Okay, folks, before any more blogs about the Capitol Bowl, West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento, or the Lava Pups performing there on February 26th clog up the ethernet, we need to spread the word about the Sierra Surf Music Camp. THE INAUGURAL SIERRA SURF MUSIC CAMP!
Sometime in the relatively recent past -- November 17 to be exact -- Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camps were the subject of our blog. Swapping licks with Zak Wylde or Steve Vai just was not part of my rock ‘n roll fantasy. Attending a “fantasy camp” to do that did not float my boat. The price tag made sure the boat had no buoyancy.
My “fantasy camp” was described as including, among others, Dave Wronski, Dusty Watson, Eddie Bertrand, and Paul Johnson. Paul the Pyronaut would be the “camp director”; he would be assisted by the other Pyronauts and some surf music players from the Bay Area. Yeah, that would float my boat.
A short time ago, Paul announced on Facebook that he and Dusty Watson -- the best surf drummer on Earth -- were putting together a surf music camp. “Oh, wow,” I thought, “Is this the 'fantasy camp' of my fantasies?” Paul posted just enough to titillate.
Over the next couple of weeks, he started to build excitement by posting something new. First, Paul Johnson will be an instructor. That is the very same Paul Johnson, who wrote “Mr. Moto” and “Squad Car.” Depending on who is giving the history lesson, either Paul Johnson and Eddie Bertrand of the Belairs or Dick Dale “invented” surf music. “Mr. Moto” was the first surf song that I ever heard -- probably in 1962 -- and gives the Belairs the edge. Besides Dick Dale derived "Surf Beat" from the Fabulous Wailers' "Road Runner."
Paul followed with the announcement that John Blair also would be an instructor. Another “guiding light" was being brought to camp. I apologize for not writing about him earlier in any blog. Instrumental rock -- and surf music -- was kicked to the curb by the British Invasion. In 1979, John Blair started Jon & the Nightriders, which included both Dusty Watson and Dave Wronski. They played instrumental surf and kept the embers glowing until the revival brought on by -- or attributed to -- the movie Pulp Fiction.
John Blair, however, is more than a musician. He is a surf music historian of sorts. In 1978, his Illustrated Discography of Surf Music (1961-1965) was first published. The introduction to the Third Edition begins, “This reference work serves as a basic guide to American surf music recordings of the early 1960s.” There, he admits that the book is of an “esoteric nature” and then follows the introduction with more than 200 pages of black and white photos, listings of records, and copies of posters.
"Historian" may be an understatement. Given the "esoteric nature" of his book and his creating Jon & the Nightriders to play instrumental surf, John Blair could be described as a zealot -- right up there with Phil Dirt. In part because of John Blair, surf music did not become entirely extinct between its pre-British invasion hey day (primarily in Southern California) and the Pulp Fiction revival.
Yesterday, the Sierra Surf Music Camp “crossed the Rubicon.” A link to a new website was provided. “Announcing the Inaugural Session” was posted to Facebook. The camp even has a logo -- a very professional looking logo at that.
“Sierra Surf Music Camp is being created with the idea of spending a weekend with friends, family, and community in the study and appreciation of California’s indigenous folk music -- Surf! We wish to bridge the gap between professional and amateur musicians by bringing the founders of the genre together with folks just beginning to discover it in a fun and friendly setting.”
Some more instructors were introduced. The rest of The Pyronauts. “Captain Ron” Eglit, who played bass with Dick Dale. From San Francisco, Ferenc Dobronyi of Pollo del Mar, Frankie and Pool Boys, and The Tomorrowmen and the force behind Surf Sundays at the Hotel Utah. Quite a "faculty" is being assembled. No Dave Wronski . . . yet?
Lessons will be given. Surf drummers may dream about a lesson with Dusty Watson. Those dreams can become a reality at the Sierra Surf Music Camp. Classes and seminars will be offered in, among other things, Surf Music History and “performance.” Maybe Don, Glenn, and I can learn how to ditch the “funeral director” look by attending the "performance" class.
For non-musicians (and possibly me), classes will be offered in Surf Art. A clip from the long-anticipated surf music documentary “Sound of Surf” will be premiered. This camp promises to have something for almost everybody!
Hey, maybe the Lava Pups can take the stage, play a couple of songs, and demonstrate what we learned on Performance Night. Then again, anxiety, awe, and stage fright might strike me dumb and unable to pick a string or remember a song.
This truly is a Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camp for me even without Dave Wronski. It also is a camp for every person with more than a passing interest in surf music. And -- drum roll please -- it is reasonably priced! Register by April 15th and get a 15% discount.
Becky and I are in. Given my well-know patience quotient, can I wait until Memorial Day weekend? Oh, yeah, we have gig coming up on February 26 -- a welcome distraction.