The Power of East Coast Surf

 

Name: Cocktail Preachers

Genre: Surf/Instro/Lounge/Tiki

Geographical Area: Chicago IL

Interview with: Steve on 5/29/07 by email

1. What is the current line-up of your band?
 

The current line up for a little over 3 years now has been:

Stevie Martini – Guitar

Phil Tiki – Upright & Electric Bass

Bruce – Guitar & Steel

Rick Casino - Drums

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

This is our 10 year anniversary.  Original drummer Kerry & bass player Jack and I were in a somewhat successful punk band and the singer wasn’t showing up for rehearsal after a while (you know how vocalists can be). So we started to use the practice time to work on some Shadowy Men songs. We did a jam night of 4 or 5 Shadowy Men songs plus Miserlou and decided it  was time for a change and go full instrumental. We lost the singer and changed the name to the Cocktail Preachers and started working on originals,  which later became our first CD, “Nothing much was happening”.

 

3. What bands or music have influenced you most?
 

Early it was Shadowy Men, Dick Dale, Ventures, MOAM, Los Straitjackets, but as the members changed so did what everyone brought to the table. And I think the current line-up reflects that as well.

 

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

Live about 1/3 original to 2/3 covers. We’ve been doing mostly 3 or 4 set nights at some clubs for the last 3 years and as other surf bands understand, that can be like 17 songs a set. Our first 3 CD’s “Nothing Much was Happening”, “Spy-Fi” and “Open Bar Confessional” we’re almost all originals. Then in 2005 after being inspired by some gigs at “Trader Vics” we released “Exotic Moods” which is about 80% covers.

 

5. What recording have you done?
 

4 CDS:

Nothing Much Was Happening

Spy-Fi

Open Bar Confessional

Exotic Moods

 

6. What kind of gear do you use?

My main axe is a custom- built Decola Jazzcaster guitars by Jim Decola, a childhood friend on mine that works in the Fender Custom shop; I use Fender amps that have been tweaked by him as well. Bruce uses Fender guitars as well. He has a Jag, Jazzmaster, Strat & Tele. Phil is an equipment junkie and digs trying different gear, but he mainly sticks with Fender or Fender inspired basses and amps. Rick uses a cool vintage Trixon or Ludwig set. 

 

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

We like Tequila shots in between sets and beer usually during a set. Food - White Castle is good after a gig; their pretty much the only ones open after 2:00 a.m.

8. How do you get gigs?

We have a couple bars we do somewhat regularly. We’ve built a decent rapport with the club owners. Otherwise I think playing out over the years has gotten our name out and networking with other bands and/or artists has really helped immensely. 

 

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

Some folks aren’t oriented to all-instrumental music and trying to keep a crowd for 4 sets of instrumentals can really pose a challenge.

    

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

We try to be versatile. We do some fast and furious surf, trad surf and some swingy lounge as well as exotica inspired stuff. This has helped us adapt sets for different venues and audiences.

 

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

Networking with fans and other bands mainly. The internet has helped immensely as well - Cowabunga web ring, and Surfguitar101 and of course NESMA. I’ve found out that the surf genre is filled with helpful individuals that are willing to lend a hand to other bands. 

 

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

2005 Exotica (Chicago). We had the opportunity to perform with some amazing bands including Los Straitjackets, the Exotics, Nebulas and Maderia. We got the clean-up slot at the end of the night after Los Straitjackets and we didn’t think many would hang out to see us. We were totally wrong - the place was packed and the crowd was a sea of bopping heads and camera flashes (for the go-go dancers - not pictures of us).  People began inviting themselves on stage to dance. I believe a whole day of drinking must of kicked in. The crowd wouldn’t let us leave until we did 2 encores. It was an amazing and rewarding experience.

 

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

Camaraderie of a bunch of like-minded and helpful musicians. For instance when we decided to go play the East Coast last spring I put the word on NESMA and received many offers to do shows with other bands. We were very appreciative, although unfortunately we didn’t have the time then to take everyone up on their offers.

 

14. Anything else?

We’re hoping to have some new material out this summer. As for gigs we will be part of Exotica again this year (July 6-8). We will be doing a grand opening of an Aquatic Center (fancy term for waterpark), and my favorite gig, “DVA Gallery” show. I love the tiki artwork and one of-a-kind mugs, plus VooDoo Rum provides free drinks.