The Power of East Coast Surf

Name: Bobby D, promoter

Geographical Area: CT / NY

Interview by email with Bobby D on 3/30/09

 

1. How did you get interested in surf music?

I can recall hearing the classic surf sounds of the 60s on a small transistor radio in my father's garage. In the late 60s and early 70s, I remember when WWYZ-FM in Connecticut used to play a lot of instrumentals from the 50s and 60s mixed in with the pop songs of the era ... and the best of The Ventures, Dick Dale, etc. would mix in with The Beatles, The Stones, and all the rest ... it was an interesting background sound for my dad working on a car, mowing the lawn ... or even my mom washing the car ... Inside, there was always a radio on when I was growing up ... my mom always listened to Bob Steele on WTIC ... and even he used to slip in instrumentals, including surf, on his shows...
 

2. What music has influenced you the most?  \

That's a tough question. There really isn't just one. I didn't frequent live shows until my early 20s. So, listening to the radio was my form of entertainment. I was into sports mostly for a long time, and I listened to games on the radio for the most part. Sometime early in high school I started to tune into college radio and I was hooked. That was in the late 70s, so to answer the question ... I was listening to 1950s rock n' roll for the most part in the mid 70s, remember Happy Days? I used to wear straight leg pants and suede shoes to school when disco was the fashion. Then when I started listening to college radio, much of the music played was from Europe ... from England, Germany ... the variety of sounds was amazing ... I could go on, but suffice to say, college radio exposed me to a range of music I didn't know before ... and, I'll add, my brother, Fred, who worked at record stores for more than 15 years ... is a major reason why I'm interested in many different genres of music.

 

3. In what ways do you promote surf and other music? 
 

Since Surf Nite! began with one show in March 2007 at Jimmy's Seaside in Stamford, CT, I tried to promote surf music through newspapers (local dailies and weeklies), radio (college and community) ... even local cable TV ... with a MySpace page, email newsletters, and recently with Facebook ... and with posters and handbills ... posters at the venue, in local store windows ... handbills at other music shows, car shows, etc. After 8 months of hosting Surf Nite! at Two Boots in Bridgeport , I was hired to work for Two Boots part time to promote all the shows, and not just Surf Nite! ... So, since September, I've been doing the same things I did for Surf Nite!, but for more events ... and, since January of this year, I have booking almost all the shows at Two Boots ... from 3-5 nights per week. At the same time, continuing to host Surf Nite on the last Thursday of each month. But I'm hoping to do more Surf Nite! shows on a Saturday in the upcoming months ...

 

4. What geographic region do you cover with your activities? 
 

Since Surf Nite! started two years ago ... events have been in Stamford at Jimmy's Seaside ,  at The Corner Pocket in Orange , CT , one show at Daniel Street in Milford ... and at Two Boots in downtown Bridgeport CT .
 
Surf Nite! began as a showcase for NESMA bands. Since early on, Surf Nite! has featured surf, garage, rockabilly, psychobilly and even burlesque! … With the shows at The Corner Pocket and at Daniel Street , I added video to the shows, including surfing, Link Wray in concert, and other visual delights.
 

 

5. Can you rank the importance of the various promotional activities that you do?

Honestly, sometimes I have to stop myself from being a constant promoter. Always talking up this show or that show. 
 
 

6. Who are you in contact with that's important to your surf music activities (such as bands, other promoters, radio personalities, etc.)?   
 

I'm happy to say I've known Mike Rosado for many years, going  back to the first time I saw 9th Wave downstairs at what was the old Hardee's on the UConn campus ... that was Schmedley's ? ... Mike and Sandy of 9th Wave, NESMA, Unsteady Freddie and his monthly Surf Shindigs at Otto's, Blue Stingray (who hosted Surf Nite! for many of the 2007 shows), Dan-O from The Clams, and other regional surf bands ... Michelle from GoKatGo Radio on WNHU, Ian from 100% Kulture, E-Bomb from Ultraradio, Fernando Pinto  (Elevator Music ... and the old Tune Inn) ... on the radio, many of the people at WPKN, Rob DeRosa, host of Homegrown on WESU, Anne Castellano at WCNI, James Velvet on the Local Band Show on WPLR ... in print, the Stamford Advocate, The Norwalk Hour, Fairfield Weekly, New Haven Advocate ... anyone I missed, you know I appreciate your help and support. Thank you.
 

 

7. Do you surf?

Unfortunately, no ... but it sure is fun to watch. And fun to be around people who do surf.

 

8. How do bands get on one of your Surf Nites?
 

Various ways. Via MySpace (myspace.com/surfnight) or email (surfnite@gmail.com).
 

 

9. What percentage of covers vs. originals do you prefer to hear when listening to a live band?
 

I prefer to hear originals, though an odd cover is cool too. When it comes to surf, bands often rely on the classics when they start out. and over time develop their own originals. It's fun to see a band evolve over time. Remember when Mister Neutron played blues songs when they first started?

 

10. What's your favorite food and/or beverage to fuel your surf music passion? 
 

A pizza slice works best ... especially around the corner from Otto's. The pizza at Two Boots is great, too.  

 

11. How did you discover NESMA? 

Fortunately, I was following the surf scene when NESMA was just forming. I amazed at the growth of the membership. I'd like to see the Alliance grow, and hopefully spread in different directions beyond just live shows ... including soundtracks, for film, TV, commercials ...  anything that gains more exposure for the bands involved.
 

12. What do you hope to get out of your NESMA affiliation? 
 

I've gained more than I expected in the two years of Surf Nite! ... I just hope I've been able to help NESMA in some way and continue connecting with the NESMA bands. 

 

13. What's next for Bobby D?

Surf Nite! has been on different nights, Thursdays, Friday, Saturdays ... and even a Wednesday at different venues. At Two Boots, it's been mostly on Thursdays. Recently, a special 2-year anniversary show was held on Saturday, April 11th ... with 9th Wave, TarantinosNYC and The Octomen ... an early screening of Endless Summer, a mass of leis, umbrellas in the drinks ... it was a fun beach party. Surf Nite! returns in May, June and beyond ... with another Saturday show possibly at Two Boots in August.
 
In addition, I'm hoping to host a real beach party sometime this summer at the same spot where Los Straitjackets played in Rowayton, CT. A possible lineup of 9th Wave, The Clams, and The Aquatudes is being considered for a Sunday afternoon beach party. And, I’m still considering doing a radio show.

 

14. Anything else?

Thanks to everyone who's part of NESMA. Surf Nite! would have never happened without you.