Post #63673 by Luckydesigns on Sat, Dec 6, 2003 9:52 PM

When I had a girlfriend that live in Santa Monica, I used to go see the Red Elvises every weekend at Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica pier. I got to know those guys pretty well too. If you've know where to look and you live in California, those guys turn up everywhere. I've seen them randomly at the Third Street Prominade, on the Tonight Show, at my University's (in nor cal) homecoming, E's 'Wild On', and I guess they were on an episode of Melrose Place. Truely the hardest working musicians around.

My favorite thing about them was that their lead guitar player was unbelievable. Sadly, he left to do his own thing after playing with them for years and years. They replaced him with an accordion player. Not sure how that'll affect the sound but I'm sure it ain't gonna be the same. I mean... accordion?

Their best album in my opinion is SURFING IN SIBERIA with the standout track being a very Dick Dale inspired song called 'Lovepipe'. Their newer music is much more on the novelty side than their earlier stuff.

Check 'em out at http://www.redelvises.com

The Red Elvises are good, but the single best modern surf band is easily Los Straitjackets. Hands down. Eddie Angel from The Planet Rockers and Ronnie Dawson's band formed this band. Los Straitjackets are the real deal. And as Sirginn mentioned, they do, in fact, rock out wearing mexican wrestling masks.

Check them out here: http://www.losstraitjackets.com

Of course, the mix between exotica, caribbean, and surf comes from our own Crazy Al's band "Ape." Great CD plus live tiki carving onstage by Al. Fun, upbeat, exotic, surfy type stuff. I think my favorite track by them is their cover of Duke Ellington's "Caravan."

Here's Ape: http://www.tikimania.com/ape-tiki-gallery.html