I've seen Surfside's various incarnations. They've always been good -- but they've never been better. The current line-up is powerful enough to "turn goat piss into gasoline," to borrow a phrase.
Music
Phoenix NewsLocal News BlogFeathered BastardSpecial ReportsAsk a MexicanArchives SearchWeekly NewsletterGet Mobile
Phoenix RestaurantsFood BlogRestaurant ReviewsFind a RestaurantMenusHappy HoursDealsDining NewsletterGet MobileRestaurant Ads
Phoenix ArtsArts BlogPhoenix TheaterThe Advice GoddessBig Brain AwardsArts NewsletterGet MobileEntertainment Ads
The group formed quickly and started gigging almost immediately. "At that time, I remember thinking this is really cool. We're the only surf band in town. The only one in a city of 31/2 million people . . . you can't beat that, and we did really well 'cause there was no competition. I think there are another two surf bands in town. We dig The Blue Moons."
Because of the paucity of local surf talent, the Tiki Lounge Parties necessitate importing like-minded acts, like Tucson's Bata Ire, an old lounge singer, complete with a vibes player. "He's in his 70s and he does the same act and same jokes he did in the '60s," Rhodes says.
James J. Barnett
The Surfside IV: If you light a tiki, they will come.
Location Info
Map
Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Category: Bars and Clubs
Region: Central Phoenix
|
13 user reviews
|
Write A Review |
| Save to foursquare |
|
Details
The Surfside IV are scheduled to appear Sunday, September 4, at The Rhythm Room.
Related Content
More About
Surfside IV just finished a fourth album, tentatively titled Twang-Fu! Produced by James Miles (The Wormwood Brothers, Thee Jaguar Sharks), it works in some eclectic sub-genres, incorporating heavy metal, some Middle Eastern sounds, and even a cover of Henry Mancini's Pink Panther theme from A Shot in the Dark.
The record certainly will please surf connoisseurs, but what of a full-blown surf music revival?
"If we're grading [the scale of a revival] from 1 to 10, with 10 being full on, the answer is 2," Rhodes says, laughing. "I sit at home and wonder, are there more surf bands or polka bands? We're in the same boat with polka and tejano bands. It's definitely a musical backwater. It's never gonna die or change much. It's always going to sell beer. We're great sellers of beer."
Not to mention fruity punch drinks with tiny umbrellas poking out of them.
6 comments
A few additional wee corrections: Trey did not found the Surfside IV, he was actually the last to join the original line-up, and inherited the band after they dropped out one by one to form other bands or pursue other interests.
And the Fat Albert character whose face is hidden is Dumb Donald, not Mushmouth. ;)
Swell article! One wee correction, though, from here:
"Because of the paucity of local surf talent, the Tiki Lounge Parties necessitate importing like-minded acts, like Tucson's Bata Ire, an old lounge singer, complete with a vibes player. 'He's in his 70s and he does the same act and same jokes he did in the '60s,' Rhodes says."
Bata Ire is actually an awesome local Afro-Cuban-Jazz act that is appearing with us at this year's Tiki Lounge Party. Our quote refers to the legendary Hawaiian lounge singer Ernie Menehune who has retired to Tucson. Totally different. And Bata Ire's jokes are not stale; they are totally fresh.
This group looks really cool, I wish I could make the show this weekend. Does the band have any other gigs lined up in the future?
Sure. We try to keep folks in the loop as best we can. We do a website, Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, semaphore, smoke signals, men's room grafitti. Pretty much all of it.
http://surfsideiv.comhttp://www.facebook.com/surfsi...http://twitter.com/TheSurfside...
Thanks very much. Please send my thanks and admiration to your crew, this music is like a mini-vacation, and a brief escape from this oppressive heat. Look forward to catching you guys live.
Now Trending
Browse Voice Nation
-
Voice Places
Find everything you're looking for in your city
-
Happy Hour App
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
-
Daily Deals
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
-
Best Of...
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
Join
Log In
- Profile
- Newsletters
- Mobile
- Logout
