This Saturday marks 19 years for Halifax’s preeminent surf band, the Urban Surf Kings (AKA USK). Together Rev Hank, Crash Flagg and Inky, members of Canada’s longest running instrumental surf band, have released 11 albums and won over fans worldwide. UK’s Raucous Records calls them “one of the best surf instrumental bands on the planet.”
Before you wish them happy birthday (or bandaversary) Saturday, February 1 at Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs (9pm) read the secret(s) to USK’s ever-lasting life.
Q: What is the secret to your longevity?
Rev Hank: Day jobs! Seems like a joke, but it’s true. We can take gigs we want, and not worry about making the rent/mortgage. It takes a lot of stress out of the equation. It doesn’t mean we don’t take this seriously, we certainly do. New material, USK keep writing and recording our own releases, plus contribute to compilations, movies and TV. We try to keep things moving forward. Getting along, an obvious one. Only rehearse when absolutely necessary, and rarely is it absolutely necessary. Email makes learning new material really easy.
Q: How did you three meet? Can you tell me about your first jam?
A: I met our longtime drummer, Inky when he was born (he’s my younger brother). Crash (bass) and I met at St. FX in the Jazz program, then got together again around ’95 or ’96. The original bass player, Brain, was a student of mine at Rock Camp, and our first and fill in drummer, Spunky, was also at X when we were there. I don’t recall the first rehearsal, but I remember asking Spunky to play drums in a surf band. He said: “Sure! What’s a surf band?”
Q: Who influences your music?
A: Davie Allan & the Arrows, The Ventures, Henry Mancini, Dick Dale, Link Wray, Morricone, The Revels & Eddie Angel. I also would add Crash & Inky to the mix as I’ve been writing for them for 19 years. What they can do certainly influences what is written.
Q: Did you ever imagine your musical career to last 19 years?
A: Nope. We weren’t even sure if we would make it past one gig. No one in the band knew if anyone in this town wanted to hear instrumental surf music. Turns out after our first gig at the Wardroom (King’s College), they did.
Q: Have you accomplished your band goals?
A: The goal was—and will always to be—to have fun. We have had a wish list over the years, and knocked some of those off. These included our first 45rpm, Writing a movie soundtrack (Thom Fitzgerald‘s Beefcake), touring the world (Italy, Antigua, Winnipeg) and having people dance at every show.
Q: What’s coming up on the horizon for you?
A: A new release in the next couple of months, some summer festivals (Sassy Molassy, MARS 3), three tunes on a compilation out of Texas (Deep Eddy Records), and a tune on Double Crown Records‘ upcoming Seasonal Favourites. And there will definitely be more gigging.
Q: Can you tell me a bit about the upcoming album?
A: Our upcoming album is an eight song ep (four on vinyl, four digital, it will be our 12th release) called Penguin or Robot. It was recorded & mixed by Brad Conrad, and will be mastered by J. Lapointe very soon. The artwork is by the amazing Edgar Beals. The EP should be out sometime in April on Reverb Ranch. I think it’s a pretty darn good recording.
This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2014.
