Reverb Central: FAQ

FAQ 1: What's here and what's not!

For those just entering the world of Dirt, you'll notice some distinct difference between this site and most printed publications about surf music. Reverb Central is dedicated to Instrumental Surf music. It is a publication of Phil Dirt, recognized authority on Instrumental Surf music, Surf DJ, and Surf Music Producer. Reverb Central is accented by occasional articles abolut side interests or related subjects. It is the web clearinghouse for reviews, how-tos, opinions, and links to other web sites on the web. Everything available is reviewed, with the exception of music from bands that have treated me or other bands with disrespect or extreme prejudice (all two of them).

FAQ 2: What kind of music is this site about?

Instrumental Surf Music! This site focuses on Instrumental Surf and related Instrumentals only. If you want to read kind words about vocals, you will be dissapointed. There are other places on the web for sissy music with words. No lyrics sung here!

FAQ 3: What do the reviews mean?

While I am totally supportive of Instrumental Surf music, I do not think everything released with the word "Surf" on it is good, I don't think the evolution of surf music has been frozen for study by paleo-musicologists, and I do not have a finacial interest in distributing the music. Everything you read is my opinion, not sacred gospel, and certainly not bootlicking nice words so I'll get the next CD free. The reviews are intended to aid in the search for the good stuff.

FAQ 4: How are the decisions made to include other sites in the links?

Website URL's are provided for artists & labels in the Links section where ever they are available, whether I like the band or not.

FAQ 5: Is this one of those silly vinyl churches?

If you are looking for a temple of worship to vinyl or cheap disrorted ambient recordings, this site will be sacreligious to you. Bad recordings and noisy pressings are just that. Trash consciousness does not dwell here.

FAQ 6: Is information about demos included in this site?

Some items reviewed here are not available commercially. By providing reviews of advance recordings, often CD-R's, you can get a glimpse of things to watch for in the future from new artists, projects in the works, or live performances. Available recordings of live shows are included. Selected mp3's via band websites, MySpace, etc. are also reviewed, either for what they are, or as bonus tracks with releases.

FAQ 7: Does this site include show reviews?

I don't review shows, unless they were some very VERY special event, like The Eliminators "Woodies On The Wharf" or A Surfer's Paradise or Mermen@Presidio.Beach. I do review live radio performances because they are recorded, and are part of the audio archive record of instrumental surf music.

FAQ 8: Does Phil Dirt answer email?

I answer nearly every piece of email I get. Drop me a line. I like to know what you think about the site.

FAQ 9: Who is Phil Dirt and why should I read his dribble?

For 25 years, Phil Dirt hosted SURF's UP on Saturday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. on KFJC 89.7 FM in Los Altos Hills (South Bay region - San Francisco Bay Area). Phil first played surf music on KFJC in the mid '60s. He returned to KFJC in 1980 as surf was beginning to re-emerge, producing a 132-episode half-hour weekly rock histroy series, before taking over a Sunday afternoon programm called Relix that became Surf's Up!. Phil mixed and recorded roughly 300 instrumental surfbands live on the radio. He also produced live and studio surfband recordings, and put on dozens of surfband events. Phil's live surf CD series raised close to $100,000 in support of KFJC. He has been listening to, collecting, and writing about Instrumental Surf music and it's precursors since 1958.