Featured Band for 

February 2005   

The Atomic Mosquitos

Band Name: The Atomic Mosquitos

Genre: Atomic Surf

Geographical Area: Maryland & Washington DC

Interview with Paul Carson by email on 1/30/05 .

1. What is the current line-up of your band (include band member names)?

Paul Carson, Guitar; Joe Marencic, Guitar; Sean Rush, Bass; Craig Stang, Drums

2. How and when did you get started with your band?

I'll try to make a long story short here: Me (Paul), Sean and George Jaro (former guitarist) played together in a local DC band called Secret Surface back in the 80's. We did a mix of instros and vocals, stuff like Miserlou and California Sun and originals (some of which we still do today). We split-up around '89 and in 2000 we decided to start something up again. Sean had been writing and recording some surf instros on his own and Craig had contacted him via the internet asking if he needed a drummer. Craig had a background playing surf with the Killers from Space and occasionally filling in with the Space Cossacks. And here we are. George just recently left the band to spend more time with his new family. Which sucked for us, cause George is a good friend and great musician. But we were able to get Joe, who is also a good friend and great musician, so everything is cool now.

3. What bands or music have influenced you most?

Instrumentally speaking, I guess I'll have to be boring here and state the obvious: Dick Dale, Link Wray, and the Ventures. I guess I should also include Morricone, Mancini, and Herb Alpert as well because I heard a lot of that stuff growing up. More current influences would include Jon and the Nightriders. I remember when I first heard some of their stuff on WHFS back in the 80's, I couldn't believe someone else was actually doing that kind of music. And they were doing it right!! Also, of course, the Insect Surfers. And I'm talking about the very early DC Insect Surfers. Seeing them the first time playing instrumentals made me realize that surf/instro could be brought into modern times. Then came Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, and Laika and the Cosmonauts and it was all over.

4. What is the break down of cover vs. original material in your live shows and/or recordings?

About 85-90 percent original. We do a few of the standards like Miserlou. And Surf Rider, plus we like to throw in an occasional surfed-out Elvis tune or something like that.

5. What recording have you done?

We have a self-titled CD that's been out for about 2-years and we are on the verge of releasing our second CD, “Release the Mosquitos!”, due out real soon.

6. What is your band’s favorite food/beverage?

You will almost always see us indulging on pizza and some sort of malted, frosty beverage before a show.

7. How do you get gigs?

I don't know. If you figure it out, please let me know. Seriously, it ain't easy in this area. As I'm sure is the case for a lot of areas. There aren't a lot of surf friendly clubs in the area. We have found a couple though and we're always on the lookout for more. We love

To host bands from out of town, so it's nice to be able to hook them up with a club when we can.

8. What are the difficulties you find playing your kind of music in your area?

Besides the obvious problem of playing instrumental surf on the East Coast, the DC area has been kinda dry musically for a while. There really aren't many indie radio stations anymore, so people aren't really exposed much to the local bands on a regular basis. I know there are a lot of cool fans out there. The tricky part is finding out where they're hiding.

9. What positive attributes does your band have that sets you apart from other bands (of any genre)?

I don't know. Maybe it's that we're all friends and we get a long well together and that we don't take ourselves or the music too seriously.

10. What have you found to be the single most effective promotional tool you’ve used to further your band’s musical path?

We're still looking for it. CD's, mp3s and the Internet have been great! I remember back in the 80s when you were lucky when the local progressive station played your stuff. And the mom-and-pop record store on the corner would carry your 45 on consignment. Now we have people from all over the country and internationally buying our CD's and that's pretty cool.

Oh yeah, and comp CDs have been good to us as well. We were completely blown away when the legendary John Peel (BBC) played our track from the Zappa tribute (on Cordelia Records) a couple of times before his untimely passing.

11. What’s the most interesting performance experience you’ve had?  

We've been pretty lucky so far, no really weird "Spinal Tap" moments yet. (Yes, I am knocking on wood right now). We played a gig a few years ago in front of a crowd of about 300 kids, where I would guess that no one was above the age of 18 and a lot of them were way younger than that. I thought we were going to get chased off of the stage, but they actually dug us! That was pretty cool.

12. What do you hope to get out of being a NESMA member?

World peace. And also, to keep networking with our East Coast, as well as West Coast and International Surf bros., and keep the genre alive and rockin’!

Paul Carson

obmosquito@comcast.net

          Back to NESMA website