Post #602407 by JOHN-O on Sun, Aug 14, 2011 10:48 AM

WOW !!

BigTikiDude showed us the great DIVERSITY of Surf Music yesterday with his hand picked line-up of bands. Anyone who associates this music solely as "oldie" music needed to be there to "wake up and smell the coffee" (or in this case "hear the reverb", ha ha).

1. It spanned multiple generations from the First Wave with legends like Paul Johnson and Dick Dodd to the genre's next class of "kids" like the Deadbeats and Tequila Worms.

These latter 2 bands played with the intensity and passion of their youth, yet with the spirit of the music's origins. They had me grinning from ear to ear, especially the Tequila Worms who are our own local band based in Anaheim.

2. Also the Deadbeats and Tequila Worms, who are composed primarily of young Latinos, harken back to the music's early days, when many Mexican American Surf bands were springing up in Central California. People tend to associate the style with just suburban White teenagers in So Ca but even back in the early days, that wasn't the case.

3. It showed that Surf Music has no religious boundaries with Meshugga Beach Party. This band is comprised of Orthodox rabbis who play Jewish folk songs to a Surf Music beat. Ok, actually they're just dressed up as rabbis (including the fake beards), but they are all nice Jewish boys (and one nice Jewish girl). :)

4. Surf Music was represented from all corners of the globe with The Blue Demons from Canada, the Razorblades from Germany, and the Bradipos IV from Italy. Although all the bands were great, I think the Bradipos IV were especially an audience favorite. These bands illustrate the spirit of Surf Music transcending international borders, foreign culture, and language !! This is where some of the best music is coming from these days.

5. The "ringer" of the day was Daikaiju, who were a Kabuki-masked band playing Surf Music from another dimension. Was this really "Surf Music" or was it more akin to (brilliantly performed) instrumental speed-metal ?? The audience was deeply divided on the matter. Some of the traditionalists were horrified, but as you can see from Surf Fink's comments, some people considered Daikaiju the highlight of the day. Regardless, BTD forced us to confront and debate the question of "What exactly is Surf Music ?".

6. And yes, Satan's Pilgrims lived up to their great reputation. It was a fantastic experience to see them perform live. Also it's a sign of the Convention's significance that THEY would ask Jeff if they could perform there.

Tiki Central roll call: Mr & Mrs. Jason Wickedly, Chris B., Caltiki, Tikiyaki, Kirby, Mr. & Mrs. BongoFury, TNT (Teresa & Tim), HB Tiki, Sperm Whale & Whale Rider, Mambo King (Whorehay) & Dana, Jonpaul & Marie, and Kick the Reverb were among the Tikiphiles I recognized.

And hey, Tiki-dom's own Mr. J won the Fender American Vintage ’62 Thin Skin Jazzmaster guitar raffle. :)

Kudos, to the Starting Gate's bar, kitchen, and wait staff. They busted their butts all day for a hungry and thirsty crowd where it was hard to hear orders. From what I could see, they performed with great attitudes to a very long and non-stop day.

And last but not least..

THANK YOU Big Tiki Dude !!

This event is only going to get bigger and better, and the future of Surf Music will only prosper as a result of your annual milestone event.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2011-08-14 11:30 ]