The Power of East Coast Surf

 

Name: Venice Beach Muscle Club

Genre: Instrumental Surf

Geographical Area: Brooklyn & Manhattan, NYC

Interview with: Melina, Todd & Steve by email on 4/26/07

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

Evan Dawson, lead guitar

Melina Coppa, rhythm guitar

Steve Leroy, bass

Todd Martin, drums

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

Todd: Playing surf was Evan’s idea but we’ve all liked surf in one form or another through the years. Evan and I originally thought we’d just be a trio but having a 2^nd guitar gave us the sound we were looking for.

Melina: I was looking to join a surf band and started looking online, I actually contacted Bill Moffat (of the Fin-dicators) a few months before I joined VBMC. He was concerned that we lived too far apart (he’s in Jersey) and even recommended I contact Evan. Bill had seen Evan’s post on Craigslist but I never ended up making that round of auditions. Luckily, they didn’t find anyone and I saw another post of theirs later in 2005. Evan and Todd had been friends since high school and Evan posted the Craigslist ad. They knew of Steve through a mutual friend.

 

3. What bands or music have influenced you most?
 

Melina: We’re all big fans of the Pixies. They were a big pathway to surf for each of us. We like a lot of indie stuff, classic rock, post punk. I think all of this has influenced our style and song selection. As far as other surf bands, we really like Laika and the Cosmonauts, Link Wray, and the Ventures, as you might guess if you have seen us live!

Todd: also The Shadows and Santo & Johnny. I tend to prefer instrumental music in general but we all have pretty eclectic tastes.

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

Melina: Our live shows are usually from 80-90% covers. We like to play more of our originals at surf shindigs, but when we play to an audience that may be newer to surf, we usually play almost all covers, or our surf arrangements/interpretations of existing songs.

 

5. What recording have you done?
 

Melina: We’re recording our first full length CD now.

 

6. What kind of gear do you use?

Melina: I play a Fender Toronado guitar with a Blues Jr. amp.

Todd: I play a kit made by Drummer’s World on 30^th with a Ludwig Supraphonic snare and Zildjian cymbals. 

Steve:  I play an MTD 435 from Michael Tobias’s shop in Kingston, NY.  Not vintage at all, but the instrument is very versatile.

 

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

Todd: you can’t beat an outdoor BBQ on a nice day. One of our favorite places to play are the Sunday BBQs at LIC bar.

Melina: good old NY pizza – what other meal can fill you up for that price?

8. How do you get gigs?

Melina: It seems relatively easy to get gigs as a surf band (compared to other bands we have been in). We have all been surprised at the enthusiasm we get when we try to book gigs. I do most of the booking at this point because I enjoy it and I think the other members are busier than I am at this particular stage of our lives.

 

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

Melina: It’s sometimes hard playing gigs where you have to bring all your gear, especially with all of us living in the city and only one of us (me) having a car. And although we don’t do it for the money, it seems any gig within the city is usually the worst paying…there’s just so much competition and venues are sometimes really struggling just to survive themselves, since there are is so much competition for them as well. Parking can also be a nightmare.

    

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

Melina: I think that our ability to explore elements of surf in other genres is one of our strengths. Honestly, I don’t think any of us were hugely into surf before we were in the band. It was strange that both Evan and I came to this separate decision that we wanted to explore the genre. We all were just so excited, sending songs to one another and picking the ones we liked best to learn. And we also started hearing surf in music that we grew up with, like the B-52’s, the Pixies, Blondie, and Television. Anything with a great melody or a great instrumental section can really be translated as surf.

Steve: Dynamics. We're good at listening to each other and adding a communal vibe to the music.

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

Todd: people passionate about surf music and other surf bands helping each other have helped the scene more than anything.

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

Melina: We really enjoyed playing at Gantry Park in Long Island City, with the backdrop of the city skyline across the East River. We also played a memorable birthday party for a 5 year old girl and had about 25 kids ages 2-7 dancing and jumping around to our music.

Todd: Playing Love Canal (by the Atomic Mosquitoes) for them. They were in the audience after their set at an Otto’s shindig be both played.  We weren’t going to play it that night but they heard we did a version and requested it.

 

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

Todd: More Nesma samplers! This is the greatest way to promote the music as well as hear everyone’s latest tracks. Thanks to everyone who worked on it. 

Melina: meeting other members and getting/giving support to each other at live shows.

 

14. Anything else?

Todd: It’s been great being part of such a small but strong community. Catching up with people at the shows and hearing new songs from bands makes playing out even better.

Melina: Thanks for spotlighting us!