Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | Three singles from the Astronauts, a whole side of Eddie and the Showmen, plus a couple of pretty rare tracks, all from vinyl singles. This bootleg was quite adventurous for the early eighties. Some of these tracks remain otherwise unavailable. |
Picks: Surf Party, Firewater, Hot Doggin', Drag Bike Boogie, Return To Me, When Johnny Comes Draggin' Home, See You In September, Dumbo, Movin', Mr. Rebel, Scratch, Squad Car, Toes On The Nose, Border Town, Lanky Bones, Far Away Places
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is the title track from the movie Surf Party, and it appeared on the soundtrack and a as a single, but never on an Astronauts album. A great example of what a college band from Boulder Colorado can do with Al Schmitt at the controls at RCA Hollywood. Remarkable.
Surf (Instrumental)
This song was covered by the Sid Presley Experience in the mid eighties, a pre-God Fathers band. They didn't carry it forward, and that's a shame. What a fiery monster this can be. Melodic, spirited, energetic, and piercing.
Surf (Instrumental)
This was the Astronauts' non-album single follow-up to "Baja." It's very hot, feisty, almost assaultive in its delivery. Melody and power merge for an infectious effect.
Surf (Instrumental)
With crude almost demo sound, Jim Messina and the Jesters released several singles and an album, which was later remastered. "Drag Bike Boogie" is a grunt of a boogie with splashy overdriven guitar and a crunchy attack. Not as surfy as many of his sides.
Surf (Instrumental)
Nearly MOR, this melodic almost European instro is smooth, but pretty unremarkable. It seems aimed squarely at the average radio listener of the day, and not at all a real rocker.
When Johnny Comes Draggin' Home 
Surf (Instrumental)
The Lancers had a raw sound indeed. This is the B-side to their incredible garage version of "Baja." It rips and pummels. Great primitive raw edged surf.
Surf (Instrumental)
This 1959 B-side is a kinda cool half way point between surf and what came before, a little hokey, yet surprisingly durable. It's the famous melody, but with a little tongue in cheek and with real guitars.
Surf (Instrumental)
The New Things do a credible version of the Fireballs' tune. It's not adventurous or particularly memorable, partly because it's pretty true to the original, and partly because it doesn't seem to have much rock and roll spirit. Still, it's a good listen.
Surf (Instrumental)
Third single, and easily the best cover of this Lee Hazelwood tune. Lots' of sparks fly from Eddie's quick fingers.
Surf (Instrumental)
Eddie and the Showmen's third single was a tribute to KRLA DJ Reb Foster, who also owned the Revelaire Club, where Eddie Bertrand found themselves to be the house band for a while. This is one of the great surf singles, sporting a totally infectious and optimistic melody and beat.
Surf (Instrumental)
A very shallow stereo mix of the often covered song. It's very powerful, and a must have. B-side of single number two.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is THEE Eddie & the Showmen song, and their second single. Written by Paul Johnson, it totally shreds. The best news is it finally appears in stereo.
Surf (Instrumental)
One side of the first single, this is a really grand number, with unusual use of glissandos. It's choppy, powerful, and very infectious.
Surf (Instrumental)
Strongly based on Bob Moore's "Mexico," this number has been a fave of mine for 35 years, despite the out-of-tune guitar. This rendition capitalizes on the chunky rhythm, and is wonderfully played.
Surf (Instrumental)
Eddie's version is good, but Paul Johnson's is better. This is from the fourth single.
Surf (Instrumental)
Man-oh-man. I wish this was in stereo. This is one of my favorite Eddie & the Showmen tunes. It has a great and very memorable melody that fits it's title exactly. It's the other side of the fourth single.