No, this isn’t a flyer for a must-see event coming up on Valentine’s Day, but rather a not-so-subtle reminder of a show I was unfortunately unable to attend. Swami John Reis & The Blind Shake released Modern Surf Classics in February of ’15, to great acclaim, and it ended up being their only collaboration to date. Shameful, these facts as I type them. I was, however, fortunate enough to catch this surf-punk-luau team’s Santa Ana show a few months later, which, obviously, like with all things John Reis-related, turned out to be an absolute riot. If you can stomach parting with the Hamilton in your pocket, and you aren’t one of the fortunate ones to already own this album, do yourself a favor and seek it out. High-energy surf, with lighting guitars, and classic Swami snarl. This album is damn near perfect.
Tag Archives: Swami Records
Don’t Drop the Baby
It’s certainly not often that one’s favorite band, once considered obsolete (mainly due to the final, RIP concert one attended some 10 years back), releases a new track, then limits said song to a 440 7″ pressing only available at a recent Denver, CO show. As a Los Angeleon, I was excited to hear said news, but very worrisome of the avenue with which to obtain it. Thank you Discogs and your reasonably priced sellers. More Rocket, yeah, that’ll do.
Magician
Oops… forgot to hit send last night… please forgive the lateness of yesterday’s post. Fundue fondue at the table, with the new Mrs Magician album, Bermuda spinning on the hi-fi makes for quite the enjoyable evening. I highly recommend both fondue, AND Mrs Magician. Happy Friday, kids!
Tonight
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The Husbands
In place of exercise this morning we spun this energetic debut by The Husbands. From what I could hear over the dying fan of my laptop, I LOVED! She now rests in the “have listened to / need to digitize” pile, which is getting rather large thanks to my manic Discogs.com ventures. I can’t wait to relisten to this garage rock trio, and I encourage all within eyeshot to seek it out. It may be a bit premature to crown them the queens of garage rock, then again it may not.
Auto Midnight
The Hot Snakes first album is my favorite, but I fight to call it their best. Suicide Invoice, their second, gets the best reviews online, but if pressed, I’d say Audit in Progress, their third, is the champion. Whichever you prefer, give it, or all, a proper listen sometime this weekend. Your Monday morning will thank you.
Surf Classics of the Modern Persuasion
Modern Surf Classics by Swami John Reis & The Blind Shake is both a presumptuous title, and spot effin’ on. (Insert broken record comment here), anything John Reis puts out is an unquestionable classic. This incarnation of instrumental grandiose surf rock was classic in the minds of the artists, classic during this album’s recording, classic upon its release, and classic some near 9 months later. The closing hymn is my fav (Sets of Fire), but the album as a whole breeds water-loving twang-rock with plenty of energy to spare. Summer may be over (finally), but with Modern Surf Classics, the waves are always honest.
Swami Sound System
With shame and guilt do I type these pathetic and shadowed words… I have no idea what this comp sounds like. I don’t remember ordering it, spinning it, nor can I, for the life of me, recall even a fraction of any of these unreleased tracks. The Sultans, Sonny Vincent, Beehive and The Barracudas, Hot Snakes, and Rocket from the Crypt! Please excuse my momentary lapse of all controllable comprehension. This evening’s goal… digitize this album! Thank you for allowing me to share my scandalous humiliation… carry on.
JJJ
Although the Thunder Down Under album is considered Hot Snakes’ 4th offer, it’s actually a live-recorded album, presented to the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), for their use and distribution on the radio station Triple J. JJJ… mystery solved.
Includes Free MP3 Download
Buy the record, get the ones and zeros. Thank you, Mr. Swami! Modern Surf Classics is exactly what it boasts, and could even fly under the umbrella of Modern Surf Brilliance. Seek it out, preferably on vinyl, and get a free mp3 download. Really, what do you have to lose?
St. Valentine’s Swami
Live in the greater Los Angeles area? Feel the need to fill your vacant void with the soothing sounds of modern surf-rock from the master of audible orgasms? Then you, my friend, should checkout Alex’s Bar this Valentine’s Day, with the bombastic barometer of Swami John Reis & the Blind Shake. As the flier says: “Wine and dine your special someone with a special chicken wing and craft beer pairing.” Really, this day of single awareness, what more could you possible ask for?
See You in Magic
Gearing up for my double date at the end of the month with San Diego’s finest, Rocket from the Crypt, tonight’s gem is 2008’s debut from The Night Marchers, See You in Magic. Arguably the most pop-oriented of anything offered by Mr. John Reis (save, maybe for Rocket from the Crypt’s 1998 major label killer, RFTC) SYiM is lover’s garage rock on two pots of coffee, with that sweet aroma of genius-Reis-guitar, perfect for wiping the worried sleep from your morning eyes, and great for that little get-me-the-hell-out-of-the-office-if-only-in-my-ears, afternoon pick-me-up.
SYiM is John Reis music for your significant other, if submersing them into the paradisiacal world of Mr. Reis is your number one music objective, and believe me… it damn well should be.
The Joy of Overindulgence
Oh, the slipmat. So, I don’t fancy myself a DJ, I mean, who wants to go to a club and hear DJ PG spin the Wax Trax! Records catalog, am I right? So, why then am I obsessed with obtaining and constantly switching out my platter hats? Well, I’ll tell you, inquiring minds… if I could.
I guess, I just enjoy a change of scenery every once in a while. I mean, is that so wrong? IS THAT SO WRONG, I ASK YOU! Currently I’m rockin’ the Permanent Records slip after switching from a hefty haul of Grand Royal slips. Next, since you asked, I’m thinking of either switching back to Grand Royal, breaking out the Swami from Swami Records, or possibly going to the RFTC mummified logo. Who really knows that this point, but I’m sure you are all at the edge of your seats in eager anticipation.
It’s Friday… enjoy this evening’s festivities, and don’t forget to stop and admire the change of scenery now and again.
The Prudent Groove 