Revolution Surf 2020 & Show # 817

One of the first surf/instrumental based songs to have a space or sci-fi theme was the song “Telstar” by The Tornados. Not to be confused with the US band of the same name (spelled “Tornadoes”), this band was from the UK and worked together with producer Joe Meek in the early 60s. Meek wrote and produced the song for The Tornados, utilizing new, pioneering production techniques that created distinctive, and “space age” futuristic sounds. It sounded pretty strange then, but still sounds fresh today. With its use of keyboards and the Clavioline, “Telstar”, which was named after a telecommunications satellite that went into orbit on July 10th, 1962, became an immediate hit when released in August of 1962. In the UK the song was at #1 on the UK singles charts for 25 weeks and #1 in on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The Tornados were also the first British group to have a number one single in the US. Since then there has been a plethora songs and surf/instrumental bands that have named themselves based on space or sci-fi themes. Their first full-length album, Bustin’ Surfboards, was released in 1964. The album mixed 60s surf themed tracks with some vocal based tracks. It would become a cult classic, but reached new found popularity following the inclusion of the song “Bustin’ Surfboards” on the 1994 soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction.

In 1964, instrumental band The Ventures released their album (The) Ventures in Space. The album explored more experimentation within the band’s classic sound and was influenced by Joe Meek’s space age production style. The Ventures, who have put out so many releases often of both cover songs and originals, put out this album on Dolton Records. (The) Ventures in Space was also one of the first albums that The Ventures used Mosrite guitars on. Prior to this they used Fender, but from this album forward, The Ventures would use Mosrite guitars and would help set the standard for this brand. The model of guitar that they used was initially known as “The Ventures” model, but later became known as the Mosrite "Mark 1" guitar. As mentioned, the album showed a more experimental aesthetic as opposed to their other albums. This one also stands out as being quite different due to that fact. This pre-computer age sci-fi/space themed album combined intergalactic versions of TV theme songs such as “The Twilight Zone”, which ends the album with originals such as “He Never Came Back”, “Exploration In Terror” and “Solar Race”. The album begins with “Out Of Limits”, which was originally by The Marketts. This song when originally released by The Marketts was called “Outer Limits”, inspired by The TV show of the same name drew musical similarities to the theme song to the TV series The Twilight Zone. Despite being sued by creator Rod Serling, the song was changed to “Out of Limits” and became one of The Marketts biggest hits. It was also a popular song for The Ventures on this album. “Bat” with is low flying garage fuzz sounds, “Solar Race” with its psychedelic/cinematic aesthetics, and “Fourth Dimension” with its unnerving space surf tones all add to the make up of this album. While songs such as the eerie “Fear”, the gong dominated “Exploration in Terror”, the creepy, and the otherworldly sound “War of the Satellites”, all play out like a mix between a film soundtrack and a surf music album. (The) Ventures In Space is a pre-psychedellic experimental collection of surf songs.

Man Or Astro-man? formed in 1992. The band mixes elements of 60s surf rock with punk, new wave and some hard rock into their sound. Although primarily an instrumental group, they also have songs with vocals. The majority of their songs and albums have space and science fiction themes. In addition to the musical instrumentation, they have also used the Theremin, synthesizers and dot matrix printers in their music. Man Or Astro-Man? also use audio clips from old sci-fi movies in their music, a lot has been said to come from the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. The band’s backstory states that they arrived from outer space some years ago and integrated into human society as a rock band. Man Or Astro-man? consists of Star Crunch (Brian Causey) on guitar/vocals, Birdstuff (Brian Teasley) on drums and Coco the Electronic Monkey Wizard on bass/electronics. These three are the core members of the group, there have been additional members over the years. Man Or Astro-man? released their first album entitled Is It Man Or Astroman? in 1993 on Estrus Records. The band toured and released music from 1993 to 2001, releasing ten full-length albums, not counting singles and EPs. They have released music on Touch and Go Records, Estrus Records, Get Hip Recordings, through Chunklet Magazine and on Third Man Records. The band toured and released music from 1993 to 2001, releasing ten full-length albums, not counting singles and EPs. After a hiatus the band returned playing live in 2006 for the Touch and Go 25th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago. They began touring intermittently starting in 2010. Most recently, Avona Nova (Samantha Paulsen) has been playing with Man Or Astro-man? on guitar. Their most recent album Defcon 5...4...3...2...1, was released in 2013. It was recorded by Steve Albini, who has also worked them on 1995’s Planet Infinity and A Spectrum of Infinite Scale in 2000.

Revolution Surf 2020 Play List:

1. Atomicos - Shoot the Moon (Surfodelic - Norwegian Blue Records - 2017)
2. The Metalunas - Blast Off! (X-Minus One - American Pop Project - 2000)
3. The Saturn 5 - Voyage Around the Moon (That Thing You Do! Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Play-Tone/Epik Soundtrack - 1996)
4. Les Robots - Big Trouble In Outer Space (The Fascinating sound of Les Robots - Spazz Records - 2019)
5. The Astronauts - Rocket To Mars (Lost In Space - Pin Up Records - 1993)
6. The Astronauts - Pinball Crazy (Lost In Space - Pin Up Records - 1993)
7. Los Straitjackets - Space Mosquito (Jet Set - Yep Roc Records - 2012)
8. Gene & The Esquires - Space Race (Space Race/Rave On Single - GNP Crescendo - 1965)
9. Joe Meek & The Blue Men - Orbit Around The Moon (Music from Planet Earth Vol 1 - Stag-O-Lee - 2013)
10. The Ventures - Moon Child ((The) Ventures In Space - Dolton Records - 1964)
11. Tornados - Telstar (Music from Planet Earth Vol 1 - Stag-O-Lee - 2013)

SURFPHONY OF DERSTRUCTION 2000 SEGMENT:

12. Los Freneticos - Teletransportacion (Teletransportacion - Hi-Tide Recordings - 2019)
13. The Phantom Dragsters - Galaxy Quest (Surfin' After Death - H-Records - 2016)
14. King Ghidora - Hal 9000 is Re-Activated (The Secret Origin of An Unknown Planet Destroyer - Sharawaji Records - 2018)
15. Los Kosmos - Mega Hit (Los Kosmos - 2018)
16. Megatronadores - Surfergalactico (Wanglen - 2017)
17. Mark Malibu & The Wasagas - Astro Bot (Crash Monster Beach - Sharawaji Records - 2018)

18. Urban Surf Kings - The Day the Surf Stood Still (Surf vs. Flying Saucers - USK International - 2004)
19. Urban Surf Kings - Deep Space (Surf vs. Flying Saucers - USK International - 2004)
20. Reverb Syndicate - Lunar Attack (Sputnik A-Go-Go - The Reverb Syndicate - 2007)
21. Blue Demons - Moon Dawg (The Blue Demons)
22. The Vondells - In Orbit (The Vondells (Unreleased) - 2003)
23. The Surfdusters - The Moons of Jupiter (Waves of Pleasure - Surfdust Records - 1994)
24. C&C Surf Factory - Phasors on Stun (Garage City - Six Shooter Records - 2015)
25. The Spotnicks - Telstar (Deluxe: Orange Blossom Special - Puzzle Productions - 2013)
26. Dave Miller - Telstar (Old Door Phantoms - Ears and Eyes Records - 2016)
27. Tornados - Moon Dawg (Bustin' Surfboards - Josie Records 1963/Sundazed Records - 2012)
28. The Trashwomen - The Happy Taco (The Trashwomen Vs. Deep Space - Repent Records/Pin Up Records - 1994)
29. Man or Astroman? - The Universe's Only Intergalactic Radioactive Breakfast Bar (What Remains Inside A Black Hole - Au Go Go - 1996)
30. Man or Astroman? - Defcon 3 (Defcon 5...4...3...2...1 - Communicating Vessels - 2013)
31. Man or Astroman? - Planet Collision (Live At Third Man Records - Third Man Records - 2017)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for February 29.

Coming Up on Revolution Rock in February 2020!

It’s February which means that throughout this month Revolution Rock will devote each episode that airs in February to theme based programming. Dave and co-host Adam have special programming lined up ranging from jazz, punk, post-punk, garage, country, folk and surf. This year’s themed month programming starts off on February 1st with a program focusing on Black History Month that will feature a mix of music from Louis Armstrong, Andre Williams and a variety of other artists from different genres. This episode will also feature a guest host, Graeme Sylvio of CJAM FM’s Sylvio & Soul program. Revolution Rock airs every Saturday from 7-9 PM on CJAM 99.1 FM in Windsor/Detroit. It can be streamed via cjam.ca and be downloaded via the very same website afterwards.

What Is This Thing Called Swing: Revolution Rock Celebrates Black History Month
Saturday February, 1st, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Born in New Orleans in August of 1901, Louis Armstrong was a jazz trumpeter and an influential figure in jazz music. His career spanned five decades in which Armstrong would be part of different and important eras of jazz music. In addition to his musical abilities on trumpet, Louis Armstrong was also a vocalist, composer and actor. He was one of the first African American entertainers to cross the gap in racially divided America at the time, being accepted by both white and black audiences. Armstrong generally remained neutral when it came to politics, which often resulted in criticism, however, in 1957 he did speak out during a conflict in Little Rock, Arkansas where he stood up for school desegregation. Also nicknamed “Satchmo”, “Satch” and “Pops”, Armstrong had a very distinct voice. His voice was usually defined by its rich, gravelly tone. The vocal style that he used also incorporated skat singing, which he was skilled at. Armstrong had a very unique ability to bend lyrics and melody in song when singing. Louis Armstrong appeared in a large amount of films such as Pennies From Heaven (1936), in the 1956 musical High Society where he did a duet with Bing Crosby, The Five Pennies (1959) and Paris Blues in 1961, which also starred Paul Newman. Some of the songs that he was known for were “What A Wonderful World”, “Hello Dolly”, “Jeepers Creepers” and “When You’re Smiling”. Armstrong also collaborated with legendary pianist and bandleader Earl “Fatha” Hines, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and Duke Ellington. Louis Armstrong’s influence went beyond jazz, resulting in fans calling him one of the first great jazz soloists. He was an influence on soloists in every genre of American popular music. This episode will feature a set of music by Louis Armstrong, music from Andre Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Bo Diddley, Junior Wells and more artists in celebration of Black History Month. The program will also feature guest host Graeme Sylvio of CJAM FM’s Sylvio & Soul program.


Journey Through The Past: Selections from Neil Young's Discography
Saturday February, 8th, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Neil Young is an influential musician/songwriter from Canada. He has played with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, his backing band Crazy Horse, The Stray Gators, Pearl Jam and numerous others. Young has been called the “Godfather of Grunge” by many, the music that he has created has ranged from folk and country to rock, hard rock and noise rock. He even put out rockabilly and synth rock album. His catalogue is vast and there are numerous live albums in addition to the music he created with others and as a solo artist. The Neil Young Archives Volume One was first released as a box set in 2009, but has since become available online as a streaming subscription service featuring a plethora of unreleased material. Some of his best known songs are “Cinnamon Girl”, “Down By The River”, “Old Man”, “Heart of Gold”, “The Needle and the Damage Done”, “Cortez The Killer”, “Rockin’ in the Free World”, there are too many to name. In 1972, Neil Young found critical and commercial success with Harvest. The albums that followed this (Time Fades Away (1973), On The Beach (1974), and Tonight’s The Night (1975)) are referred to as Young’s Ditch Trilogy. Neil Young released Everybody’s Rockin’ in 1983 a rockabilly album and Trans (1982), which explored music with synthesizers and electronic based sounds. In the 80s, Young experimented heavily with his sound. Young has also been involved in film, directing several films such as Journey Through The Past (1974), Human Highway (1982), Greendale (2003) and the documentary CSNY/Déjà Vu in 2008. Young continues to release music, most recently putting out the album Colorado with Crazy Horse. This episode will feature deep cuts and other selections from Neil Young's vast discography.

Rockin’ With Bloodshot Bill: The Music of Bloodshot Bill and Other Selections
Saturday February, 15th, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Bloodshot Bill emerged out of Montreal around 1998. Starting out as a drummer, Bloodshot Bill began performing with just a guitar and stomp board. Bloodshot Bill often tours and performs as a one man band featuring, guitar, a bass drum, hi-hat and reverb soaked vocals. Live as a one-man band he provides the audience with his own brand of rockabilly music that is unlike any other, while at the same time drawing on the past. He once said that his influences range from early country and rock and roll records to what he refers to as his “holy trinity” of influences "Hasil Adkins, Charlie Feathers, and Link Wray.” Since starting out, Bloodshot Bill has released numerous records on different labels, recorded and collaborated with artists such as King Khan (as The Tandoori Knights and The Bollywood Argyles), Mark Sultan (The Ding Dongs), Deke Dickerson, Shannon Shaw, Jon Spencer and many others. In 2019, he released Come Get Your Love Right Now via Goner Records, Hang Ten With Bloodshot Bill (a surf EP) on Hi-Tide Recordings, an EP of music with legendary rockabilly/roots rock musician Deke Dickerson called The Bad Biscuit EP, a single with The Tandoori Knights (featuring King Khan), and a single with Japan’s the 5.6.7.8’s called My Little Muck Muck. He has also performed all over the US, Canada and parts of Europe. In addition to all this, Bloodshot Bill has performed with the bands The Hubcaps, The Hick-Ups, The Televionaires and Reverend Horton Heat. This episode will feature an interview with Bloodshot Bill in addition to music from Bloodshot Bill’s ever expanding, still potent and prolific catalogue of music.

The Stooges Fun House 50th Anniversary
Saturday February 22nd, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

When it was originally released in July of 1970, Fun House stood out as an album different from its predecessor and from other music at the time. It still does. Produced by Don Gallucci who played keyboards on The Kingsmen’s garage classic “Louie, Louie”, Fun House brought a new sense of groove and intensity to the music of The Stooges. As for influences, the sounds of Howlin’ Wolf and James Brown influenced part of the sound that the band was going for on this album. The band also added Saxophonist Steve MacKay to Fun House and he is found on the album’s second side as the band also pull in free Jazz influences into their dynamic, and especially during the chaotic sonic assault that ends the album “L.A. Blues”. Fun House was named after the band’s house and rehearsal space that they lived in back in Michigan, the album’s songs developed through being played live. Although he initially deemed the band “unrecordable”, Gallucci’s intention was to capture The Stooges live in the studio to try and get down the energy they projected live on tape. The feeling he went for was captured and resulted from having the band perform as if it were a live performance, removing all baffles and carpet from the studio and by having Iggy record with them with a handheld microphone, which was unconventional at the time. The music pushed forward and has been described as capturing a sense of instant mayhem. Other words used to describe this album have been apocalyptic, chaotic, destructive, punk blues, proto-punk and garage meltdown. The album would go on to influence punk and alternative music in the years that followed, setting a blueprint and growing in stature. It has a depth and influence that challenged rock conventions. For an album that was virtually ignored by the mainstream following its initial release, Fun House, now 50 years later is revered and identified as a cult classic. This episode will feature all of the songs from 1970’s Fun House album, plus selections from the 1970: The Complete Fun House Sessions box set and a few other surprises.


Revolution Surf 2020: Intergalactic Instrumentals
Saturday February 29th, 2020
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

For the 14th annual Revolution Surf special, the program will focus on intergalactic instrumental themed songs, or in other words surf music with a space theme. One of the first surf/instrumental based songs to have a space or sci-fi theme was the song “Telstar” by The Tornados. Not to be confused with the US band of the same name (spelled “Tornadoes”), this band was from the UK and worked together with producer Joe Meek in the early 60s. Meek wrote and produced the song for The Tornados, utilizing new, pioneering production techniques that created distinctive, and “space age” futuristic sounds. With its use of keyboards and the Clavioline, “Telstar”, which was named after a telecommunications satellite that went into orbit on July 10th, 1962, became an immediate hit when released in August of 1962. In the UK the song was at #1 on the UK singles charts for 25 weeks and #1 in on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The Tornados were also the first British group to have a number one single in the US. Since then there has been a plethora songs and surf/instrumental bands that have named themselves based on space or sci-fi themes. In 1964, instrumental band The Ventures released their album Ventures in Space. The album explored more experimentation within the band’s classic sound and was influenced by Joe Meek’s space age production style. There has been countless bands with space inspired names such as Man or Astro-Man? who formed in the early 90s, The Metalunas in the 2000’s, and numerous bands with songs falling under this theme such as The Surfaris, The Marketts, Davie Allan & The Arrows, The Challengers, Messer Chups, Luau or Die, and so many others. On February 29th, take a journey into a world of intergalactic surf and instrumental music for Revolution Surf 2020. The show will also feature guest hosts Brady of CJAM FM’s Music From Planet Earth, Carley of CJAM FM’s Everything’s No Good and Derk Brigante of Surf Rock Radio’s The Surfphony of Derstruciton 2000.

The Shadows, The Tornados & Show # 393

John Lennon once said in an interview that “before Cliff and the Shadows, there had been nothing worth listening to in British music”, he was of course referring to the UK Rock and Roll and instrumental group known as Cliff Richard and The Shadows. Their sound isn't always specifially described as Surf Rock, but more of an instrumental Rock group with a distinctive sound, that in some cases leans towards Surf sounding material.  In the late 50s and early 60s Cliff Richard and The Shadows were very popular in the British music scene, The Shadows are often referred to as one of the most important bands in Rock and Roll history, not to mention a very influential one. The band got their start in the late 50s known as The Drifters, they quickly became the backing band for Cliff Richard and after making some recordings with his backing band were labeled as Cliff Richard and The Drifters. Their first single was the song “Move It” written by guitarist Ian Samwell which was initially intended to be the B-side to the song “Schoolboy Crush”, the song went to number two in the UK singles charts, the single is considered to be one of the first original Rock and Roll songs to be produced outside of the US. At this point the band consisted of Cliff Richard (real name Harry Webb) on guitar/vocals, Terry Smart on drums, and Ian Samwell on guitar. For the recording of “Schoolboy Crush/Move It” this line up also featured two session musicians, although it should be mentioned that the band went through many line up changes in their early days.

Regardless the band became very popular and it wasn’t until the band added guitarists Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch, who were previously in a Skiffle group known as The Chesternuts that not only the bands name would change, but so would their sound. With the addition of these two virtuoso guitarists, Cliff Richard and The Drifters quickly became Cliff Richard and The Shadows (also as a result of a conflict with a US R&B Soul group with the name The Drifters). The band shortly after this line up change altered yet again with Jet Harris moving in on bass and Tony Meehan on drums. For the next four years Cliff Richard and The Shadows dominated the British Rock and Roll scene for the next four years that coincided with a series of number one albums and singles, it should also be noted that The Shadows released recordings on their own without Cliff Richard in the title and became a highly regarded band in their own right as well. Cliff Richard and The Shadows are perhaps best known for their 1960 single “Apache”, which was a song written by Jerry Lordan, but was recorded and released by The Shadows in 1960. The song is notable for Hank Marvin’s unique sound and use of the tremolo arm on his Fender Stratocaster, which would later be emulated by Surf bands for decades.

Another influential UK instrumental Surf based group is The Tornados, not to be confused with the other Surf group The Tornadoes who are from the US. The band is best known for the number one US/UK charting single “Telstar” which was produced by UK producer Joe Meek. The band was once considered the rival band to The Shadows, when they released their 1963 single “Globetrotter”. "Globetrotter" went to number five on the UK singles charts, but following bassist Heinz Burt's departure in 1963, the groups status began to decline. By the year 1965, The Tornados no longer had any original members in the group and were often billed as Tornados 65 or The New Tornados when playing live.

The Tornados were put together by Joe Meek, a visionary UK independent music producer who invented recording techniques that are still used to this day. The original line up of the group was made up of Alan Caddy, George Bellamy on guitars, Heinz Burt on bass, Roger LaVern on organ and Clem Cattini on drums. Their first single, “Love and Fury” did not chart when released in 1962. It wasn’t until producer Joe Meek came up with the idea for “Telstar” that the group began to receive attention. “Telstar” was named after the AT&T communications satellite of the same name, and featured several “space age” sounding effects and production techniques employing elements of echo and its use of the clavioline. The result of this high charting single sold roughly five million worldwide and it should have made Joe Meek a millionaire and the band very successful financially, but due to a French copyright infringement, the royalties were tied up for the next six years. The band were also prevented from touring internationally in the US in support of “Telstar” because of a contract they signed backing up UK musician Billy Fury from 1962 to 1963, they also recorded with him during this time as well.

Regardless of the outcomes, both bands Cliff Richard and The Shadows and The Tornados were crucial to the history of Rock and Surf music being not only successful in their own right, but also influential and still regarded as important bands in Rock music history.

Revolution Surf Play List:

1. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet – Customized
2. The Shadows – 36-24-36
3. Progressives – Hot Cinders
4. Space Plan - Tread Lightly
5. Los Straitjackets – Tarantula
6. The Dakotas – The Cruel Sea
7. The Boardwalkers – Bikini Drag
8. The Trashmen – Bad News
9. The Panasonics - Panther
10. The Ventures – Telstar
11. The Tornados – Life on Venus
12. The Incredible Mr. Smith – Heroes
13. The Marketts – Twilight City
14. James Eddie Campell – Comet Toast
15. Chiyo & The Crescents – Devil Surf
16. The Houstons – Solar Light
17. The Reverb Syndicate – Guadalupe’s Lab
18. Davie Allan & The Arrows – Outer Surf
19. Rockets – Apache
20. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet - Popcorn
21. The Shadows – Midnight
22. The Sadies – The Double Wide
23. The Challengers – Volcanic Action
24. The Gruesomes - Axe-Handle Cove
25. The Gruesomes - Whirlpool
26. The Robots - Ride The Surf
27. Link Wray – Drag Race
28. The Burnin' Sands - Typhoon
29. The Tornados – Hot Pot


To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for February 28. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.