Purveyors of: Shifting between jangly pop to punk rock and back again without skipping a beat.

Much suspicion has been built around the legacy of the "Elbow Beach Surf Club" over the past few years. A growing number of conspiracy theorists believe it to be a deadly terrorist organization in cahoots with some of the world's most dangerous criminals. Defenders of the club maintain that it is simply a fun-loving musical entity with indie rock leanings. Matt Pilgrim looked to end all speculation once and for all by speaking to Brad of Elbow Beach. As it turns out, the answers only lend more fuel to the fire.

What is really going on inside the Elbow Beach Surf Club?

No comment.

Okay, I'll start off with some easier questions. How did you guys meet each other?

The band started out in the backyard of 127 grange st. This was the communal house that Burnt Oak Records was being formed in. There was a lot of different music happening and we were hosting regular PWYC basement shows. Lindsay (code name: L.Ro) met Kevin and they began writing country songs in the backyard. Within a few months Kirsten, Dave, and myself (Brad) joined the band. We played our first show in the basement at grange st. Kevin and Brad had played together in several terrible noisey bands. Dave (code name: Dougie) was a friend of ours who played drums in Tin, Prong Adaptor, and Spy Machine Sixteen.

Are there any steamy romances?

We've been dating this band called Green Go. we've gone out on a few dates so far, we call it the Green Beach Elbow Go Club.

What was the recording process for the EP like?

It was really quick. we recorded the drums/bass/guitars in one night, and spent the next two weeks finishing vocals/keys and saxophone. We recorded everything ourselves and printed the album. We're lucky enough to practice and record in this huge warehouse space by the eramosa river in Guelph. It's full of boats. perfect for the surf club.

Do you think living in Guelph shaped your sound?

It definately has. We're part of a really strong local music scene with a lot of different projects. People in our band are involved in helping with the everyday workings of Burnt Oak records, kazine (a Guelph zine), and Kazoo! A
bi-weekly all ages PWYC music series in Guelph. We're also constantly inspired and amazed by the great bands that come out of our small town, Households, Green Go, and Brides, to name just a few.

Are you taking it easy for a while or have you been writing new material?

We're actually getting ready to record another EP next week. We played a bunch of house shows in april and early may then spent the whole summer working out new songs. We will likely have a new EP by the time we play Wavelength if everything goes as planned. We're going to be playing small town Ontario throughout September and October.

Alright, those are all my easy questions. Could you please shed some light on the ongoings within your club?

No comment.

By Matthew Pilgrim