Holy Ground Blog

27.8.25

Surf Music Madness

I recently attended the 3- day Surf Guitar 101 festival in Long Beach. A zillion surf (and related) music bands, many new to me. My brain melted in the reverb! While all the groups were generally excellent, there were a couple special moments for me.

First was the reunion of the Aqua Velvets specifically for this festival. The band has been around since the mid 1990s, playing their special surf influenced intro music. Guitar Noir is my favorite release by this group. Throughout their set, it was clear that the band has lost nothing over the decades, a fun set and well received.

While surf music is alive and well, there certainly is a strong retro element to the scene. This was reflected by the addition of other events that accompanied the music acts. We had go-go dancers, a vintage swimsuit contest. and some great restored vehicles.

Here's last year's vintage swinsuit winner in a pose for the cover of Vintage Truck Magazine...

The highlight of the festival was the return to the US of the Surf Coasters from Japan. I've seen these guys a number other times over the decades (they've been together 30 years). They are simply the best surf band I've ever heard... incredible musicianship! The punk buzz and spiked hair have given way to grey, but the band can still play!

The guitarist, Shigeo Naka, is amazing, the technical ability, the dynamism... the best!

Thankfully lots of folks were recording, audio and video. My own recording of the Surf Coasters will soon be up on my bandcamp page. There's lots of video on this YouTube page.

Can't wait for next summer!

23.7.25

Crashing the Big Parade

Tomorrow is the big Days of ’47 celebration in Salt Lake City. The State holiday commenorates the 1847 arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the Great Salt Lake Valley. The holiday features the Days of ’47 parade, one of the oldest and largest in the U.S.

I’m reminded of the year my family and I “crashed” the parade. I was working in the mid ‘90s as a radio tech for the Utah Transit Authority. Our shop was part of a larger maintenance facility, as a result I knew many of the mechanics who I knew were restoring an old bus from 1950’s. The mechanics put a lot of work into this restoration, although the color was not the most attractive. Anyway, one day Dave, leader of the restoration, mentioned to me that they were entering the bus into the vintage vehicle category of that year’s parade, and invited me and the family to join the crew riding the bus in the parade.

Early in the morning of the parade, we went down to where all entries were queueing up for the parade, We hopped on board with the other mechanics and their families for a fun day driving the parade route. Soon we were rolling as part of the parade entries until we came to the actual start point, that year at South Temple and Main Street. Here we were stopped by the control person…. He did not have the bus on his entry list! Apparently the mechanics had failed to file the proper paperwork as an entry.

Well, since we were holding up the proceedings, the control person made one of the best and most expeditious decisions in history…

“Well, go on, then…”

So there we were, headed down Main Street as part of the big parade! People were cheering and waving, we had the windows down and waving back…. Maybe even throwing out candy for the kids, I don’t remember for sure. Older people were having nostalgic flashbacks to the ‘50s when bus transportation was essential.

About 10 blocks down the street, we encountered a stand where an announcer would describe the various entries to the spectators. We heard: “Here we have…. Oops, it’s not on my list…. Well, here we have a BIG GREEN BUS! People cheered and waved even more!

So we had a great time, enjoying the parade and the spectators as parade participants rolling along to parade's end. We had crashed the biggest party in the State!

2.7.25

Bukowski on Aging

So true! Thanks R. Crumb...

20.5.25

Spring Road Trip

Off to Palm Springs for the Film Noir Festival, I found that driving from Vegas through the Mohave was not only the most direct route, but also the most scenic and the most relaxing. At one point the road connects with a section of the famous Route 66, to the Amboy junction. Nearby is the Amboy Crater..

Then it's south to 29 Palms... with a pit stop at the Rev. Willis Memorial Rest Stop #3...

A real trash heap as you walk around the graffitied rock.

One comes out of the Mohave into 29 Palms on Utah Street, which leads directly south across the highway into Joshua Tree National Park. A couple routes through the park will eventually lead into Palm Springs.

The return trip, again through the Mohave, included a stop at the Kelso Junction "oasis".

Lots of history at this site...

And, since it was Spring, many plants were in bloom including this small tree.

Finally, leaving Las Vegas, actually Henderson, I often avoid the freeway by driving through Lake Mead National Monument. Early I the morning, traffic is very light, the road is great, and the morning light provides a unique view of the park's scenery. Here's a look back towards Vegas...

I keep finding alternative routes to avoid freeways. Surprisingly, traffic is generally light and the trip becomes more relaxing than the constant hassles found on the Interstates.

8.5.25

Cool Car Show

Recently several low rider car clubs, along with other classic car fanatics, banded together for a Cinco de Mayo show on Main Street. Some sweet rides, some great restorations, and some surprises as seen below.

A fine 40's Ford...