"Finally! There's a new band in town that plays real surf music and its name is Tiki Taboo.
Riding the boss sounds of The Ventures, Dick Dale & The Del-Tones, The Chantays, The Belairs, The Surfaris, The Astronauts and the Japanese 60's Eleki Sounds like an endless wave, Tiki Taboo is bringing vintage surf music back to Hawaii, the surf capital of the world. Totally bitchin'!" -DJ Rupert "The Cat"
"Tiki Taboo capture the reverb-heavy sound of the era without sounding like a generic oldies band. Where most local bands fall short when remaking pop chart hits, Tiki Taboo comes up with fresh arrangements that also respect the composers' intent. The originals fit in nicely with the vintage material."
-John Berger/Island Mele/Honolulu Star Bulletin-2/19/2005
"Cover songs are tricky propositions because if a band changes a classic too much, the listener grows resentful, but if the musicians remain too faithful, their versions seem irrelevant. Tiki Taboo's self-titled debut succeeds in finding the balance between imitation and reinvention. Tiki Taboo brings new energy to a familiar, dance-happy sound."
-Timothy Dyke/Sound Check/Honolulu Weekly-8/24-30/2005
"Tiki Taboo, this super hot group is freestyling its way into the hearts and soul of all Hawai'i. It's all about surfin' music, dude. If you loved 'The Endless Summer" you'll love this vintage sound. They don't come any cooler than Tiki Taboo."
-Lisa Scontras/Honolulu's Hot Spots/Honolulu Advertiser,'05
"From the unmistakable opening Dick Dale staccato line of "Miserlou", to the closing strains of the Surfaris' "Wipeout", Tiki Taboo pretty much covers the big hits of surf music's heyday (or ho-dad). Also included in deluxe surf-a-sonic stereo are six originals. "Fortune Cookie" is a sneaky little thing complete with gong and a familiar faux-Chinese motif, and "Peking Duck" quacks along with a Chuck Berry-inspired shuffle. "Shark Bait" is the most aggressive rock song on the album (with a little Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused" quote thrown in for good measure).
-Gary C.W. Chun/Weekend-Music/Honolulu Star Bulletin-2/2005
"From the island of Oahu,Hawaii comes a band heavily steeped in the Ventures tradition played surf style. These are all covers, and all based on Ventures, Dick Dale, Surfaris arrangements, with little or no deviation. There are also originals such as Peking Duck, Fortune Cookie.
Tiki Taboo have a pretty traditional sound, but use a unique approach with their arrangements. In addition to the bass and drums, there are at least 3 guitars that work off each other very well and each guitar player seems to have their own style. There's a uniqueness to this band as well, with the guitarists having been involved in different bands and style of music makes for some unique guitar licks while keeping original melody. These guys are having fun doing their thing and that's really all that's required.
If you are into traditional surf music, this is a must have cd."
Milt's Picks: Miserlou, Surf Rider, Black Sand Beach, Bulldog, Fortune Cookie, Repent, Peking Duck, Diamond Head, Wipeout
-Milt (San Jose, CA.)12/04/2005
James Ganeko: guitar
Favorite Lava Lamp Color Combo: Aqua Blue/Pink
Favorite Surf Albums: "Surfing"-The Ventures, "Surfin' with The Astronauts"
Favorite Female Entertainer: Eartha Kitt
Favorite Hawaiian Singer: Aunty Genoa Keawe
Favorite Drum Solos: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida: Iron Butterfly, Wipe Out: The Surfaris, Caravan: The Ventures, any Buddy Rich solos
Favorite Harmony: Everly Brothers, Buck Owens & Don Rich, The Beach Boys
Favorite Bossa Nova Group: Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
Favorite Mambo LP: "Havana 3am"-Perez Prado & His Orchestra
Favorite Food: Mexican, Chop Salad, Mom's Chicken Katsu
Favorite Movie: Roman Holiday- Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck
Favorite Animal: The kind that don't bite.
Favorite Beach: Waimanalo,Oahu-Hawaii
Favorite Bongo Player: Augie Colon
Favorite Movie Soundtrack Theme: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Favorite TV Theme Song: Bonanza
Favorite TV Mom: June Cleaver(Barbara Billingsley)
Favorite Lunchbox: The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Favorite Tattoo: Beano's King Crayfish
Favorite Elvis Movie: Blue Hawaii
Favorite Nancy Sinatra Song: Your Groovy Self
Favorite Tiki Mug: Bali Hai
Favorite Exotica LP: Hawaiian Eye TV Soundtrack
Favorite Dog Guru: Cesar Millan the Dog Whisperer
Bert Kono: drums
Favorite People: my family
Favorite Animal: poi dogs
Favorite Grade: kindergarten 2 years
Favorite Store: Goodwill
Favorite Band: Tower of Power
Byron Lai: bass
Favorite Venture's LP: 'Ventures Knock Me Out'
Favorite Venture's cover of a hit: 'Gone, Gone, Gone'
Greatest Regret: Losing a Venture's pick from Don Wilson
Favorite guitar instrumental track: 'Because They're Young' - Duane Eddy
Best bittersweet surf tune: Beachboy's 'Wendy'
Favorite recent surf album: The Fathoms
Cool bass playing: Venture's 'Perfidia'
Cool non-surf twang: Eddie Perez(extra greasy!)
Cool non-surf twang pt2: James Wilsey(Chris Isaak LP)
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