Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Halibuts - Live At Toesdotdotdotdotdot
artworkThis amazing live record is among the best sessions done in a tiny room full of beerswillers and surfers screaming their approval of a great band. The sound is excellent, and the performance is spirited. A great record, recorded at Toes Tavern in Redondo Beach on 6/6/86
Picks: Mr. Mysterioso, Fiberglass M&Ms, Grunion Run, DonÕt Back Down, The Wet Spot, Shorepound, GBU, IÕm A Believer, Malibu Run, Centipede, Mr. Moto, Apache, Skinny Dip, Wham, LetÕs Go TrippinÕ

Track by Track Review


Mr. Mysterioso dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Super chunky ska based surf, with sax lead on a highly infectious track. The melody is strong, and itÕs hard to stand still while they rave up on this number. The middle break, with the pure surf tone, comes to a stop before slamming back into the sax ska. On the second pass through the break, the surf guitar drops onto the low-E and sports numerous powerful glissandoes. Great track!

Fiberglass M&Ms dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Funny sorta tune, noodles around a few notes, and delivers a lot of energy. It has that jam feel to it.

Grunion Run dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Stinging whammy, intense tones, full bodies fun. The organ slithers out a smart granny gone surfinÕ melody line. Spiffy fun.

DonÕt Back Down dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Yup, this is classic Beach Boys surf raver, with a lead guitar instead of syrupy vocals. Tribal, thumpy, party fun.

The Wet Spot dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Thundering surf, intense double picking, and ska sax lead lines. A really fine tune. makes you wanna find a party and a keg. Chunky and energetic.

Shorepound dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Totally killer dribbling surf rhythm guitar, and a ska based sax lead, except for the break, where a marvelous surf guitar carries the focus. Infectious, driving, and utterly rhythmic. Prefect for that drive down PCH.

GBU dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Easily the best surf version of this spaghetti western standard, with the coolest whistlerÕs organ anywhere. Great guitar, groovy pace, and chunky sound. This is a powerhouse arrangement and performance.

IÕm A Believer dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is always a hit with their audience. ItÕs a cover of the MonkeysÕ hit. I find it to be a bit too silly for my taste, but then I wasnÕt bombed and slipping and sliding on beer and gold fish crackers when I heard it.

Malibu Run dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A sax lead and a major ska arrangement totally change the character of this Fender Four song. The thunder of the rhythm section is very strong, and the infectious percussion is brilliant. Very fine, complete reincarnation of a great lost classic from 1965.

Centipede dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This track is much a backtrack... not particularly melodic or interesting, but still this band is of noble lineage.

Mr. Moto dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

A slightly country rock instro, more swamp biker than Drew's earlier surf incarnations, and melodically shallower as well. Rhythmic and quite enjoyable - just a considerable left turn off surf route 101.

Apache dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Exotics are from Wisconsin, and their cover of the Venturas' Corrido Twist is their best effort yet, though they still have quite a ways to go.

Skinny Dip dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

From Portland, Satan's Pilgrims do an instrumentalization of the Trashmen classic vocal track "My Woodie," and it's quite good, though the recording is primitive. Lot's of energy.

Wham dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Lonnie MackÕs trademark big guitar instro, pretty darn true to form, just a bit reverby. fast, whammified, and infectious.

LetÕs Go TrippinÕ dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Vancouver BC's Mark Brodie & the Beaver Patrol honor Jim Messina & the Jesters with a rousing version of Suspense Run. It's less hot than his previous output, but that still leaves it perched in the upper echelons.