March 2004
Band Name: URBAN SURF KINGS (USK)
Genre: Espresso Fueled Surf
Geographical Area: Atlantic Canada
Interview with Rev. Hank Mumps on 2/25/04
1. What is the current line-up of your band?
Rev Hank Mumps - guitar
Crash Flagg - bass
Inky - drums
2. How and when did you get started with your band?
I was gigging in Halifax when the city was being touted as the new Seattle.
Sub Pop was sniffin' around, and everyone was shoegazing, and singing about how
depressed they were. Disillusioned, I took a year off playing live, wanting to
put the fun in music again. After seeing Pulp Fiction, I remembered how much fun
I had playing surf when I first learned to play the guitar. Got together with
original members Brain (bass), and Spunky (drums) and started USK. When I asked
Spunky to join, he said "Sure, you bet...uh, what's surf music?"
3. What bands or music have influenced you most?
Link Wray, Davie Allan, the Ventures
and Dick Dale
4. What is the break down of cover vs. original material in your live shows
and/or recordings?
Live we do about 75% originals, and 25% covers. It was more covers when we
started but we've been around for so long (9 years this month) that everyone
knows the originals. The sets change every show.
Our recordings have been pretty much all originals with the exception of
"Secret Agent Man" on The Man From S.U.R.F. CD ep, and "Man From
Adano" on our new CD, Surf vs. the Flying Saucers (available Mar 27, 2004).
We've done some covers for various comps (OmOm releases, Davie Allan Tribute,
Continental Magazine#10 CD).
5. What recording have you done?
So much that you have to click
here to see a separate document!
6. What is your band's favorite food/beverage?
Rev Hank: Korean food / espresso
Inky: Japanese food / coffee with cream
Crash Flagg: Indian food / coffee with sugar
7. How do you get gigs?
We've been around for just over 9 years, so we know most of the people in the
scene. The clubs will either call me, or I call them. CD releases, word of
mouth, and press have helped keep USK on everyone's radar.
8. What are the difficulties you find playing your kind of music in your
area?
It hasn't been a problem for us. I think there was one place that was afraid
to book us because we "have no singer".
9. What positive attributes does your band have that sets you apart from
other bands (of any genre)?
It's important to put on an entertaining show. If the crowd is dancing, and
buying drinks, fun is had by all. I don't think we've ever played a gig where
there was no dancing. We generally go quickly from one tune to another, keep it
light and entertaining, throw in some recognizable tunes, and usually avoid the
slow songs. We've got about 150 tunes in our repertoire, so we can pull them out
on a moments notice. Over the years we've developed a "sign language"
to communicate with one another while we're playing. If one of us takes a tune
somewhere (usually me), the others know what to do. The set list is more a
suggestion than an actual show bible. It's all about reading the crowd. Dressing
the part is important too. We have an unspoken "no jeans" rule...gotta
Look Sharp!!!
10. What have you found to be the single most effective promotional tool
you've used to further your band's musical path?
The Internet has brought USK to an international audience without having to
tour around the world (though if someone wants to brings us somewhere to play,
we'll do it...any fat cats?)
11. What's the most interesting performance experience you've had?
We were flown out to play a festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba a couple of
summers ago. We arrived on a Friday night (day before the festival), and played
a pick-up gig at a REALLY seedy place called the Royal Albert Hotel. By the time
we hit the stage, the crowd, and the walls were sweating. The place was packed,
and the audience went wild!!! It was one of our best shows. The next day,
Saturday, we played the outdoor festival, and got to meet some really cool
people. We were fed, put up in a Great Hotel (no sharing of beds here), and
shuttled around like Rock Stars. We flew back to Halifax on Sunday. (I guess
we're spoiled; no one wants to climb into an old van and tour. It's gotta be by
air!!!)
12. What do you hope to get out of being a NESMA member?
The best part is getting to know some really cool people who share the same
love of surf, instro, and garage. If we can use these connections to set up a
tour of the Eastern Seaboard, and meet all you cool people, that would be great.
I got a boss CD from the Recruders as a
result of being in NESMA. (If you don't have it...shame on you...GET IT!!!).
Don't forget to pick up our new CD: "SURF vs. the FLYING SAUCERS"
on March 27, 2004. If you're in Halifax, drop by our release show at the
Seahorse Tavern that night. (Get an order form at http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/ebeals/usk/order.html).
Long Live LINK WRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(See more information and photos of the band here.)
