Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This 1995 release has eluded me until now. Unlimited fun, and semi-silliness the way only Berliners can. A remarkable set of surfabilly, somewhat in the vein originated by Snake-Out, though I doubt there's an influence.

Vocals include: the heavy fuzz rant "Voodoo Boogie," the catchy narrated "Ricky," the surf-n-cheese "Wickie," and the entirely demented disco surf fever version of "Fly Robin Fly."

Picks: Trompetenecho, Popcorn, Baja, Splashback, Surfin' Hobo, Wilhelm Tell, Swingin' Safari, Twin Peaks Boogie, Taxman, 6 : 8, Fiberglass Jungle, Mexas, Tidal Wave, Volkslied A Go-Go, Dr. Schiwago, Flipper, Derrick / Der Kommissar, Brut, Hush A Bye Baby, Lullaby

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Ultra fun twango, sub surf guitar tone, pogo fun old time country beat, and, well... fun. melodic and ringing, and catchy as hell.

Surfabilly (Vocal)

Hot Butter's "Popcorn" is delicately played out with warm tone, retaining the quirkiness of the original, while making it their own with very interesting drums. Quite fun!

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Well, a million bands have covered "Baja," but few really play with it. Die Space Hobos change around the chords in the opening, morph the melody slightly, and bring great drums into the mix. Fresh and very cool.

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

This is the Jon and the Nightriders medley, all spunked out with as much surfabilly charm as they can muster. Really nice, with excellent drums.

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

This is a splendid tune, punky and spunky and surfy, with a sound like a chunkier version of the Evasions. "Surfin' Hobo" sports a nifty melody riff, and lots of thump.

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Rhythmically driven arrangement of the "William Tell Overture," hard driving and surfy, with less quirk than most covers of this. Quite a pounder, with thundering drums and bass.

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Holy cow! This actually works pretty well as a surfabilly tune. Playfully delivered, this Bert Kaempfert tune is lightened up, delicately picked, and very suave sounding.

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

"Twin Peaks Boogie" is a bit of progressional grind, not very memorable, but still in the big guitar funabilly groove.

Taxabilly Surf (Instrumental)

Here's a scary thought... your tax bill in reverb units instead of dollars. This works quite well. It's chunky and quite cool. Lots of twang and pranceable grooviness, yet well suited for the waves.

Surf Blues (Instrumental)

"6 : 8" is a slowish blues groove, without much of a melody, but with rich whammy and an infectious chumpy beat. Quite fun.

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Die Space Hobos do a rather credible job morphing "Fiberglass Jungle" into their surfabilly style, yet retaining the meanness and edge. Quite nice.

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

This has a spaghetti western feel, with an Italian melody line and a chunky rhythm. A little mean, but in a tongue in cheek way. "Mexas" sports a restrained power, with driving drums and warm tone.

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Die Space Hobos give Dick Dale's "Tidal Wave" a complete make over. Much heavier, it takes on a more edgy, even mean sound. Very cool!

Polka Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Polka surfabilly, ultra twang, massive fun on the barn dance floor... yup, that sums it up, rich surf guitar square dancin' fun, with a Sandy nelson style drum break.

Russian Surfabilly (Instrumental)

"Dr. Schiwago" is Lara's Theme with a psycho ward surfabilly twang and stilted thump. It brings to mind some of Snake-Out's surf destruction. Recorded live, it sounds just like the rest of the disc quality wise. Excellent.

Polka Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Yup, really, the theme to the TV show, and it's played against a hobo polka beat. very fun indeed.

Polka Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Mostly a progression with stinging whammy and spy overtones, "Derrick" drifts back and forth between twang and surfabilly with the "la la" chorus from "Der Kommissar."

Disco Surf (Instrumental)

Damped reverb chop and Shaft wah wah. Scared the hell outta me! Really fine merger of disco and surf... did I say that? Proof positive any genre can be reverbed, and in the process improved immeasurably. Too much fun!

Disco Surf (Instrumental)

This ancient lullaby is sweetly played on solo guitar. Very pretty.

Disco Surf (Instrumental)

Not listed on the sleeve, this solo guitar rendering of the classic "hush little baby, don't you cry" lullaby melody ends the CD with sweet dreams. Very pretty.