Surfing! In Lisbon Falls? It’s not what you think… Surfin’ The Falls – Maine’s first official surf music festival – will kick off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Worumbo Riverfront Event Center in Lisbon.
The inland town of Lisbon is not known for surfing –– but it is trying to get on the map as the surf music capital of Northern New England. Over the past couple of years, Lisbon has been riding a wave of enthusiasm over new restaurants, businesses, art, and culture. Well known for their world-famous Moxie Festival, they now embark on developing the Worumbo Riverfront Event Center, also known as “The WREC,” as a destination spot for music and the arts.
Enter “Surf Music Maine.” “Surf ME” for short, this association of Maine musicians performs instrumental surf rock music. You might be familiar with the classic sounds of The Ventures, Dick Dale and The Sufaris, and the Surf ME bands certainly pay tribute to the classic era, but surf music did not stop in the 1960s. Surf music is a fast-growing global phenomenon that covers a wide range of past and present influences, and is now introducing innovative new sounds to the genre.
Add a chance meeting –– and “Surfin’ The Falls” was born.
Christine Cain, owner of Olive Pit Brewery in Lisbon, was brainstorming the idea of a surf music festival. One of her regular customers is Dave Colfer, drummer for the surf rock band “Zombie Beach.” He overheard the conversation, connected Christine with Surf Me, and it was suddenly “surf’s up!”
The focus of the event is to support the development of the WREC. The four charter member bands of Surf ME are donating their performances so all the proceeds can help develop the Center. In addition, they’re bringing in two of New England’s most popular surf rock acts to round out the six-band show. In addition to the music, there will also be a “Surfin’ The Falls Art Show,” and DJ Matt Little from WMPG will cover the intermissions spinning the best surf music from the 60s to today.
The Surf ME bands
Los Pingüinos – Originally from Chula Vista, California and now based right here in Maine, they bring a blend of classic surf, Chicano style surf and rock & roll, and a blend of instrumental R&B, plus a large catalog of originals.
Zombie Beach – Featuring “The Godfather of Maine Surf,” Jeff Spicer, Zombie Beach has been described as being like a soundtrack from a Quentin Tarantino movie. They pay tribute to the classics and then bring an edgy, gritty catalog of covers and originals with special appeal to the hot rod set.
The 3 Wheelers – Highlighting the genre-expanding nature of today’s surf, these refugees from the metal world introduce elements of heavy metal and Japanese metal surf while still bringing a unique perspective to the classics.
Curse of Kona – It would sell them short to talk about their dedication to the classic surf sound and catalog, though they cover the classics masterfully. They also explore the newer and global surf sounds and bring it all together in a powerful show.
You can get more information on all Surf ME bands at bit.ly/SurfMusicMe
Additional bands
Connecticut band The 9th Wave is not only one of the most experienced and well-known surf rock bands on the East Coast, but guitarist Mike Rosado is also the founder of the Northeast Surf Music Alliance. They bring keyboards and horns to the mix with a powerful blend of classic and next-wave surf.
Rounding out the show will be Tsunami of Sound. Frequent performers in Maine, this Massachusettes band is another of the most popular groups in the Northeast playing everywhere from Fenway Park to Otto’s Shrunken Head Lounge in NYC.
Tickets are $25 in advance. Children 10 and under are free. Advance tickets are highly recommended. For details and to purchase tickets, visit SurfMusicMaine.org. All proceeds benefit the WREC. The Worumbo Riverfront Event Center (WREC) is located at 1 Canal St., Lisbon Falls.
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