The Power of East Coast Surf

Name: Sharkskins

Genre: Surf / Garage (formerly Nitro Burnin' Surf)

Geographical Area: Philly / Burbs

Interview with: Buddy LuvGoo by email on 9/30/10

Last Interview date: 9/21/03

Band formed: 1996

NESMA member since: 2003

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

Buddy LuvGoo - Strummin'; Dash RipRock - Twangin'; Duke Longwood - Slappin'; Tommy Tsunami - Bangin'

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

Oh yeah. Well after a pretty long run, Rod Bearings left to pursue other interests around 2007 and Javier Bel Aire left to find his bliss around the same time as well.  We're still in touch with both and are still friends.

2a. If so, what process did you use to deal with the change in the line-up?

Me & Dash continued for about a half a year doing some acoustic surf until I found Duke while I was at a guitar store searching for a new acoustic. After having a drummer friend of Duke's for about a year - another acquaintance of Duke's, Tommy, auditioned and got the gig.

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

Not really, but we do tend to rock out a bit more than before. 

 

 

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

We always have kept basically to the same genre (surf, of course) but we have added a few garage-type songs to our repertoire which we'll pull out for the 3-4 set gigs.

 

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

You know who you are... 

 

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

We have a tendency of finding gigs with bands other than surf bands. We're good friends with the rock-a-billy and garage crowd in our area. To name a few: The Razorbacks, The Ultra Kings, Full Blown Cherry - all who are rock-a-billy bands. The Young Werewolves (spooky garage), Atomic Age (garage), Sideshow Prophets (garage/roots/rock-a-billy), Jet Weston & his Atomic Ranch Hands (cowboy/roots country).

 

 

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

About half & half.

 

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

Not really. (The last interview stated about 1/3 originals and 2/3 covers - ed.)

 

 

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

 

We put out a CD "Night of the Neverending Reverb" in 2005. We know it's been a long time but we are currently working on a new CD, hopefully to be released in early 2011 - better late than never!

 

 

8. Where does your band typically practice?

 

We currently practice at Duke's surf shack/studio in D-Town. It's called Lava Lamp Studios and we are currently laying down the new tracks there.

 

 

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

 

We just got new custom-made shiny silver sharkskin suits complete with skinny red satin ties!  The blue jackets served their purpose well for a long time. You know, you just gotta look good onstage. Dig? (They do! - ed.)

 

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

Not really. One time we had alleged go-go dancers at a gig at Asbury Lanes. Let's say we kinda lost interest in supplementing the performance because of that experience.

 

11. How do you continue to get gigs?

We have a few semi-regular gigs but mostly people contact us via email/facebook/myspace/etc.

 

12. Approximately how often do you perform out?

We usually perform around 2-3 times a month from March to November.

 

 

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

We kind of abandoned our "official" website in favor of our facebook and myspace sites. We have gotten much more response from them than anything else.
 

 

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

Hmmm.  Definitely that Asbury Lanes gig. Also we're regulars at the Annual Hot Rod Hoedown and those shindigs can get real crazy.

 

 

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

Although we really haven't played any NESMA gigs in a while, it's still kool to know that you still consider us part of the family. It's always kool to have others who are genuinely interested in your music. For that da 'Skins say "thank you"!

 

 

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

Not really, we're sorry to say. As when we first started way back when, the awareness of surf music in our area isn't there like it is in New England. The venues like us all right, but a surf band is considered a novelty act in these parts, but we're a novelty act that kicks some serious ass!

 

 

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

Just keep da torch a burnin' guys!

 

 

18. Anything else?

Since we acquired Duke & Tommy's skills, there's been a revitalization within the band with much more enthusiasm to present the best product that we can. Plus, by going for a more "authentic" sound, we've come to appreciate the vintage/custom gear much more. Our close association with a very kool local shop, D-Town Guitars & Skateboards, owned by Rob Martyn, in Doylestown along with their experienced personnel, including amp genius George Alessandro from Alessandro High-End Products, has helped immensely. These cats have really made us appreciate what makes vintage gear so kool. They keep all of our gear in top shape and sounding like Leo just finished soldering the contacts himself! As you can tell - it is truly a labor of love 'cause we sure aren't in it for the money! Keep kool and hang loose, all you hodads!