FAQ Version 4.2 updated 5/2001 Jump to the Cowabunga Gear FAQ   1. DUDE! WHAT'S THIS COWABUNGA THING ABOUT? COWABUNGA is a Yahoo! Group list for the discussion of instrumental surf music and kindred instrumental rock 'n' roll, from the late fifties through the present. The discussion is generally friendly and flame-free (but there have been exceptions as the list has grown). Cowabunga currently (4/2001) has around 250 subscribers. If you're looking to discuss vocal surf music, try the Yahoo! Groups endless-summer, lilsmileycabin, or TotallyBeachin. 2. BITCHIN'! HOW DO I PARTICIPATE? Easy. Go to the Yahoo! Cowabunga page and follow the instructions from there. Once you're in, please extend the following basic courtesies to your fellow Cowabungans: 1. When replying to a post, retain as much of the original text as is necessary for readers who missed the earlier post to understand your point. But delete whatever isn't necessary: some listmembers have slow connections, and time is scarce for all of us. 2. When replying to a post, check the subject line and change it if you are changing the subject. 3. Check the "to:" address before you click on "send". It's embarassing for you and a waste of time of everyone else when personal messages go to the list. 4. If you feel the need to insult someone personally, for whatever reason, take it offlist. 5. Turn off the CAPS LOCK key on your keyboard. You don't need to shout. 6. Most importantly, this is an instro/surf music discussion list. Take off-topic banter to personal email. This is not the place for politics or obituaries (except of surf musicians).   3. SO, WHAT EXACTLY COUNTS AS "INSTRUMENTAL SURF MUSIC"? Good question. Some today find the "essence" of surf -- as distinct from other instrumental rock and roll -- in one or more aspects of Dick Dale's early '60s style: staccato melody lines played on the low strings of a Fender Stratocaster (or maybe a Jaguar or Jazzmaster), or the "wet" dripping sound of a heavily reverbed guitar (Dale was the first to feature the Fender reverb as a sound-modifier for the guitar). These sounds were said to capture the feel of riding the waves. But not all the original surf bands sounded just alike. Other bands evoked the spirit of the swelling surf by liberal use of the guitar's tremolo, or whammy, bar. Rather than try to reduce a complex, evolved, and still-evolving style of music to a single defining characteristic, we should recognize that surf involves a combination of elements in proportions that can vary. In medical terms, instrumental surf music is a syndrome -- a cluster of symptoms, no single one of which is necessary or sufficient for the diagnosis. The main symptoms of a "traditional" surf recording are: 1) Small combo (electric guitar, bass, drums, and usually rhythm guitar; possibly electric piano, organ, or sax). 2) Prominent reverb on the lead or rhythm guitar (prime example: the Astronauts), or extensive use of the guitar's vibrato, or whammy bar (the Sentinals). 3) Short (usually under 3 minutes), catchy songs: this is a form of danceable rock and roll we're talking about. 4) A melody that is a picked or double-picked staccato (Dick Dale's style). 5) Surfing-related song titles (especially during the 1960-65 period). 6) No vocals (of course!). Of lesser importance but still worth mentioning is 7) The garden-variety "surf beat": double on the two, single on the four. mm-BA-DA mm-BA, mm-BA-DA mm-BA. For further discussion of this topic see the introduction to John Blair's "Illustrated Discography of Surf Music", listed below. See also surf DJ Phil Dirt's essay "What is Surf? (go to http://www.spies.com/~reverb/central.html, then click on "columns" and then on "what is surf?"). Phil cites dozens and dozens of borderline cases to show how hard it is to pin down what does or doesn't fall within the still-evolving surf genre. Bands with trad-surf roots are today branching out in many ways.. 4. "EVOLVED AND STILL EVOLVING"? CAN YOU GIVE ME A HISTORY LESSON? Instrumental rock and roll with characteristics (1), (3), (6), and even (7) can be found in the predecessors of surf: Link Wray, Duane Eddy, the Fireballs, the Ventures, the Shadows, and other instrumental guitar bands. The original surf bands (featuring elements (2), (4), and (5) in addition to the others) formed in Southern California in the early 1960s. They were often high schoolers playing music for other teenagers at school dances and community centers. Many of the bands were inspired by Dick Dale & The Del-Tones ("Let's Go Trippin'," "Miserlou," "Surf Beat," "The Wedge"), the most popular local act at the time. Dale was and is generally recognized as the "King of the Surf Guitar," the most important single catalyst to the development of surf music as a genre. A few surf bands broke through to score national, and even international, hits. These included The Chantays ("Pipeline"), The Surfaris ("Wipe Out"), and The Astronauts ("Baja"). Others such as the Belairs ("Mr. Moto") Eddie and the Showmen ("Squad Car"), Original Surfaris ("Bombora"), Sentinals ("Latinia"), and Tornadoes ("Bustin' Surfboards"), remained less well known, but were nonetheless important to the development of the style. For more detail, see John Blair's history lesson. For detailed histories of dozens of classic surf bands, see Bob Dalley's book listed below. The present "surf revival" began around 1980, with Jon and the Nightriders and the Surf Raiders, both in Southern California, as the most prominent bands playing old and new material in pretty much the traditional surf style. (Punk bands like JFA and the virtually indestructible Agent Orange were also doing surf covers in the early '80s, and on the vocal side the Surf Punks achieved some notoriety.) Since 1980, and especially since 1990, and even more especially since the release of the surf-scored movie "Pulp Fiction" in 1994, a variety of surf and surf-influenced bands have proliferated around the globe. For present day bands, covering at least a few classic instrumental surf tunes earns some kind of "-surf band" status. For example, Agent Orange (on their "Bitchin' Summer" EP) could be called a punk-surf band, the Mono Men (on their "Shut Up!" EP) a garage-surf band, the early Man or Astro-Man? (too many releases to mention) a sci-fi-surf band. However, only in a very broad sense (i.e., surf = instrumental garage rock) can bands such as Pell Mell, Huevos Rancheros, or the late Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet be called surf bands. But that's not meant as a knock on them -- they themselves don't *want* to be called surf bands -- and discussion of their music is also welcome on Cowabunga. (We're not all strict surf traditionalists here.) 5. WHERE CAN I GET AN INTRODUCTION TO CLASSIC SURF? Various Artists, "Cowabunga: The Surf Box" (discs 1-3 of 4), Rhino Records "Pulp Fiction", original soundtrack, MCA. Dick Dale, "King of the Surf Guitar: The Best of Dick Dale", Rhino Dick Dale, "Better Shred Than Dead" box set (disc 1), Rhino. Belairs, "The Origins of Surf Music 1960-1963", Iloki. Challengers, Best Of [?] Original Surfaris, "Bombora", Sundazed. Eddie and the Showmen, "Squad Car", [?] Surfaris, Wipe Out: Best Of [?] Various Artists, "Legends of Guitar: Surf", Rhino. Various Artists, "Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 5: Surf", Rhino. Various Artists, "Big Surf", Ace. Various Artists, "Bustin' Surfboards", GNP Crescendo. Various Artists, "Rare Surf", vols. 1-3, AVI Various Artists, "Wild Surf", Del-Fi   6. WHERE CAN I GET AN INTRODUCTION TO CURRENT SURF? Various Artists, "Cowabunga: The Surf Box" (disc 4) Various Artists, "Rock Don't Run", vols. 1&2, Spinout Various Artists, "Locked Into Surf", vols. 1-3, Alopecia (UK). Various Artists, "Instrumental Fire", MuSick. Various Artists, "Instro Nation", Orange (Japan) Various Artists, "Secret Agent S.O.U.N.D.S.", Mai Tai. Various Artists, "Beyond the Beach", Upstart. Various Artists, "Reef Madness", Deep Eddy. Various Artists, "Tuberider", Anubis. Various Artists, "International Beach Ball", NPR (Germany). Recordings of the artists mentioned below. 7. WHERE CAN I GET A COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY? For 1961-65 US surf, see the John Blair book listed below. The closest thing to a discography of current surf CDs is the review section of Phil Dirt's web site. 8. WHO ARE THE MAJOR CURRENT INSTRO SURF BANDS? The current artists most commonly discussed on Cowabunga in recent months (not counting self-promotion of list members' own bands!) are probably Dick Dale, Los Straitjackets, the Space Cossacks, Satan's Pilgrims, Slacktone, Man or Astro-man?, and the Mermen. Also discussed: The Fathoms, Jon and the Nightriders, Laika and the Cosmonauts, the Bambi Molesters, the Insect Surfers, the Aqua Velvets, the Volcanos, the Penetrators, Pollo del Mar, The Treblemakers -- and many more.. (Phil Dirt has also compiled a directory of current bands.) 9. WHERE CAN I BUY SURF MUSIC? First, at your local independent record store. In a pinch, usually reliable US mail order services well stocked with surf discs include: Bomp, PO Box 7112, Burbank, CA 91510, USA Estrus Records, PO Box 2125, Bellingham, WA 98227, USA Midnight Records, PO Box 390, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10011, USA Norton Records, Box 646, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10003, USA Get Hip, PO Box 666, Canonsburg, PA 15317, USA On the net: Bomp Estrus Records Double Crown Mail Order Midnight Records Norton Records POP Records Mail Order Zptduda Music 10. WHERE CAN I HEAR LIVE SURF BANDS? Most current surf bands are small-scale regional acts (i.e., they haven't been able to quit their day jobs), so check your local club listings. San Francisco and Los Angeles seem to have the most activity at the moment, but there are bands playing all over the map. Dick Dale has been touring throughout the US and Europe, as have Man or Astro-man? who have also toured Brazil. (see their web page, listed below, for upcoming dates). The Mermen (likewise see their web page) and Los Straitjackets have been touring the US widely. Jon and the Nightriders have visited Europe a couple of times. Live bands often appear on Phil Dirt's radio show in Los Altos, CA. KFJC broadcasts live over the internet. 11. WHERE CAN I HEAR SURF MUSIC ON THE RADIO? Rev. Willis keeps a database of surf radio shows . 12. WHERE CAN I READ MORE? Books: John Blair, "The Illustrated Discography of Surf Music, 1961-1965", 3rd. edition (1995). The definitive guide. 286 pp., hardcover. $45 plus postage from Popular Culture, Ink, PO Box 1839, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA. Phone orders: 1-800-678-8828. Robert J. Dalley, "Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties", 2nd ed. Also available from Popular Culture, Ink (see address just above), $45. Encyclopedic coverage of 40 bands, based on extensive interviews with dozens of original surf musicians. Dalley is currently writing a book on the post-1980 surf bands. Jack Wood, "Surf City: The California Sound", sold in record stores with a CD. A decent introduction for the price ($10-15), cribbed from the Dalley and Blair books listed above. An easy read with nice graphics. Zines: Surf Music USA. Focus on current US bands playing classic-style surf. US$3/issue to US addresses. Checks payable to Robert J. Dalley, 1312 W. 8780 S., W. Jordan, UT 84088. "The Wedge". "A Surf, Drag and Trash Punk Fan-Magazine" that doesn't take itself too seriously. Issue #5 US$2.50 ppd to US addresses, $3.75 overseas. Check or money order to Eric Johnson, 2994 Jacob, Hamtramck, MI 48212, USA. "California Music". Covers vocal and instrumental 60s-style surf-n-sun music, and comes with a CD featuring rare or previously unreleased tracks by contemporary or classic surf bands/artists. Some back issues are available. US$20/issue plus $1.50 postage to US addresses from John Blair, PO Box 2254, Mission Viejo, CA, 92690. If more convenient (given where you are on the globe), order direct from the publisher (write for prices): Stephen McParland, 2 Kentwell Avenue, Concord 2137 N.S.W., Australia. "Pipeline Instrumental Review". Covers Shadows-, Ventures-, and surf-style music in roughly equal proportions, with some other instro rock also thrown in. 3 issues for #6 (that's "6 British Pounds") to UK addresses; #7.50 to Europe, #9 to elsewhere. Payments to Alan Taylor, 12 Thorkhill Gardens, Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0UP, England. E-mail the Editor "New Gandy Dancer". Similar in eclectic coverage to "Pipeline", with perhaps more emphasis on the Shadows and similar bands. Write to Davy Peckett, 87 Napier Road, Swalwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE16 3BT, England. E-zines: Cosmik Debris: e-zine. Among other stuff, includes surf-related reviews and interviews. The Continental: Garage, surf, B-culture, and mail-order. 13. WHERE CAN I SURF FOR SURF ON THE WEB? *General Info* Cowabunga FAQ - This very document you're reading right now, hypertextualized and with links. Bookmark it now! Phil Dirt: Phil hosts a surf music show on KFJC in Los Altos, CA. Mucho reviews of recent releases and tons of other info here. Salt Lake City Surf Music Appreciation Society: Information, stuff for sale. The Surf Music Hall of Love: Fan's page with links galore to surf bands, labels, and whatnot. Chateau d'Zip Cowabunga page: Another fan's page with snazzy graphics and links. Cryptographics Cool posters of MOAM?, Dick Dale, Mermen, Satan's Pilgrims, many more. *Musicians* Dick Dale The official "Dick Dale On Line" site. Tour dates, etc. Man or Astro-man?: The pages of instrumental insanity! Discography, tour schedule, etc. Los Straitjackets: Surf, twang, and Mexican wrestling masks; all three done up tightly. The Mermen: Some call them cutting-edge surf, some say they've crossed the border into psychedelic Laika & the Cosmonauts: Scandinavia's number one instrumental surf-pop band. Surf at IUMA: Surf bands on the Internet Underground Music Archive, with links to audio and mpeg video files. Big Guitars from Texas: . Trash, twang, and thunder. Billions Corporation: - Bookings firm has pages on its clients, including Man or Astro-Man?, Phono-Comb, and Southern Culture on the Skids. Boss Martians: - Swanky PNW band mixing surf instros and hot-rod vocals. Dead Man's Curve: - London's premier surf combo. Good links page. Exotics: - Milwaukee's tiki-surf band. Halibuts: - The longest-running surf band, courtesy of their record label. Malibooz: - The veteran vocal combo Penetrators: Beautifully done site for the sharp trad-surf band from Tuscaloosa. Don't miss the "fellow operatives" section of the photo gallery. (Oh, and if you blush easily, don't try to find them by typing "penetrators" into a search engine.) Pollo Del Mar: - Eclectic surf-and-Zappa-influenced instro band from San Francisco. Sandblasters: - Austin's advocates of "peace through reverb". Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet: - Unofficial site remembers Toronto's surfy instro-pop trio, and tracks the bandmembers' current doings in Phonocomb. Southern Culture on the Skids: - The finest in toe-sucking geek-rock, with occasional Appalachian-surf instros. Space Cossacks: - So far, just a photo of the blazing DC Atlantics/Shadows/surf band. Squid Vicious: - Austin's pioneers of squid-rock. Influences from Link Wray to Rush. Surfaholics: - Ohio band whose debut CD "Tiki A-Go-Go" has been well received. Torpedoes: - High-speed surf trio from the Silicon Valley, "good for the country." The Woodies: San Jose's late now-disbanded apostles of classic surf, with the reverb set to 11. 14. WHERE CAN I SEE/HEAR SURF BANDS ON VIDEO? Dick Dale has a cameo singing "Secret Surfin' Spot" in "Beach Party". He also appears in "Muscle Beach Party". The Pyramids are seen performing "Bikini Drag" in "Bikini Beach". Surf tunes are featured in "Beach Girls and the Monster", aka "Monster From the Surf". Gary Lewis and the Playboys do a couple of surfy instrumentals in "A Swinging Summer" (with a young Racquel Welch). "Endless Summer" features tunes by the Sandals, in an otherwise mostly studio-jazz soundtrack. "Endless Summer II" features "It's a Wonderful Halibut" by the Halibuts, and "Shake n' Stomp, Pt. II" by Dick Dale and Gary Hoey, in an otherwise mostly heavy-metal-lite soundtrack by Gary Hoey. 15. WHAT DID JIMI HENDRIX MEAN WHEN HE SAID "YOU'LL NEVER HEAR SURF MUSIC AGAIN"? There are two stories. (1) Jimi was referring, with respect, to the fact that Dick Dale was in the hospital with cancer and not expected to survive. This is the story Dick Dale tells. (2) Jimi was referring, with a sneer, to the fact that the then-passe Beach Boys had backed out of the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. This is the story the Beach Boys tell. 16. DID MOTLEY CRUE'S BASS PLAYER, NIKKI SYXX, ONCE PLAY IN JON & THE NIGHTRIDERS? No. The Motley Crue member is a different guy, who simply copied the stage name of the Nightriders' "Nikki Syxx". The Nightrider guy subsequently switched to his real name, Jeff Nicholson, on J&N's third album. 17. ARE THE MERMEN REALLY A SURF BAND ANYMORE? Not in the standard sense of playing catchy three-minute tunes with lots ofreverb. (Now they play improvisational nine-minute tunes with lots offeedback.) But they started in the surf vein (listen to their first self-produced album, "Krill Slippin'"), and still occasionally cover classic surf tunes ("The Quiet Surf," "Casbah") live. And some of their fans say their playing reminds them of the power of the ocean. 18. ALTHOUGH DICK DALE MADE IT FAMOUS AS A SURF INSTRUMENTAL, I'VE HEARD THAT THERE WERE ORIGINALLY LYRICS TO "MISERLOU" (AKA "THE PULP FICTION THEME"). WHAT ARE THEY? People who dig out the old sheet music report the following lyrics: Desert shadows creep across purple sands Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans There silhouetted under an eastern star I see my long lost blossom of Shalimar You...MISIRLOU... Are the moon and the sun Fairest one Old Temple Bells calling across the sand We'll find our Kismet answering love's command You...MISIRLOU... Are a dream of delight In the night To an oasis sprinkled by stars above Heaven will guide us Allah will bless our love Ah...Ah...MISRLOU... (lyrics by Fred Wise, Milton Leeds & S. K. Russell) However, an evil genius (Mickey Deora) reports: Don't believe all that Arabic belly dance crap. Here's the real words... I play guitar, and I also play trumpet and drums I made a career out of playing glissando runs I had an earring, and I played the bongo's too in beach blanket movies, and yes I wrote Miserlou I lived with tigers, and a girl from Hawaii too I wore a jumpsuit, and we had a Vegas review I bought an airplane and into the clouds I flew Did you see Pulp Fiction? That was me playing Miserlou (bridge) I had a home, at the Wedge, and a Rolls Royce I used to surf, but the ocean is too polluted I think that's why I stopped but I'm not sure because the story has become so convoluted They use my music to sell those flat screen TV's Noboby's sure If I really am Lebonese I invented the Strat, and the Showman, and reverb too Noboby cares about lyrics to Miserlou (Words: Mickey Deora, Copyright 1999, Virtually Indestructible Music) 19. HOW CAN I CORRECT ONE OF THE MANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THIS FAQ? Direct your email letter-bombs to Moon Dawg. (Thanks to John Blair and Brian Ehrmantraut for help, but don't blame them.) This faq was originally coded into html by Jon Deadman and updated by Ferenc Dobronyi.