Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Nightrunners - S/Tdotdotdot
artworkThe Nightrunners music is mostly in the Shadows vein, but there are a couple of surfable instros along with a couple of refined actual surf covers. As these kinds of bands go, this is on the high side of the equation from a surf perspective.
Picks: Katjusha, Idylle, Banzai, Black Magic, Peace Pipe, Skogsblomman, The Ripper, Penetration, Igelkottaskinnet, Moonlight Walk, Pipeline, My Resistance Is Low, Dakota, Min Soldat

Track by Track Review


Katjusha dotdotdot
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)

"Katjusha" features a damped lead on some verses, and a more surfable lead line than the Hank Marvin guitar sound usually delivers. Bouncy and affirmative.

Idylle dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Echoed guitar delivers a very Euro melody riff over a soft rock backtrack. Not particularly interesting, though you could draw similarities between "Idylle" and some String-a-longs tracks.

Banzai dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Not a hint of surf here as the Nightrunners do a very Shadowsy instro. Echoed guitar and soft rock backing.

Black Magic dotdotdot
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)

Acoustic guitar backs this damped echoed guitar track. Playful and bouncy, and squarely in the UK mold. The infectious lead is quite fun, and "Black Magic" is a very satisfying track.

Peace Pipe dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

The Shadows' "Peace Pipe" is softly and reverently done. Nothing special or personalized about this cover.

Skogsblomman dotdotdot
Surfable MOR Rock (Instrumental)

"Skogsblomman" is a slowish sad gypsy kinda tune with a prom-stroll backtrack. While pretty and scenic, it's also a little on the MOR side. Still, it's quite nice.

The Ripper dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Big Shadows echo twang and a bumpin' backbeat. Tastefully done, but not very energetic.

Penetration dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Delicate and rhythmic, and played with a refined restraint, the Pyramids' classic "Penetration" has seldom been done with less energy. OK, but it's also quite enjoyable in this more subdued arrangement.

Igelkottaskinnet dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

An acoustic guitar backs the echoed lead on this tune. The melody is a little on the folksy side, bouncy and flippant.

Moonlight Walk dotdotdot
MOR Rock (Instrumental)

"Moonlight Walk" is slow and damped, and twangy. Echoed guitar plays a friendly if flyweight melody line over a delicate backtrack. Verges on MOR.

Pipeline dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Chantays' definitive "Pipeline" is very dryly effected, like a cross between the Shadows and waves. Soft and refined, yet quite nice, like a warm afternoon version of the original. The arrangement is pretty darn close to the source less the piano. Quite nice.

My Resistance Is Low dotdot
MOR Rock (Instrumental)

Plucky Euro playfulness abounds in this MOR track. Fun, but completely unremarkable.

Dakota dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

The Shadows' "Dakota" is reverently covered, with charm, but not a lot of originality. Very smooth, just not particularly catchy.

Min Soldat dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Damped echoed pluckola and warm Hank Marvinisms slush out a liquid moonlit evening scene. Quite pretty, and light weight.