INSECT SURFERS - REVIEWS

The Insect Surfers are one of my favorite bands. I was so glad to get them back into the KFJC Pit . It had been a decade or so since their last performance here, and with a new CD in tow, it was a mandatory stop on tour. This is a fine performance of one of the best bands around! This session was recorded February 8, 2003.

Picks: Razor Back, Meteorite Shower, Diamond Back, Tethys, Horizon Riders, Bouzouki, Flamin' Eddy's Dragstrip, Silver Coast, Tiger Shark, Polaris, Black Sea, Electric Marlin, Volcano Juice

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Razor Back ****

This long time Insect Surfers song sports pick slides that slither into a melodic bluesy progression. Razorback hosts a dissonant desert mystique that projecting images of cacti and moving rocks around which razorbacks search for chow. In this slightly tougher arrangement, the Insect Surfers rock the hooves off the song's namesake critters.
Southwest Desert Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Meteorite Shower *****

Meteorite Shower is another instro that's been in their set for a long time, and rightly so. It's an infectious song with a strong melody line and a hard driving open road magnetism. Their trademark twin lead guitars play off one another for watery fun and desert delight. It was originally titled Electric Dayglow Meteorite Shower.
Desert Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Diamond Back *****

The undulating introduction to Diamond Back takes you rolling down an open highway through a liquid desert. The relentless rolling rhythm, deluxe dual leads, and still-commanding melody is just too cool! After a decade or more in the Insect Surfers repertoire, Diamond Back still brings a chill!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Tethys *****

The throbbing disturbance of vibrato and almost tux and top hat sophistication of the melody line is alternated between Dave and Dan, each bringing their unique sound to it. Dave's SG is more surf-like, while Dan's Flying-V adds a modern abrasion to it. Tethys is an entirely cool track!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Horizon Riders *****

This is one infectious spaghetti western, with psychedelic inversions and swirling cactus adventure. The great beat and boss melody line are so very Southwestern! Shimmer, sand, and cowboy coolness! Great ever-changing effects on the guitars add a sense of changing scenes and drama to this very adventurous song. Some of the guitar sounds remind me of the more rhythmic songs from the Welsh band Man . Exceptional!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Bouzouki *****

Bouzouki is another veteran track from the Insect Surfers . Dedicated to the fabled Greek instrument that inspired Dick Dale 's double picking, it combines traditional Greek stylings with surf guitar and fuzz angst. Dual leads double pick against each other, and there are a few lines from " Miserlou " for good measure. Still a fave!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Flamin' Eddy's Dragstrip ****

This Insect Surfers standard has been bustin' the chops of fans for a decade or so. Fine guitar tones, grodie fuzz and fluid playing, and an entirely infectious melody. Flamin' Eddy's Dragstrip is more edgy and hotrod-like than some of their other tracks, but is powerful, chunky, rhythmic, and totally cool.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Silver Coast ****

Slowly rising from delicate guitarscapes, Silver Coast floats a typically Insect Surfers melody line across a chunky rhythm. Thick and rhythmic, this is a spectacular piece with swirling effects from Danno, and straight power chops from Dave. Very nice!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Tiger Shark ****

Tiger Shark goes back a few years. It opens delicately, but quickly launches into a heavy growl. A chunky melody, great chop chords, and psychedelic wah wah. This is one of those highly infectious Insect Surfer songs that can be identified as theirs without ever having heard it before. Here, it's a long and groovy trip, timing out at over five minutes! One fine track.
Southwest Desert Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Polaris *****

Since I first heard Polaris, it's been on top of my Insect Surfers hit parade. The updated, almost orchestral intro is spooky and very spacy. The melody is rife with the kind of hooks that stay in your mind. The incredibly liquid sound of this fine instro continues to please me after all these years. The magical arrangement has grown yet again into a larger and more graphic sound. Beautifully written with subtle drama and picturesque lines.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Black Sea *****

This spectacular new song rides on an undulating rhythm, born of western skies and summer adventure. Compelling and exquisitely arranged, Black Sea demands your attention. Vibrato drama, silky fluid lines, psychedelic effects, and a call to the open highway. Magnificent!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Electric Marlin ****

This new song pumps and writhes on a flatbed truck heading down the coast to glassy walls unknown. Fast and delicate, large and looming like the call of the sun, Electric Marlin is rhythm dominated and full of guitar adventure. Way cool. Even Ferenc's bass solo rules!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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Volcano Juice *****

Talk bout classic Insect Surfers rhythm! Volcano Juice is a powerful instro with a rolling bass line under a grand Bo Diddley tom tom cadence, topped by a relentless series of ever-building crescendos. Always a thrill to hear!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
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The Insect Surfers are being sponsored by Body Glove.