Tag: tiki

Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Dawn “Sophista-Tiki” Frasier

2018 marks the second time the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari will get to spotlight someone in the Tiki scene who’s finally getting wider recognition for their contributions to said scene. Last time was for a musician who was part of the original rise of Tiki culture and this time marks an artist who was part of …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Music From The 6th Floor

Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited Official Site (Label) Music From The 6th Floor, Dionysus Records 2016 It’s been ages since I last reviewed something by Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited and the group seems as mysterious as ever. In fact, I hadn’t heard anything from them in so long that I had assumed they had quietly disbanded! …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Voodoo III

Robert Drasnin Official Site Voodoo III, Dionysus Records 2017 Exotica legend Robert Drasnin had been hard at work right up until his passing in 2015. 2011 saw him working with the Waitiki 7, both on covering his past hits and playing his new composition “In A Dorian Mode.” He was also hard at work on …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Alika Lyman Group

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 …

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Halloween, Kava Kon Style

Some might frown at people carving anything other than a pumpkin to make a Jack O’Lanterns, but I think it’s perfectly acceptable. There are some amazing watermelon carvings out there and the whole carving tradition originally involved turnips. So pineapple Tiki O’Lanterns are fine in my book. Especially when they are accompanied by creepy music …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Unconventional Carvings

The year was 2008. As Gravedigger’s Local 16 was in its early stages, Strange Jason and I were in constant communication about fodder for the Halloween countdown. So when Jason found out about a contest about making Jack O’Lanterns from things other than pumpkins, we immediately agreed that I had to enter. Originally, I was …

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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 …

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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 …

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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, …

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