Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Sir Finks - Instrumentals In The Key Of... Boss!!!



 | Until now, Austin's Sir Finks were a only fleeting glimpse, unless you lived in their neck of the woods. Finally, they bring their damped reverbed surf to a full CD. Chunk, reverb, rhythms, and a very cool sound. Mike Guerrero - guitar is supported admirably by Damien Llanes - drums and Jason Gentry - bass and occasional Farfisa or sax. |
Picks: Weird Beard, Heads Up, Mondragora, Knights of the Long Board, The Ulrich, Double Buck, Penny Dance, The Ballad of Mike Fink, Moon's Theme, Heartful Of Soul, Action Reef, Lost Wahini, Jack the Ripper
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Weird Beard" is an ultra reverbed super chunk stomp, utilizing a simple progression that gets into your noggin and stays there. Somewhat monster movie-ish, and very fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a right honest delivery of "Heads Up," also known as "Shootin' The Pier." It's Freddie King composition. Much chunkier and more restrained than the original or the Lively Ones' retitled version, this retains the soul and adds ultra reverb.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a pretty chunky traditionally styled surf jam, mid tempo and infectious. The trad progression styled melody line, damped plucks, and definite surf tweaked structure provide ample interest and wet rhythms.
Knights of the Long Board 


Surf (Instrumental)
Groovy percussion, percussive surf guitar, extreme damped reverb, and a delightful riff driven by the infectious rhythm. "Knights of the Long Board" is a very cool tune, with lots of chunk and pure surf tone. I couldn't get this outta my head... excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
"The Ulrich" is a delightfully playful piece, percussive and infectious, and very spunky. Mike Guerrero knows how to use damped reverb to it's fullest. In some ways, this can be compared to a speeded up Fireballs tune. Very fine.
Surf (Instrumental)
Mexican village stomp, cowboy prancing, and surf reverb... this is a mighty fin tune, a border surfed masterpiece. Entirely cool, very infectious, and totally fun. Yee-haw!
Surf (Instrumental)
Cowboy dance hall prancery, with that quiet reverb and playful rhythm. "Penny Dance" speaks of innocent fun, a polka band, and gussied up country folks. Even the subdued chorus brings cheer. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
"The Ballad of Mike Fink" is a splendid light weight stomp, a tale of guitaristry and chunk. Mike's plucking is just too fun, and the perfect blend of drums and bass keep it afloat on a sea of airborne flying fish. Very infectious.
Surf (Instrumental)
Outstanding picking, suave percussion, solid bass, and a magnificent arrangement. The Farfisa underneath is subtle and adds to the ambiance. "Moon's Theme" is a splendid track, bouncy and infectious, and slightly dangerous, with spiffy whammy.
Psychedelic (Instrumental)
This is a full fuzz attack on the Yardbirds' grand and moody "Heartful Of Soul." I wonder why no one has done this before, it seems so obvious. Nasty and yet very fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Action Reef" is a bluesy number with a chunky backtrack, and a familiar rhythm. The cool chops and infectious rhythm drive this one home. It may be a bit derivative, but it's just too much fun to pass up.
Surf (Instrumental)
Almost laughing playfulness, chunky froth, pretty girl search music. Very enjoyable, infectious, and utterly cool. Wahine or haole girl, it makes no difference... it's just too fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big whammy chords, extreme damped surf guitar rhythm, tribal drums, moody bass... you know the drill. The thing is, this very different, like a speeded up variation on the Surfaris' version, but with the rhythm guitar out from and the whammy subdued, creating a new image for a well worn Link Wray classic. Excellent.