Laramie Dean has gained great critical acclaim for his distinctly Surf guitar shows, and top notch work with musicians from Agent Orange, Dick Dale, The Queers, among others.
Laramie at Continental Club In Houston opening for Dick Dale 6/8/11
Tx Punk: How did you get started with playing Surf Punk?
Laramie: Well, I got my first guitar from my buddy in school. He won it
on the Boardwalk in Jersey. I gave him my comic book money for it!
My first riff, is still my opening song today, " Surf Wolf". At the time
I called it " Spy Punk" . Had no idea what surf was.
Tx Punk: I know when I saw you Live you mentioned a couple of the songs were written before you even knew what Surf music was. How and when did you find out about said genre?
Laramie: Well, I started playing my song at, yep, music stores, driving clerks crazy! Typical! But, one guy, said, " that sounds kinda like surf guitar. I was actually insulted! Growing up in upstate NY, I had no idea what surf was, except ' Fast Times at Ridgemont High". I imagined everyone walking around, saying " DUDE " and whatnot! Later, Rhino Records opened up in Albany NY, and I got exposed to the real stuff.
Laramie: Well, I got my first guitar from my buddy in school. He won it
on the Boardwalk in Jersey. I gave him my comic book money for it!
My first riff, is still my opening song today, " Surf Wolf". At the time
I called it " Spy Punk" . Had no idea what surf was.
Tx Punk: I know when I saw you Live you mentioned a couple of the songs were written before you even knew what Surf music was. How and when did you find out about said genre?
Laramie: Well, I started playing my song at, yep, music stores, driving clerks crazy! Typical! But, one guy, said, " that sounds kinda like surf guitar. I was actually insulted! Growing up in upstate NY, I had no idea what surf was, except ' Fast Times at Ridgemont High". I imagined everyone walking around, saying " DUDE " and whatnot! Later, Rhino Records opened up in Albany NY, and I got exposed to the real stuff.
Laramie working his surf guitar magic with Agent Orange at Fitzgerald's In Houston 1/9/11
Tx Punk: You've played with many famous Surf artists, from Dick Dale to Agent Orange, and you even have Jimmy Dale as your drummer; do you have a favorite tour story/memory amongst it all?
Laramie: Man, thats hard. I started working for Dick Dale in 2004, just drove 3000 miles, straight to his ranch, and told him I wanted to learn from him. I got hired. From there, I've toured alot. I'll tell ya a funny one, about going to see ' The Grudge " with Dick. It was on my first tour with him. I found out he loves to go to the movies. So, he lets me pick. I love horror movies, and Sam Rami, so naturally, I'm stoked to see this, and with Dick Dale no less!
I did not know that Dick is terrified of horror pics! As we enter the theatre, he announces " I'm Dick Dale! Anyone here see Pulp Fiction?!?!"
I was like, whats up? Well, he gets a crowd around him, and its Halloween, so everyones giving him candy and stuff. Hes talking. Turns out, this is how he gets comfortable before a scary movie!.Because during the movie, he starts calling peoples names! The girsl are like " its ok Dick! " I was dying! Super funny! He told me, I couldnt pick out the movies anymore! The next night, I saw ' Shaun of the Dead " by myself!
Tx Punk: You've also played many exotic countries. Do you have a favorite place that you've toured?
Well, everyone and their mother brags about going to Europe. Its actually way easier to tour there. It's like doing a regional tour. If you can tour across the US, thats a major accomplishment.
Laramie: Dont get me wrong, I was, and am super stoked to go there. Did over 40 days with Agent Orange. Covered Europe, and the UK. I gotta say, that the shows there are super high energy, and merch does awesome. We went all over. In Madrid, we had trouble finding the club, so I saw a guy with a guitar on his back, and yelled out the window " guiatr-o!!!" and he stopped! HE actually got mad! That cracked us up! I tried the same thing in Czechoslovakia, and it worked!
Oh, and everyone speaks English, except the French pretend not to understand.
Laramie: Man, thats hard. I started working for Dick Dale in 2004, just drove 3000 miles, straight to his ranch, and told him I wanted to learn from him. I got hired. From there, I've toured alot. I'll tell ya a funny one, about going to see ' The Grudge " with Dick. It was on my first tour with him. I found out he loves to go to the movies. So, he lets me pick. I love horror movies, and Sam Rami, so naturally, I'm stoked to see this, and with Dick Dale no less!
I did not know that Dick is terrified of horror pics! As we enter the theatre, he announces " I'm Dick Dale! Anyone here see Pulp Fiction?!?!"
I was like, whats up? Well, he gets a crowd around him, and its Halloween, so everyones giving him candy and stuff. Hes talking. Turns out, this is how he gets comfortable before a scary movie!.Because during the movie, he starts calling peoples names! The girsl are like " its ok Dick! " I was dying! Super funny! He told me, I couldnt pick out the movies anymore! The next night, I saw ' Shaun of the Dead " by myself!
Tx Punk: You've also played many exotic countries. Do you have a favorite place that you've toured?
Well, everyone and their mother brags about going to Europe. Its actually way easier to tour there. It's like doing a regional tour. If you can tour across the US, thats a major accomplishment.
Laramie: Dont get me wrong, I was, and am super stoked to go there. Did over 40 days with Agent Orange. Covered Europe, and the UK. I gotta say, that the shows there are super high energy, and merch does awesome. We went all over. In Madrid, we had trouble finding the club, so I saw a guy with a guitar on his back, and yelled out the window " guiatr-o!!!" and he stopped! HE actually got mad! That cracked us up! I tried the same thing in Czechoslovakia, and it worked!
Oh, and everyone speaks English, except the French pretend not to understand.
Taken at Continental Club In Houston 6/8/11
Tx Punk: What's your favorite Punk album
Laramie: thats tuff. I gotta say, after 400 plus with Agent Orange, I have to say
" Living In Darkness " !!!
Tx Punk: What's your favorite Surf album?
Laramie: Again, Dick Dales, " Surfers Choice "
Tx Punk: Are there any new releases on the horizon?
Laramie: totally, got the tunes ready to go. Been 4 years since " Surf Riot " came out. Its sold really well. 3 pressings. Its out of print now. Only on iTunes.
Recording fall 2011. Want it out early 2012.
Tx Punk: It seems like the Surf rock community is very tightly knit, where one band will have members of the other frequently in their line up. Isn't it a little bit like Punk Rock, since both are also a cult following style genre?
Laramie: Yeah, except no one other than Dick Dale, and the Ventures have made it to the professional level. What I mean by that is, they have sustainable careers. They dont have day jobs, or trust funds!
Laramie: thats tuff. I gotta say, after 400 plus with Agent Orange, I have to say
" Living In Darkness " !!!
Tx Punk: What's your favorite Surf album?
Laramie: Again, Dick Dales, " Surfers Choice "
Tx Punk: Are there any new releases on the horizon?
Laramie: totally, got the tunes ready to go. Been 4 years since " Surf Riot " came out. Its sold really well. 3 pressings. Its out of print now. Only on iTunes.
Recording fall 2011. Want it out early 2012.
Tx Punk: It seems like the Surf rock community is very tightly knit, where one band will have members of the other frequently in their line up. Isn't it a little bit like Punk Rock, since both are also a cult following style genre?
Laramie: Yeah, except no one other than Dick Dale, and the Ventures have made it to the professional level. What I mean by that is, they have sustainable careers. They dont have day jobs, or trust funds!
Laramie sharing the fun with the crowd at Fitzgerald's In Houston 1/9/11
Tx Punk: Do you have an artist that you want to play with, but haven't yet?
Laramie: Well, I've worked with the two most influential acts out there. Thats tuff!
There are a lot of artists that I would love to tour/work with for sure.
I love touring with Punk bands, the energy rules, the crowd gets what I do. I could see touring with some " bigger " punk shows, and my sound being a great addition to the bill.
Tx Punk: Any advice for upstart musicians?
Laramie: Never give up. Even if you have to get a day job, still work on your goals, dont be afraid to ask other bands/artists for help/advice. I never stop asking, never stop learning.
Tx Punk: Any final comments?
Laramie: Lets do this!
Laramie: Well, I've worked with the two most influential acts out there. Thats tuff!
There are a lot of artists that I would love to tour/work with for sure.
I love touring with Punk bands, the energy rules, the crowd gets what I do. I could see touring with some " bigger " punk shows, and my sound being a great addition to the bill.
Tx Punk: Any advice for upstart musicians?
Laramie: Never give up. Even if you have to get a day job, still work on your goals, dont be afraid to ask other bands/artists for help/advice. I never stop asking, never stop learning.
Tx Punk: Any final comments?
Laramie: Lets do this!
Thanks again to Laramie for his time!
For more, you can check out Laramie Dean at his Official Website
For more, you can check out Laramie Dean at his Official Website
