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I'm a crappy writer / reviewer, but I just HAD to report on my trip to
LA...
June 20th, my wife Catherine and I arrived in Los Angeles, checked into
hotel and dashed off to see 3 Balls of Fire & George Tomsco (of the
Fireballs) @ Go Boy Records. 3BF were in top form, playing to a small
but awed group of shoppers (met Jamie Murray!) I saw them in Austin
last year and am already a big fan! Next they backed-up George Tomsco,
and this guy is truly great, going back to 1958 with hilarious stories
as well as superb guitar player. Bought his new CD, HarLeeGuitar -
great record! Next, we all headed to a taco stand, then on to the
Pitcher House. (met BigTikiDude!) Playing first were The Sub-Mersians,
(got to meet Stretch!) and they were very, very enjoyable! I was moving
uncontrollably, really! Next up were 3 Balls of Fire again - louder
and greater yet! (met John Blair!!) Then, George Tomsco back by 3 Balls
- go see these guys if they are near you, truly inspiring! Last up, it
was the Insect Surfers (met Dave Arnson!) The Insects chewed us up and
spit us out! I've always liked them, but now I'm a devoted fan!!
2:00am, (4:00 am central home time) drag our tired, but happy asses to
the hotel.
June 21st, wake up dazed, head out to the Long Beach Marina to find
Slacktone. After wondering around lost awhile (met the Queen Mary!), we
saw someone loading a Fender amp onto a sailboat - MUST be the place!
The plan was to have two sailboats side by side, but the Long Beach
Police for some reason wouldn't allow it, so the boats were moored bow
to bow. It was very cool, Slacktone on one boat, all the rest of us on
another. They played their usual perfection, and sounded great on the
water. God I love Slacktone! The Sub-Mersions played after them, which
is tough - would YOU like to follow Slacktone?!? They were good though,
maintaining the party mood admirably! After the Sub-Mersions, there was
a rotating of guitars, bass & drums. Dave played with bigtikidude on
bass, and Captain John on drums. Dave even played Jessica Hayden's
Mosrite!!!!! Dusty told me later the instrument rotations went on for
hours after Cat and I left! Sigh......
After the boat party, we drove up to the Santa Monica Pier for Dick
Dale. I've seen Dick many times, and I love his tone and energy. He's a
living legend. And, hearing Dusty is ALWAYS a treat! But, in my humble
opinion, the Jimmy Dale stuff goes on way too long. I mean, he's cute
and all, and plays guitar "ok" I guess, but Dick played 30 minutes,
brought out Jimmy and yammered and yammered about Jimmy this, Jimmy
that - and they even played "You Are My Sunshine" for christ sake. 40
minutes of this. Then Dick did a quick medley and was gone. Oh well,
Dusty and Sam had a good 40 minute break!
June 22nd, load up with caffeine and head up to the Ocean View Beach
Party Festival @ The Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Very cool event!
First up were The Eliminators. I have some of their CDs, but I was not
prepared for how great they are. Very clean, tight sound. Renewed my
interest in them for sure. Set ended way too soon! Loved them! Next
were the Tornadoes, They played well and had diverse repertoire, with
lot of vocals and covers of pop songs. Great guys! Next was Agent
Orange, minus Dusty which was kind of odd. They had numerous technical
problems, but worked through them like the pros they are. After way too
many sound, amp and PA problems, Mike announced they'd try again later.
On to the Surfaris. Honestly, I wasn't expecting these guys to be so
damn good! They sounded great! Paul Johnson is THE SHIT! I was truly
riveted. See them - really! After the Surfaris, Paul Johnson and Gil
Orr played a guitars-only duet - The Duo-Tones. They did one great tune
after another, and I almost cried when they ran out of time. I was so
pumped I ran up and shook Pauls hand! May never wash it... Agent Orange
came back, with no tech probs. They went into a non-stop high energy
fast and loud set. Blew the crowd - and the crowd's eardrums - away.
Last was Dick Dale (Should have been Slacktone). See Dick Dale @ Santa
Monica Pier above.
One hell of a weekend of surf music and friends!!
I have TONS of photos of all of this, and will post when I have them on
my website. Already have the Slacktone pix up here:
Sorry this is so long,
charlie
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