10PM, Columbus Street, San Francisco

Outside of legendary dive The Purple Onion, four vans are double parked, band members unloading equipment. Directing traffic are cowabungans Big Wave Dave and Jim Murphy. There is so much gear in the tiny club, it looks like the Stones had popped in for a show. Onion owner and resident lunatic Tom Guido is in fine form, having added another band to an already packed bill. They are kind of an 80's jangle rock band, who will seem severely out of place as the night progresses into instro mode. The house fills up, and the cigarette smoke descends to the six foot level.

Pollo Del Mar is on first, er, second. We spill some wine for Herb Caen, and dedicate the night to him. Our set tonight is filled with our thrasher numbers, as this doesn't seem like a slow dance crowd. It was over before it began, and as always, too much fun. A Slaughter on Columbus Street indeed.

I talk to Big Wave Dave, and we wonder what happened to notorious surf scene-ster/Cowabungan Ron Maeder. Last time I saw him was at the Mermen concert on the Beach in the GGNRA. Answer: New job, new girlfriend, new life. Congratulations Ron, you are an inspiration to us all, though we do miss you!

Suave AND talented: The Reventlos
Next up are The Reventlos. Looking dapper in their tuxes and black ties. First time I had seen them live. Occasionally surfy, but mostly a varied mix of influences, all with great tones and grooves. Innovative and quirky songwriting. Two guitar lineup used to maximum effect, switching of between rhythm & lead, effects & crunch, tight harmonies or passionate solo. Cover of James Brown's Night Train, the horn parts amply provided for with tight guitar harmonies. Standout song for me was "Western Stars" with its slide part, Hawaiian rhythms and Sunny Ade melodies.

Awe inspiring: Slacktone
Slacktone follows, and crowd anticipation is very high for their No. Cal. premier. Well, words can't possibly describe what happened, but I will attempt to dissect the minutiae, in an effort to depict the whole. OK, Dusty Watson is the world's best drummer. Flamboyant and articulate, and (expletive deleted) fast. What grabbed me the most about Dusty's playing is how he can play a 160 bpm song and make it groove like Al Green. We played with Slacktone last year in LA., and it is easy to get lost in Dusty's heroics, but after seeing them for the third time, I had a chance to focus on Dave and Mike. Dave Wronski is an extremely gifted guitarist. His tone was immaculate, and he has the ability to play clean and memorable melodies at light-speed. Mike Sullivan was using a 5-String bass for the first time. With the low string tuned down to a low B, it made for one of the ballsiest rhythm section around. My favorite song was the Bells of St. Kahuna, with chimey interludes contrasting hyperdrive verses.

SF's best kept secret? The Berzerkers
Following Slacktone is nearly impossible, and frankly I'm glad it wasn't us. The Berzerkers are probably SF's best kept secret. They closed the night with a set of vicious, original surf. Their sound has changed quite a bit with their new drummer. For one thing, you can hear the other members of the band. I am not sure if (old drummer) Sam's kit would have even fit on the Purple Onion stage anyway. They now sound more like a surf band, and you can hear the nuances of Guitarist Dino and bassist John's interplay. Encores were demanded, mostly because I don't think anyone in the club wanted this great night of music to end.

Well, that's what my eyes saw, and my numb ears heard. But what I am left with is an overwhelming sense of community developing within the instro scene. All of the bands had the chance to hang, exchange notes, and make promises for future gigs. The musicians I met this night, and generally speaking, those in the instro scene are among the finest people I know. Could this ego free environment have anything to do with the lack of preening lead singers? With the musicians so intensely into what is happening, the crowds are sure to follow.

And not to mention the hard core surf crowd, the pleasant show tapers ("Pardon me, would you mind if I taped your set? I will only listen to it in my home". My response: "Copy it for everyone you know, put it on the internet, and give it away free at supermarkets. Get the word out!")

Asleep by 3 AM, after two shows, live radio and the camaraderie of fleet week.

Purple Onion photos courtesy of Big Wave Dave of The Tube Sharks (above)

ENTER A CHICKEN SCRATCH

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