Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
Concert of the week: One music genre I grew to learn about and embrace during my time living in Southern California was the ultra-cool guitar reverb surf music many of the bands out there played, no doubt influenced by the late “King of the Surf Guitar,” Dick Dale. He died in 2019, but his mastery of the uniquely hip surf guitar instrumental sound lives on forever.
I’d be willing to bet The Surfrajettes, a talented quartet from Toronto coming to Anchor Rock Club this Friday, March 14, have listened to plenty of Dick Dale albums (and possibly a few by The Surfaris of “Wipeout” fame, too).
The Surfrajettes, who formed in 2015, consist of guitarists Shermy Freeman and Nicole Damoff, bassist Sarah Butler, and drummer Annie Lillis. In the past decade The Surfajettes have emerged as a successful nationally-touring band with some quality recordings in their music catalogue, including their solid recent release, “Easy As Pie” on Hi-Tide Recordings Info:https://found.ee/easyaspie.
The group gained some national attention in 2018 with their retro-hip cover of pop singer Britney Spears’ hit, “Toxic.” The video went viral with over 7 million views as of last November. The whole setting for the “Toxic” video looks like something out of a Quentin Tarantino movie, the musicianship is solid, and The Surfrajettes make the song their own.
The Spectator called the foursome “an audacious and daredevil band,” adding,” their version of the Spice Girls’ ‘Spice Up Your Life’ is a revelation, turning an inoffensive (if admittedly banging) global dance floor-filler into something that could plausibly soundtrack a rumble in a pool hall.”
Reviewing “Easy As Pie,” Vintage Guitar writes, “Canada’s queens of surf guitar follow up their delightful 2022 debut album “Roller Fink” with a sophomore offering in blueberry, lemon meringue and key lime-coloured vinyl variations… while the album cover may suggest that the band are all sweetness and light, ‘Easy As Pie’ proves that The Surfrajettes could just as easily serve up a knuckle sandwich as well a plateful of sugary treats.”
Definitely make it a point to go see The Surfrajettes this Friday if you can; we’ll be there for sure. You can thank me later.
See The Surfrajettes with special guest Black Widows at Anchor Rock Club, 247 S. New York Ave., 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14. Admission is $20 in advance, more at the door. Info:www.anchorrockclub.com.
Getting ‘Pine-y’ at Albert Music Hall: Right up the road from Atlantic City and our beach communities off of historic Route 9 sits a throwback building whose walls are adorned inside with items that would best be called Americana (many are musical instruments, but not all).
On the stage of this 350-seat venue, some of the Tri-area’s finest musicians perform a potpourri of genres: bluegrass, folk, country, Americana, Old Timey and of course, Pinelands (the latter of which originated in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, much of it rooted in Waretown, where Albert Music Hall is located).
Weekly Saturday night shows cost a scant $6 to attend. There will be a special “Songwriters in the Pines” matinee on Sunday, March 23 at 3 p.m.; free with donations suggested.
Besides their quality music, drinks and desserts – all for a very nominal fee – we love the fact that AMH serves up a variety of sandwiches (including chicken parm)!
A visit to Albert Music Hall is absolutely worth the drive, which really isn’t that far. We drive everywhere to go places in NJ, right, folks? Find it at 131 Wells Mills Road (Route 532), Waretown. Info: www.alberthall.org.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
