November 20, 2008, 2:02 pm : Third Picture Show

Filed Under: Imagery, Surfing
Discussion: C[0]mments

Every so often I like to share some images from my personal collection. After all, they’re just sitting there collecting cyberdust on my machine, never getting to see the light of day. The theme here is surfy, with a smattering of my favorite sunset images included.

November 19, 2008, 11:51 pm : Deftones Bassist Chi Cheng Remains in Coma

Filed Under: Music, News
Discussion: C[0]mments

Chi Cheng, bassist for “the biggest band in the World,” Deftones, was involved in a serious car wreck on November 3rd, sustaining life threatening injuries. While the initial news of the crash was not reported on Surfrhythm.com, I wanted to post up with a word of well wishing for Chi, who was apparently returning from a family event in Northern California. Updates have been posted almost daily by his mother Jeanne and members of Deftones on their blog, letting fans know that Chi has improved, but is still in serious condition, and will hopefully soon awake and begin the road to a full recovery.

Get well soon, Chi.

November 12, 2008, 12:16 am : Lights Out…Guerrilla Radio

Filed Under: Band Reviews, Genres and Styles, Music, Show Reviews and Stories, Upcoming Shows
Discussion: C[0]mments

I’ve been noticing a recent phenomenon in live music performances; tribute bands raising the bar to the point where they become fully-fledged, fan-following touring machines; main attractions in their own right, and justifiably so, if… its pulled off right. Tribute bands are nothing new, but the viral nature of online media has made it possible for the bands that stand out to cultivate and develop a following, as fans in one locale can easily connect with fans in other places to discern whether an act is worth their salt, and worth the price of admission.

One of these acts that has risen sharply in popularity is Guerrilla Radio, a Rage Against the Machine tribute that has been leaving a heavy footprint wherever they play. Keeping the theatrics simple and to a minimum serves to keep the focus on the energy and talent of the musicians, providing an experience Rage fans appreciate and rockers at large flock to.

Guerrilla Radio delivers the guts, ability and attitude that are absolutely required of a Rage tribute, quite possibly one of the hardest acts there is to successfully pull off. Guerrilla Radio is doing it right, as evidenced by their recent pack-em-in shows in the Southeast and Mid Atlantic; their performances are a great slice of Rage done right. Check em out when they come around your way. I’ll be checkin’ ‘em out in Raleigh on January 10th at a favorite old venue of mine, Lincoln Theater.

November 8, 2008, 9:59 pm : Elizabeth Pepin’s Gem

Filed Under: Biography, Imagery, News, Surfing, Travel Tales
Discussion: C[1]mments

There are surf photographers out there right now pushing the envelope of creativity. There are surf photographers out there right now whose images can transcend the act into timelessness. It is actually quite rare to have both of these going for you at once, but when it occurs, the results are similar to Pepin’s images.

Her Gem, to me (for completely selfish and self serving purposes) is this shot of Long Beach, NY during her visit to the East Coast for the New York Surf Film Festival. As a removed local of this perfect hive of a surf town, this shot reminds me of special days, where you quite possibly caught the best waves of your life. Fall and hurricane season sometimes sending up to three weeks of constant swell right to you. Dream the dream, it can happen. No better time to be a New Yorker.