Post #510926 by tiki mick on Sat, Feb 13, 2010 9:18 AM

That's true, Jim, but wouldn't you agree that the latest incarnations of "exotica" based bands feature a predominately "surf" sound? I think that really is the crucial difference between then and now. I had not forgotten about the Blue Hawaiians, but to my ears, they are a surf band. A surf band with a lot of variations in their sound, but still a surf band. I believe Tikiyaki leans more towards the orginal concept of exotica, of course (probably why you are one of my favorite bands in this genre)but you do incorporate surf tones as well. But that's why I cite your band as the originators of this sound. I guess the Blue hawaiians and bands like Ape might also be among the first.

There is a clear delineation in my mind between mid century pop and that music which let's just say started in the early 60s. I am speaking in generalities, of course. Prior to the advent of rock (which includeds surf) the musicians were indeed jazz and classical based, and usually older (say in their 30's) whereas the rock scene and everything that came after was a youth-based music movement, for the most part.

Again, I speak of the harmonic spohistication of certain types of chords that the earlier groups employed. A clear example would be Denny's "stone god". These are chords that few, if any, rock musicans use.

Please understand that I am not making a judgement on the quality of the music. Blues, for example, is 3 chords. The same three chords, yet the music is fullfilling, pleasant and fun to listen to!

I like this new band. As a bass player, the first thing I noticed was the gnarly, growling tone he is using. It sounds killer! The lead guitar also has the surf sound down! The tone is similar to that golden, burnished tone that you use.

I guess where I quibble is with the naming of so many bands as being "exotica", when they clearly lean much more towards surf rock, albeit using vibes and percussion to a greater extent then the average surf band.

I tend to instantly generalize music into the predominate styles my ear associates them with. I remember when I was a kid, I brought an AC/DC record to my violin teacher (who is a very famous person I don't wish to name). Anyway, after a few seconds of listening, my teacher said "Oh, it's a blues band". I had not thought of it as such. To me, they were a hard rock or heavy metal band. But my teacher instantly identified the hallmarks of the blues. Come to find out later that Angus Young's first musical influence was in fact, the blues.

Therefore, when I hear projects such as Walk The Plank, my ears instantly identify it as surf rock, based on the chord structures and sequence, and the overall tone of the guitar.