Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Wedge - Big, Bad, Boss Beat Of The Wedge
 | Rhino founder Harold Bronson and long time friend and employee Tom Brown (ex-Illusions) created a band they called the Wedge in the early eighties. The sound was trad based, but the lead guitar boasted a shiny metallic sound, like polished chrome. These tracks need to be issued on CD. |
Picks: Penetration, Night Of The Living Wedge, Mr. Moto, Godzilla Stomp, Debbie
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Opening with the gentle lap of shore break, the Wedge drop quickly into a tight and very trad rendition of the Pyramid's "Penetration." It's twangier than the original, less damped with more of a modern edge. The double picked third verse is excellent.
Night Of The Living Wedge Surf (Instrumental)
"Night Of The Living Wedge" is from their 1980 mini album on Rhino. It has been covered by the Mallards. It's a rousing modernized surf sound, with an edgy guitar and a full-on attack. Now, you'd think with all that money and them having such a strong "in" at Rhino, they could talk the scheduling masters there to release a complete Wedge CD. Their "Pipeline" from the second album is unsurpassed in clarity and brilliance.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a solid chunk performance of Paul Johnson's classic tune. The sound is very metallic (aurally, not as in heavy metal). With extra drive, "Mr. Moto" exudes power, and the bass lines add a pumped up thump.
Surf (Instrumental)
Monsters and low-E growly guitars... The riff is quite grodie, while the rhythm is chunky. It's a little repetitious, but still a fine listen.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Debbie" is your archetypal surf bunny name. This is all about being bouncy and celebrated for it. The imagery is crystal clear. Excellent melody, optimistic sound, and infectious delivery. Sculptured blonde in a bikini. That says it all.