Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Halibuts - Live At Toes




 | This 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
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!
Surf (Instrumental)
Funny sorta tune, noodles around a few notes, and delivers a lot of energy. It has that jam feel to it.
Surf (Instrumental)
Stinging whammy, intense tones, full bodies fun. The organ slithers out a smart granny gone surfinÕ melody line. Spiffy fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
Yup, this is classic Beach Boys surf raver, with a lead guitar instead of syrupy vocals. Tribal, thumpy, party fun.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Surf (Instrumental)
This track is much a backtrack... not particularly melodic or interesting, but still this band is of noble lineage.
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.
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.
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.
Surf (Instrumental)
Lonnie MackÕs trademark big guitar instro, pretty darn true to form, just a bit reverby. fast, whammified, and infectious.
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.