The Power of East Coast Surf

Band name: East Coast Tremors

 

Genre: Instrumental Rock

 

Geographical Area: Cape Cod MA

 

Interview with: Jared Souther by email on 6/23/06

 

1.                  What is the current line-up of your band (in order of appearance in the band):

Jared Souther - Guitar
Dave Richards - Guitar
Chris Harvey - Organ/ Percussion
Jeff Sullivan - Bass
Lee Boardman - Drums
 

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

I started writing surf songs in 1996. In 2004 I finally got around to recording some of them as a side project with my friend Adam Wentworth on drums, who I played with in a punk band at the time. Not long after that, I recorded more songs with Chris on drums. In 2005, Dave, Jeff,  and Lee (who played in another punk band called Scarsomeday) expressed interest to turn the East Coast Tremors into a live band. I think we were all originally planning on the Tremors being secondary to our other bands, but it sort of took over and has been a lot of fun.
  

3.                  What bands or music have influenced you most?

For instrumental bands I'd say Los Straitjackets, Dick Dale, The Ventures, Link Wray, etc. But I rip off everything from Sheer Terror to Rosemary Clooney to Johnny Thunders. We all listen to a wide variety of music. Chris has AC/DC right next to Ace Of Base in his collection.
 

4.                  What is the breakdown of cover vs, original material I your live shows and/or recordings?

We play mostly originals. The only covers we do right now are by the Rolling Stones, Cock Sparrer, and Judas Priest.
 

5.                  What recording have you done?

We've recorded 6 CDR EPs which have been released together on a 32 track "EP Collection" CD. We also just started mixing our first real full length which will have 13 songs on it and should be out this summer.

(Note - NEW CD "East Coast Tremors EP Collection" from the East Coast Tremors! Only $10 - special price of $5 for NESMA members! see http://www.eastcoasttremors.com to order!)
 

6.                  What kind of gear do you use?

Dave - Fender Stratocaster, Fender Twin Reverb, Blues Driver for distortion.

Jared - Fender Mustang, Fender Super Reverb, Blues Driver for distortion.

Jeff - Fender Precision, Fender Bassman

Lee - DW drums, Zildjian cymbals

Chris - Nord Electro2

But on the recordings that we released so far we were all in punk rock
bands so we used Marshall stacks and Les Pauls.
 

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

Hufu  (Note - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hufu if you're wondering...)

 

8.                  How do you get gigs?

We try to network with bands on the internet and try to swap shows. Some places on the Cape let us do our own thing and set up a night with another surf band. Other than that, just mailing CDs to everywhere and anywhere we can think of.
 

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

We've had a pretty good response at the places we have played at, so it's easy enough to find a local show. Breaking into new venues is a little challenging when you don't have vocals. The main problem on the Cape is that venues like booking top 40 cover bands that can play for 3+ hours and they like booking bands who have already filled the room for them. So for us, it can be a hard sell sometimes for them to take a chance.
 

 

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

I think that we aren't afraid to try new things with the music.  We call ourselves a surf band because it's the easiest label to put on it, but we are influenced by so many genres and we try to mix in as much as we can.
 

 

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

In general terms, the internet. Websites like NESMA and MySpace allow us to be heard by so many people who wouldn't otherwise hear us. It also gives us the opportunity to be exposed to other music and people.
 

 

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

At the Land Ho when Dave broke a string, then I broke a string, then he broke another one. It kind of killed the mood.
 

 

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

Just to meet other people who enjoy this style of music. To network with other bands, see some new places, help other bands, and have a good time.
 

 

14.             Anything else?

Anybody who wants to trade shows or play a sick game of Candyland, get in touch.