Aug 16 2016
Genki Genki Panic Official Site Ghoulie High Harmony, Canker Bay Records 2015 Spooky Fingers, Canker Bay Records 2016 The Japanese word “genki” is hard to translate thanks to its many potential English meanings. A quick online shows people romanizing it as “energy,” “happy,” “energetic,” “lively” and “enthusiastic.” It’s apparently also used in Japan as a …
Aug 08 2016
Alika Lyman Group Official Site Leis of Jazz, Vol. 2, Dionysus Records 2014 For those not in the know, the original Leis of Jazz was released by the legendary exotica artist Arthur Lyman back in 1959. Leis of Jazz, Vol. 2 is the creation of his great nephew Alika. I can’t claim to have my …
Aug 06 2016
To quote the description given at the new listing: “Clean the blood off your favorite Hawaiian shirt because it’s time for our yearly excursion into creepy and cool surf exotica music. With music from JASON LEE AND THE R.I.P TIDES, GENKI GENKI PANIC, CREEPXOTICA, THE TURBOSONICS and more! Monstermatt Patterson learns how to hula in …
Aug 01 2016
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 …
Aug 30 2015
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 28 2015
To quote the description given at the new listing: “Grab your Zombie and head down to Trader Sic Vic’s because it’s time for the annual FREAKY TIKI SURF-ARI! We get tropical and exotical with a variety of surf, exotica and creeptastical music to put the sting in your Scorpion Bowl! With music from THE LEFT …
Aug 24 2015
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 …
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