Revolution Surf 2022 & Show # 923

On this year's Revolution Surf we featured some sets of music in tribute to two musicans that passed in 2022. Don Wilson guitarist of The Ventures passed in January at the age of 88 and Toronto musician Dallas Good of The Sadies passed unexpectedly in February at the age of 48. On the show, which features 40 surf and instrumental tracks, we had a set of Ventures tracks in tribute to Don Wilson and The Ventures adventurous style to tackle different genres of music and some music in tribute to the surf side of Dallas Good and The Sadies music.

Don Wilson (1933-2022)

Don Wilson co-founded The Ventures with Bob Bogle in Tacoma, Washington in 1958. His guitar style combined with the music that The Ventures created would be instrumental and highly influential on the future of rock music. Before the first full lineup of the band formed, an early version of The Ventures existed with just Don Wilson on rhythm guitar and Bob Bogle on lead guitar. They played clubs and bars and it has been said that Wilson’s very distinctive rhythmic playing style originated due to the fact that they had no drummer when they started out. Regardless when The Ventures found Nokie Edwards (bass) and Skip Moore the first incarnation of The Ventures was in place. Wilson continued his driving rhythmic guitar style. The band were on their own label initially before being signed to Dolton Records. Their first hit was “Walk Don’t Run” in 1960. It would climb to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts changing their status as a band forever. The song itself was a cover of a cover done by Chet Atkins. Originally a jazz song by Johnny Smith, the way that The Ventures played it was different than both the original and Atkins version. When the band recorded this track in 1960, the drummer Skip Moore wasn’t interested in touring with the band and was not a full-time member of the band, but is featured on the recording. They would re-record a different version of this song called “Walk Don’t Run ‘64” which would also re-chart at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The classic lineup of The Ventures featured Don Wilson on guitar, Bob Bogle on bass (he and Edwards would switch instruments shortly after the recording of "Walk Don't Run"), Nokie Edwards on lead guitar and Mel Taylor on drums.

The Ventures tackled multiple styles throughout their career recording country, 50s rock, 60s pop and psychedelic albums. They would also drift into some disco music in addition to experimenting with recording on albums such as The Ventures In Space. The Ventures also released records at a fast pace, sometimes having as many as four records released in a year. They even released a series of albums for people interested in learning guitar called Play Guitar with The Ventures. The Ventures also recorded songs for TV shows and soundtracks for films. One of the most notable is their recording of the "Hawaii Five-O" theme song. In addition to their US success, they would have a greater success in Japan where they still have devout followings. Their instrumental and surf sounds went on to influence many. They were called “The most influential, best-selling instrumental band in rock and roll history” by the Grammy Museum in 2019. While a new version of the band plays today, Wilson played with The Ventures throughout many lineup changes until 2015. His rhythmic guitar style helped drive the music of The Ventures.

Dallas Good (1973-2022)

Dallas Good’s mark on music is deeply embedded in a lot of Canadian and non-Canadian independent music over the last several decades. Whether with The Sadies or in some other capacity he had an influence and impact on music that wasn’t always directly in the mainstream spotlight. Dallas and Travis Good are the sons of Bruce Good, who played in the Juno award winning bluegrass group The Good Brothers alongside his siblings and Margret Good, their mother was also a singer/musician. Introduced to punk by his brother Travis, Dallas initially played in a series of punk bands, but it wasn’t until Sadies bassist Sean Dean got an upright bass that he switched his musical interests to country music. The Sadies first formed in Toronto in 1994. The band consisted of Dallas Good (on vocals/guitar), Travis Good (vocals/guitar), Sean Dean (bass) and Mike Belitsky (drums). Their first album was 1998’s Precious Moments produced by Steve Albini. The Sadies developed their own take on country and western music, incorporating elements of surf and garage rock with a punk infused energy. The band operated as a collective unit with their shows having been described as transcendent. Forging their own path, The Sadies built a following for approximately the last two decades by collaborating and backing up several other artists in addition to releasing their own material. The Sadies have also collaborated, performed and recorded with other musicians such as Andre Williams, Neko Case, Blue Rodeo, Garth Hudson, John Doe, Neil Young, Buffy Saint-Marie, Mary Margret O’Hara, Gary Louris, Kurt Vile, Justin Townes Earle, Jon Langford and Gord Downie. They have also toured and recorded with Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray’s Heavy Trash. 

In 2004, The Sadies along with Rick White (of Eric’s Trip) and Greg Keelor (of Blue Rodeo) formed The Unintended, releasing a self-titled album the same year. One more release followed in 2006, featuring Gordon Lightfoot covers that was split EP with the band Constantines called Constantines Play Young/The Unintended Play Lightfoot. Dallas also produced and played with other groups in addition to The Sadies. He played with Phono-Comb, an instrumental surf band featuring Don Pyle and Reid Diamond of Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet, played with Toronto hardcore band Career Suicide, Half Japanese and played live shows on bass with Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet starting in 2012 when they reformed. He also performed in several punk bands prior to being in The Sadies such as The Satanatras, Guilt Parade and The Rat Crushers. The Sadies also provided the surf inspired soundtrack to 2006’s Tales of the Rat Fink and appear in the Carmine Street Guitars documentary. 2007’s New Seasons and 2010’s Darker Circles were both nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. A forthcoming full-length album is set to be released in 2022. It was produced by Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry. 

 Revolution Surf 2022 Playlist (Originally Aired On February 26th, 2022):

1.  The Surfrajettes - Couch Surfing (Roller Fink - Hi-Tide Recordings - 2022)
2.  The Surf Hermits - Out Beyond the Dune Sea (Hang Zen - Sharawaji Records - 2022)
3.  The Green Reflectors - Rip Rap (Tune Up - 2018)
4.  Teke::Teke - Ai No Kizuna (Jikaku - Ray-On - 2018)
5.  The Ventures - Fuzzy and Wild (Wild Things! - Dolton Records - 1966)
6.  The Ventures - San Antonio Rose (Play The Country Classics - Dolton Records - 1963)
7.  The Ventures - Psyched-Out (Super Psychedelics - Dolton Records - 1967)
8.  The Ventures - Sealed With A Kiss ($1,000,000.00 Weekend - Dolton Records - 1967)
9.  The Ventures - Ten Over (Surfing - Dolton Records - 1963)
10. The Ventures - Walk Don't Run '64 (Walk Don't Run Vol. 2 - Dolton Records - 1964)
11. The Sadies - Rat Creek (Live) (In Concert Vol. 1 - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2006)
12. The Sadies - Snow Squad (Live) (In Concert Vol. 1 - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2006)
13. The Sadies - Same Song (Precious Moments - Bloodshot Records - 1998)
14. Phono-Comb - Enchanted (Fresh Gasoline - Quarterstick Records - 1996)
15. Jad Fair & Phono-Comb - TV Guide (Monsters, Lullabies… And The Occasional Flying Saucer - Shake The Record Label - 1996)
16. Phono-Comb - Phonebone (Fresh Gasoline - Quarterstick Records - 1996)
17. Phono-Comb - Cliffhanger (Fresh Gasoline - Quarterstick Records - 1996)
18. The Sadies - Rubber Bat (Precious Moments - Bloodshot Records - 1998)
19. The Sadies - Venison Creek (Pure Diamond Gold -
20. The Sadies - The Pyramid (Tales Of The Rat Fink - Original Soundtrack - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2006)
21. The Sadies - Wolf Tones (New Seasons - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2007)
22. The Sadies - The Very Ending (Internal Sounds - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2013)
23. Les Krakmen - Krakmen Twist (Pebbles Vol 4 - BFD Records - 1979)
24. Os Kriptons - Manga Mandura (Paula EP - Lello & C - 1965)
25. Os Kriptons - Billy Boom (Paula EP - Lello & C - 1965)
26. Os Rebeldes - Murder By Contact (Tiro Liro - Orfeu - 1966)
27. The Pyramids - Pyramid Stomp (Play The Original Penetration - Best Records - 1964)
28. The Pyramids - Sticks and Skins (Play The Original Penetration - Best Records - 1964)
29. Bo Diddley - Surf, Sink or Swim (Surfin' With Bo Diddley - Checker - 1963)
30. La Luz - Yuba Rot  (La Luz - Hardly Art - 2021)
31. Blue Stingrays - Zuma Sunset (Surf-N-Burn - Epitone Records - 1997)
32. Blue Stingrays - Echo Park (Surf-N-Burn - Epitone Records - 1997)
33. Stereo Donkey - Shuvit (Shuvit Single - 2022)
34. The Cosmic Sand Dollars - Dunked (Let's Go Insertion! - Old Comet - 2022)
35. The Garrys - Heavy Flow (Get Thee To A Nunnery - Grey Records - 2021)
36. The Treblemakers - The Grudge (Time Machine: The History of Canadian 60's Garage Punk and Surf (1985-95) - Stomp Records - 1996)
37. HJ & The Constellations - Dawn of a New Day (Tubular Spectacular - 2021)
38. Atomic 7 - Your Ironic T-Shirt (Gowns By Edith Head - Mint Records - 2002)
39. Los Astros - Atomica (Latin American Surf Sampler Pt.2 - North Sea Surf Radio - 2015)
40. The Chewbacca's -  Echo Lake (The Return From Echo Lake - Sharawaji Records - 2019)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the February 26 file to download/stream the episode.

Revolution Surf 2021 & Show # 871

Surf rock is known for its reverb drenched guitar sounds and solos, drums and relation to surf culture. Starting in the 60s it has since infiltrated several genres of music. But, Western surf music or surf music with Wild West elements is kind of hard to pinpoint. You could go back to the early days of the Spaghetti Western movies and more specifically the films of Sergio Leone, which featured music from Oscar winning Italian film music composer Ennio Morricone. He often created epic, cinematic soundscapes in Western films incorporating elements of surf rock, along with other genres such as country as well as unconventional sound effects at the time. The music that he created for Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Western films are iconic. He used elements of surf music, combined with horns, acoustic guitar, Spanish guitar, 60s inspired psychedelic and fuzz guitar, all mixed together. He created a mood that would suit whatever scene it was accompanying in the movie. Morricone who passed in 2020, couldn’t have predicted the influence that his music from this time period would have on rock, indie rock, surf music and other genres of music. The soundtracks to the Dollars Trilogy (Fistful of Dollars, A Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly) have gone on to influence music in unexpected ways. Just listening to the theme music to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly separate from the movie is quite moving. When combined with the film, it creates an even greater effect on the viewer/listener. Of course, this wasn’t the only type of music Morricone would create when combining music for films. With approximately 500 film scores to his name, other films such as Once Upon A Time In The West, The Thing, The Untouchables, Cinema Paradiso, and The Hateful Eight are just some of the great film scores he created during his lifetime. With Morricone’s music, it's something you need to experience to grasp the full effect. However, surf music or surf guitar finds its way into all kinds of music nowadays it seems. But, Western themed surf music basically has elements of country mixed in with it.

The Ventures are a very well known surf rock/instrumental band. Known as “The band that launched a thousand bands,” their innovation and instrumental abilities have not gone unnoticed. In fact for last year's episode of Revolution Surf, we mentioned their experimentation with the space themed surf/instrumental genre. The band had its beginnings in the late 50s, 1958 to be exact. Bob Bogle first met Don Wilson in 1958 at a car dealership of all places, and after finding they had a common interest in music they decided to form a band. They then added Nokie Edwards on bass and Skip Moore on drums. Bob Bogle initially was the lead guitarist, but would switch to bass when Nokie joined the group, Don Wilson was on rhythm guitar. Nokie Edwards guitar playing and style is heard all over The Ventures early records. Having played numerous versions of Top 40 hits of the day reworked in their own style, in 1963 The Ventures released an album of instrumental/surf based country songs called Play Country Classics. On this album the band tears through country classics such as “I Walk The Line”, “Wildwood Flower”, “Lovesick Blues”, “Oh, Lonesome.”  This is just one of the over two hundred and fifty albums that have been released by The Ventures, starting with 1960’s Walk Don’t Run.

These are not the only examples of Western themes appearing in surf music or vice versa. Toronto’s The Sadies have blended garage, surf, country and folk in their music as well. Starting with their first album, 1998’s Precious Moments, The Sadies blended elements of Ennio Morricone, The Ventures, country, folk and rock. Songs such as “Dying Is Easy”, “Seventy-Six”, “Clear A Path”, “Cheat”, “Wagon Wheel”, alongside tracks such as “Pretty Polly”, “Cowhand” and “Little Sadie” all exemplified an aesthetic that The Sadies would explore. This was just the beginning for the band who have now not only released numerous albums of their own, but have also provided backing music for artists such as Andre Williams, Gord Downie, Jon Langford, John Doe and Neko Case to name a few. They have since expanded their sound incorporating elements of surf, country, folk, garage and psychedelic country aesthetics into their sounds. Albums such as Stories Often Told, Pure Diamond Gold, Favourite Colours, New Seasons, Darker Circles and Northern Passages are all good examples of this. Their albums and live shows are something not to miss. Wherever the origins of surf music combining with country, folk and other genres to have Western or Wild West themes originates from, the music is ubiquitous.

Revolution Surf Wild West Playlist (Originally Aired On February 27th, 2021):

1.  The Sandblasters - Tarantula Taco (Space Bar-B-Q - Mostly Harmless Music - 1996)
2.  The Reverb Syndicate - A Shadow Descends on a Dusty Town (Mondo Cacti - The Reverb Syndicate - 2011)
3.  The Reverb Syndicate - Six Shooter Shuffle (Mondo Cacti - The Reverb Syndicate - 2011)
4.  Monaci Del Surf - Lo Chiamavano Trinita (Monachai Del Surf - Inri - 2012)
5.  Twin Tones - Agua De Coyote (Agua De Coyote Single - Devil In The Woods - 2020)
6.  Beach Bomb - Dunkelheit (Dunkelheit - 2020)
7.  Spindrift - Speak To The Wind (The Legend of God's Gun - Tee Pee Records - 2020)
8.  The Bradipos IV - Titoli (A Fistful of Dollars) (For a few Guitars  (A Tribute To Morricone's Spaghetti Western Themes) - Dancing Bear - 2002)

9.  Charades - The Rider (Cool Cool Japan Soundtrack - GTJ - 2020)
10. Trabants - Train To Durango (Nel Cuore Di Una Terra Selvaggia - Lolipop Records - 2018)
11. Huevos Rancheros - The Lonely Bull (Muerte del Toro - Mint Records - 2000)
12. Atomic 7 - Stab and Steer It (En Hillbilly Caliente - Mint Records - 2004)
13. Les Jaguars - Appalaches (Appalaches - Disques Francbec/Disques Merite - 1996)
14. Urban Surf Kings - Cowboy X (Bang Howdy Partner - USK International - 2008)
15. Rev Hank - San Cristobel Showdown (El Camino De Los Muertos - Reverb Ranch - 2020)
16. Ramblin' Ambassadors - Standoff At Calfrobe Bridge (Ramble On - Mint Records - 2012)
17. The Catamounts - Six Shooters At High Tide (Nuomatac - Transdigital 66 - 2016)

SURFPHONY OF DERSTRUCTION 2000 SEGMENT:

18. CARLO - John Steele (CARLO - 2018)
19. Les Guitares Du Diable - Galaxie (Le Teenage Party - Philips - 1963)
20. The Zombrain - A Saga de Cavaleiro Noturno (Surfin' at Bauru River - Tudo Muda Music - 2020)
21. The Reverb Syndicate Theme - To Mondo Cacti (Mondo Cacti - The Reverb Syndicate - 2011)
22. Mystery Action - Spaghetti Western Suite (Surf Mix) (Surf Britannia 2 - Sharawaji Records - 2020) 
23. Twin Tones - Condado de Ladrones (Capello Di Mariachi - T-Vox Records - 2008)

24. The Losers - Snake Eyes Surf Age Nuggets (Trash & Twang Instrumentals 1959-1966 - RockBeat Records - 2012)
25. Link Wray - Deuces Wild Early Recordings (Early Recordings/Good Rockin' Tonight - Ace - 2015)
26. Luau or Die - Western Promises (Dead on the Floor Vol. 3 - 2017)
27. Los Plantronics - Bobby Peru (The Worst is Yet to Come (1995-2017) - Jansen Plateproduksjon - 2017)
28. The Ventures - Squaw Man (In The Vaults Vol 1. - Ace - 1999)
29. C & C Surf Factory - Don't Blame the Buclkle if the Belt's Too Tight (Garage City - Six-Shooter Records - 2015)
30. Secret Agent - Desert Mission (Mata Hari EP - Olare Records - 2019)
31. The Tremelo Beer Gut - Diablo Mountain Sunrise (Under the Influence of... - Crunchy Frog - 2000)
32. Los Plantronics - The Good The Bad & The Ugly (The Worst is Yet to Come (1995-2017) - Jansen Plateproduksjon - 2017)

DOWNLOAD/LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE HERE.

Revolution Surf 2020 & Show # 817

One of the first surf/instrumental based songs to have a space or sci-fi theme was the song “Telstar” by The Tornados. Not to be confused with the US band of the same name (spelled “Tornadoes”), this band was from the UK and worked together with producer Joe Meek in the early 60s. Meek wrote and produced the song for The Tornados, utilizing new, pioneering production techniques that created distinctive, and “space age” futuristic sounds. It sounded pretty strange then, but still sounds fresh today. With its use of keyboards and the Clavioline, “Telstar”, which was named after a telecommunications satellite that went into orbit on July 10th, 1962, became an immediate hit when released in August of 1962. In the UK the song was at #1 on the UK singles charts for 25 weeks and #1 in on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The Tornados were also the first British group to have a number one single in the US. Since then there has been a plethora songs and surf/instrumental bands that have named themselves based on space or sci-fi themes. Their first full-length album, Bustin’ Surfboards, was released in 1964. The album mixed 60s surf themed tracks with some vocal based tracks. It would become a cult classic, but reached new found popularity following the inclusion of the song “Bustin’ Surfboards” on the 1994 soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction.

In 1964, instrumental band The Ventures released their album (The) Ventures in Space. The album explored more experimentation within the band’s classic sound and was influenced by Joe Meek’s space age production style. The Ventures, who have put out so many releases often of both cover songs and originals, put out this album on Dolton Records. (The) Ventures in Space was also one of the first albums that The Ventures used Mosrite guitars on. Prior to this they used Fender, but from this album forward, The Ventures would use Mosrite guitars and would help set the standard for this brand. The model of guitar that they used was initially known as “The Ventures” model, but later became known as the Mosrite "Mark 1" guitar. As mentioned, the album showed a more experimental aesthetic as opposed to their other albums. This one also stands out as being quite different due to that fact. This pre-computer age sci-fi/space themed album combined intergalactic versions of TV theme songs such as “The Twilight Zone”, which ends the album with originals such as “He Never Came Back”, “Exploration In Terror” and “Solar Race”. The album begins with “Out Of Limits”, which was originally by The Marketts. This song when originally released by The Marketts was called “Outer Limits”, inspired by The TV show of the same name drew musical similarities to the theme song to the TV series The Twilight Zone. Despite being sued by creator Rod Serling, the song was changed to “Out of Limits” and became one of The Marketts biggest hits. It was also a popular song for The Ventures on this album. “Bat” with is low flying garage fuzz sounds, “Solar Race” with its psychedelic/cinematic aesthetics, and “Fourth Dimension” with its unnerving space surf tones all add to the make up of this album. While songs such as the eerie “Fear”, the gong dominated “Exploration in Terror”, the creepy, and the otherworldly sound “War of the Satellites”, all play out like a mix between a film soundtrack and a surf music album. (The) Ventures In Space is a pre-psychedellic experimental collection of surf songs.

Man Or Astro-man? formed in 1992. The band mixes elements of 60s surf rock with punk, new wave and some hard rock into their sound. Although primarily an instrumental group, they also have songs with vocals. The majority of their songs and albums have space and science fiction themes. In addition to the musical instrumentation, they have also used the Theremin, synthesizers and dot matrix printers in their music. Man Or Astro-Man? also use audio clips from old sci-fi movies in their music, a lot has been said to come from the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. The band’s backstory states that they arrived from outer space some years ago and integrated into human society as a rock band. Man Or Astro-man? consists of Star Crunch (Brian Causey) on guitar/vocals, Birdstuff (Brian Teasley) on drums and Coco the Electronic Monkey Wizard on bass/electronics. These three are the core members of the group, there have been additional members over the years. Man Or Astro-man? released their first album entitled Is It Man Or Astroman? in 1993 on Estrus Records. The band toured and released music from 1993 to 2001, releasing ten full-length albums, not counting singles and EPs. They have released music on Touch and Go Records, Estrus Records, Get Hip Recordings, through Chunklet Magazine and on Third Man Records. The band toured and released music from 1993 to 2001, releasing ten full-length albums, not counting singles and EPs. After a hiatus the band returned playing live in 2006 for the Touch and Go 25th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago. They began touring intermittently starting in 2010. Most recently, Avona Nova (Samantha Paulsen) has been playing with Man Or Astro-man? on guitar. Their most recent album Defcon 5...4...3...2...1, was released in 2013. It was recorded by Steve Albini, who has also worked them on 1995’s Planet Infinity and A Spectrum of Infinite Scale in 2000.

Revolution Surf 2020 Play List:

1. Atomicos - Shoot the Moon (Surfodelic - Norwegian Blue Records - 2017)
2. The Metalunas - Blast Off! (X-Minus One - American Pop Project - 2000)
3. The Saturn 5 - Voyage Around the Moon (That Thing You Do! Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Play-Tone/Epik Soundtrack - 1996)
4. Les Robots - Big Trouble In Outer Space (The Fascinating sound of Les Robots - Spazz Records - 2019)
5. The Astronauts - Rocket To Mars (Lost In Space - Pin Up Records - 1993)
6. The Astronauts - Pinball Crazy (Lost In Space - Pin Up Records - 1993)
7. Los Straitjackets - Space Mosquito (Jet Set - Yep Roc Records - 2012)
8. Gene & The Esquires - Space Race (Space Race/Rave On Single - GNP Crescendo - 1965)
9. Joe Meek & The Blue Men - Orbit Around The Moon (Music from Planet Earth Vol 1 - Stag-O-Lee - 2013)
10. The Ventures - Moon Child ((The) Ventures In Space - Dolton Records - 1964)
11. Tornados - Telstar (Music from Planet Earth Vol 1 - Stag-O-Lee - 2013)

SURFPHONY OF DERSTRUCTION 2000 SEGMENT:

12. Los Freneticos - Teletransportacion (Teletransportacion - Hi-Tide Recordings - 2019)
13. The Phantom Dragsters - Galaxy Quest (Surfin' After Death - H-Records - 2016)
14. King Ghidora - Hal 9000 is Re-Activated (The Secret Origin of An Unknown Planet Destroyer - Sharawaji Records - 2018)
15. Los Kosmos - Mega Hit (Los Kosmos - 2018)
16. Megatronadores - Surfergalactico (Wanglen - 2017)
17. Mark Malibu & The Wasagas - Astro Bot (Crash Monster Beach - Sharawaji Records - 2018)

18. Urban Surf Kings - The Day the Surf Stood Still (Surf vs. Flying Saucers - USK International - 2004)
19. Urban Surf Kings - Deep Space (Surf vs. Flying Saucers - USK International - 2004)
20. Reverb Syndicate - Lunar Attack (Sputnik A-Go-Go - The Reverb Syndicate - 2007)
21. Blue Demons - Moon Dawg (The Blue Demons)
22. The Vondells - In Orbit (The Vondells (Unreleased) - 2003)
23. The Surfdusters - The Moons of Jupiter (Waves of Pleasure - Surfdust Records - 1994)
24. C&C Surf Factory - Phasors on Stun (Garage City - Six Shooter Records - 2015)
25. The Spotnicks - Telstar (Deluxe: Orange Blossom Special - Puzzle Productions - 2013)
26. Dave Miller - Telstar (Old Door Phantoms - Ears and Eyes Records - 2016)
27. Tornados - Moon Dawg (Bustin' Surfboards - Josie Records 1963/Sundazed Records - 2012)
28. The Trashwomen - The Happy Taco (The Trashwomen Vs. Deep Space - Repent Records/Pin Up Records - 1994)
29. Man or Astroman? - The Universe's Only Intergalactic Radioactive Breakfast Bar (What Remains Inside A Black Hole - Au Go Go - 1996)
30. Man or Astroman? - Defcon 3 (Defcon 5...4...3...2...1 - Communicating Vessels - 2013)
31. Man or Astroman? - Planet Collision (Live At Third Man Records - Third Man Records - 2017)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for February 29.

Coming Up on Revolution Rock in February 2020!

It’s February which means that throughout this month Revolution Rock will devote each episode that airs in February to theme based programming. Dave and co-host Adam have special programming lined up ranging from jazz, punk, post-punk, garage, country, folk and surf. This year’s themed month programming starts off on February 1st with a program focusing on Black History Month that will feature a mix of music from Louis Armstrong, Andre Williams and a variety of other artists from different genres. This episode will also feature a guest host, Graeme Sylvio of CJAM FM’s Sylvio & Soul program. Revolution Rock airs every Saturday from 7-9 PM on CJAM 99.1 FM in Windsor/Detroit. It can be streamed via cjam.ca and be downloaded via the very same website afterwards.

What Is This Thing Called Swing: Revolution Rock Celebrates Black History Month
Saturday February, 1st, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Born in New Orleans in August of 1901, Louis Armstrong was a jazz trumpeter and an influential figure in jazz music. His career spanned five decades in which Armstrong would be part of different and important eras of jazz music. In addition to his musical abilities on trumpet, Louis Armstrong was also a vocalist, composer and actor. He was one of the first African American entertainers to cross the gap in racially divided America at the time, being accepted by both white and black audiences. Armstrong generally remained neutral when it came to politics, which often resulted in criticism, however, in 1957 he did speak out during a conflict in Little Rock, Arkansas where he stood up for school desegregation. Also nicknamed “Satchmo”, “Satch” and “Pops”, Armstrong had a very distinct voice. His voice was usually defined by its rich, gravelly tone. The vocal style that he used also incorporated skat singing, which he was skilled at. Armstrong had a very unique ability to bend lyrics and melody in song when singing. Louis Armstrong appeared in a large amount of films such as Pennies From Heaven (1936), in the 1956 musical High Society where he did a duet with Bing Crosby, The Five Pennies (1959) and Paris Blues in 1961, which also starred Paul Newman. Some of the songs that he was known for were “What A Wonderful World”, “Hello Dolly”, “Jeepers Creepers” and “When You’re Smiling”. Armstrong also collaborated with legendary pianist and bandleader Earl “Fatha” Hines, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and Duke Ellington. Louis Armstrong’s influence went beyond jazz, resulting in fans calling him one of the first great jazz soloists. He was an influence on soloists in every genre of American popular music. This episode will feature a set of music by Louis Armstrong, music from Andre Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Bo Diddley, Junior Wells and more artists in celebration of Black History Month. The program will also feature guest host Graeme Sylvio of CJAM FM’s Sylvio & Soul program.


Journey Through The Past: Selections from Neil Young's Discography
Saturday February, 8th, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Neil Young is an influential musician/songwriter from Canada. He has played with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, his backing band Crazy Horse, The Stray Gators, Pearl Jam and numerous others. Young has been called the “Godfather of Grunge” by many, the music that he has created has ranged from folk and country to rock, hard rock and noise rock. He even put out rockabilly and synth rock album. His catalogue is vast and there are numerous live albums in addition to the music he created with others and as a solo artist. The Neil Young Archives Volume One was first released as a box set in 2009, but has since become available online as a streaming subscription service featuring a plethora of unreleased material. Some of his best known songs are “Cinnamon Girl”, “Down By The River”, “Old Man”, “Heart of Gold”, “The Needle and the Damage Done”, “Cortez The Killer”, “Rockin’ in the Free World”, there are too many to name. In 1972, Neil Young found critical and commercial success with Harvest. The albums that followed this (Time Fades Away (1973), On The Beach (1974), and Tonight’s The Night (1975)) are referred to as Young’s Ditch Trilogy. Neil Young released Everybody’s Rockin’ in 1983 a rockabilly album and Trans (1982), which explored music with synthesizers and electronic based sounds. In the 80s, Young experimented heavily with his sound. Young has also been involved in film, directing several films such as Journey Through The Past (1974), Human Highway (1982), Greendale (2003) and the documentary CSNY/Déjà Vu in 2008. Young continues to release music, most recently putting out the album Colorado with Crazy Horse. This episode will feature deep cuts and other selections from Neil Young's vast discography.

Rockin’ With Bloodshot Bill: The Music of Bloodshot Bill and Other Selections
Saturday February, 15th, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Bloodshot Bill emerged out of Montreal around 1998. Starting out as a drummer, Bloodshot Bill began performing with just a guitar and stomp board. Bloodshot Bill often tours and performs as a one man band featuring, guitar, a bass drum, hi-hat and reverb soaked vocals. Live as a one-man band he provides the audience with his own brand of rockabilly music that is unlike any other, while at the same time drawing on the past. He once said that his influences range from early country and rock and roll records to what he refers to as his “holy trinity” of influences "Hasil Adkins, Charlie Feathers, and Link Wray.” Since starting out, Bloodshot Bill has released numerous records on different labels, recorded and collaborated with artists such as King Khan (as The Tandoori Knights and The Bollywood Argyles), Mark Sultan (The Ding Dongs), Deke Dickerson, Shannon Shaw, Jon Spencer and many others. In 2019, he released Come Get Your Love Right Now via Goner Records, Hang Ten With Bloodshot Bill (a surf EP) on Hi-Tide Recordings, an EP of music with legendary rockabilly/roots rock musician Deke Dickerson called The Bad Biscuit EP, a single with The Tandoori Knights (featuring King Khan), and a single with Japan’s the 5.6.7.8’s called My Little Muck Muck. He has also performed all over the US, Canada and parts of Europe. In addition to all this, Bloodshot Bill has performed with the bands The Hubcaps, The Hick-Ups, The Televionaires and Reverend Horton Heat. This episode will feature an interview with Bloodshot Bill in addition to music from Bloodshot Bill’s ever expanding, still potent and prolific catalogue of music.

The Stooges Fun House 50th Anniversary
Saturday February 22nd, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

When it was originally released in July of 1970, Fun House stood out as an album different from its predecessor and from other music at the time. It still does. Produced by Don Gallucci who played keyboards on The Kingsmen’s garage classic “Louie, Louie”, Fun House brought a new sense of groove and intensity to the music of The Stooges. As for influences, the sounds of Howlin’ Wolf and James Brown influenced part of the sound that the band was going for on this album. The band also added Saxophonist Steve MacKay to Fun House and he is found on the album’s second side as the band also pull in free Jazz influences into their dynamic, and especially during the chaotic sonic assault that ends the album “L.A. Blues”. Fun House was named after the band’s house and rehearsal space that they lived in back in Michigan, the album’s songs developed through being played live. Although he initially deemed the band “unrecordable”, Gallucci’s intention was to capture The Stooges live in the studio to try and get down the energy they projected live on tape. The feeling he went for was captured and resulted from having the band perform as if it were a live performance, removing all baffles and carpet from the studio and by having Iggy record with them with a handheld microphone, which was unconventional at the time. The music pushed forward and has been described as capturing a sense of instant mayhem. Other words used to describe this album have been apocalyptic, chaotic, destructive, punk blues, proto-punk and garage meltdown. The album would go on to influence punk and alternative music in the years that followed, setting a blueprint and growing in stature. It has a depth and influence that challenged rock conventions. For an album that was virtually ignored by the mainstream following its initial release, Fun House, now 50 years later is revered and identified as a cult classic. This episode will feature all of the songs from 1970’s Fun House album, plus selections from the 1970: The Complete Fun House Sessions box set and a few other surprises.


Revolution Surf 2020: Intergalactic Instrumentals
Saturday February 29th, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

For the 14th annual Revolution Surf special, the program will focus on intergalactic instrumental themed songs, or in other words surf music with a space theme. One of the first surf/instrumental based songs to have a space or sci-fi theme was the song “Telstar” by The Tornados. Not to be confused with the US band of the same name (spelled “Tornadoes”), this band was from the UK and worked together with producer Joe Meek in the early 60s. Meek wrote and produced the song for The Tornados, utilizing new, pioneering production techniques that created distinctive, and “space age” futuristic sounds. With its use of keyboards and the Clavioline, “Telstar”, which was named after a telecommunications satellite that went into orbit on July 10th, 1962, became an immediate hit when released in August of 1962. In the UK the song was at #1 on the UK singles charts for 25 weeks and #1 in on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The Tornados were also the first British group to have a number one single in the US. Since then there has been a plethora songs and surf/instrumental bands that have named themselves based on space or sci-fi themes. In 1964, instrumental band The Ventures released their album Ventures in Space. The album explored more experimentation within the band’s classic sound and was influenced by Joe Meek’s space age production style. There has been countless bands with space inspired names such as Man or Astro-Man? who formed in the early 90s, The Metalunas in the 2000’s, and numerous bands with songs falling under this theme such as The Surfaris, The Marketts, Davie Allan & The Arrows, The Challengers, Messer Chups, Luau or Die, and so many others. On February 29th, take a journey into a world of intergalactic surf and instrumental music for Revolution Surf 2020. The show will also feature guest hosts Brady of CJAM FM’s Music From Planet Earth, Carley of CJAM FM’s Everything’s No Good and Derk Brigante of Surf Rock Radio’s The Surfphony of Derstruciton 2000.

The Ventures Walk Don't Run & Show # 445

Walk Don’t Run was the debut album released in 1960 by the instrumental Rock and Roll group The Ventures. Coming from Tacoma, Washington The Ventures had a big hit with the song “Walk Don’t Run”, it went to number two on the Billboard singles charts, but the beginnings of this song and album is a story just as impressive as their forty plus album career. The band had its beginnings in the late 50s, 1958 to be exact. Bob Bogle first met Don Wilson in 1958 at a car dealership of all places, and after finding they had a common interest in music they decided to form a band. They then added Nokie Edwards on bass and Skip Moore on drums. Initially going by the name The Versatones, they began playing clubs in the Northwest Pacific area of the USA.

It was when they first heard the song “Walk Don’t Run” on a Chet Atkins album that they decided to record their own version of it. The song was originally by Jazz guitarist Johnny Smith and although the Chet Atkins version was different The Ventures put their own spin on this song making it their own. They originally recorded a rough demo version of the song and it was rejected by Dolton Records. Not being deterred, the band recorded a single in 1959 entitled "Cookies and Coke" backed with the song "The McCoy", but it failed to chart. They recorded “Walk Don’t Run” and self financed and released the single themselves on their own Blue Horizon label, but it wasn’t until it got airplay on KJR a radio station in Seattle by a DJ prior to a news broadcast that they took off. As soon as it got played people called in, including the man from Dolton Records that previously turned down the band. The song became an unexpected hit when it was released as a single climbing to the number two spot on the Billboard singles charts.

The band was launched into a tour immediately to capitalize on its success, but before they did the band laid down tracks for their first full length album. The band decided to record a collection of original songs and cover songs reworked in their own style, which were essentially their favourite tracks from their live sets. The album was record so quickly that the band didn’t even have time to be photographed for its cover. On the cover of Walk Don’t Run, the men in the background are not the band at all, but in fact people that worked in the stock room at Liberty Records. Don Wilson had this to say of the albums cover as quoted on donwalker.net:

"When we did the first album, they didn’t have any pictures of us because we went on the road right away. In our place they used a picture of the guys who worked in the stock room downstairs at Liberty. They put dark glasses on them and had them falling over the drums and stuff. They put some pretty model walking by in the forefront so no one would notice their faces."

The songs that would appear on Walk Don’t Run were different. Being 1960 The Ventures instrumental sound would be associated with Surf Rock and was something of note. It would be greatly influential on the music of the late 60s. Bob Bogle initially was the lead guitarist, but would switch to bass when Nokie joined the group, Don Wilson was on rhythm guitar. The songs on this album do have certain intensity, one that you can tell by listening was not only different, but bound to be influential. The sounds on Walk Don’t Run were developed and later used in elements of bands of the 60s British Invasion. Bob Bogle had this to say of the bands reworking of cover songs, original material and the bands style in Classic Tracks from an article by Gary Eskow for Mix Magazine:

“No matter what we play, we ‘Venturize’ it,” says Bogle. “It's certainly fair to say that our music is not R&B. Everything we do has an aggressive, driving sound, but it's not the kind of aggression you hear with rock groups that feature a distorted guitar.”

The albums recording process was also unique in that it was recorded on a 2 track Ampex recorder by Jon Boles. Don Wilson had this to say of the recording process of the Walk Don’t Run album in the book Classic Tracks from an article by Gary Eskow for Mix Magazine:

“Joe Boles used a 2-track Ampex recorder,” Wilson recalls. “He was a very good engineer who had recorded a couple of Number One hits — ‘Come Softly to Me’ and ‘Mr. Blue’ — for The Fleetwoods. Joe always used a tape-based delay effect. When you're using a 2-track tape player without a board, there's a lot less going on in the recording process, but Joe had plenty of tricks up his sleeve. He'd even mike the pick sound when you were playing! We were so impressed with him that we recorded our first two LPs there."

Regardless of the issues in which this album was created its title could not be more representative of The Ventures career as a whole. While initially the band was not accepted to a label, they took their time and self financed and released their own singles until “Walk Don’t Run” caught Dolton Records attention. They would eventually go on to record over forty albums and chart numerous times in the US. The band also has the distinction of being the best selling instrumental Rock group in the US and would again rise to popularity when they recorded the theme for the television show Hawaii Five-O.  The Ventures also have a devout following in Japan and despite some line up changes throughout the years, they still remain active to this day. By not running into the music business and continuing to make music their way, The Ventures walked their way right into the Billboard charts and into Rock and Roll music history.

This week's program also featured a special segment by Derk Brigante a good friend of mine and formerly of CJAM's SURFphony of Derstruciton. He currently has restarted his blog and has begun doing exclusive Surf podcasts. Check out his SURFphony blog, for podcasts and other Surf related goodness.

Revolution Surf Play List:

1. Kenny & The Fiends – Moon Shot
2. The Surfdusters – Phantom Train
3. Spring Break Shark Attack! – The Great White
4. The Lancasters – Earthshaker
5. The Journeymen – Rum Runner
6. The Sentinals – Big Surf
7. The Astronuts – Montezuma
8. The Treblemakers – The Grudge
9. The Bambi Molesters - Hot Water Pool
10.Takeshi Terauchi - Cruel Sea
11.The New Dimensions - The Phantom Skier
12.The High Tides - On Desert Sands
13. Luau or Die! - Launch Code 2 4 5 10
14. Vampire Beach Babes - Dropping Da Curl
15. The Kustom Kings - Firecracker 400
16. Legato Vipers - Rat King
17. Legato Vipers – Brian's Beard
18. PJ and The Galaxies – One Mint Julep
19. The Impacts – Church Key
20. The Ventures – Raunchy
21. The Ventures –Walk Don’t Run
22. The Ventures - The McCoy
23. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet – I Know A Guy Named Larry
24. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet – Siesta Cinema
25. Thomm Starr & The Galaxies – Heatwave
26. Link Wray – The Earth Is Crying
27. Traditional Fools – Davey Crockett
28. The Tornadoes - Bustin' Surfboards
29. The Lively Ones - Surf Rider
30. The Bell Peppers – Tourettes
31. The Bell Peppers – Gravy Trainers (Demo)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for February 26. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Coming Up on Revolution Rock in February 2013!

February is once again theme month for Revolution Rock. This year I will doing four themed shows (one for each week in February). Each program will air on a Tuesday from 10:30-Noon and can be streamed/listened to online via www.cjam.ca or on the FM dial at 99.1 FM in the Windsor/Detroit area.

The shows will be as follows:

Revolution Rock Celebrates Black History Month – Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue
February 5th, 2013
10:30 AM - Noon
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

In the last few years I have started off theme month on Revolution Rock by celebrating Black History Month and venturing into genres that aren’t normally featured on the show such as Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Reggae, etc. This year I will be playing a mix of those genres, but also focusing on Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue from 1959. I will be playing a selection of tracks from this highly influential and breakthrough album.


Retro Canadian Garage
February 13th, 2013
10:30 AM - Noon
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

While Revolution Rock usually features Garage Rock weekly, this program will feature tracks from Canadian Garage Rock bands from the 60s-80s and perhaps some bands from the 90s. It is specifically a look at Garage Rock from Canada’s past, not present. Expect to hear music from The Ugly Ducklings, The Gruesomes, The Haunted, The Northwest Company, Painted Ship and more!


Sub Pop Rock City
February 20th, 2013
10:30 AM - Noon
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Sub Pop Records started out as an independent record label in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. The label was host to the Seattle Grunge music scene and has released music by Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Nirvana and countless others. Since then the label has expanded their roster releasing several albums by other bands mostly in the Indie Rock related genres.  They have put out releases by bands such as The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Fugazi, Shabazz Palaces, No Age, Jaill and several others. This program will focus on a selection of recordings that have been released by this wonderful label known as Sub Pop.


Revolution Surf (The 7th Edition)
February 27th, 2013
10:30 AM - Noon
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

I originally started the annual Surf program seven years ago as an excuse to play only Surf music on the program, I have since then incorporated it with a variety of other genres for that matter into the programs format, but still stick to this yearly special. This year will be no different. This February will mark my seventh annual Surf Rock program on CJAM FM. I will be playing a variety of new and old Surf bands focusing on The Ventures Walk Don’t Run album, which was originally released in 1960. The program will also feature a segment from Derk Brigante formerly of CJAM's Surfphony of Derstruction. He recently made a new postcast which can be heard at his blog here.

Surfin' in the Garage...Show # 135

This week I did an entirely different show, one that was all surf rock and garage rock instead of good old punk rock. Why? for some variety, also because I've been collecting and listening to surf rock and garage rock for quite some time. I had so much of it I figured I'd play some it on CJAM for some variety. I'd also like to point out that this show was just a mix of bands I thought sounded surfish or garageish. I played The Who and The Kinks. These guys are kind of garagey at times, they influenced early punk in my opinion. Sex Pistols loved The Who and they used to cover "Substitute" in concert. The Clash also loved both these bands. They opened for The Who in the 80's and have stated that they practiced Kinks songs when first starting out. In fact the song "Dead End Street" eerily sounds like The Clash's "London Calling". 

I will talk briefly of two bands this week one surf and one garage. First the surf band, The Ventures. The Ventures formed in 1959 in Tacoma, Washington. They were a popular instrumental band. They would have many hits and charted singles/albums, but their larger fan base would be in Japan. Originally stemming from the group The Impacts, Bob Wilson and Don Wilson formed a group. After getting a bass player Nokie Edwards and a drummer Howie Johnston The Ventures were in place. The band would cover many different types of music for example, garage rock, psychedelic, and of course surf (which is what they started out doing). The band would also do TV Themes, one of the most notable being the theme song for the TV show Hawaii Five-O; it would reach #4 on the charts in 1969. After this around the early 70s, the band would focus more on the Japan music market. The band would continue to play, members came and went and played through out the 80's and even in 1996.

Now for the garage band. The Sonics are a band from Tacoma Washington as well. The band was a unique and raw sounding band. They are defined as garage rock, but they are just a early rock and roll group. The band was Gerry Rosalie (vocals, piano/organ),Bob Bennett (drums), Andy Parypa (guitar), Larry Parypa (Bass) originally. The band was influenced by bands such as The Kinks and early blues from the 50s. The bands recordings are rough, raw and gritty. They were a big local attraction and influenced many bands, but never made it out of the Washington area. The band would not last long at all, they would break up in the late 60s (they formed in the mid-60s). Many bands have been influenced by them today too.  Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder is a Sonics fan, also the Pointed Sticks a Canadian band played on my show have covered "The Witch" which The Sonics have done.

A variety of bands were played this week from obscure Canadian bands like The Ugly Ducklings to Atomic 7, to more familiar bands such as The Beach Boys and The Who. Most of the bands that were played this week and are classified as garage rock, were influential or were a prelude to what was going to become punk rock in the late 70s. The Who definitely had a larger impact on early punk, The Count Five were also influential on Sex Pistols. Next Week I will return to my original format of punk and punk inspired rock, it will be loud, angry, and awesome so tune in next week to CJAM 91.5 FM Wednesday at 9pm (or stream it at www.cjam.ca).

Here's what was played:

1. Dick Dale & His Deltones – miserlou
2. The Chantays – pipeline
3. The Challengers – one man flight
4. The Charms – so romantic
5. The Vipers – cheated and lied
6. Ugly Ducklings – nothin’
7. Great Scots – ball and chain
8. Jury – who dat
9. Atomic 7 – she’s got haggar party slacks
10. Atomic 7 – seven stranded castanets
11. Surf Trio – crash
12. The Torpedoes – torpedoes
13. Aqua Velvets – subterranean
14. Secrets – cryin’ over her
15. One Way Street – I see the light
16. The Stems – she’s a monster
17. Dick Dale & His Deltones – surf beat
18. The Ventures – dick tracy
19. The Ventures – Hawaii five-o
20. The Trashmen – surfin’ bird
21. The Missing Links – some kind of fun
22. The Kinks – till the end of the day
23. The Who – Out in the Street
24. The Fun Things – lipstick
25. The Tornadoes – bustin’ surfboards
26. The Sonics – it’s all right
27. Thundermug – Africa
28. Metalunas – blast off!
29. Phono Comb – pummeled
30. The Count Five – pretty big mouth
31. The Beach Boys –surfin’ safari
32. The Beach Boys – shutdown