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28 October 2013

Goodnight Lou Reed

It is always sad to lose a friend.  It is also sad when celebrities or famous musicians pass away.  I didn't know Lou Reed, but still it somehow feels like I've lost friend.  Music is a part of my life, and it has been since I was very young.  Some of my earliest memories involve music: 1st grade music class - Mary Poppins stuff, whatever...but it stuck in my head 'til this day. 

As a teenager, I associated so many experiences with music.  High school dances, listening to albums on headphones, my first boom box, commercial jingles, free concerts at the colleges.  We've all got stories about these early developmental times that center around a band or a song or a concert.

For me, Lou Reed's song "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" was a teenage anthem.  It was about New York City - a crazy place filled with drugs, sex, adventure, transvestites, danger, rock 'n roll.  It was a place you fantasized about, "Let's go to New York!  Road Trip!  It'll be awesome!"  But few rarely made the trip.  It was most often, just a dream, but it was the song that brought you there.  In your head, you were there every time you heard the song.  "Hey Babe, take a walk on the wild side."  And it was always good.

When I listened to Lou Reed, I was inspired, and I bonded with him.  I don't "know him," really, but I do.  We share something: an artist-observer bond; we're comrades, troubadores, artists, fellow musicians.  There is a definite connection, maybe intangible, but real.  Yesterday, Lou Reed passed on to the next world.  I'm saddened by that loss, and I feel for those who knew him personally.  I feel the loss.  I will never see Lou Reed in person again.  But, I know the connection is not lost; the effect his music has on me (and millions of others) is forever.  That's just the way it works.  I will put on a Lou Reed record, and I'll go to New York City in my head, and he'll be there too.

-Jason
The Turbosonics

(Here's an excellent article about Lou Reed from the New York Times.)

23 October 2013

Surf Guitar 101

Hey all you Surf Rock fans out there!  Do yourselves a favor and check out the Surf Guitar101 website.  There's wealth of surf guitar information, tour dates, discussions and other cool stuff from people just like you who love surf music.  click here: Surf Guitar 101


Cheers and Cowabunga!

-The Turbosonics

30 September 2013

More Surf in the 'Burgh

Thanks to everyone who came out to Moondogs on Saturday (Sept. 28).  It was a small but enthusiastic crowd.  The Turbosonics bring it.  Always.  Please post your photos and videos to facebook or email them to us.

We had quite a few requests on Saturday.  We are working on a few new tunes and we'll be sure to include some of your fine suggestions.  Here's a couple videos of the tunes people suggested:
The Arondies '69 (Pittsburgh surf rock from waaaaaaayyyyy back)

The Ventures, "Diamondhead"

Duane Eddy "Rebel Rouser" (kickin it with the Late night band)


Our next show is at the Obey House Tavern in Crafton, PA - just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.  We're planning the show and we'll let you know our special guests once we nail down the details.

We are also wonderin' if that big yella duck in the river can surf.  We'd like to see it on big wave, how 'bout you?


  

18 August 2013

Turbosonics Visit WDVE Coffeehouse

Hey all you Turbo-heads !!!  Catch The Turbosonics on the WDVE Morning Coffeehouse !!



Friday, September 6 at 9:00 am, Pittsburgh's Premier Surf-Rock Trio
are guests on Pittsburgh's rockin-est radio station.  
Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning show will get a dose of
Surf Rock at Maximum Impact.  It's sure to get your morning going.  

Make sure you call in during the show to let WDVE know that you want to hear
more of The Turbosonics on the radio !!!  Thanks for your support and Cowabunga !!

12 July 2013

Pittsburgh Blues Festival - 2013 !!!

Surf Rock at the Blues Fest!

That's right folks, prepare to hear Surf at Maximum Impact at this years Pittsburgh Blues Festival, Sunday July 21 at 3:00 pm.  Due to a last minute cancellation, The Turbosonics have been asked to perform at this awesome annual event, outdoors at Hartwood Acres Park, Hampton Township, PA.


The Pittsburgh Blues Festival is the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s largest annual event, raising nearly $2 million to fight hunger over its eighteen years. The lineup for Sunday is as follows:

Tab Benoit (8:45 p.m.)
The Nighthawks with Billy Price (6:45 p.m.)
theCAUSE & friends (5:45 p.m.)
J.D. McPherson (4:00 p.m.)
The Turbosonics (3:00 p.m.)
Shot O' Soul (2:00 p.m.)

Bring a blanket, relax, and prepare yourselves for an Instrumental Surf Rock  Experience on the big stage!  See ya there!!!

03 May 2013

Nothing Like Some Free Press !!!


Check out the article in the Post Gazette Weekend Magazine for information about all the great music along the course of the Pittsburgh Marathon.   It was a nice surprise to see The Turbosonics' smiling faces staring back at us as we opened to page three.  Good luck to all the runners !!!  We'll be at the corner of Liberty and 29th Street helping everyone kick it into Turbo!

 

20 April 2013

CD Review from Homegrown Rocker - Rocky 104.9 Altoona


The Professor - Jim Price

THE TURBOSONICS – THE TURBOSONICS (AmeriSon Records) There isn’t much premium beach space or ocean surf to be found along Pittsburgh’s three rivers, but rip-roaring surf rock erupts from the Steel City courtesy of The Turbosonics. Formed in 2008, The Turbosonics feature drummer Tim Klatte, bassist Keith Caldwell and guitarist Jason Truckenbrod. Their self-titled disc introduces listeners to The Turbosonics’ instrumental surf-rock realm, featuring eight invigorating creations. The group crafts the surf vibe completely, from driving rhythms to instrumental tones and abundant reverb. Each track captures a different mood and variation on the surf theme; the disc-opener “Clambake” immediately sets the tone for the rest of the album with its authentic California beach/surf rock vibe, and that mood also permeates the rowdy shout-along anthem “Lights Out.” “Black Flamenco” mixes a slight Spanish guitar flourish into the proceedings, and “Man’s Woman” stretches out with a lighter, melodic arrangement. “In the Shadows” toys with darker surf flavors, “Zombie-a-Go-Go” is more playful, and “Dragstrip” and the disc-closer “Hattori Hanzo” rock harder and with more ferocity. The melody lines are simple and to the point, and The Turbosonics improvise enough along the melodies to keep the listener’s attention through each track. Recorded in complete band takes in the same room, this disc shows that The Turbosonics are tight and together, as the three musicians smoothly weave, complement and play off one another. The mix is clear and full, and the overall sound is smooth yet edgy. Even though this music emanates far from any beach, The Turbosonics’ debut is a fun set that honors the tradition of classic surf rock; this CD should be tucked alongside the surf board or body board before embarking on the next beach vacation. (The CD can be obtained through the website turbosonics.blogspot.com.)


Originally posted on Rocky 104.9 Altoona's Rock Station

10 April 2013

Pittsburgh Marathon 2013

Get Your Feet Ready - Sunday May 5, 2013



Once again The Turbosonics will provide support and encouragement to thousands at the Pittsburgh Marathon.  This will be the fifth year in a row that The Turbosonics will be volunteering at this fun event.  We will be located outside, under a tent, at the corner of Liberty Avenue and 29th Street in the Strip District.

Come on down to show your support for the courageus athletes who are giving it their all.  Grab a coffee and a danish in the Strip and enjoy the energetic sounds of your favorite surf band, The Turbosonics!

Connect with the Turbosonics:

 
 
 

13 March 2013

Turbosonics CD Review from the Pittsburgh City Paper



The Turbosonics The Turbosonics (Amerison Records)
The point of surf rock is not so much to write songs as it is to shoot around some guitar riffs that encapsulate the rolling waves of the Pacific. The Turbosonics (a surf-rock trio despite being 300 miles from the nearest ocean) manage this well for 32 minutes, rarely slackening from an appropriately rollicking pace. Their all-instrumental, self-entitled studio debut features ... smoldering riffs ...
— Nick Keppler
release_turbosonics_11.jpg
Pittsburgh City Paper, March 13, 2013