have had amazing support from Uncle Al, Gallium Arsenide, Eric
> >Weaver, Grawer, Doc Pelzel, Austin Space, and others that made all
> the
> >live bands possible, and moral support from Ann Arbor.
> >
> >I've done everything I set out to do, and much more. Now, I need a
> >change.
> >
> >Reverb Central continues with significant improvements in
> development.
> >I want to do radio in some form, perhaps a podcast, or a station
> closer
> >to home (KFJC is an hour away), or maybe syndication. This is all up
> in
> >the air. No thought has gone into this right now. Most immediately, I
> >need a break. My other newfound hobby also takes time out.
> >
> >Â Â
> >Â Â
> >
> >There are other reasons as well. No one who has ever been at a
> non-com
> >station has escaped the stupidity of the politics. Few have weathered
> >as much for as long. I won't miss that at all.
> >
> >Phil Dirt
> >
> >PS - Anyone that can point me to a new position for income in the
> Santa
> >Cruz or San Jose area would be helpful. I got laid off a while back
> and
> >there's precious little management work available locally. Anyone
> >interested in helping can email me off list. I have over thirty years
> >in managing capital equipment manufacturing, document control, and
> >training and teaching. I have major accomplishments in process
> >improvement with big dollar savings, new product development, and
> more.
> >
> >Â Â Â
> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >Visit for archived
> messages,
> >bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
> ⪠ Visit your group "SurfGuitar101" on the web.
> Â
> ⪠ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Â
> Â
> ⪠ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
>
>
Oh Danny. Thanks so much for that compliment! However, as everyone realizes
Phil's shoes are ONLY Phil's. I understand the magnitude of his commitment to
Surf and it is well beyond the thought of anything I personally could ever do or
commit to.
Realize that Phil's commitment was organic to the Surf scene...his experience,
music knowledge, access and perspectives about nuance and influences, reviewing
skills, producer skills, scene involvement, etc. Not to mention the DJ training
and administrative knowledge required. These are not easily replicated and
frankly I humbly state that I'm not even close. If we have all been The
Fellowship of The Ring, each playing our parts in the Surf world...he has been
our "Gandalf". That's why Phil's retirement is so tumultuous to our community.
If I know my Surf scene, it will organize to put together a tribute concert
within a year to again honor his amazing contribution to the genre. My bands
will be there to participate.
BW Dave
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [mailto:]
>On Behalf Of
>Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 5:59 AM
>To:
>Subject: [SurfGuitar101] BigWaveDave on the Radio - was Re: Retiring from
>KFJC
>
>Dave, from your narrative, it seems obvious to me that you're more than
>qualified to succeed Phil and continue the show. Whaddaya think? ; )
>
>Danny
>On Sep 8, 2005, at 4:41 PM, Dave Becker wrote:
>
>> I want to echo all the accolades and I hope this post doesn't seem like
>> a Biography-type narrative, but this news needs my personal reflection
>> on Phil Dirt's amazing career at KFJC!
>>
>> My wife and I moved into Silicon Valley in the late 80s. I discovered
>> Phil's Surf's Up! KFJC show soon after and was hooked from day 1. A
>> radio DJ was exclusively playing the music I loved! How could I not be
>> thrilled? Phil was educating and entertaining from the first. To come
>> home or go out on a Saturday night hearing Phil's show in the car.a
>> steady voice of reassurance and fun reverb!
>>
>> By 1991, I remember taping a LIVE show that featured The Insect
>> Surfers
>> for the entire show! In many ways the "pre-Internet/pre-PulpFiction"
>> late 80s and early 90s were very exciting for the advancement of Surf.
>> With his direct support, Phil's show simply became part of the
>> neo-Surf
>> ecosystem. A lot of the new bands came from the Bay Area and Phil was
>> there to support them. This was the era when The Phantom Surfers and
>> The
>> Trashwomen would play The Kilowatt in San Fran; MOAM? was making noise
>> in Athens; the Boss Martians, The Surf Trio and Satan's Pilgrims
>> rousing
>> the Northwest. Meanwhile, Phil Dirt was busy playing both well-known
>> and
>> obscure first wave Surf (whew, whatta collection!), BUT ALSO 2nd wave
>> and emerging acts like John & The Nightriders, Surfraiders, Halibuts,
>> Agent Orange, The Mermen, The Insect Surfers, The Shockwaves, The
>> Ultras, Laika and The Cosmonauts, The Aquavelvets, The Apemen, The
>> Woodies, Shadowy Men, Pollo Del Mar, Teisco Del Rey and others.
>> Another
>> band that Phil worked closely with in those "earlier days" was The
>> Berzerkers (with Dino, formerly of Da Monz). Several of these now
>> well-known bands that Phil helped support early on have proven "hard
>> core" and continue to play regularly even today! It's even great to
>> see
>> The Berzerkers carrying on and periodically reuniting for local Bay
>> Area
>> shows.
>>
>> By the mid 90s, Phil kept adding the newer upcoming bands like The
>> Eliminators, The Surfdusters, Brazil2001, The Torpedoes, The
>> Penetrators
>> and Los Straitjackets to the KFJC playlist roster and had some of them
>> in for some LIVE Foothill College Campus shows or Pit performances on
>> the air. Pulp Fiction's Surf music "inspiration" sent this huge new
>> wave
>> of bands to Phil for review and KFJC airplay of their material. Phil's
>> "Surf's Up!" KFJC show had become THE voice of Surf music and gave
>> wonderful exposure to all the new bands, which has continued ever
>> since.
>> Phil would say "this is stuff you're not gonna hear anywhere else but
>> KFJC!" How true?! Would I ever have hoped to hear a band like
>> Australia's GT Stringer, Italy's Cosmonauti or Japan's Surf Coasters
>> had
>> it not been for Phil Dirt's Surf's Up!? By then, you knew there was
>> there was definitely a movement underway, which has since become a
>> self-sustaining surge of bands, fans and internet communities. THIS is
>> what Phil Dirt & KFJC helped to foster with his show along with the
>> mammoth ReverbCentral website, LIVE mics from "the PIT", Foothill
>> College campus in-person band performances, the fundraiser CDs and
>> chatroom knowledge. The Surf community continues to explode worldwide
>> today from the root that Phil and his show helped forge. We all owe
>> him
>> our gratitude for his dedication to the Surf genre.his true calling.
>>
>> One the songs that Phil has played consistently over the years in all
>> its forms, has been Latinia, one of the prettiest Surf songs ever. a
>> perfect sunset song for your California nights in the Bay Area.
>> Another
>> of my personal favorites has been The Surfraiders' Point Conception
>> '63.
>> Along with Steel Pier, these are also songs that resonate over the
>> years
>> for me from his show.
>>
>> I have enjoyed contributing to KFJC for many years and being an annual
>> "guest DJ" on Phil's broadcasts. When we were together on the air, he
>> always made me feel at home and I always did what I could to get Phil
>> to
>> expose his wealth of knowledge to his listeners. As ambassador, Phil's
>> show helped me spread the word about the East Coast Surf resurgence
>> going on with NESMA. 'Twas also my pleasure on occasion to volunteer
>> and
>> answer the phones down at KFJC during the fundraiser shows. I am
>> saddened that KFJC is truly losing a legend.
>>
>> Now, Phil, I'm hoping it's only your show being affected by your
>> retirement decision. We still need you as the "Gandalf of Surf!" You
>> and your warm voice have given us so many reverb-soaked Saturday
>> nights
>> and believe me, your KFJC Surf's Up! radio show will be sorely missed.
>> But yes, it's now time to take back some of your own Saturdays and we
>> all know you've earned it many times over. Our gratitude is boundless.
>>
>> Best of luck in your hobbies and future career endeavors,
>>
>> bIG wAvE Dave Becker
>> Bass, The Aquamarines, Folk In A, The Tube Sharks, Club D'Jive
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From:
>> [mailto:]
>> >On Behalf Of Phil Dirt
>> >Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 12:59 PM
>> >To: ; ;
>> Cowabunga;
>> >;
>> >Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Retiring from KFJC
>> >
>> >Since the question has arisen...
>> >
>> >I have decided to leave KFJC, a decision undertaken back in December
>> >2004. Reasons are many, but basically it's time.
>> >
>> >I was at KFJC between 1964 and 1967. KFJC was 10 watts mono with a
>> >coverage area no bigger than Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. At that
>> >time, KFJC was under the direction of Ken Clark, who was a television
>> >refuge and believed that radio drama was coming back. He attracted
>> >mostly theatre people to the station. KFJC was only on the air 4 PM
>> to
>> >10:15 PM Monday through Friday. Programming was stiff to say the
>> least.
>> >4-5 was an easy music show, with a different host each day of the
>> week.
>> >5-6 was the Owl's Nest, hosted by local KXRX personality Bob Hollman.
>> >He played a mix of pedestrian and tweaky jazz and the like, mixed
>> with
>> >Foothill College doings. It was a sort of voice of Foothill show. He
>> >wasn't staff, everyone else was. Interestingly, Hollman used a brief
>> >excerpt of Dick Dale and his Del-tones' "Surfin' Drums" as an opening
>> >theme.
>> >
>> >Afterward, various prerecorded dramas, plays, and pre-NPR programs
>> ran
>> >until 10 PM. News came at 10 that was supposed to run 10 minutes. The
>> >guy who did the rip and read loved to talk to himself, and often ran
>> >until 10:25. One night, I shut off his mic, ran his close theme,
>> signed
>> >off, shut down the transmitter, and locked up, leaving him inside
>> still
>> >reading the news.
>> >
>> >Each day of the week, a different operator was assigned to run the
>> >broadcast day. I was assigned Tuesday. During the 4-5 show, we were
>> >allowed to play instrumental music that was easy listening. We're
>> >talking Percy Faith and Ferrante & Teischer here. I once got in BIG
>> >trouble for playing one soft and slushy Ventures instro, a trick
>> >repeated during the Owl Show when Kenn Ellner (vocalist of the Count
>> V)
>> >played the Seekers' "Georgie Girl." These were too "rock" for KFJC.
>> >This might give you an idea of the atmosphere.
>> >
>> >There were three of us at KFJC that weren't in the theatre crowd.
>> Three
>> >that wanted to do actual radio - top forty radio a la South Bay
>> legend
>> >KLIV. Around 1966, Ben Boding, Len Shapiro and I convinced Ken Clarke
>> >to allow us to do rock 'n' roll radio on Saturdays from 9 Am until 3
>> >PM. We each had two-hour shows. I was 9-11 AM. The first few records
>> I
>> >played included the Chocolate Watchband "Sweet Young Thing" and the
>> >Sonics "Louie Louie."
>> >
>> >In early 1967, we were told that "combo saturday" was to be no more,
>> >effective immediately. It seemed the self-appointed saviors of
>> theatre
>> >had pressured Clark to end what we were doing, and he did so without
>> >warning or allowing recourse. Like any good 19 year old, I went
>> linear
>> >and got thrown out of KFJC by the dean after being accused of mental
>> >imbalance. It was very traumatic.
>> >
>> >By 1970, Clark was gone and there was rock programming on KFJC. It
>> was
>> >trying to be like KMPX/KSAN. Within a few years, it was just playing
>> >records, no different than the other 7 or 8 progressive rock stations
>> >in the Bay Area. In 1978, there were a few upstarts that wanted to
>> play
>> >the "new music," but they were getting intense pressure not to. A
>> lock
>> >out and revolution later and KFJC was reborn. By 1980, power was
>> >boosted to 250 watts and the transmitter moved to the top of Black
>> >Mountain, allowing coverage to extend over most of the Bay Area.
>> >
>> >I found myself listening to the "new music" on KFJC and noticing that
>> >the "kids" on the air had a very shallow musical depth historically.
>> I
>> >still recall the trigger event for me, a guy back announcing a punk
>> >band's version of a Bo Diddley song as a "Rolling Stones song." I
>> >decided to rejoin the station with the purpose of producing a rock
>> >history program.
>> >
>> >I started work on "waves," writing and researching, using my library
>> >and borrowing material from Encore Records via Stretch Rieldle. The
>> >idea was to look at the evolution of the music and its genres, not
>> from
>> >a chart perspective, but through the innovators and trigger points.
>> >Unsung heroes and legends alike. Intended to be 13 half-hour
>> episodes,
>> >it ended up being 132 episodes.
>> >
>> >In 1982, I took on a Sunday Afternoon show called "Relix," which had
>> >been an oldies show. I converted it to a garage band show, and added
>> a
>> >10-minute weekly surf instro segment. It grew from there.
>> >
>> >Then in 1983, there was "Maximum Louie Louie." That story is on my
>> site
>> >and elsewhere on the net.
>> >
>> >23 years surf has been on KFJC. Over 300 surfbands have played live
>> in
>> >the Pit, plus a few legends like the Chocolate Watchband and
>> >Colorfinger. Remote live recordings add bands like the Eliminators,
>> >Hawkwind, Nik Turner's Space Ritual, Spiral Realms, the first South
>> Bay
>> >Surf Band Reunion, Ron Wilson and the Surfaris at OT Prices, dozens
>> of
>> >soundboard sessions at local clubs when surfbands played, and more.
>> >
>> >8 Surf CD's, 15 or more live surfband events on campus, and more than
>> >$250,000 raised for KFJC. I believe "Summer Surf" to be the first
>> >exclusive to the station live music fundraising CD.
>> >
>> >In the mean time, I proposed a real radio course for KFJC, wrote a
>> text
>> >in it's 15th year and 30 revision, developed a DJ training lab
>> course,
>> >sat in most management chairs at KFJC, and consulted on many
>> decisions.
>> >I have recorded albums, mixed albums, and provided tracks on nearly a
>> >hundred releases. I launched Reverb Central in 1994, thinking I was
>> >going to be the last guy on earth on the internet.
>> >
>> >I have had amazing support from Uncle Al, Gallium Arsenide, Eric
>> >Weaver, Grawer, Doc Pelzel, Austin Space, and others that made all
>> the
>> >live bands possible, and moral support from Ann Arbor.
>> >
>> >I've done everything I set out to do, and much more. Now, I need a
>> >change.
>> >
>> >Reverb Central continues with significant improvements in
>> development.
>> >I want to do radio in some form, perhaps a podcast, or a station
>> closer
>> >to home (KFJC is an hour away), or maybe syndication. This is all up
>> in
>> >the air. No thought has gone into this right now. Most immediately, I
>> >need a break. My other newfound hobby also takes time out.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >There are other reasons as well. No one who has ever been at a
>> non-com
>> >station has escaped the stupidity of the politics. Few have weathered
>> >as much for as long. I won't miss that at all.
>> >
>> >Phil Dirt
>> >
>> >PS - Anyone that can point me to a new position for income in the
>> Santa
>> >Cruz or San Jose area would be helpful. I got laid off a while back
>> and
>> >there's precious little management work available locally. Anyone
>> >interested in helping can email me off list. I have over thirty years
>> >in managing capital equipment manufacturing, document control, and
>> >training and teaching. I have major accomplishments in process
>> >improvement with big dollar savings, new product development, and
>> more.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >.
>> >Visit for archived
>> messages,
>> >bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>> >
>> >Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> .
>> Visit for archived
>> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>>
>>
>>
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>
--- In , snydr@s... wrote:
> Dave, from your narrative, it seems obvious to me that you're more
than
> qualified to succeed Phil and continue the show. Whaddaya
think? ; )
>
> Danny
> On Sep 8, 2005, at 4:41 PM, Dave Becker wrote:
The Big Wave Dave show!!! Excellent idea.
Mike/USK
The other consideration is as follows:
KFJC does not work the way other college stations do, not in the least.
It's not a student activity. Everyone takes Radio 90A, that's a full
quarter with real homework and lab assignments, and real tests with
serious pass levels. About half of all starters do not get past the
midterm, and a thrid of the survivors don't get the legals well enough
to go on to jock training. Of the remaining, about a third fail to
re-register, in part from realizing they can't commit to the workload
(8 hours per week, not including your show) required to get and keep a
show.
Assuming success in 90A, there's DJ training the following quarter.
After that, there are 13 minimum required graveyard shifts, and then
only if the Program Director determines that you are ready, can you
begin doing fill-ins to demonstrate readiness for a real slot.
Then, and only then, one may be eligible for applying for an open
shift, assuming there is a shift available at times they can commit.
Their delivery of station work must be up to snuff in an ongoing
fashion at this point.
You're talking a year out at best for a regular slot, and then you are
going to do a generic show (35 current rotation, the rest from the A
library primarily). After success there, specialty proposals can be
entertained, but are subject to Program Director approval and
time-slotting.
I'm not saying don't shoot at it, but it's neither quick nor certain.
Another looming factor is the general drift musically of the station
these days. It does not include rock 'n' roll in any significant sense,
aside from some pop-psych reissues and occasional garage bands. There
are only a few rock shows left, and they are there because of their
legacy. The majority of the staff in the drivers seat jobs are into
ambient, noise, electrinica, spoken word, etc., - post music to put a
face on it.
It's an uphill battle.
Registration also closes pretty soon for Fall Quarter. Everyone must be
registered (and coninue to be registered) as a student to be on-air or
take the courses.
Phil
--- Dave Becker <> wrote:
---------------------------------
Oh Danny. Thanks so much for that compliment! However, as everyone
realizes Phil's shoes are ONLY Phil's. I understand the magnitude of
his commitment to Surf and it is well beyond the thought of anything I
personally could ever do or commit to.
Realize that Phil's commitment was organic to the Surf scene...his
experience, music knowledge, access and perspectives about nuance and
influences, reviewing skills, producer skills, scene involvement, etc.
Not to mention the DJ training and administrative knowledge required.
These are not easily replicated and frankly I humbly state that I'm not
even close. If we have all been The Fellowship of The Ring, each
playing our parts in the Surf world...he has been our "Gandalf". That's
why Phil's retirement is so tumultuous to our community.
If I know my Surf scene, it will organize to put together a tribute
concert within a year to again honor his amazing contribution to the
genre. My bands will be there to participate.
BW Dave
>-----Original Message-----
>From:
[mailto:]
>On Behalf Of
>Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 5:59 AM
>To:
>Subject: [SurfGuitar101] BigWaveDave on the Radio - was Re: Retiring
from
>KFJC
>
>Dave, from your narrative, it seems obvious to me that you're more
than
>qualified to succeed Phil and continue the show. Whaddaya think? ; )
>
>Danny
>On Sep 8, 2005, at 4:41 PM, Dave Becker wrote:
>
>> I want to echo all the accolades and I hope this post doesn't seem
like
>> a Biography-type narrative, but this news needs my personal
reflection
>> on Phil Dirt's amazing career at KFJC!
>>
>> My wife and I moved into Silicon Valley in the late 80s. I
discovered
>> Phil's Surf's Up! KFJC show soon after and was hooked from day 1. A
>> radio DJ was exclusively playing the music I loved! How could I not
be
>> thrilled? Phil was educating and entertaining from the first. To
come
>> home or go out on a Saturday night hearing Phil's show in the car.a
>> steady voice of reassurance and fun reverb!
>>
>> By 1991, I remember taping a LIVE show that featured The Insect
>> Surfers
>> for the entire show! In many ways the
"pre-Internet/pre-PulpFiction"
>> late 80s and early 90s were very exciting for the advancement of
Surf.
>> With his direct support, Phil's show simply became part of the
>> neo-Surf
>> ecosystem. A lot of the new bands came from the Bay Area and Phil
was
>> there to support them. This was the era when The Phantom Surfers
and
>> The
>> Trashwomen would play The Kilowatt in San Fran; MOAM? was making
noise
>> in Athens; the Boss Martians, The Surf Trio and Satan's Pilgrims
>> rousing
>> the Northwest. Meanwhile, Phil Dirt was busy playing both
well-known
>> and
>> obscure first wave Surf (whew, whatta collection!), BUT ALSO 2nd
wave
>> and emerging acts like John & The Nightriders, Surfraiders,
Halibuts,
>> Agent Orange, The Mermen, The Insect Surfers, The Shockwaves, The
>> Ultras, Laika and The Cosmonauts, The Aquavelvets, The Apemen, The
>> Woodies, Shadowy Men, Pollo Del Mar, Teisco Del Rey and others.
>> Another
>> band that Phil worked closely with in those "earlier days" was The
>> Berzerkers (with Dino, formerly of Da Monz). Several of these now
>> well-known bands that Phil helped support early on have proven
"hard
>> core" and continue to play regularly even today! It's even great to
>> see
>> The Berzerkers carrying on and periodically reuniting for local Bay
>> Area
>> shows.
>>
>> By the mid 90s, Phil kept adding the newer upcoming bands like The
>> Eliminators, The Surfdusters, Brazil2001, The Torpedoes, The
>> Penetrators
>> and Los Straitjackets to the KFJC playlist roster and had some of
them
>> in for some LIVE Foothill College Campus shows or Pit performances
on
>> the air. Pulp Fiction's Surf music "inspiration" sent this huge new
>> wave
>> of bands to Phil for review and KFJC airplay of their material.
Phil's
>> "Surf's Up!" KFJC show had become THE voice of Surf music and gave
>> wonderful exposure to all the new bands, which has continued ever
>> since.
>> Phil would say "this is stuff you're not gonna hear anywhere else
but
>> KFJC!" How true?! Would I ever have hoped to hear a band like
>> Australia's GT Stringer, Italy's Cosmonauti or Japan's Surf
Coasters
>> had
>> it not been for Phil Dirt's Surf's Up!? By then, you knew there
was
>> there was definitely a movement underway, which has since become a
>> self-sustaining surge of bands, fans and internet communities. THIS
is
>> what Phil Dirt & KFJC helped to foster with his show along with the
>> mammoth ReverbCentral website, LIVE mics from "the PIT", Foothill
>> College campus in-person band performances, the fundraiser CDs and
>> chatroom knowledge. The Surf community continues to explode
worldwide
>> today from the root that Phil and his show helped forge. We all owe
>> him
>> our gratitude for his dedication to the Surf genre.his true
calling.
>>
>> One the songs that Phil has played consistently over the years in
all
>> its forms, has been Latinia, one of the prettiest Surf songs ever.
a
>> perfect sunset song for your California nights in the Bay Area.
>> Another
>> of my personal favorites has been The Surfraiders' Point Conception
>> '63.
>> Along with Steel Pier, these are also songs that resonate over the
>> years
>> for me from his show.
>>
>> I have enjoyed contributing to KFJC for many years and being an
annual
>> "guest DJ" on Phil's broadcasts. When we were together on the air,
he
>> always made me feel at home and I always did what I could to get
Phil
>> to
>> expose his wealth of knowledge to his listeners. As ambassador,
Phil's
>> show helped me spread the word about the East Coast Surf resurgence
>> going on with NESMA. 'Twas also my pleasure on occasion to
volunteer
>> and
>> answer the phones down at KFJC during the fundraiser shows. I am
>> saddened that KFJC is truly losing a legend.
>>
>> Now, Phil, I'm hoping it's only your show being affected by your
>> retirement decision. We still need you as the "Gandalf of Surf!"
You
>> and your warm voice have given us so many reverb-soaked Saturday
>> nights
>> and believe me, your KFJC Surf's Up! radio show will be sorely
missed.
>> But yes, it's now time to take back some of your own Saturdays and
we
>> all know you've earned it many times over. Our gratitude is
boundless.
>>
>> Best of luck in your hobbies and future career endeavors,
>>
>> bIG wAvE Dave Becker
>> Bass, The Aquamarines, Folk In A, The Tube Sharks, Club D'Jive
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From:
>> [mailto:]
>> >On Behalf Of Phil Dirt
>> >Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 12:59 PM
>> >To: ; ;
>> Cowabunga;
>> >;
>> >Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Retiring from KFJC
>> >
>> >Since the question has arisen...
>> >
>> >I have decided to leave KFJC, a decision undertaken back in
December
>> >2004. Reasons are many, but basically it's time.
>> >
>> >I was at KFJC between 1964 and 1967. KFJC was 10 watts mono with a
>> >coverage area no bigger than Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. At
that
>> >time, KFJC was under the direction of Ken Clark, who was a
television
>> >refuge and believed that radio drama was coming back. He attracted
>> >mostly theatre people to the station. KFJC was only on the air 4
PM
>> to
>> >10:15 PM Monday through Friday. Programming was stiff to say the
>> least.
>> >4-5 was an easy music show, with a different host each day of the
>> week.
>> >5-6 was the Owl's Nest, hosted by local KXRX personality Bob
Hollman.
>> >He played a mix of pedestrian and tweaky jazz and the like, mixed
>> with
>> >Foothill College doings. It was a sort of voice of Foothill show.
He
>> >wasn't staff, everyone else was. Interestingly, Hollman used a
brief
>> >excerpt of Dick Dale and his Del-tones' "Surfin' Drums" as an
opening
>> >theme.
>> >
>> >Afterward, various prerecorded dramas, plays, and pre-NPR programs
>> ran
>> >until 10 PM. News came at 10 that was supposed to run 10 minutes.
The
>> >guy who did the rip and read loved to talk to himself, and often
ran
>> >until 10:25. One night, I shut off his mic, ran his close theme,
>> signed
>> >off, shut down the transmitter, and locked up, leaving him inside
>> still
>> >reading the news.
>> >
>> >Each day of the week, a different operator was assigned to run the
>> >broadcast day. I was assigned Tuesday. During the 4-5 show, we
were
>> >allowed to play instrumental music that was easy listening. We're
>> >talking Percy Faith and Ferrante & Teischer here. I once got in
BIG
>> >trouble for playing one soft and slushy Ventures instro, a trick
>> >repeated during the Owl Show when Kenn Ellner (vocalist of the
Count
>> V)
>> >played the Seekers' "Georgie Girl." These were too "rock" for
KFJC.
>> >This might give you an idea of the atmosphere.
>> >
>> >There were three of us at KFJC that weren't in the theatre crowd.
>> Three
>> >that wanted to do actual radio - top forty radio a la South Bay
>> legend
>> >KLIV. Around 1966, Ben Boding, Len Shapiro and I convinced Ken
Clarke
>> >to allow us to do rock 'n' roll radio on Saturdays from 9 Am until
3
>> >PM. We each had two-hour shows. I was 9-11 AM. The first few
records
>> I
>> >played included the Chocolate Watchband "Sweet Young Thing" and
the
>> >Sonics "Louie Louie."
>> >
>> >In early 1967, we were told that "combo saturday" was to be no
more,
>> >effective immediately. It seemed the self-appointed saviors of
>> theatre
>> >had pressured Clark to end what we were doing, and he did so
without
>> >warning or allowing recourse. Like any good 19 year old, I went
>> linear
>> >and got thrown out of KFJC by the dean after being accused of
mental
>> >imbalance. It was very traumatic.
>> >
>> >By 1970, Clark was gone and there was rock programming on KFJC. It
>> was
>> >trying to be like KMPX/KSAN. Within a few years, it was just
playing
>> >records, no different than the other 7 or 8 progressive rock
stations
>> >in the Bay Area. In 1978, there were a few upstarts that wanted to
>> play
>> >the "new music," but they were getting intense pressure not to. A
>> lock
>> >out and revolution later and KFJC was reborn. By 1980, power was
>> >boosted to 250 watts and the transmitter moved to the top of Black
>> >Mountain, allowing coverage to extend over most of the Bay Area.
>> >
>> >I found myself listening to the "new music" on KFJC and noticing
that
>> >the "kids" on the air had a very shallow musical depth
historically.
>> I
>> >still recall the trigger event for me, a guy back announcing a
punk
>> >band's version of a Bo Diddley song as a "Rolling Stones song." I
>> >decided to rejoin the station with the purpose of producing a rock
>> >history program.
>> >
>> >I started work on "waves," writing and researching, using my
library
>> >and borrowing material from Encore Records via Stretch Rieldle.
The
>> >idea was to look at the evolution of the music and its genres, not
>> from
>> >a chart perspective, but through the innovators and trigger
points.
>> >Unsung heroes and legends alike. Intended to be 13 half-hour
>> episodes,
>> >it ended up being 132 episodes.
>> >
>> >In 1982, I took on a Sunday Afternoon show called "Relix," which
had
>> >been an oldies show. I converted it to a garage band show, and
added
>> a
>> >10-minute weekly surf instro segment. It grew from there.
>> >
>> >Then in 1983, there was "Maximum Louie Louie." That story is on my
>> site
>> >and elsewhere on the net.
>> >
>> >23 years surf has been on KFJC. Over 300 surfbands have played
live
>> in
>> >the Pit, plus a few legends like the Chocolate Watchband and
>> >Colorfinger. Remote live recordings add bands like the
Eliminators,
>> >Hawkwind, Nik Turner's Space Ritual, Spiral Realms, the first
South
>> Bay
>> >Surf Band Reunion, Ron Wilson and the Surfaris at OT Prices,
dozens
>> of
>> >soundboard sessions at local clubs when surfbands played, and
more.
>> >
>> >8 Surf CD's, 15 or more live surfband events on campus, and more
than
>> >$250,000 raised for KFJC. I believe "Summer Surf" to be the first
>> >exclusive to the station live music fundraising CD.
>> >
>> >In the mean time, I proposed a real radio course for KFJC, wrote a
>> text
>> >in it's 15th year and 30 revision, developed a DJ training lab
>> course,
>> >sat in most management chairs at KFJC, and consulted on many
>> decisions.
>> >I have recorded albums, mixed albums, and provided tracks on
nearly a
>> >hundred releases. I launched Reverb Central in 1994, thinking I
was
>> >going to be the last guy on earth on the internet.
>> >
>> >I have had amazing support from Uncle Al, Gallium Arsenide, Eric
>> >Weaver, Grawer, Doc Pelzel, Austin Space, and others that made all
>> the
>> >live bands possible, and moral support from Ann Arbor.
>> >
>> >I've done everything I set out to do, and much more. Now, I need a
>> >change.
>> >
>> >Reverb Central continues with significant improvements in
>> development.
>> >I want to do radio in some form, perhaps a podcast, or a station
>> closer
>> >to home (KFJC is an hour away), or maybe syndication. This is all
up
>> in
>> >the air. No thought has gone into this right now. Most
immediately, I
>> >need a break. My other newfound hobby also takes time out.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >There are other reasons as well. No one who has ever been at a
>> non-com
>> >station has escaped the stupidity of the politics. Few have
weathered
>> >as much for as long. I won't miss that at all.
>> >
>> >Phil Dirt
>> >
>> >PS - Anyone that can point me to a new position for income in the
>> Santa
>> >Cruz or San Jose area would be helpful. I got laid off a while
back
>> and
>> >there's precious little management work available locally. Anyone
>> >interested in helping can email me off list. I have over thirty
years
>> >in managing capital equipment manufacturing, document control, and
>> >training and teaching. I have major accomplishments in process
>> >improvement with big dollar savings, new product development, and
>> more.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >.
>> >Visit for archived
>> messages,
>> >bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>> >
>> >Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> .
>> Visit for archived
>> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>>
>>
>>
>> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>>
>> ⪠Visit your group "SurfGuitar101" on the web.
>>
>> ⪠To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>>
>>
>> ⪠Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
Terms of
>> Service.
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>.
>Visit for archived
messages,
>bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
.
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