Menu
Forgoing much sleep, I got to the
mini-mall around 10:30am and hung out waiting for the
crowd. Music actually started early (1:50!), first up
Outer Wave (aka AquaPhonics), trad surf covers, a nice
warm up for a very long day. Besides, they play "The
Victor", my favorite Dickster cover. Next up was the
Shadows tribute/cover band Banned from the Shadows/Men
of Mystery. Marty T. in the first of two appearances
(but neither on guitar). There are a number of NorCal
bands that play a lot of Shadows songs, so I was
pretty familiar w/their set. The lead guitarist
really has the Shadows sound down pat. Right on time
was the third band, Glasgow Tiki Shakers. Don't know
much about them, except the guitarist has sat in for
Roger in Chum at least once. The biggest shock came
during their set, they did a Ry Cooder cover (Drume
Negrita). Why shocking? Because Jim Thomas (Mermen)
plays the same song w/his side project the Shitones!
What are the odds? And besides GTS ended their set
w/a song the Surf Coaster played on their US tour
(Black Sand Beach).
Halftime, and out "entertainment", the Devo cover
band, Smart Patrol. MAJOR Kudos for Ted (or whoever)
putting a very decidedly un-surf band in the middle of
the day's events. More punk than surf, but kooky fun,
they brought in a bunch of their friends who lively
upped the place, and besides, they even did a version
of Secret Agent Man (a semi-surfy song).
Lava Rats kicked off the second half w/another strong
set, finishing w/their own Rolling Stones cover (Paint
It Black). Detonators still doing a number of
non-surf covers (vocals?), but it doesn't bug me as
much as some of the other purists. Migs won the honor
of being the ONLY band to be told to "turn down". For
their last song, Bernard called for Dave Arnson to
come up on stage, but before he could make it, another
Dave, Dave Wronski of Slacktone ran up and he jammed
w/the band on the Led Zep cover Immigrant Song. That
event made my trip worth it (unfortunately, I don't
think anyone caught that priceless moment on video).
Kelp in the penultimate spot, to much cheering from
their fans who made the long trip south. Finally, the
evening's closer, Insect Surfers, or as I called them,
the GIDS. That would be the Grateful Insect
Detonating Surfers w/Marty T on Bass, someone I'm not
familar on "other" guitar, and Jimbo on drums (who
I've not see in quite a while). More of a rock
version, including a Day Tripper jam during one song.
Special guests at the end, including Jimbo playing
bass on one song, and bigtikidude himself on bass for
Jack the Ripper (w/Rob of Detonators on "other"
guitar).
All in all, a very memorial show. Over 12 hours (my
back is still sore), but tons of fine, fun music. And
a shining example of the communal spirit that IS the
SoCal Surf Scene.
matt
