Surf n Tiki, connection? - Tiki Music

J JOHN-O Tiki Socialite Dogtown, USA Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 2721	J JOHN-O Posted posted on Wed, Feb 23, 2011 12:17 AM Thanks Jeff (and Helve), Actually is a Primo Aloha shirt really Tiki ?? For some reason I associate that pattern specifically with the early 1970,'s but that just might be foggy childhood memories. And Helve, that photo of the Neanderthals is kind of timely. That East coast GARAGE (not Surf really) band recently played LA for the first time a few weeks ago. There were several TC members in attendance. Maybe our presence made them Tiki, ha ha. There is no doubt that Surf music is a great complement to the mid-century cross pop-cultural stew of the Tiki Revival. The two So CA native styles peaked at the same time (roughly 1963) and came back decades later as geek cultures. I however, am more interested in the exact 1960's historical precedence for the relationship. It was enough for the Bigbro to devote one chapter to it in BOT (as well as the "Sound of Tiki" CD) and Brian Chidester and Domenic Priore to do the same in "Pop Surf Culture". The use of the Tiki as a surfing talisman was a key example. I need to go back and review those books but that was the main reason I can remember. This would be a great thread to discuss the following: Does any other hard photographic evidence exist to support that theory? How about Mickey Dora sporting a Tiki pennant or maybe the use of Tiki-style iconography in an AIP Beach movie? I know this sounds absurd but was Surf music really a part of true Surfing culture? It might be argued that the whole "Surf music" label was simply a marketing thing by the record companies. I've also heard that most of the "real" surfers of that time were older and thus not into the Surf music which was popular with younger teens. Even today as BTD points out, most surfers are not into Surf music, and most Surf music aficionados don't surf. Or maybe the whole point is moot since consumer Surf culture is mostly about looking the part and living the "lifestyle" without ever getting wet. Let's talk pop cultural anthopology here and not necessarily anyone's personal preferences (i.e. "I like both so that makes Surf music Tiki"). :)

Thanks Jeff (and Helve),

Actually is a Primo Aloha shirt really Tiki ?? For some reason I associate that pattern specifically with the early 1970,'s but that just might be foggy childhood memories.

And Helve, that photo of the Neanderthals is kind of timely. That East coast GARAGE (not Surf really) band recently played LA for the first time a few weeks ago. There were several TC members in attendance. Maybe our presence made them Tiki, ha ha.

There is no doubt that Surf music is a great complement to the mid-century cross pop-cultural stew of the Tiki Revival. The two So CA native styles peaked at the same time (roughly 1963) and came back decades later as geek cultures.

I however, am more interested in the exact 1960's historical precedence for the relationship.

It was enough for the Bigbro to devote one chapter to it in BOT (as well as the "Sound of Tiki" CD) and Brian Chidester and Domenic Priore to do the same in "Pop Surf Culture".

The use of the Tiki as a surfing talisman was a key example. I need to go back and review those books but that was the main reason I can remember. This would be a great thread to discuss the following:

Does any other hard photographic evidence exist to support that theory? How about Mickey Dora sporting a Tiki pennant or maybe the use of Tiki-style iconography in an AIP Beach movie?
I know this sounds absurd but was Surf music really a part of true Surfing culture? It might be argued that the whole "Surf music" label was simply a marketing thing by the record companies. I've also heard that most of the "real" surfers of that time were older and thus not into the Surf music which was popular with younger teens. Even today as BTD points out, most surfers are not into Surf music, and most Surf music aficionados don't surf. Or maybe the whole point is moot since consumer Surf culture is mostly about looking the part and living the "lifestyle" without ever getting wet.

Let's talk pop cultural anthopology here and not necessarily anyone's personal preferences (i.e. "I like both so that makes Surf music Tiki"). :)

Post #577337 by JOHN-O on Wed, Feb 23, 2011 12:17 AM