To quote the description given at the new listing: “It wouldn’t be summer without this yearly event of surf and exotica. We have music from Creepxotica, Hell-O-Tiki, Go!Tsunami, The Atomic Mosquitos, The Hula Girls and more. Monstermatt Patterson tries to go surfing but can’t find a stable wifi connection.” Remember to email 6′+ (contact at …
Category: Freaky Tiki Surf-ari
Aug 29 2013
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Les Baxter
Les Baxter Official Site Ritual of the Savage, Rev-Ola Records 2006 (Original release date: 1951) The Passions, Rev-Ola Records 2006 (Original release date: 1954) Ever since I first started the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari, I know that someday I simply had to cover the work of Les Baxter in some way. Considering how his album Ritual …
Aug 26 2013
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Coffin Daggers
The Coffin Daggers Official Site Monsters from the Id, Urko Records 2011 New York 1999. While Y2K was weighing heavily on many peoples’ minds, Viktor Venom (aka Victor Dominicis) was thinking about music. Having previously preformed as a part of Reagan Youth, Chaos UK and Nausea, Venom was no stranger to punk rock. However, he …
Aug 22 2013
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Hans Karl
Hans Karl Official Site Shagxotica!, Hans Karl Music 2002 The works of Josh “Shag!” Agle have an undeniable place in the world of Tiki culture (and vice versa). But for some reason, that only seems to apply to the art of Tiki and not the music. While it is true that Shag has designed covers …
Aug 20 2013
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Volcano Kings
Volcano Kings Official Myspace Music For An Exotic Monster Beach Party in Outer Space: Volume 1 , The Pawtucket League of Gentlemen 2012 The Rhode Island-based Volcano Kings have one of most intriguing musical styles I’ve ever encountered. Although plenty of the bands I’ve reviewed here cite surf, spy and film western music as influences, …
Aug 06 2013
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Crafts and Cocktails
Back in 2011, the Curiosity Group’s monthly papercraft calendar for May was a Tiki idol. If you can’t find it, you can always try politely emailing them to see if they’ll send it to you. Maui Tiki Tours has a great tutorial on how to build your own Tiki Halloween costume. Tiki idols always look …
Aug 02 2013
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Return
It’s August and you know what that means: The Freaky Tiki Surf-ari is back! I may have a lot going on in my personal life, but that won’t stop me from giving you my annual series of exotica and surf reviews (complete with a tie-in episode of the podcast). So until we get things started …
Dec 22 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: King Kukulele and the Friki Tikis
King Kukulele and the Friki Tikis Official Site Luau In December, Friki Tiki Records 2008 [audio:http://www.gravediggerslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/King-Kukulele-the-Friki-Tikis-Santas-Menehune.mp3] Even if you’ve never heard one of their albums before, chances are that you’re already aware of King Kukulele and the Friki Tikis. Although active for quite some time on the West Coast, King Kukulele officially made his presence …
Aug 31 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Phase 2
Daikaiju Official Site Phase 2, DingDong Records 2010 Daikaiju has been up to a lot since I reviewed their debut album in the first Freaky Tiki Surf-ari. After issuing their “Flight of Garuda” single, the band released their second major album, appropriately named Phase 2. In “Escape From Nebula M Spacehunter” (named for the location …
Aug 31 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Clouseaux
Clouseaux Official Site Clouseaux, Air Y Hola 2001 Destination Oasis, Air Y Hola Records 2003 Lagoon, Dionysus Records 2004 Beyond Good and Evil, Self-released 2006 When one thinks of exotica, visions of Polynesia and Hawaii immediately spring to mind. However, exotica groups can be found all over America (and the world). Houston, Texas might seem …
Aug 29 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Space Party
Space Party Official Myspace Invasion of the Surfer-Men!, Self-release 2010 Hellfire Halloween, Self-release 2010 With the scene flooded with so many American horror surf bands, it might be easy to miss the Australian group Space Party at first. Consisting of Alex Plegt on guitar, Kevin Lauro on bass and Darren Atkinson on drums, the band …
Aug 24 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: 6’+ Episode 37 is up!
To quote the description given at the new listing: “Grab your best floral print shirts and get ready to hit the huts, it’s Freaky Tiki Surf-Ari 2012! Monstermatt Patterson gets mistaken for a coconut during his Monstermatt Minute. Dr. Gangrene learns how to speak Hawaiian with scream queen, Debbie Rochon. Plus, music by The Creepy Creeps, …
Aug 22 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Haunted Tiki Island
Those of you who read my first article about freaky Tiki-related arts and crafts might remember some links relating to a “Haunted Tiki Island.” However, the subject of those links was so interesting that I thought it deserved its own article. Haunted Tiki Island refers to the theme used by the Haunt at Hellizondo in …
Aug 21 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica
Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica Official Site Third River Rangoon, Self-released 2011 One cannot discuss Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica without first discussing Juan García Esquivel. More popularly known as “Esquivel” or “The King of Space Age Pop,” he got his start piano playing for a Mexican radio station when he was only eleven years old! Six years later, …
Aug 08 2012
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Return
The Freaky Tiki Surf-ari is back and I’m really excited about this year’s schedule of events. We’ve got two exotica reviews, two surf rock reviews, a tie-in episode of the podcast and more! On top of that, each music review will have a bonus sample track! I’m also looking forward to showcasing my new, stripped-down …
Aug 31 2011
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: King Kong vs. Godzilla Soundtrack
Akira Ikufube Official Site (Label) King Kong vs. Godzilla Soundtrack, La-La Land Records 2006 (Original release date: 1962) I know this seems like a bizarre way to close out this year’s Freaky Tiki Surf-ari. Truth be told, even I thought the idea that the King Kong vs. Godzilla soundtrack had anything to do with exotica …