The Power of East Coast Surf

Band Name: Commercial Interruption

Genre: Surf / Originals

Geographical Area: CT / NY

Interview by email with Paul the piano player by email on 2/27/09

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

Paul Beauparlant - Piano

John Crissey - Guitar

Don Comeau - Fat Strings

Carl Chipello - Skins

 

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

In November of 2007, John called Paul and Carl to reactivate the band that had been stored in moth balls for years.

 

3. What bands or music have influenced you most?

Beach Boys / Ventures / Zappa / Beatles & the British invasion / Creedence Clearwater Revival / Booker T
 

 

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

When we play surf shows, 3/4 cover to 1/4 originals. and then we do shows for Frankie Wood where we play more Originals.

 

5. What recording have you done?
 

So far, our first compilation of  tunes is from our archives.

#2, "Live at Daniel Street" (Aug. ‘07) - our first gig and we were lucky enough to record it.

#3 is being mixed - a Bobby D’s surf night with El Muchacho and Socially Starved. (A couple of songs are on our MySpace page.)


6. What kind of gear do you use?
 

John - Strat or Tele  with a Fender hot rod deluxe full reverb, Roland Delay

Don - Yamaha with Acoustic 360 amp

Paul - Kurzweil with rack mount system

Carl - Ludwig DW with Zildjian
 

 

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

Heineken / Jamesons / Two Boots pizza / Kennedy Fried Chicken and not to forget Celeste's brownies.


8. How do you get gigs?
 

Our first move was to assemble a some  live recordings and put together a package we could mail; also we got a Sonicbid account. Mostly we rely on people hearing us, then booking us. 

 

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

Breaking into new venues.

 

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

We play a style that is unusual for the average listener yet at the same time interesting.

 

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

Having people listen to us play, leading us to be invited to play.


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

One night at Zen Bar (Farmington CT) on a bill with the Octomen, Jason James and the Bay State Rockers and 9th Wave -a great line-up,

 

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

The love and affection from our fellow members.


14. Anything else?
 

Gotta go,  Surfs up!.