Red Triangle (2006) - Mister Neutron www.misterneutron. com
Damien Fanelli: Guitar, Tony Fanelli: Bass,
Drew Paradine: Drums
Released on the Deep Eddy Records label
www.deepeddy. net
Mister Neutron describes themselves as “high
energy instrumental rock for the masses”. I
personally find them to a powerhouse 3-piece
that has grown into their instro-surf style
over the past 2 years. The first time I
heard Mister Neutron play live was at an
Unsteady Freddie Shindig at Makor in Feb.
2005 (see the review on the NESMA Reviews
page: www.nesmasurf. org/reviews/
2_12_05.htm) . It is hard to believe that
this is the same band because the sound is
so very different. The skill with which each
member plays is thoroughly impressive, not
because they are playing surf (which is
obviously my preference) but because of the
precision and synergy each member brings to
the table.
Red Triangle appears to be the culmination
of a journey that Mister Neutron began some
time ago. The 9 song EP is a powerful
tribute to classic surf, old and new and
Neutron, with the two cover tunes: The Wedge
(Dick Dale) and The Casbah (Los
Straightjackets) as well as being a showcase
to the power surf style that Mister Neutron
fans are more familiar with. The CD opens
with Comanchero, a spaghetti western
featuring the talented trumpet of Billy
Levay. Many of you probably had the distinct
pleasure of hearing Billy play live with
Mister Neutron at Otto’s Shrunken Head not
too long ago.
My personal pick o’ the CD is #3, the
Submariner. The drums of Drew Paradine just
blew me away. This is the longest song on
the CD, a mind-blowing 3:26 minutes and
every second drips with reverb and salt air.
The drums and bass line provide powerful
surges of sound that compliment the high
sweet double picking of Mister Damien so
well in Submariner. I have listened to this
CD no less that 20+ times and still love
this tune the most of the 9 on the CD.
I have heard Mister Neutron play every tune
on Red Triangle live and found the mixing of
exotica/trad, as in Super Constellation
coming right after the hot rod surf sound of
Danger Diabolik, as enjoyable as the mix of
tunes during their live shows. The CD closes
with an original written by bassist Tony
Fanelli, a tribute titled Neutron Stomp. The
song opens with Drew leading the way on the
skins followed by deep reverberating strings
of Damien and Tony. Neutron Stomp will have
you swaying and grinding with your dance
partner as the beat builds up to climatic
ending that takes your breath away.
Red Triangle leaves you wanting more, which
is what all good performers want their
audiences to feel. Be prepared to be yelling
ENCORE after the CD ends. Mister Neutron has
definitely created a place in the surf music
genre all their own and I am grateful they
have allowed us to share it with them
through their latest CD, Red Triangle.
Take a listen to Mister
Neutron and get CD of your own by going to
www.myspace.com/misterneutron
Aloha,
Blue StingRaye
Official NESMA Reviewer
www.myspace.com/bluestingraye
