The Power of East Coast Surf

Name: Serfs

Genre: Ethnic / Instrumental Rock / Xtreme Polka

Geographical Area: Portsmouth NH / Kittery ME

Interview with: Gary Sredzienski by email on Halloween 2010

Last Interview date: 11/20/03

Band formed: 1995

NESMA member since: 2003

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

Accompanying accordionist Gary Sredzienski is original member and bassist Jim Taylor. Jim's roots go back to the 1960s while living in Boston repairing Fender amplifiers. Playing electric bass since 1964 his 'surf music' roots were firmly planted after meeting Nokie Edwards of the Ventures. Over the years he has performed with a number of NH seacoast rockabilly bands where he has since found a permanent home as a Serf. Jamie Decato, graduate of Berkelee College of Music in Boston is perhaps the most sought after drummer on the NH/Maine seacoast. Performing for over 30 years he was the drummer for the award winning avante garde jazz trio 'Color'. Versed in a wide variety of styles, he continues to work as a session musician, is a teacher at Berwick Academy in South Berwick, ME and teaches privately to many upcoming musicians in the area. Newest member aboard is the multi-talented instrumentalist Rick Watson who performs on guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. He has shared the stage with notable performers such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful, Doc Watson and other notable performers.  

 

2. Has your line-up changed since your last interview?

Yes. Guitarist Chris Decato moved away and has been replaced by Rick Watson.  Rick is currently in the Serf training program and is adapting quite well to surf , ethnic and wacky accordion music.

2a. Did the change in line-up affect your sound or the direction the band was moving in?

Yes.  Rick is the third guitarist to play with the Serfs and each has added their own unique sound. Rick is an incredible kick-ass musician who has a country / bluegrass influence. Although he is new to the surf music genre I chose him for the line- up because he is very skilled and diverse in styles of playing. So far he has been working out well and adapting to this genre..... I mean genres!! The Serfs don't really consider ourselves to be a strictly traditional surf music band. Rick had to adapt to surf music, ethnic music, off-the-wall accordion compositions and even classical music.   

 

3. Since your last interview has your music taken on new or different directions? If so, how?

After I swam from Portmouth, NH to a set of islands 6 miles off the coast in January, a theater company received a grant to produce a play on my life entitled  "Creekman.  the adventures of the accordion playing Merman." Since this production we have incorporated comedy vocals into our routine - songs about my tough walk in life being an accordion playing Merboy.    

 

4. What NESMA bands have you had an opportunity to perform with, or share a show with?

None. I know I know...  We have to do a joint show together! You have to admit that we live in a somewhat isolated area. We are in the northern tip of NESMA country and we are not exactly close to other members. (Nova Scotia is farther north than The Serfs! And on 2/7/2004 you did a show with The Undertows and 9th Wave in Boston. - ed.)

5. What bands of any genre have you played with or networked with?

None. I have as a soloist played with a wide variety of musicians. Each member of the band had a diverse network of musicians that we all worked with. Diverse in ages and styles, but as a band.... no, not really, and the reason I think is because of economics. 3 of the 4 of us are full time musicians. We make a living at it, but it's real hard. And to be perfectly honest we can't really afford to go out and play for 50 bucks a night, and we are sometimes forced to choose the gig that pays more because we have bills to pay.  The sad part is that due to the economy there has been a decline in venues hiring bands.  It's cheaper for a restaurant to hire a soloist than a band.   

 

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

60% original, 30% traditional, 10% cover

6a. Has this changed since your last interview? If so, how?

No. (Last interview stated "Serfs agree that the usual night will be about 40% original, 30% serf styled rock covers, and 30% traditional ethnic tunes all hopped up!" - ed.)

 

 

7.  What recording have you done since your last interview?

 

None. Now that Rick recently joined the band we are currently working on a new release of original and traditional material. This will be featuring Rick on many guitar solos.

 

8. Where does your band typically practice?

We don't.  and it kind of angers me.  Everyone is so busy doing their own things today.  I force the guys to get together before a gig, but amazingly we sound like we play daily with each other.   I don't know how we pull it off, but we do it so well.  Perhaps we are all playing music all the time, but not with each other.  It is so easy like second nature.  Like riding a bike.  All 4 of us have been busy doing our own things.   

 

 

9. What does your band typically wear for a performance?

 

We need to work on that. Lately I've been sporting a "creature of the black lagoon" mask and Jamie has a gorilla mask. Jim always wears a fez, and people dig that. I would love for the band to wear pencil thin ties, but playing accordion I sweat so much it's embarrassing and I would die from heat stroke. I go through at least 3 shirts per gig.

 

    
10. Do you ever have additional performers on stage with you?

We recently had Carol Coronis, a Greek bouzouki player, join us at a concert. Last December I swam the York River (5.5 miles) for charity to raise money for hungry malnourished children, Share Our Strength. When I arrived at the mouth of the river where it meets the ocean, the band waited for me at the Stageneck Inn, I got out of the water and the Serfs played a gig to benefit the charity. We were joined with a hot musician who was part of my boat crew, Kent Allyn on keyboards.

 

11. How do you continue to get gigs?

 

12. Approximately how often do you perform out?

Every 4 weeks.

 

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

My radio show.
 

 

14. What’s the most interesting performance experience you’ve had since your last interview?

This past Sunday we had to play a children's Octoberfest. We are the ultimate Octoberfest band; to see an army of 4 year olds on bicycles coming over the hill like a calvary to come see us... that made my day. When you see an accordion you think of polka, but we are so much more than that. People are blown away to hear rock, 60s hits, and twisted classical music versions by The Serfs.

 

 

15. What have you gotten out of being a NESMA member so far?

Making contacts with others in our field. It's nice to belong to something - we need company!

 

16. Have you had opportunities to promote NESMA? If so, what have you done?

I've aired the compilation CDs on the radio... and with great pride.  

 

 

17. Do you have any suggestion on how NESMA can grow?

I receive grants all the time for my solo performances through the NH State Council on the Arts and if other states want me... The New England Foundation of the Arts. We need to get this genre more accepted, write grants to support us and for performances, and we should have a NESMA Woodstock somewhere.  

 

 

18. Anything else?

I want to keep pumping out new compositions because I have songs in a great music library in Hollywood. This year I got a tune in the movie, "The A Team" from Paramount.  Also - Eddie Murphy's "Meet Dave" last year and "The Bad News Bears" a few years back. I'm placing songs on the major TV networks. I want The Serfs to be out there and get more Serf material in that music library!