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The Reverb Syndicate

Scene & Heard, 28 Feb & 3 Mar 2007.

By Will McGuirk

Part 1

Those of us here at the Scene N Heard don't like the secrets but for reasons of journalistic integrity and to ensure access to greater secrets we.. well we keep them.... oh my children there is so much more to know...

However every now and then some information is declassified which brings us to The Reverb Syndicate. Entrenched in the shadows of the Parliment Buildings this secretive organisation is privy to all sorts of governmental shenanigans. They spread the word in brief epistles they call songs in an envelope they call surf... this is what we have been told...

So you'd like to learn a bit more about the shady background of The Fixer. Sadly, there's not a lot that hasn't been declared "classified" by the Syndicate for reasons of organizational security (and because of a messy cocaine scandal from the mid-80s). But here's what the Commodore has allowed us to release:

Most of The Fixer's career in espionage has been spent as a freelance situational resolution expert. While his loyalty to the Syndicate has never been in question, there are rumours within the organization that some of The Fixer's past associations have blurred the lines between what we would traditionally identify as "good" and "evil." The Fixer assures us, however, that all of his endevaours have been carried out in the name of bringing a little funkiness to a world that is sorely lacking it. Many conspiracy theorists and investiagative journalists have tried to link the rumours of The Fixer's time in Oshawa with the city's roots as a centre for spy activity, but this is just a coincidence. Long before he entered the world of espionage, The Fixer fled Oshawa under dubious circumstances in search of a place to lay low and share his progressive rhythms with likeminded invididuals.

We can also confirm The Fixer's involvement with another organization, a folk-rock combo called Mile Over Mecca. They've just put out an EP called Where Have All The Anarchists Gone? M.O.M. will be down in the GTA at the end of May for a few shows.
Hope this helps with your investigation.

Part 2

Further to our conversation with the Reverb Syndicate:

Mike is from Oshawa, home of spy camp CampX and James Bond and Ian Fleming... is there a connection?
Our leader and benefactor Commodore 64 was responsible for recruiting all the members of the Reverb Syndicate. However, it has been long rumored that the Commodore was an influential figure in the creation of Camp X. Only the Commodore knows whether or not this was a factor in his recruitment of Mike (The Fixer) into the Syndicate.

What turned you onto the suave surf?
The desire to fight musical mediocrity and return life to an era when things seemed a little simpler. Watch the movie Our Man Flint. Even when the world is on the line, James Coburn never looks like he's sweating it. Spy-fi surf music is the natural progression of that attitude. I defy any Emo band to try and pull off that much style. Our guitar heroes Victor Tremolo and Casanova Red come pretty close though.

Surf is quite popular among the alternative crowd, any thoughts as to why the deviants of society are drawn to the surf?
I'm not sure its so much a voyage into deviance as it is a collective of those with good taste.

The roots of surf run deep in Canada... are there any bands you admire (Shadowy Men etc)
I think it safe to say we are fans of Atomic 7, Shadowy Men, Huevos Rancheros and even the classic Canadian rock and roll combo The Esquires.

And it seemed only fair to ask the swingers how to host the best party!

How much alcohol is enough for a party?
Enough so that you know how awkward you look dancing but also enough so that you are too drunk to care. Sounds a lot like the crowd at our live shows...

Should guests be allowed to smoke?
Smoke em if you got em...just not too close to anyone who doesn't dig what you are doing.

Is valet parking a necessity?
Only if you can't park the car yourself, and if thats the case....

The Reverb Syndicate play the Velvet Elvis Mar. 2.