Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Hollow Grinders - The Hollow Grinders Dig Chicksdotdotdot
artworkAbout the only surfband in New Zealand in 2001 when The Hollow Grinders Dig Chicks was cut, The Hollow Grinders are a garagy outfit with an ominous sound and unusual approach. Quite fun!
Picks: We Dig Chicks!, Piha Death-Rip, Ghost In The Surf, Boom Finder, Moehau Monster, Repo Man, Pania (Of The Reef), Rhythm and Swing, Two Suits, Hodad Bitch, Raptures Of The Deep, Do The Grinder Stomp!

Track by Track Review


We Dig Chicks! dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Heavy and pulsing, with a cool riff and tribal drums. "We Dig Chicks!" is aggressive, with a dangerous edge. Its imagery is shortboards and storms.

Piha Death-Rip dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Buzzing it's way through the crowd, "Piha Death-Rip" rises to the challenge with intense Marshall-like distorto-verb. It sports a melodic progression with a mean attack and dark message. The discordant crashing end is extra swell.

Ghost In The Surf dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Moody and slow, with delayed guitar. The melody line is very good, as is arrangement. "Ghost In The Surf" floats just below the surface like a specter of the tube, lying in wait for the next rider to fall. Slightly sad, and most enjoyable.

Boom Finder dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This "Peter Gunn"-ish number thunders across the horizon like an outsider. On the dark side, "Boom Finder" has a heavy thunder about it.

Moehau Monster dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Two guitars and drums create a menacing sound for "Moehau Monster." At times dissonant, which brings a threatening nature to the song.

Repo Man dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This track shows The Hollow Grinders chunk off. It's a cover of the film theme originated by The Plugz. Rhythmic in a low brow way, with repossessed charm. This stands up with time really well.

Pania (Of The Reef) dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Pania (Of The Reef)" is a haunting and almost delicate mid tempo number. A splendid melody played on echoed lead guitar with distant organ added. This is really nice!

Rhythm and Swing dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a riff rocker with manic drums and a garage feel. "Rhythm and Swing" is relatively relentless.

Two Suits dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a moody, brooding number with a watery graveyard feel. Almost morose, "Two Suits" lumbers with tribal drums and bass grumble under a murky low register melody and whammy chords.

Hodad Bitch dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Exceptional damped double picking, rippin' riffs, and speedy glissandos, suggesting significant attitude from the lady of the title. On the dark side, with a playful break. The inspiration must have been some encounter...

Raptures Of The Deep dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Slow and tremolo throbbed, with delicate dribble double picked second guitar. "Raptures Of The Deep" is an ominous song with rainy lagoon image. I really like this!

Do The Grinder Stomp! dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Yup, "Do The Grinder Stomp!" is a stomp for sure. Its main riff is grode and a bit dangerous. The drum solo is a continuation of the stompin' beat. Unusual and fun, in an about to be mugged sort of way.