Showing posts with label Jon & The Nightriders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jon & The Nightriders. Show all posts

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Surf Instro Live Review & Interview (John Blair): Jon & The Nightriders-Recorded Live At Hollywood’s Famous Whisky A Go-Go (January 10, 1981)

Release Date:  April 18, 2014

Label: VOXX

ORDER THE VINYL

Jon & the Nightriders tore the roof off Hollywood’s Whisky A Go-Go in January 1981. This legendary venue has hosted some of the most iconic live performances in music history, and that night in January was captured for this LP.

 

The Live At Hollywood’s Famous Whisky A Go-Go LP is heavyweight quality vinyl purchased directly from Jon Blair.

 

Here is the lineup of musicians for the classic surf rock recording:

Jon Blair-Lead Guitar

Dave Wronski-Rhythm Guitar

Niki Sixx-Bass (Not the Motley Crue band member. Listen to the interview)

Dusty Watson-Drums

 

What a powerhouse of talent! Wronski’s rhythm guitar is a force to be reckoned with, a fact proven by his future lead performances with Slacktone. And with his bandmate Dusty Watson on drums, this lineup is a force of nature.

 

If you’re a surf instro fan, you will immediately recognize all the classic tracks the band covered.


The recording is excellent musically and for overall clarity and crispness of sound. Additionally, you get a download card for your digital archives with four bonus tracks. These include three alternate versions of classic tracks, providing a unique perspective on the band’s performance.  It is quite the package of music.

 

This record explodes with some incredible surf rock instrumentals. “Rumble At Waikiki” kicks things off, and it’s a wild way to start. The music is blasting at full volume. This is the way this music should be played, just as Dick Dale did when the first wave of surf commenced.

 

Every track is superbly done with the vintage reverb, tremolo, and glissando riffing in the spotlight every step of the way. For instance, on “Surf Party,” the band cranks, and you get a good taste of all those aspects of this music.  

 

While every track is played with speed and accuracy, more than a few are in hyperdrive. “Force of Gravity,” a bonus track, is an excellent example of that.

 

Worthy of note are all the transitions they make within each track. Even though the music is known for its short recording times, one of the trademarks is how transitory it can be.

 

The Marketts get a nod on the other bonus track on Side B with “Outer Limits.” The Ventures’ “Walk Don’t Run” and The Astronauts’ “Baja” get their due as well on the digital download. You will hear fired-up versions of those legendary tunes, with the bass and guitar cranking it out.

 

The six-and-a-half-minute “Medley” is excellent. As “Banzai Washout,” “Surf Jam,” and “Pipeline” get the Nightrider treatment. Chances are, you have not heard these songs played live in such a way on a surf instro LP too often. They just cut loose on every track and rock out.

 

Recorded Live At Hollywood’s Famous Whisky A Go-Go is not just a look at surf music history; it’s a visceral experience. The passion, color, and precision with which each track is played are a testament to the enduring power of live music.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Reviews Founder

August 4, 2025

Tracks:

A1. Rumble At Waikiki 2:44

A2. Mr. Moto 1:58

A3. Surf Party 2:21

A4. The Nightrider 2:03

A5. Surfin' And Spyin'1:31

A6. Hawaii Five-O 1:39

A7. Force of Gravity * Bonus


B1. Baja 2:34

Medley (6:13)

B2.a Banzai Washout

B2.b Surf Jam

B2.c Pipeline

B3. Church Key 2:15

B4. Squad Car 1:55

B5. Outer Limits* Bonus

Digital Download Bonus Tracks:

15. Walk Don't Run 2:41           

16. The Nightrider (alt) 2:15      

17. Squad Car (alt) 1:55

18. Baja (alt) 2:47  

        

Monday, June 2, 2025

Surf Instro Review and Interview: Jon & The Nightriders-Raw & Alive '98


Jon and The Nightriders' incredible, electric, bona fide surf played live is realized on their iconic album, Raw & Alive '98. This album, a testament to their live performance prowess, solidified their reputation as the only supergroup in Surf Music.

Jon & The Nightriders is a group of exceptional talents. Dusty Watson, who plays drums, and Dave Wronski, who plays rhythm guitar, also lead the group Slacktone, which makes up two-thirds of the ensemble.

 

What's impressive to me is that Wronski plays rhythm guitar. His lead playing with Slacktone is nothing short of phenomenal.

 

It's loud and pounding surf, accompanied by a guitar that sounds like a machine gun, delivering rapid and intense notes. There is plenty of the trademark reverb sound, along with a distinctive echo effect that adds depth and texture to their music.

 

Jon Blair is a legend on lead guitar who plays as if it were his last night alive. Fresh and invigorating like a swim in the ocean. This is a wave that must not be missed.

 

Don't miss the chance to experience the unbeatable Jon & The Nightriders live in action, captured in Long Beach, California. The energy, the sound, and the atmosphere are all there, waiting for you to be a part of it.

 

This is a legendary surf music supergroup in their element, and you won't want to miss it.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

June/July 1998                                          

Tracks:

01. Thunder over Rincon   

02.Geronimo   

03. Boogie Board   

04. Moving Target  

05.Molokai Cocktail

06. Rumble At Waikiki    

07.Horror Hayride 

08. Hurricane      

09. Twitchin'   

10.Grommet

11. Shake'N' Stomp

12.Storm Dancer    

13. Banzai Washout