WHERE THE SURF WAS NEVER UP

In 1972, the Beach Boys decided it would be a good idea to move to Holland, According to Steven Gaines' book Heroes and Villains, "it was the group's general consensus that a change, a move from LA, would be refreshing and creative.  In Holland, there was no traffic, less drugs, and a place where the most exciting entertainment was a choice of 'Flipper', 'Zorrol, or Rod McKuen on TV at night." Sounds OK to me.  Plus, they had a good show there once or something.

They began their manifest destiny to the lowlands that spring.  Including family, friends, servants & employees, around 38 people and 2 dogs relocated around Amsterdam.  They all rented and purchased houses and cars, and planned to build their own studio in a converted barn.  Brian even came, too, after three attempts at getting on a plane.

Right around here, their story stops being nice.  Attempts to build the studio - assembling a state-of-the-art recording studio in LA, dismantling it, and shipping it to Holland piece by piece - resulted in disaster, The delays in its eventual construction ruined their tour schedule, the profits from which were to pay for this whole incredible folly.  They got around to recording the Holland LP, which everybody pretty much hated (okay, except for "Sail On Sailor"), despite the fact that each member of the band thought he had contributed a small masterpiece to it.  Eight months after they left the LA smog behind, they packed their bags and headed back home.

I went to Holland in late April 1994 to participate in the Fast Forward Festival in Nijmegen.  From what I could tell, things had changed: there was lots and lots of traffic, and I couldn't find Rod McKuen on TV (but still no drugs, just like the book said).  I flew by myself and I had one piece of carry-on luggage.  I stayed at Fred Maessen's house, where he and Frans Hagenaars set up an abbreviated 16-track rig in the living room.  I made up some songs, selected a few cover songs, and somehow swindled a host of celebrities to join in the fun.  There I was, halfway across the world, taping songs in the living room with these famous people whose music I loved.  Who would have ever thought it possible?  Not me, that's for sure.

I think this bonus CD accurately reflects the backyard-barbecue feeling of these sessions (Chris Knox tells me he's now available to play trumpet solos at your next cookout), and I think it's as fun to listen to as it was to make it.  At least I sure hope it is, I think I had a much better time in Holland than the Beach Boys did.  Well, maybe except for Dennis ... in Amsterdam? definitely except for Dennis.

Hup Holland,
James McNew
Summer 1994