Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Dragstrip - Reaction Time
 | Frankie Camaro & Dragstrip hail from the surfless Eastern seaboard, so naturally they focused on the hot rod end of the spectrum. Camaro was one of the featured guitarists on the great eighties series Big Guitars From Texas, and there are a couple of tunes he brought with him to this album. For those just coming to surf, one of the prolonging moves the labels made was titling surf tunes with hot rod names so they could call 1963's crop of reverb laden instros a new name, thus creating a new stir. It didn't work, of course. In any event, this CD is loaded with really cool tunes, some original and some covers. Somehow, they seem to be able to overcome the distance from the waves, proving yet again that a surf band need not be populated by surfers. The most bizarre thing on here is the surfed up version of Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear The Reaper. |
Picks: Dragstrip Theme, MK-Ultra, Don't Fear The Reaper, Moonshot, Reaction Time, Jackknife, The Breakers, THX 1138, Shanghai Cobra, Headhunter, Penetration, Swimsuit Issue, Jack The Ripper
Track by Track Review
Rod Surf Spy (Instrumental)
Hot rod sounds meld into a reverb kick and then a high energy number with elements of surf and spy and hot rods.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Spies on surfboards checkin' the babes on the beach. Chunky and cool and relentless.
Surf Sleaze (Instrumental)
I was wondering how long before someone did this... Very very cool indeed. I like it better before the pompous middle part, but, hey... This will knock you out!
Surf Country (Instrumental)
Nice melody line and an edgy yet soft tone. The slide guitar in the middle adds a bit-o-country to this tune. It has a lot of the Austin feel... and why not.
Edgie Surf (Instrumental)
The title track with reminiscence of "Church Key" and the Surf Trio. Great.
Country Surf Punk (Instrumental)
When I first heard this, I thought "What's Brian Pool doing on here?" This song is right out of the Torpedoes cookbook. Cow punk surforama.
Edgie Surf (Instrumental)
From Frankie's days on the Big Guitars From Texas CD. A cool song that has been covered live by the Berzerkers and the Mallards I think.
Edgie Surf (Instrumental)
Fast double picked and in your puss. Whammy a plenty.
Shanghai Cobra Edgie Surf (Instrumental)
Another refugee track from the Big Guitars From Texas daze, heavy, edgie, and repetitious.
Surf Ska (Instrumental)
Choppy rhythms and a big sound. Amazingly likable with the bit-o-ska that's here and there.
Surf (Instrumental)
Decent cover of an overdone classic.
Surf Pop (Instrumental)
Great rhythm & lead interplay. Very poppy.
Link Wray (Instrumental)
Live, and they had a bunch-o-fun. The crowd is not listening, and the tape is a bit too ambient. The tortured guitar in the break is tasty!