...by Duke
Two score and some odd years ago surf, garage and hot rod music burst forth upon this continent with the power of Thor's hammer. It was more than just music, it was the proverbial way of life. Surfboards, skateboards, hot rods and muscle cars were everywhere. Even in landlocked places like Idaho you could find surfboards strapped to car roofs and hanging out of pickup trucks. Outdoor block parties were the norm as entire neighborhoods shimmied, swam, frugged and twisted the nights away. Jan & Dean, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Dick Dale, The Ventures and The Beach Boys filled the airways with reverb drenched, revved up, party hardy music that tweaked the imaginations of a generation. I was hooked through the gills on that wild, carefree way of life — surfing, partying and hot rodding stoked my coals. I cruised the boulevards and zoomed the chicks in a metallic blue '40 Chev Coupe. High octane music screamed from its chrome faced AM radio. The rumble of the Chevy's old mill pulsating to the rhythm of Thor's primal music was a heady experience. I dug taking chicks to the drive-in movies, but to this day I don't know whether it was the babe beside me, the music or the smell of the Chevy's exhaust that made me light-headed. Those were great days, great summers and great times. I thought they would never end. Unfortunately, for some inexplicable reason, the world spun on its axis another 15,000 times. In what seems to be the natural and resultant laws of the universe, people had changed, music had changed and the guy staring back at me from the mirror had changed — or so I thought until I got my hands on Live from the Pit, The Pyronauts new CD. Man, was I ever wrong! Space and time are not interconnected, at least not for me. The Pyronauts created a rift in my space-time continuum when I popped Live from the Pit into the CD tray, leaned back in my office chair and closed my eyes. I definitely was not prepared for what was to follow... I couldn't believe my ears when Live from the Pit opened. It was the unmistakable sound of someone dialing an AM radio and tuning in some kick-ass surf 'n' cruise music. That was all it took ... I was out the door and into my Chevy, disc in hand. I don't have the old '40 anymore, but I do have a '56. It's all original, right down to the glass fuel sediment bowl. The only modification I've ever done to it was installing a tape/CD player. Its big old glove box has a few tapes and CDs in it. Not many, though, because finding the type of music I enjoy listening to while cruising down the highway is usually an exercise in futility. That's not to say I don't like the current wave of surf music. I most definitely do. It's just that when I'm in the mood to cruise and party, only certain sounds will light me up and spin my Chevy's crank. I shoved Live from the Pit into the CD player, turned the key and the Chevy's mill roared to life. It was a warm evening, the moon was out and I headed for the lake. Damn, what a thrill! Around and around the lake I went. The Chevy's speakers were jacked to the max and The Pyronauts were speaking my language. I was lit up like a Christmas tree. The hair on the back of my neck was standing on end and chills ran up and down my spine. You know how when everything feels, looks and sounds perfect you get the urge to go faster? Well, it was all I could do to keep my foot from punching the accelerator through the floor. The Pyronauts had me near redline on that mill. The Chevy loved the heat. The oil was flowing and its crank was spinning like a demon possessed. That's what it was all about ... that night. Nothing else mattered. The roar of the engine pulsating to The Pyronauts kick-ass music was like something out of the past. I felt so good that I almost couldn't stand it. Back to town to get my favorite gal and back to the lake. Damn, what a double thrill! Around and around the lake we went. The fire in me was growing by the mile and now The Pyronauts had my gal purring like a kitten with a warm bowl of milk. Thanks Guys! A moonlit summer night, a hot chick next to me, my '56 and The Pyronauts. What a life! What an absolute gas! Just like 15,000 days ago! There is something about these guys. That special, intangible something that has PARTY written all over the place. Their energy is highly contagious. Live from the Pit is filled with primo music and musicianship that spans generations and genres. Their covers and originals will keep that oil pumping through your veins. Talk about party animals, The Pyronauts take the cake. They are FUN! The Pyronauts turn it on, wind it up and blow it out! It's no small wonder they're crowd favorites. If you dig instrumental music, you'll love Live from the Pit. For me, Live from the Pit is a permanent fixture in the Chevy. All I have to do in order to ride The Pyronauts' way-back machine is fire up the '56 and spin their enchanted disc. It's my magic carpet ride to the days I cherish most.
All songs recorded and mixed live by Phil Dirt with assistance from CableMonkeyBoy (Rick Rasmussen) aka Gallium Arsendi 'in the pit' at KFJC in Los Altos, CA on 2/1/2003 (www.reverbcentral.com) except: Tracks 7, 11, and 20 by Chrome Oxide at Suzy's Hermosa Beach, CA on 4/18/2003 (www.chromeoxide.com) Tracks 26 and 27 recorded by Bruce Wheelock at Flying Whele Studio in Grass Valley, CA on 8/29/2003 All tracks assembled and premixed by Bruce Wheelock at Flying Whele Studio All tracks mastered by Mike Graham at The Other Studio in Nevada City, CA on 11/7/2003 The Pyronauts are: Paul the Pyronaut - Guitar Bob Bitchin' - Guitar The Brett Cole - Bass PanMan - Drums |
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The Pyronauts
http://www.thepyronauts.com
pyronauts@hotmail.com
530-878-4675
Reviewed by
Duke
duke@surfrockmusic.com
© Duke 2004
All Rights Reserved
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