HomeInterviewsAsbury Surf Music Interview: Atomic Mosquitos

Asbury Surf Music Interview: Atomic Mosquitos

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We’re proud to be one of the sponsors of the second annual Asbury Park Surf Music Festival. The fest will be taking place on Saturday July 11th at the world famous Asbury Lanes in, you guessed it, Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Being a sponsor for a show like this allows us to run into bands we’d never have the opportunity to listen to before. The Atomic Mosquitos for example are one of these bands. The masked men of surf are based out of Mid-Atlantic/DC Metro area and have been purveying surf rock for 14 years. Recently we caught up with the guys to talk about their upcoming performance at the Asbury Park Surf Music Festival.

The Atomic Mosquitos Are (Members & Instruments They Play): Paul Carson – Guitar, Joe Marencic – Guitar, Sean Rush – Bass, Craig Stang – Drums, Stephen Blickestaff – Theremin

We Formed In: 2001

We’re Based Out Of: The Virginia/Maryland/DC area.

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The Story Behind Our Name: We wanted the name The Mosquitos so we could be like that band on Gilligan’s Island, but it was already too commonly used, so we added Atomic. And it was cooler that way anyway.

Our Sound Has Been Likened To: Dick Dale, The Ventures and Link Wray in a blender hurling through outer space.

Can you talk about the inspiration to wear the masks you do on stage – because they are really awesome?

It started as a special Halloween show gimmick and we just started doing it at some other shows.

What do you love about being in The Atomic Mosquitos?

We get to travel to different places, like Asbury Park for example!

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There’s an endless sea of surf bands, and bands influenced by the surf sound — what separates you guys from everyone else?

I guess the theremin and our song writing. Our influences come from many different places.

You’ll be performing at The Asbury Surf Music Festival this year — what drew you to perform at the fest?

The photos from last year looked really cool! Plus, any chance we get to play with our friends the Coffin Daggers is great!

What is it about surf music that inspired you to form a band and play this type of music?

I’ve always been drawn to instrumental music of all types, from Surf and the Ventures and Link Wray to Ennio Morricone, Herb Alpert, Henry Mancini, John Barry etc.

What is the ultimate surf rock anthem of all-time, and why?

There are so many, but I would say the first surf song I (and most people) probably ever heard – ‘Pipeline’ by the Chantays

What is your ultimate go-to surf-inspired/beachy style drink (e.g. Mai-Tai, Zombie, Margarita, a specific beer, etc.)?

Yes!

What are you most excited about for the band for the rest of 2015?

Easy. We have brand new record coming out very soon that we’re very excited about, we hope everyone likes it as much as we do!

The Atomic Mosquitos perform this Saturday at The Asbury Park Surf Music Festival. Their set begins at 5:30pm.

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Bill Bodkin
Bill Bodkinhttps://thepopbreak.com
Bill Bodkin is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Pop Break, and most importantly a husband, and father. Ol' Graybeard writes way too much about wrestling, jam bands, Asbury Park music, HBO shows, and can often be seen under his season DJ alias, DJ Father Christmas. He is the co-host of the Socially Distanced Podcast (w/Al Mannarino) which drops weekly on Apple, Google, Anchor & Spotify. He is the co-host of the monthly podcasts -- Anchored in Asbury, TV Break and Bill vs. The MCU.
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