Corky Carroll And The Cool Water Casuals - Tan Punks On Boards

sethweintraub

Review by Seth Weintraub

Album Review: Tan Punks On Boards by Corky Carroll And The Cool Water Casuals Released in 1979, Tan Punks On Boards is one of those albums that feels like it was plucked straight outta a California beach bonfire and slapped onto vinyl. With its genre-bending mix of Folk, World, Country, and Rock—plus dashes of Punk, Psychedelic Rock, and Folk Rock—it's not your typical record. It’s messy, raw, and unapologetically weird, but somehow it works. The opening track, “Tan Punks On Boards,” kicks things off with a vibe that screams sunburnt surfers and DIY punk ethics. Chris Darrow’s vocals have this laid-back grit to them, while Max Buda’s harmonica wails like a lost soul trying to find its way back to shore. The electric guitar riffs are sharp enough to cut through the haze, yet there’s something undeniably groovy about the whole thing. You can almost picture Corky Carroll himself shredding waves as the music plays. This track sticks because it doesn’t try too hard—it just is. No frills, no overproduction, just pure energy. Then there’s “From Pizza Towers To Defeat,” which takes the album in a totally different direction. If the first song is all about carefree vibes, this one dives headfirst into storytelling with a psychedelic twist. Jerry Waller’s piano adds an eerie undertone, while the chorus (Cheryl Carroll, Debbie Melville, and Debbie Ringer) gives it a haunting layer of harmony. Lyrically, it’s cryptic but oddly compelling—you’re left wondering what pizza towers even are and why they lead to defeat. Is it a metaphor? A joke? Who knows, but damn if it ain’t catchy. What makes Tan Punks On Boards stand out isn’t just the music; it’s the people behind it. Chris Darrow wears multiple hats here—producer, guitarist, vocalist, and even typographer—which shows how hands-on everyone was. And let’s not forget Art Direction by Jerry Takigawa, whose cover art perfectly captures the quirky spirit of the album. The credits read like a family reunion, with contributions from folks like Paul Macri on bass and John Russell on drums. It’s clear this wasn’t just another project for them—it was personal. Listening to this album today feels like stumbling across an old photo album at a garage sale. It’s faded around the edges, sure, but each page tells a story worth remembering. Maybe that’s why Pacific Arts took a chance on it back in ’79. Or maybe they just liked how wild and untamed it sounded compared to everything else out there. So yeah, Tan Punks On Boards might not be perfect, but who wants perfection anyway? Sometimes, it’s the little imperfections—the wonky harmonies, the rough-around-the-edges production—that make something truly unforgettable. As I hit stop on my turntable, I couldn’t help but think: if this album were a person, it’d probably smell like saltwater and patchouli oil. And honestly? That’s kinda awesome.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: corky-carroll-and-the-cool-water-casuals-tan-punks-on-boards.zip
  • MP3 size: 14 mb
  • FLAC size: 94.8 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
From Pizza Towers To Defeat2:58
Tan Punks On Boards2:51

Video

Corky Carroll - From Pizza Towers to Defeat
Corky Carroll - Tan Punks on Boards

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Catalog Numbers

PAC45-103

Labels

Pacific Arts

Listen online

  • lytte på nettet
  • escuchar en línea
  • ouvir online
  • lyssna på nätet
  • ascolta in linea
  • écouter en ligne
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • online luisteren
  • online anhören

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 7"
  • 45 RPM
  • Single
  • Promo

Credits

RoleCredit
Art DirectionJerry Takigawa
BassPaul Macri
ChorusCheryl Carroll, Debbie Melville, Debbie Ringer
CoverCorky Carroll
DrumsJohn Russell
Electric GuitarChris Darrow
VocalsChris Darrow
EngineerCurt Lyon
HarmonicaMax Buda
ProducerChris Darrow, Denny Bruce
TypographyChris Darrow
OtherCorky Carroll
PianoJerry Waller

Notes

  • Promotional Copy
  • Not For Sale
  • Recorded At Lyon Recording Studio, Newport Beach
  • Specially thanks to Michael and Kathryn, Mr.Bonzai, Van Hoven.
  • P 1978 The Pacific Arts Corporation Inc.
  • Manufactured and distribuited by Paficic Arts Records & Tapes, a division of the Pacific Arts Corporations, Inc. P.O. Box 5547, Carmel, CA 93921
  • No part of this work may be reproducted in any form without the express and written consent of The Pacific Arts Coropration Inc.
  • Printed im U.S.A., all rights reserved.

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Etching Side A): PAC-45 103 A CP6
  • Matrix / Runout (Etching Side B): PAC-45 103 B CP6
  • Rights Society: ASCAP

About Corky Carroll And The Cool Water Casuals

Name Vars

  • Corky Carroll & The Cool Water Casuals

Members

  • Chris Darrow
  • Corky Carroll
  • John Russell

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: The album *Tan Punks On Boards* by Corky Carroll And The Cool Water Casuals is a wild mix of genres and styles, blending Folk, Punk, Psychedelic Rock, and Folk Rock. Released in 1979, it feels like a time capsule of experimental sounds from that era. What makes it even cooler? Chris Darrow, a key figure in the project, wasn’t just the producer and electric guitarist—he also handled vocals, typography, and even some of the other credits! Talk about a one-man powerhouse. Plus, the track *From Pizza Towers To Defeat* has one of the most intriguing song titles ever. Who wouldn’t want to know what that’s about?

Comments

anne531eure
anne531eure
2025-03-10
I know this song from Kottke doing it once on the radio, and "Ain't No Way" is just one of those David Lindley has set loose that this guy wrote. So, who is this Frizz Fuller dude?