Dionysus Records recently gave me some great news about this year’s Tiki Oasis. Not only is the theme going to be “Party on Monster Island,” but there is going to be a TON of live performances from bands like Creepxotica, Jason Lee and the R.I.P.tides and Alika Lyman Group (among many others). Don’t worry if …
Tag: Freaky Tiki Surf-ari
Aug 30 2015
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Voodoo Organist
The Voodoo Organist Official Site Organ Voodoo, Dionysus Records 2015 Ever since the overstuffed first installment of the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari back in 2010, I’ve always made a conscious effort to keep my reviews limited to two exotica albums and two surf albums per year. But when Dionysus Records told me about this album, I …
Aug 24 2015
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Vulcanos
The Vulcanos Official Facebook Meet The Vulcanos, Scatter Records 2013 Hailing from Argentina (Buenos Aires, to be specific), the self-described “mod-surf-beat-garage” band the Vulcanos have a particularly interesting history. Formed from members of the defunct surf groups Los Vengadores, Los Transmisores and MODelo ´63, the band officially started in 2006. I say “officially” since two …
Aug 21 2015
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Space Fezcapade
Ding Dong Devils Official Facebook Space Fezcapade, Tiki Tunes Records 2014 It has been a year since I had last covered the Ding Dong Devils here and the outer space album promised in that last review is now a reality. Hardcore exotica fans will recognize the name and cover art of Space Fezcapade as being …
Aug 17 2015
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Turbosonics
The Turbosonics Official Site Live At Howlers – Pittsburgh, 2010, Self-release 2011 The Turbosonics, Self-release 2013 The story of the Turbosonics begins in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh in 2008 to be specific. That’s when drummer Timmy Klatte placed an ad on Craigslist in order to make his dream of playing in a surf band come true. …
Aug 12 2015
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Crazed Mugs
The Crazed Mugs Official Site Find Forbidden Island, Orange Seal Entertainment 2011 The Crazed Mugs are a Florida-based exotica band which only could have formed in the internet age. Founded in 2004 by the mystery man known only as “pablus,” he met Ken Kanaka through the Tiki Central website. Mr. Kanaka was the man behind …
Aug 04 2015
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Return
2015 has proven to be quite the year for the world of exotica. Although several great albums have been (or will be) released, I thought it best to save discussion of those for another time. It seemed to be the only appropriate way to handle the matter, given the recent passing of exotica pioneer Robert …
Aug 31 2014
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion
Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion Official Site The Legend Of Goatman’s Bridge, Scorpi-O-Tone Recordings 2011 Five After Midnight, Scorpi-O-Tone Recordings 2011 While there are many horror bands who wear masks and perform under aliases, none are nearly ass mysterious as Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion. One would think a band based …
Aug 26 2014
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Creepxotica
Creepxotica Official Site Creepxotica, Dionysus Records 2011 Haunted Bossa Nova, Dionysus Records 2013 Creepxotica has a rather interesting history. It’s actually a side project of the horror surf band The Creepy Creeps, which is in turn made up from former members of bands like Struggle, Tarantula Hawk and The Locust (among others). Hailing from San …
Aug 19 2014
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Tsultry Tsounds of Go!Tsunami
Go!Tsunami Official Facebook The Tsultry Tsounds of Go!Tsunami, Deep Eddy Records 2013 What can I say about Go!Tsunami that I haven’t already said in my first review of their work? As you may have guessed, this means I love the band and their follow-up to 2009’s New Wave Order is awesome. Let’s look at how …
Aug 14 2014
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Hello Little Olives
Ding Dong Devils Official Facebook Hello Little Olives, Tiki Tunes Records 2012 The Ding Dong Devils are back! While the songs are all new, their unique brand of playful exotica/surfabilly/fuzzy rock is still the same. Hello Little Olives is loaded with musical shout-outs, which ranges from Don Ho to GG Allin! “Meet Me At the …
Aug 06 2014
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Return
I started the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari four years ago and find myself pleasantly surprised by how the exotica genre seems to embrace its freaky side more and more each year. Hopefully you had similar feelings about our surprise foreshadowing on the podcast. This year is no exception and I think you will find the albums …
Aug 01 2014
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: 6′+ Episode 116 is Up!
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 …
Aug 30 2013
Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: 6′+ Episode 73 is Up!
To quote the description given at the new listing: “If you needed a reason to get lei’d, here you go: Freaky Tiki Surf-Ari 2013! Our annual showcase of surf, tiki, exotica and more. The Drool Brothers! Kava Kon! Hans Karl! Space Party! And much more. Dr. Gangrene prescribes you a Movie of the Week and …
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 …