Surf Instro Review: The Space Cossacks - Interstellar Stomp (Interview With Ivan Pongracic Included)

I could not hide my enthusiasm and adulation for this band's music. And my feelings have not changed after all these years!

The Space Cossacks Interstellar Stomp has already become a classic. It's not just a record; it's part of a legacy. Destined to be hailed as such, it had all the excitement and anticipation working for it before its eventual release. By listening to it, you're not just enjoying music but becoming a part of a prestigious group of listeners.

This CD is phenomenal! It is appropriate to cite it as one of the most significant surf releases ever.

Ivan Pongracic is a real gunslinger who takes no prisoners. His guitar playing is not just exceptional; it's awe-inspiring. The tonality, glissando, and reverb he coaxes from his axe are the stuff dreams are made of.

The rest of the group is outstanding in giving Ivan the backbeat he needs to consummate the marriage between his furious guitar playing and the foundation from which each masterpiece of reverb is born.

The tremendous talent on the musician's behalf, excellent production, and sonics make this a recording for the ages in the surf world. It is one of the best you will ever feast your reverb-soaked ears upon.

Tracks:

01. Third Star To The Left  

02. Red Sunrise  

03. Solaris Stomp 

04. Neutron Sabre  

05. Black Sand  

06. The Cossack

07. The Spy Satellite  

08. Planet Of The Apes  

09. Gunmetal Express 

10. Transatlantic Orbit  

11. Moroccan Adventures

12. Mir Rescue    

13. Bombora   

14. The Space Victory Theme  

15. Navajo Star

Surf Instro: The Space Cossacks/The Hypnomen - From The Shadows Of The Evil Empire...

Whoever said Vinyl was dead? It never died, it just took a backseat while the world was captivated by the new kid on the block, the eight-track. But the charm of vinyl, with its crackling sound and tangible presence, never truly faded.

Of course, after that, the cassette revolution followed, leading to CDs, which gradually took over as the main format. What format has hung right in there through all of the format changes? Vinyl.

I bought a turntable last summer because I missed it. All the albums and 45s with their colorful inner sleeves and cover art, those were the days.

Just leave it to the surf genre to make it fun and interesting again, with a release like From The Shadows Of The Evil Empire…, featuring the two amazing bands The Space Cossacks and The Hypnomen.

90% of the vinyl in my present collection is surf instrumentals. All 7" with various color palettes adorn the Vinyl as it spins away on the turntable, sounding as good as ever!

Surf is the only genre I know that combines different groups' songs on the same 7" to create this fascinating and colorful format. MuSick has been steadily building its 7" collection. This is the collectors' arena. I am not a rabid collector like in the 1970s, but my interest has been piqued by releases like this one.

The Space Cossacks and Hypnomen bring you some of the best surf instro in the galaxy, complete with the signature "surf sound." The songs don't last that long. Surf songs aren't designed that way, never were. 

They are all great songs, regardless of the length; that's the beauty of surf instro music. All the energy of great surf music armed with rapid-fire guitar playing encompasses all four tracks. The two groups do a very nice job of combining their experience and expertise to create wonderful and vibrant surf music.

So, why not dive back into the world of vinyl? Start your collection again and experience the thrill of discovering new music in a classic format. Trust me, it's cool stuff! 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Side A -The Space Cossacks /Escape From Gulag 17/Metsakukkia

Side B -The Hypnomen /Holotna/ Comrade, The Squealer

Surf Instro Review: The Breakaways - Cowa-Bongo

I learned about The Breakaways' album Cowa-Bongo from a good friend and Illusions guitarist, Larry Ellis. Anybody that Larry associates with has to be a class act, so I said send me the CD! 

What a change of pace this CD turned out to be. They play a softer surf because when they perform live, they do it at hospitals for kids, and there are concerns about sound levels.

Instead of drums, they opt for bongos. Bongos always add flair and originality to surf music, giving it an entirely different feel.

They do some cover tunes quite differently. Although I have heard these standards done in many different ways, the style presented on this recording is refreshing.

What really touched my soul was not only the music but also what they are doing with their talents. The liner notes have a paragraph stating, "To provide entertainment for kids/adults who are considered underprivileged, abused, ill, neglected or disabled, at no charge."

Giving to the community is a contagious habit, and the kids might see that there is spirit and goodwill in giving. Isn't that wonderful? It's so good to hear that good things are going on connected to music.

If you can, e-mail Craig Skelly to say hello and support the group's work. Get a copy of the CD or tape to support this wonderful group now!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Karina 

02. Out Of Limits  

03. Baja  

04. Sukiyaki  

05. Diamond Head  

06. Waimea  

07. Pefidia  

08. Surf Rider

09. Ocean View  

10. Telstar  

11. La Nina  

12. Driving Guitars   

13. Walk Don't Run  

14. Wild As The Sea  

15. Apache