My first tune on the new Boss BR-600 - a cover of a surf classic (Penetration) from 1963 by The Pyramids.  Nice and simple but that makes it good.  I'm hoping that 'Penetration' refers to some sort of surf term ;)

Recorded 3 guitar tracks, bass and used the built in 'drummer'....   Still learning how this thing!

Penetration

Another recording I did of a surf standard - The Belairs wrote and recorded this classic in 1961!  Every surf band knows it or has recorded it.... The Ventures, The Challengers etc.... Agent Orange even did a speedier punked out version in the 80s.  I prefer the original recording and did it that way.  

I used 3 guitars, bass and 'ol reliable Boss BR-600 is rock steady on the drums!

Mr.Moto

Here's one I just recorded that The Ventures released in Japan first in 1964  (check out the cool 45 sleeve) - then it was a big hit in the US in 1965.  

I used 3 guitars, bass and my trusty robot drummer - this time I cranked up even more reverb....

If you close your eyes you can pretend you're on the beach checking out Diamond Head ;)

Diamond Head

Recorded yet another surf standard - this time from The Astronauts.  

Funny because these dudes were from Boulder, CO....Not exactly SoCal like a lot of the other early surf bands.  "Baja" was a minor hit for them in 1963..... Here's some weird trivia -  it was written by Lee Hazelwood of all people..... huh?

I used 3 guitars, my faux bass and my Boss BR 600 drummer is rock steady as always

Baja

This one was a bitch to record.....I tried a zillion takes and there are 'tiny' flubs on each one..... I guess that's part of the charm because the original has some flubs too....So F*** it!

This one was a hit for The Lively Ones in 1963 - It was written by Nokie Edwards of The Ventures (who also had a hit with it).   Quentin Tarantino is a huge surf fan and this tune was in 'Pulp Fiction' - just like Dick Dale was....   I did 3 guitars, faux bass/drums..... 

Surf Rider

"Bulldog" is another surf rock standard - The Fireballs from Raton, New Mexico had a huge hit with this tune in 1960.  I love shredding and all that but sometimes nothing is cooler than basic 3 chord rock - a simple song when times were simpler.....  Speaking of simple I used 2 guitar tracks and my faux rhythm section on the Boss BR-600 to record this one.

Bulldog

"Apache" is an instrumental written by Jerry Lordan. It has been recorded by a zillion bands. The first released version was recorded by British group The Shadows in June 1960.  The Ventures did it too later on as did many bands.... 

My favorite version (and the one I just recorded)  was a slightly more rockin' one done by Davie Allan & The Arrows. Their version was called "Apache 65" and came out in 1965 (duh).  They later went on to record the soundtrack for The Wild Angels (Peter Fonda's motorcycle gang flick).  Davie Allan is a cool cat and still going strong (and my latest Facebook friend).  Hope I did it justice!    


Apache '65

Trying to do more tonight with the digital recorder (adding vocal tracks n' stuff)..... Hard to 'sing' loudly in my apartment as the neighbors think I'm talking to myself.....

My younger brother turned me onto these guys.  The Open Mind were a cool British Psychedelic Rock band in the 60s.... This tune "Magic Potion" was a big hit for them in 1969.  It's about drugs - gasp!  Just say no!   The Damned do a cool cover of this sometimes....

Also broke out my 'ol Les Paul for this to get a bit chunkier guitar sound - haven't played that thing in like 10 years....

Magic Potion

My latest recording project - this snappy instrumental was written by Mike Maxfield - lead guitarist in a British band from Manchester called The Dakotas in 1963.  These guys ended up becoming a backing band for Billy Kramer and got lumped into the British Invasion wave.... The Ventures also recorded this tune and dubbed it "The Cruel Surf" - they gave it a work out!  Check youtube for them doing it live in Japan in the 60s....

I used 3 guitars, bass and programmed my rock steady drummer....

The Cruel Sea

The Controller

I like making noise.... Looking for musicians in Santa Fe to play with (surf, rock, retro, garage etc)

Doormat Mike

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