Swami John Reis & The Blind Shake, The So So Glos

Death by kowabunga bunga! Swami John Reis and The Blind Shake pay tribute to the classic surf and rock n roll instrumentals of the 1960's and the more introspective music of the 1970's surf films and update the genre for today's more credible, discerning and extreme, modern surfer. 13 original, modern surf compositions create this tidal wave of booming tom toms, skronking saxophones and a chaotic surge of guitars.

The band consists of John Reis (Hot Snakes, Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Night Marchers) on guitar and other stringed instruments backed by the muscular, psych punk of Minneapolis' The Blind Shake (Goner, Castle Face). The Blind Shake is a bombastic, bass-less, power trio consisting of guitar, baritone guitar and drums. They are 2 brothers and a cousin and musically display a tightly locked-in, jerky, cadence that can only be created by those who have spent many, many years sharing close quarters. The band first came to the attention of John when they served as a backing band to one of his biggest guitar inspirations, Michael Yonkers.

Swami John Reis and The Blind Shake immersed themselves in all aspects of what can loosely be considered Surf music. They convened in San Diego in a rented bungalow on the Ocean Beach Pier January 2013 and feasted on everything from Surf classics such as The Ventures, Dick Dale and the Downey Records roster, to the limitless forgotten combos that created some of the heaviest noise, to the sounds that helped shape the genre such as Omar Khorshid and his Magic Guitar (Egyptian belly dance), Lepto Mournounis (legendary Greek bouzouki player) and Link Wray (godfather of instro punk), to music from films such as The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun and Sea Of Joy. After 4 days rehearsals the band then moved to a space where they could commence recording. Keen on keeping true to the vibe, the group reconvened on yet another pier. The band setup to record at Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, but this time instead of being on top of the pier the band would arrange to record underneath the pilings where they could make more noise. Enlisting the expertise of Ben Moore and outfitting a VW Van as a mobile recording unit, the band recorded most of the basic tracks. Additional recording of saxophone, doumbek, piano, riq, vibraphone and bouzouki was added later to achieve the conceptual symphonic, "wall of twang" and a dramatic sense of tension and release that the group wanted to achieve in order to give the record a cinematic feel.

Because of the intense rhythmic velocity achieved on many of these tracks, Modern Surf Classics appeal reaches beyond solely surfing enthusiasts. Those interested in BMX, roller skateboarding, snowboarding/toboggan, fist fighting, hot yoga, car racing, military play and most other water activities should find much to enjoy here. Let this south swell topple you and be buried in dense waves of reverb and feedback.

The So So Glos are a punk rock band based in Brooklyn, New York. The band consists of Alex Levine (vocals, bass), Ryan Levine (guitar, vocals), Matt Elkin (guitar, vocals) and Zach Staggers (drums, vocals). They have toured the U.S. and Europe extensively on their own and are recognized for their active participation in New York's all-ages venues and the DIY movement. "[They are] hometown heroes," says Blackbook Magazine of the band's high level of community involvement, "They rule the underground, all-ages music scene in the city."

Brothers Alex and Ryan Levine, originally from Bay Ridge, met drummer Zach Staggers in pre-school. Through divorces and remarriages, Zach became their step-brother and they began playing music at a very early age. Over the course of their childhood, the three brothers moved around the New York metropolitan area frequently, yet always devoted time to writing and playing music together.

The So So Glos adopted their current name in 2007, the same year they self-released eponymous debut, recorded after-hours in a Staten Island studio with childhood friend Adam Reich. Guitarist Matt Elkin joined the band late in the year, just prior to their first cross-country tour. They returned in early 2008 and co-founded all-ages Brooklyn venue The Market Hotel with DIY show promoter Todd P.

The So So Glos released their EP, Tourism / Terrorism, in fall 2008 through Warner subsidiary Green Owl Records. Consisting of nine tracks, the EP received an A- from Robert Christgau and won the "Best Punk Album" category of the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards. After several D.I.Y. tours of the U.S. in support of the album, the band toured Europe as an opening act for …Trail of Dead.

During the summer of 2009, The So So Glos teamed up with Shea Stadium founder Adam Reich (who is also a touring member/producing collaborator of New Jersey band, Titus Andronicus) to establish the all-ages performance space/recording studio in Brooklyn affectionately called Shea Stadium. They toured the U.S. and Canada for six weeks with New Jersey heroes Titus Andronicus and embarked on their second European tour (supporting the Virgins) shortly afterward.

In June 2010 the band recorded new material with Nicolas Vernhes at the Rare Book Room in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. They released their 7-inch EP Low Back Chain Shift on October 12th that same year. They supported both Matt & Kim and the Futureheads during their North American tours that autumn.

Their 2nd full length, Blowout, was released in partnership with Shea Stadium records April 23rd, 2013. Garnering 4 out of 5 stars from Rolling Stone and glowing reviews from Consequence of Sound, Pitchfork, Blackbook Magazine and Stereogum among others, the band embarked on their 2nd tour with titus Andronicus after their Network television debut on the Late Show with David Letterman. They will hit the road again August 16th with Diarrhea Planet followed by a trek with Desaparecidos.