Aug 30 2011
The Crimson Ghosts Official Myspace Earth EP, Necro-Tone Records 2009 One cannot discuss the Crimson Ghosts without first discussing the Misfits. Formed by Glenn Danzig in 1977, the punk band has gone through many changes since its humble beginnings in Lodi, New Jersey. Although their name came from a Marilyn Monroe film, the band’s image …
Aug 24 2011
Seeing as how last year’s article about making your own Tiki stuff turned out so well, I thought I would revisit the subject this year. If the wooden Tiki idol how-to from last year was not to your satisfaction, then perhaps you should try this article about making a cement Tiki garden idol. What better …
Aug 18 2011
Ding Dong Devils Official Myspace Tassels, Mai-Tais & Mischief, Tiki Tunes Records 2010 Based out of Los Angeles, the Ding Dong Devils are not your average exotica band. In addition to the obvious exotica and surf influences, the band also draws inspiration from “fuzzy 60’s garage rock, amped-up rockabilly, tremolo-laden surf, and even the greasy …
Aug 13 2011
Go!Tsunami Official Myspace New Wave Order, Deep Eddy Records 2009 The exact origins of Go!Tsunami are just as mysterious as the hockey mask-wearing musicians that make up the band. Checking their official bio will tell you the band was formed in Springfield, IL and how the band consists of: Riptide Stan Overboard Stringray Jr. The …
Aug 12 2011
That’s right…the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari is back and better than ever! We even have a logo this time around! We’re still going to take a look at the connections between Tiki culture, surf music and horror while not being quite as…overwhelming as last year’s installment. Weird Jon has also been fine-tuning his music reviewing style …
Sep 30 2010
The Ghastly Ones Official Site Target: Draculon, Ghastly Plastics 2006 Unearthed, Ghastly Plastics 2007 Well, Freaky Tiki Surf-ari has come to a close and I’ve saved what’s often regarded as (and rightfully so) the best for last. Not only do the Ghastly Ones play amazing horror surf jam-packed with horror movie references, but they also …
Sep 30 2010
Satan’s Pilgrims Official Site Plymouth Rock, Musick Recordings 2004 Psychsploitation, Sp Records 2009 According to their official Facebook page, Satan’s Pilgrims formed in 1992 over a (quote) “series of house parties hosted by the members of the band” in Portland, Oregon. Basing their name on the exploitation film Satan’s Sadists, the Pilgrims soon became an …
Sep 29 2010
Don Tiki Official Site South of the Boudoir, Taboo Records 2009 I first became hooked on Don Tiki after hearing the spooky Tiki track “The Natives Are Restless.” Further research on the band led me to discover that they had done other songs with kinda creepy titles, such as “Axolotl” and “The Hypnotizing Man.” Their …
Sep 29 2010
The Surf Zombies Official Myspace Something Weird, Oasis Manufacturing 2009 The Surf Zombies first came to my attention by the way of a “Rock and Roots” CD sampler. The split second I saw the song title “El Funebre (The Hearse)” and the band’s name on the track listing, I knew I was in for a …
Sep 28 2010
Robert Drasnin Official Site Voodoo II, Dionysus Records 2007 Martin Denny. Les Baxter. Arthur Lyman. They are the greats of the classic exotica world. However, I think there’s a name missing from that list: Robert Drasnin. Granted, he’s only released two exotica albums, Voodoo and Voodoo II, but I think their quality and importance more …
Sep 28 2010
Man Or Astro-Man? Official Site Live Transmissions From Uranus, Touch and Go Records 1997 (Original release date: 1995) Founded in Auburn, Alabama during the early 90’s, Man Or Astro-Man? soon rose to fame for both their excellent surf music and various gimmicks. Not only did they base songs on horror and sci-fi movies (even including …
Sep 21 2010
Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited Official Site (Label) The Spooky Sound Sessions, Dionysus Records 2009 After Kava Kon, we have one more stop in our Freaky Tiki Surf-ari side trip through the world of neo-exotica, which also takes us further into the world of space age pop. Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited is something of a mystery …
Sep 20 2010
The Mission Creeps Official Site Dark Cells, Refractory Records 2010 The Mission Creeps aren’t your typical horror surf band. Brandon Specktor of the Arizona Daily Wildcat described their unique style as “gothic/garage rock,” ReverbNation called it “reverb-drenched guitar, psychotic theremin and velvelty…” and one Frankie Estelle calls them a “Cramps-style surfabilly band.” The Creeps themselves …
Aug 30 2010
Chaino Official Site (Label) Eye of the Spectre, Dionysus Records 2008 (Original release date: 1957) One of the most striking things about this CD is the cover, the artwork on which looks like something from a horror comic by Eerie Publications. It features an African tribesman strangling and preparing to whip a native woman in …
Aug 29 2010
The Moon-Rays Official Site Sinister Surf, Sound Imp Records 2006 This may surprise you, but I already knew about the majority of the surf bands I’m reviewing before I started the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari. If I hadn’t heard of them on my own, then Strange Jason had recommended them to me. However, there are a …
Aug 28 2010
With all of the music reviews that are being done for the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari, odds are that some of you have developed a hankering for some Tiki stuff of your very own. The appeal of Tiki bar decor is very understandable, whether you want it regular or spooky. With that in mind, I have …
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