Croatia's number one surf band in a head on collision with Ennio Morricone and Dick Dale and a helping hand from REM's Peter Buck. Today Croatia - tomorrow the World! Surf is very definitely 'UP'.
Sonic Bullets - 13 From the Hip, is the spectacular new album from Croatian surf titans the Bambi Molesters. The new album has a supporting cast which includes Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey from R.E.M., Chris Eckman from the Walkabouts and Eduoardo "Speedo" Martinez from the Flaming Sideburns.
The album, recorded in the top Slovenian RSL Production studios in Novo Mesto late last year confirms the band's unique position in the surf pantheon. Surf experts Reverb Central put it thus: "Like their previous releases, they occupy a unique place in surf, trad based, but no derivative at all."
Following the group's spectacular live show opening for R.E.M. in Slovenia, band members Hrvoje and Lada were invited to R.E.M.'s studios in Seattle where Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey added their special enhancements to six songs playing guitars, organs, piano, tubular bells and vibraphone - subtly complementing the power of the two guitars/ bass/drums sound.
The Walkabout's frontman Chris Eckman also joined in and brought with him to the studio Terry Lee Hale, to appear together on the song Last Ride. Unexpectedly, Chris Eckman sang Dinko's lyrics to Ice And Pinewood Tress, and another spice was added to the mix.
Another voice that can be heard on the album is the one of Speedo Martinez, the singer of the fabulous Flaming Sideburns, Europe's premiere garage rock band.
Produced by an award-winning Croatian producer, Edi Cukeric and mastered by Ed Brooks (RFI/CD Mastering, Seattle, USA) the album, with its rich instrumental arrangements, makes a perfect mixture of sounds that will resound in their diversity and uniqueness.