Thoughts behind the makingThis project is a love letter to Santa Cruz /Capitola where I learned to surf, to our awe inspiring life giving oceans and the signature surf sound of California where we grew up. I know of no other activity that spawned its own musical genre. While Surf Music's moment in the sun was brief its influence on American music and culture is indelible.
About the groupThese are just some good friends throwing in their time and talents to be a part of this with Will and me, and I'm very grateful to have them . We are all going to make music in some form or fashion regardless if anyone is listening. For us music is like breathing or pooping. If we are alive, it is going to happen. This project and this cause gave us a sense of meaning that brought some much needed light to a largely dark year.
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About the nameTo surfers, green room is not backstage for a late night show. Green room is achieved when you are deep in a barrel or tube of a wave. (See photo above) Short borders use the term "janitor" somewhat pejoratively when describing a paddle boarder. Shortboarders tend to be young and want to shred waves. Longboarders and paddle boarders tend to be older and just want to glide and soul surf, clogging up the lanes for those who want to shred. We thought the Janitor reference made sense for the cause we are supporting with this project.
Tombstone Barney comes from two distinct surf lingo expressions. To "tombstone" or to be "tombstoning" is when you wipe out in a manner such that you are under water while your board is sticking straight up. A "Barney" is a term for a noob or rookie, someone not good at surfing. So the name Tombstoning Barney means the wipeout of an inexperienced surfer in a particularly entertaining way. Yes, it's a bit of schadenfreude and yes, I've been that guy many times. |
The Tracks
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Green Room Janitors are
The MentionsThank you 2020 for sucking so badly and forcing this needed distraction on us. Thank you David Gibbons for volunteering your editing time, Ralph Richbourg for the super cool logo, Tim Darrow for the loan of a 12 string guitar. Special thanks to our families, friends and colleagues for their support and encouragement. Thank you.
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The Notes
This no budget album was just about making some music with friends and hoping to do some good with it. This turned out to be very much a "2020 lockdown project" with each of us in entirely separate states recording our parts in the isolation of our own home studios for the vast majority of it.
Once we settled on Surf music for the Surfrider Foundation I made a playlist of some of my favorites from this genre on which to go to school, The Beach Boys, The Ventures, Dick Dale, Jan and Dean, Jack Nitzsche, The Marketts, Sentinels and more. We also wanted to infuse a bit of contemporary aesthetic and sensibilities. So if I was able I included production ideas from Eric Valentine and bands like JellyFish. With a major tip of the cap to Carol Kaye I wanted the bass and drums to sound as full as a modern pop rock album. I wanted the guitars and keys to cary the vintage vibe and color and for the vocals to be fresh yet familiar if possible. The songwriting and arrangements were meant to keep you guessing about the origins of inspiration. You'll have to be the judge if we pulled that off. Thanks for listening.
A full break down of how the recording was done and the toys we used, from apps to amps is available on a page I call the nerd knobs. If you have more questions feel free to send us an email.
Once we settled on Surf music for the Surfrider Foundation I made a playlist of some of my favorites from this genre on which to go to school, The Beach Boys, The Ventures, Dick Dale, Jan and Dean, Jack Nitzsche, The Marketts, Sentinels and more. We also wanted to infuse a bit of contemporary aesthetic and sensibilities. So if I was able I included production ideas from Eric Valentine and bands like JellyFish. With a major tip of the cap to Carol Kaye I wanted the bass and drums to sound as full as a modern pop rock album. I wanted the guitars and keys to cary the vintage vibe and color and for the vocals to be fresh yet familiar if possible. The songwriting and arrangements were meant to keep you guessing about the origins of inspiration. You'll have to be the judge if we pulled that off. Thanks for listening.
A full break down of how the recording was done and the toys we used, from apps to amps is available on a page I call the nerd knobs. If you have more questions feel free to send us an email.
Green Room Janitors
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