Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Eddie and the Showmen - South Bay Surf Band Reunion 1986
 | One of the great bands of the original surf era, Eddie and the Showmen created some amazing music and quite a following. In 1986, most of the original lineup got together for Paul's first South Bay Surf Band Reunion. This is the document of their performance. |
Picks: Squad Car, Border Town, Scratch, Far Away Places, Lanky Bones, Mr. Rebel
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is THEE Eddie & the Showmen song, and their second single. Written by Paul Johnson, it totally shreds. Right from the pounding drums through the sax reed police siren, to Eddie Bertrand's raging guitar, this rips! Solid, chunky, and way WAY cool.
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)
"Scratch" was often covered. It was a single for Eddie & the Showmen. With characteristic pizzazz, the band shred through this hot tune. Eddie Bertrand adds a few modern guitar licks, but otherwise, this is the Real McCoy.
Surf (Instrumental)
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 was the other side of the fourth single. The band play really well together. The track moves right along with a driving-down-the-highway feel.
Surf (Instrumental)
Eddie Bertrand's version of Paul Johnson's tune. More power based than the Belairs' version, this is a big time deal, with a lot of energy and punch.
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 an updated version. The band played without reverb at the show, so it has a bigger rock feel. Much more powerful than the original, but not as magical.