Tag: tiki

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 …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: More Arts & Crafts

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 …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Ding Dong Devils

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 …

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A Handful of Dirt: Sam Gambino

A Handful of Dirt asks a person five questions they wouldn’t normally expect or receive in any other credible interview.   In consulting the Serendipiter Bag o’InquiryTM, we pose a series of questions to come up with a bit of knowledge unknown before – a handful of dirt.     The artwork of Sam Gambino …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Don Tiki

You don't have to turn off the red light...

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 …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Robert Drasnin

That voodoo that he do so well...

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 …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited

There's always room for giallo!

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 …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Chaino

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 …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Kava Kon

Ooooh wow...

Kava Kon Official Site Departure Exotica, white label detroit 2005 Tiki for the Atomic Age, Dionysus Records 2009 For this installment of the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari, we’ll be taking a side trip into the world of neo-exotica. What is neo-exotica? From what I can tell, neo-exotica is exotica music made using synthesizers and other electronic …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Waitiki 7

Hello, my name is Rapanui and I'll be your server for the evening.

The Waitiki 7 Official Site New Sounds of Exotica, Pass Out Records 2010 Waitiki is dead, long live The Waitiki 7! After their 2005 debut album, Waitiki released two more albums, 2007’s Rendezvous in Okonkuluku and 2009’s Magic Island Sounds: The Wedding Album, before departing from this mortal coil (figuratively speaking). However, its mission and …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Waitiki

Waitiki Official Site Charred Mammal Flesh, Pass Out Records 2005 In our last exotica installment, I shared a story about the origin of the song “Bwana” (and about the use of animal calls in exotica) that had been told to me by an exotica musician. Since he went unnamed in that in order to help …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Arthur Lyman

Arthur Lyman Bwana á/Bahia, Collector’s Choice Records 2008 (Original release date: 1959) During my last exotica album review for the Freaky Tiki Surf-ari, I briefly touched on the use of sound effects in exotica music. To quote the Wikipedia entry on the genre: “Additionally intrinsic to the sound of exotica are bird calls, big-cat roars, …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Sound of Tiki

"I was *this* close to being the mascot for Cold Fusion Video Reviews..."

It all started when Strange Jason sent me a link to “Gateways to Geekery” article about exotica music from the Onion AV Club. Not only was it a great, highly informative read (although the author is laughably wrong about the quality of modern exotica groups), but it made me realize the connections between exotica/Tiki culture …

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