Post #491521 by tiki mick on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 1:18 PM

On 2009-11-02 12:39, The Granite Tiki wrote:
I faced a similar decision with my band's set list.

Since I advertise us as "Exotica, Hapa Haole, and Surf" and there was already plenty of Surf music being represented at "OHANA" (the gig we were playing) and we have horns, the song I went with to include some surf was "Hawaii 5O"

So obviously I think it's okay.

I'm beginning to wonder why Slack Key Guitar music is never even considered. I know the general theory is that it's much more Hawaiian than Tiki, but an argument could be made that Surf is more California Beach than Tiki. I always like to make a bigger case for Hapa Haole as well, since I bet it was played in home Tiki Bars as much or more than Exotica. Sorry if this is all off topic.

So all that aside, and back to the point, I think it's the song itself that matters, especially on a compilation album, not the performers. And those songs you chose to represent Surf certainly ARE Tiki Surf.

I actually think that Hapa haole is the main music of tiki. (Of course, I am biased when it comes to that statement). But if you look at the classic polynesian style restaurants here in the continental U.S., it was probably a hapa haole band with some polynesian drumming and a floor show with hula dancers you would have seen, back in the day.

Of course, my first experience was disneyland Tahitian terrace, so I base my opinion on that.

I am just glad, however, that Hapa haole is being included in this CD!

As far as slack key, I have never really thought it fits the "tiki" scene, but certainly my band plays a couple of slack key type songs. It's just not the first thing I think of when I think of "tiki". To me, the emphasis is on the "pop" of "poly-pop", and back in the 50's pop was jazz based music. Slack key has no jazz elements, whereas exotica and hapa haole does to.

As for Surf, I think it's just the elements of the artwork, album covers, themes, and the fact that surfing has always been a part of Hawaii, waikiki, and the hollywood version of Hawaii. Greg Brady surfed without his tiki, and look what happened to him!!!!!