Friday, June 27, 2008

Friday Flashback

Friday! YESSSSS!

I'm going way way back today. This little gem is 45 YEARS OLD! I can't believe it myself. This rockin' tune is older than I am, and that's saying something these days. There aren't too many songs I like that actually predate me.

This song, which you have probably heard sometime, somewhere, is like a rocket blasting out of nowhere and exploding on an unsuspecting, sleeping world. It literally altered music as it was known in 1963. 1963! That, flashback listeners, is the granddaddy of all flashbacks thus far, by over a decade.

I'm of the opinion that anyone who desires to enter the music business, who wants to perform for others, make records, or make a name for themselves, should be required to listen to and learn from this little ditty:

The Trashmen, Surfin' Bird, circa 1963 (no real vid, but enjoy the song).



This song still sounds as good as it did...err wait, I wasn't even born then. I'd bet it's safe to say that this song sounds as good now as it did 45 years ago.

It's vital to listen to the last minute of the song in my opinion, that stretch from around 1:10 to the end. It still works on so many levels. Some find it kooky, some silly, some groovy, some edgy, but there's no denying that it's way ahead of it's time.

~Sham, Quixotic Referee

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Making the obligatory metal connection, I hereby mention that Sodom covered this song for their M-16 album. Thrasy silly goodness!

Sham aka Dave said...

Yeah-this one's been covered by quite a few bands, including The Cramps and Ramones as well. Thrashy, edgy, noisy...but a song full of energy with an unforgettable rhythm. Oh, and some interesting vocals ;-)

Anonymous said...

magnavox console stereo action!

Sham aka Dave said...

I never had a console of my own. My parents have some gigantic console stereo that hasn't worked in years, but is a very nice piece of furniture that serves as a credenza of sorts now.

The other evening, at a dinner, I was seated next to a nice gentleman who told me stories of having personally known Paul Klipsch. The guy is 85, and from Arkansas (as it turns out, that's where Klipsch was founded, so I'm fairly certain these weren't just tall tales). We spent quite a while discussing the merits of digital vs. analog. Fascinating stuff. He also had a potentially non PC theory about the evolution of Japanese speakers.

Analog still rules. In gaming AND in music. Of course, you can't tell that by hearing some analog music recorded digitally and found on the net. :-)