Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

San Pablo's Deadbeats played a very hot set on New Year's Eve 2011. This is a document of that set.

Picks: Gooch In Space, Guts (unidentified), Obey, The Cossack, Knuckle Sandwich, Icabod Crane, Dark March, Janky Jank, A-Rab, Unidentified, Hagbelly, Everybody Up, Karabasan, Intruder

Surf (Instrumental)

Whammy and tom toms dominate a dangerous sound. Reverb crashes add drama. "Gooch In Space" is a powerful track with a superb break.

Surf (Instrumental)

I couldn't catch the name of this, but its ska rhythm and tuff drums are very cool, and its catchy melody well delivered. This is a very infectious track.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Obey" demands attention with its dramatic, ominous sound. Strong drums, dangerous "Mar Gaya"-like melody guitar, and heavy energy. This is one monster track, with big splash and excellent arranging.

Surf (Instrumental)

Jim Messina and The Jesters' "The Cossack" rips! Big drums, heavy guitar, splashy rhythm, and thundering bass. This performance fires with all the required power of the original. Very cool!

Surf (Instrumental)

The melody to "Knuckle Sandwich" is somewhat like The Fireballs' "Yacky Do," but it's nothing like it in terms if delivery. It's big, powerful, and loaded with great drums. Fast, precise, exciting, and the sort of thing that will bring you back.

Surf (Instrumental)

A cool guitar line drives this one hard. Heavy drums and bass, and powerful spirit. "Icabod Crane" is more riffy than melodic, but it's sure powerful.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Dark March" is just too cool! The march beat and bass line support a splendid melody with an upbeat vision. When the pace doubles and the beat changes to a modified surf beat, it takes on a touch of the Mediterranean. Dropping back to the march, you begin to understand the the title as it seems to refer to dark events a half-century ago.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Janky Jank" is all fun! with its splashy ska rhythms and infectious melody. Pumping bass and raucous drums, and fast double picked enthusiasm. Yah-hoo!

Surf (Instrumental)

Jim Messina and the Jesters' "A-Rab" is splashed and raced right along as intended. High powered and very cool! Just a handful of covers of this one out there, and this is certainly among the best.

Surf (Instrumental)

Don't know the title here, but fuzz and gig splash rock this one out. High spirited, loud, and aggressive, with a fine melody line and ample power.

Surf (Instrumental)

Big chord jangle, dark double picking, and a tuff rhythm section. This is melodic in the way "Mar Gaya" is.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Fender IV's superb "Everybody Up" is rocked hard, with ska rhythm intact, and very strong drums and bass. Forgive me, but this song is among my favorite vintage instros, and The Deadbeats are no slouches at ripping through it. There's a rhythm guitar error, but it doesn't matter much. There's just a tone of power here!

Surf (Instrumental)

"Karabasan" is a heavy, hard charging number with a Mediterranean feel. The guitars shred, double picking both lead and the dark counter melody. This is a monster, with flying glissandos and a tone of energy.

Surf (Instrumental)

The live set closes out with a fiery cover of The Surf Coasters' "Intruder." Fast, powerful, and right on the money. Over the top!