October 8, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Slacktone Lead The Surf Pack On The Santa Monica Pier During Twilight Dance Series: Twilight Dance Series Week 7

The seventh night of performances at the Twilight Dance Series last night featured three surf rock bands that sent out waves of oceanic sounds to the thousands in attendance at the Santa Monica Pier.

Paul Johnson and Gil Orr of the Duo-Tones took to the stage first to kick-off the evening.

They both began playing guitar in the ‘50s and have followed an endless ride to discover the quintessence of surf music.

They said the love of playing surf guitar had stayed with them their entire lives, which had sent them on an epic journey inside the surf guitar scene.

“We met on the road,” Johnson said. “Gil was with The Chantays (‘Pipeline’ 1963) and I was with the Surfaris (‘Wipeout’ 1963).”

During their endless summer stints as musicians in the surf rock scene, the pair have played shows with countless numbers of surf bands including Dick Dale and The Beach Boys.

This was their first chance to play at the Santa Monica Pier.

“It was lots of fun,” said Orr after his set. “Especially with the receptive sound of the crowd and the sun setting overhead.”

The Eliminators, led by saxophonist Bill Swanson, took to the stage after the Duo-Tones.

“People love it here near the beach,” Swanson said.

The Eliminators lead guitarist Joe Kurkowski said their music specialized to this type of audience.

“We have natural chemistry,” Kurkowski said. “Communication has always been easy.”

The crowd seemed particularly pleased when the band played their surf rock favorites including “Comanche” and “Tequilla.”

Kurkowski said all three bands at last night’s concert series knew each other quite well.

“We’re all pretty good friends,” Kurkowski said. “Dusty Watson (of Slacktone) used to play with John Blair (of The Eliminators) when he was in Jon and the Nightriders. We’re one big happy family.”

Paul Johnson of the Duo-Tones also knew Dusty Watson.

“Dusty and I did a project together recently,” Johnson said. “We did a documentary on surf music.”

Johnson could be seen standing in front of the stage as the band Slacktone took to the stage to headline the evening.

As they performed it was easy to see the concert’s attendees enjoyed modern surf rock, which is a genre of music that is still alive and evolving.

“This is Santa Monica,” said Slackstone guitarist Dave Wronski over the microphone as the audience cheered. “You’re here for surf rock at the pier!”

Wronski quickly delivered on his promise and went slashing up and down the neck of his guitar to show off his amazing speed and dexterity.

“Dave Wronski is a musical genius,” said Duo-Tone’s Johnson during Slacktone’s performance. “I think he’s preposterous. He’s ridiculously good.”

Concert-goer Amber Morse said she loved watching Slackstone perform.

“I like that wah-wah-wah sound,” she said.

Their “cutting edge” surf song, “Bells of St. Kahuna” was waxed with passion and energy.

Raw energy piping into their “edgy” music has led to Slacktone’s success in pioneering their new surf sound.

Soon after the Twilight Dance Series event, newcomers PapaFish got their chance to play some reggae surf punk music at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier and this kept the energy flowing late into the night.

Related Posts

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

FILM REVIEWMISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONERated PG-13163 MinutesReleased July 11th The story in this “Mission: Impossible” chapter, “Dead...

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWINDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINYRated PG-13154 MinutesReleased June 30th The director of Indiana Jones and the Dial...

Film Review: Past Lives

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

FILM REVIEWPAST LIVESRated PG-13105 MinutesLimited Releases June 2nd and June 9th, Full Release June 23rd The Korean concept of “In...

Film Review: Sanctuary

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

FILM REVIEWSANCTUARYRated R96 MinutesReleased May 19th In my humble estimation, this is one of the best movies of the year....

Film Review: The Little Mermaid

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE LITTLE MERMAIDRated PG135 MinutesReleased May 26th With today’s technological developments, a live-action The Little Mermaid is not only...

A Riveting Revival of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning “A Soldier’s Play” Now Playing At The Ahmanson Theatre

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

On Stage With… Murder mysteries, whether cinematic or theatrical, are one of the most popular subjects. The list is quite...

Film Review: Chevalier

May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023

By Kathryn Boole  RATED PG-13107 MinutesReleased April 21, 2023 Chevalier is based on the true story of a historical figure...

Ballet at the Broad Stage Memorial Weekend – Meet the Talent!

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica returns to the Broad Stage with special guest artists kicking off Friday May 26th with...

Elizabeth McGovern Lights Up The Stage in “Ava – The Secret Conversations”

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

Play About Legendary Screen Star Runs Until May 14 At The Geffen Playhouse By Beverly Cohn Ava Gardner, born Ava...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Samohi Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” Takes the Stage in Santa Monica

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

Shows will take place at Barnum Hall on March 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and March 5 at 3...

Film Review: “Marlow”

February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

FILM REVIEW“MARLOWE”Rated R109 MinutesReleased February 15th “Marlowe” is a beautifully shot period piece that takes place in the late 1930’s....

Film Review: All Quite on the Western Front

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

I have never been a soldier at war, although I have close friends and relatives who have been. Universally they...

SMC Emeritus Concert Band to Hold Free Concert This Weekend at the Broad Stage

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

Concert February 26 will feature musical selections with an outdoor theme Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Concert Band, under the baton...