Southern Surf Stomp! presents Eddie Angel (Los Straitjackets), The Surge!, Caroline & the Ramblers

After a bit of a much needed break we're back, and our first show of the year is going to be a fabulous one!  Welcoming once again to Kavarna we have Grammy nominee Eddie Angel, performing some of his best works from Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals, Eddie Angel's Guitar Party, and more.  Also on the bill we have our good friends, roots and rockabilly act Caroline & the Ramblers and Atlanta surf mainstays The Surge!

Get your tickets HERE

Southern Surf Stomp! presents The Delusionaires, El Capitan & the Reluctant Sadists, Kitty Rose

Florida's kings of the high sleaze, The Delusionaires, will be once again be taking over Kavarna for a night of drunken debauchery and tomfoolery.  They'll be joined by the raucous El Capitan & the Reluctant Sadists and newcomer Kitty Rose, performing some classic style rockabilly.

Find the Facebook event page here.

Southern Surf Stomp! presents The Monterreys, Bruce Joyner and Atomic Clock, The SideBurners

August marks the triumphant return of Charlotte, North Carolina's The Monterreys.  Not only were they the first group to headline the inaugural Southern Surf Stomp! but will be the first to do so for a second time.  The trio plays a powerful brand of surf with a world music influence, guitarist Johnny Stewart also a flamenco guitarist.  After losing their previous bass player Leon Daniel, which is now working on his solo project The Wrecks House amongst other things, they were fortunate enough to be joined by Aqualads' (and now Southern Surf Stomp contributor) Jeremy DeHart.  Reinvigorated by the change, the band will be bringing fresh songs, their fabulous new record "The Pharaoh", and even a different look with them to Kavarna.

Bruce Joyner is a legend in the underground garage rock scene with his seminal work with The Unknowns and will also be returning to the Stomp for a second time with his band Bruce Joyner and Atomic Clock.  The front man has a larger than life presence and having seen he and guitarist Tom Byars perform in different configurations with various groups over the past decade or so, I can honestly say this iteration is by far the best I've ever seen.  They nearly blew the roof off the place last time and people were practically begging me to have them back.

Highlights from Southern Surf Stomp! on April 18, 2015

The Penetrators with (left to right) Jet Powers, Stix Stechkin, Eddie Katcher, Richard Hawes, and Trace Luger

El Capitan on guitar

Johnny McGowan on guitar

Trace Luger

Stix Stechkin

Rodeo Twister

Jay Murphree

Chad Proctor

Matt Sprague

Eddie Angel backed by Richard of The Mystery Men? and Trace and Stix of The Penetrators

MVP of the evening goes to Richard Hawes for coordinating the whole evening

The evening's veritable museum of amplifiers

Southern Surf Stomp Spotify playlist

This playlist features music from bands (currently available on Spotify) who have performed or will be performing at the Southern Surf Stomp! Please feel free to subscribe as it will be updated monthly.

Highlights from Southern Surf Stomp! on December 13, 2014.

Caroline and the Ramblers (Danny Arana, Caroline Engel, Mike Z [not pictured], Joel Glogowski)

The Silent Knights (David Northrip, Eric Balint, Nick Bazemore, Sonny Harding [not shown], Chad Shivers, Matt Steadman)

Southern Surf Stomp! presents Chad Shivers and the Silent Knights, Caroline and the Ramblers, and The Fringe Factory DJ's

This year marks the fifth year my group Chad Shivers and the Silent Knights has performed the Ventures Christmas Album, and the second for the Beach Boys Christmas Album.  Historically the show has been held at the Earl in Atlanta but we are extremely excited to bring it to the Southern Surf Stomp at Kavarna this year.  This has become a special event for all of us and we look forward to it all year long.  Of course we will be joined by our Jingle Belle dancers as well.

The Silent Knights are:
Chad Shivers (MOONBASE, The Mystery Men?, Bicycle Eaters) - lead guitar, vocals
"Little Saint" Nick Bazemore - lead vocals, guitar
David Northrip (the Fugitives) - vocals, guitar
Eric "The Talent" Balint (MOONBASE, Bicycle Eaters) - bells, percussion, keys
Matt Steadman - bass guitar
Sonny Harding (MOONBASE) - drums

The Jingle Belle dancers are Jessica Shivers (aka "Cherry") and Morgan "Mo" Bazemore.

Check out last year's performance:





Caroline and the Ramblers is Atlanta's best roots group specializing in rockabilly, country, early rock 'n' roll, and blues.  Caroline commands audiences with her powerful voice, is a staple in Atlanta's music community, and is a HUGE supporter of surf music having even performed at Douglasville Surf Fest.  Her backing band The Ramblers are all seasoned veterans and wildly talented instrumentalists.  Together they write absolutely wonderful songs and really know how to put on a great show.

Also joining the show will be the Fringe Factory DJ's, which spin the best in garage, punk, psych, soul, and wild rock 'n' roll.  The trio of Vikki Vaden, Glynis Ward, and Richard Whig really do it all from radio, live performance, as well as even hosting their own shows.  Up until recently they could be heard on AM1690 Atlanta and are currently on WFMU's Rock 'n' Soul Ichiban Wednesdays at 8pm.

The Knights will be also be performing several other dates around the Southeast:
*12/5 - Charleston, SC at the Tin Roof w/ Silver Bells. 9pm, $5, 21+.
*12/6 - Savannah, GA at the Wormhole. 10pm, more info at wormholebar.com.
12/18 - Marietta, GA at the Strand w/ Jeffrey Bützer/T.T. Mahony's Charlie Brown Christmas tribute, Jeffrey Bützer and the Bicycle Eaters. 8pm, $15, all ages.
12/19 - Anniston, AL at the Crimson Tiger w/ Kill, Baby...Kill! and many more.  8pm, $5, 21+.
12/20 - Birmingham, AL at the Syndicate Lounge w/ The Original Shake Charmers. 9pm, $10, all ages.

* with Sean Zearfoss (Small Reactions) on drums



 

Diesel Smoke and Dangerous Curves

Not only does Julea Thomerson front the incredible group Julea and her Dear Johns, but she also hosts her own radio show, Diesel Smoke and Dangerous Curves, on WMLB AM 1690 here in Atlanta.

About the show (taken from http://1690wmlb.com/programs/dsdc/): "Diesel Smoke and Dangerous Curves brings you the weird, wild, and wonderful side of country western music, rock ‘n roll, rhythm & blues, and a little bit of soul. Hosted by Julea Thomerson, an avid record collector and leader of Julea and Her Dear Johns, spins hillbilly, classic country-western and rockabilly but don’t be surprised to hear some prewar Piedmont blues, vintage R&B, popcorn, northern soul, and some old fashioned rock ’n’ roll from the artists who never topped the charts but were all hits in our book."

You can hear past episodes by clicking the above links.

Videos for Julea and her Dear Johns

Photos from the first Southern Surf Stomp! on April 12, 2014

 The Monterreys before the Stomp, at Yaarab Shrine for Atlanta Rollergirls half time.

 Monterreys rhythm section with Leon Daniel on bass and Jason Dickey on Drums.

 Monterreys guitarist Johnny Stewart...like a boss!

 The Surge!

 Atomic Boogie

The Monterreys

Video for Atomic Boogie

First show featuring The Monterreys (NC), The Surge!, and Atomic Boogie

When you first see the Monterreys hit the stage you expect some sort of heavy, Southern rock but are instead knocked on your ass by energetic surf with a hint of flamenco.  These guys are a staple at Southern surf festivals with good reason as their live shows are excellent.

I have known members from Atlanta's The Surge! for a LONG time.  Eddie Katcher is a force with which to be reckoned.  Not only is Ed an astounding player, but a veritable encyclopedia of surf music history and gear, with a penchant for blondes (amps).  The Surge! plays the style as it was intended - loud and dripping with reverb.

Variety is the spice of life they say and for the first stomp, Atomic Boogie will offer it up in spades.  These guys play all things 'billy and blues: jump blues, rockabilly, psychobilly, country, Sun Records era rock 'n roll, you name it they probably play it.