Exclusive Interview with Beach Boys Inspired "The Malibus"

.Phil Miglioratti, Pray For Surf, interviewed Matt Tyson of The Malibus 

===>Click album cover for Malibus CDs . . .
===>Click above photo for “The Malibus Now!” 

Phil ~Matt, I can't remember how I first found you guys on the internet ... How long have the Malibus been going and who are you guys? Matt ~ Well, the Malibus have probably been in the works for 40 years or so, since I first started trying to write songs as a teenager ... In 2004 I got the bug to just try and please myself and make a CD of songs that made me feel good and I liked to listen to. It was a very eclectic blend of all the styles of music that I enjoy. Overall it was heavier (70's & 80's) than the Malibus music, but it still has much BW influence (and some downright BB sounding songs). It was called “In A Cage” and actually still sells some on CDBaby. Anyway, the next year I decided to play to my strengths and try some anachronistic surf/hotrod tunes. Again, purely for my own enjoyment, not thinking there would be any market whatsoever for it. My original concept (which I had been mulling over for years) was doing a “Rutles” sort of thing with the Beach Boys. Where I would make the Malibus into some long lost band from the sixties, that was always one step behind the Beach Boys. Hence, making it a “band” rather than using my name. “My Car, My Board and You” was the first song written with that project in mind. I stumbled upon the Sound Click site and saw a “surf” genre and thought why not post the song and see if anyone notices (even though I figured the genre was more for surf instrumentals). Lo and behold, I actually heard from some people that liked the song and some even noticed the care taken in the (heavily Brian Wilson influenced) vocal arrangement! Since I had very rarely heard from a “fan” of my music (that wasn’t married to me or gave birth to me), I planned to try to post some more songs in this style that I love. Since I had been writing songs forever (in all styles), I did have a backlog of BB-like material to choose from. Many songs on the first CD (“Keep An Eye On The Malibus”) were originally written over the years. Most were re-written, re-arranged and generally honed a bit and sometimes bear almost no likeness to the original. But the genesis of them was at times thirty years old. Songs such as “Still I Wonder”, “Summertime” and “Sometimes I Need to Be Alone” are examples of songs written with the “Rutles” thing in mind. Which explains why it is easy to spot the influence of each song. “Keep an Eye On Gina” is the epitome of this idea, because the song was written totally as if it had been commissioned for a 60's sitcom that never made it to air. With that CD selling modestly and some buyers saying they were looking forward to more Malibus music, I went ahead with another CD. These songs were virtually all written in about six months so “The Malibus Now!” seemed like a good title. Not to mention being a take-off on my favorite BB album “Today!”. While releasing these two CDs, the last couple years has seen me doing a short-film score and releasing a concept CD as In A Cage. Not to mention a rock opera based on “Job” (of Bible fame) that I’ve been working on for years and years (still working on it)… So it’s not like I lack for musical things to do. But none has the impact, gratification and plain old fun of the Malibus. I like too many kinds of music (and I’m easily bored) to stay pigeon holed in one genre - but the Malibus are probably 95% of my musical identity and will remain so… To put it in perspective, I’ve got probably twenty new Malibus songs being worked on as we speak… ===>Click above cover for new releases and cover songs . . . Phil ~ What does this tell us about The Malibus?

Certainly obvious fans of Brian Wilson, The Malibus pay homage in their sun & fun and sometimes introspective songs. Though there are also nods to much 60's pop rock music, public opinion (expressed by many of their fans) has kept them close to the Beach Boys side of things so far.

Matt ~I would say that virtually any music I write has a Brian Wilson influence - his songwriting, arranging and production are that ingrained in me! Whether it’s harder rock, prog-rock, bubblegum or classical - somewhere buried in it is going to be Brian. So in the case of the Malibus, everything I do is a blatant homage to BW. Beyond that, many of those types of “blurbs” (like the quote you have here) are done in a tongue-in-cheek, humorous sort of way. For me, there’s no escaping the “Beach Boys side of things”... “Expressed by many of their fans” will tell you that I take criticism, reviews and comments to heart and really try to give my 10's of fans what they’d like to hear. “...much of sixties pop/rock” simply implies my love for a lot of 60's music and all my favorite music gets rolled in together in the Malibus. Raiders, Turtles, Monkees, Beatles… you get the idea. Phil ~ When I listen to your tunes, it gives me hope that Brian Wilson/Beach Boy styled/sounding songs will long continue to inspire new generations of songwriters and singers ... Matt ~That’s great!! I’m totally flattered that my music could help give you that particular feeling. And I do definitely agree with you - not about my music, but that BW/BBs will always inspire new artists and listeners. I have been amazed the last few years in finding out there are so many people making this sort of music and many more listening to it! Why?... I don’t think it can help but inspire people. His/their music is just so good and lovingly created, it shines through. I think their influence on actual music is as big as the Beatles - people just don’t realize it. I’m not talking lyrical, cultural, political, fashion influence here - but the music and arranging... not to mention production! Phil ~ Matt, what are some of the Beach Boys songs from each period of their career that inspire or influence you? Matt ~ Surf & Street & School ... There’s so many, but I’d say the “Little Deuce Coupe” album was huge for me. It seemed every song was pretty strong and could have been a single. Though I’d have to stay with “I Get Around” as maybe the single biggest influence on me. To me, it’s THE perfect pop record. In about two minutes Brian manages so many hooks, twists and goodtime feelings. The epitome of Brian’s best stuff - seemingly simple and easy to get into, but so intricate under the surface that I still get more from it even 40 some years later. I could go on and on about LDC and “I Get Around” but I guess I should save it for a blog sometime… Middle Period ... As I said “Today!” is my favorite BB album followed ever so closely by PS. I love the marriage of the early BBs with the coming watershed. The idea of sharing lead vocals (Brian and Mike) was taken to the limit here, with both turning in great performances. A couple filler tracks but I never get tired of listening to this album. The best compliment I can pay a song, is when it makes me want to write something like it and this album is full of those. Let’s say “Dance, Dance, Dance”, “Good To My Baby”, “Please Let Me Wonder” and “She Knows Me Too Well”… but it’s literally the whole album. Pet Sounds ... Totally amazing when I think how old BW was when he did this! No one was doing stuff like this then (not even close) and I’m not sure anyone has yet. The combination of rock, orchestral and unbelievable vocal arrangements is breathtaking. It’s hard to single out tracks - but if pressed I’d mention “That’s Not Me”, “I Wasn’t Made For These Times”, “God Only Knows” and “Caroline No” that I wish I could come within a mile of writing/recording. Plus I definitely picked up on the “wearing your heart on your sleeve” type songwriting he was doing in the mid-sixties. SMiLE ... from “Today!” through "Good Vibrations" I believe no one was in Brian’s league! He was pushing new boundaries with no pretense. Other huge influences on me personally would be “Our Prayer”, “Heroes & Villains” and “Cabinessence”. Seeing the SMiLE DVD was an eye-opener, to really get an idea of all the elements that were going into those songs - I watch it over and over. Late 60's and beyond ... Sunflower for me is probably the most under-rated Beach Boy album. Great songs, great production and great performances. Personal favorites are “Forever” and “This Whole World”. Phil ~ Many Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fans remark how their music has a spiritual dimension to it. Does it make a spiritual connection for you? Matt ~ Yes. I think it has to do with the fact that most of the music comes from the heart. There is honesty and truth to it. I believe it IS soul music. Brian (and the BBs in general) took some criticism in their heyday for being “angelic” and “vanilla”, but I feel their music had more soul than a lot of “soul music” (then and now). This is kind of a sore point for me, because it seems that if you don’t have that “James Brown” quality in your voice then you don’t have soul! With songs like “In My Room”, “You Still Believe in Me”, Please Let Me Wonder” or “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” (to name just a few) there is as much soul as any James Brown or Wilson Pickett song. Just because you don’t sound like you’re passing a kidney stone on every word… oops, probably a little off topic from what you meant… I guess it’s that child-like quality - pure and honest, a bit naïve in lyrics - simple yet complicated in music. Spiritual and soulful. Really music in general, in its purest form, is a spiritual thing to me - the older I get the more I feel that! Phil ~ Introduce The Malibus to someone who has not heard you yet -- Matt ~ The Malibus catch-phrase is “Keeping surf/hotrod music alive”… but it’s really all that sixties music, especially the huge vocal arrangements. There’s a lot of surf instrumentals out there but not as much of the vocal style. I’m also into a lot of other music and all those influences come to the Malibus music. Some may border on parody but hopefully there’s a little new brought to the genre too. The song “MCMLXV” will certainly let you know some of my influences… I’d also add that lyrics are very important to me. I sweat over words, whether it’s “Go Little Malibu” or “Sometimes I Need To Be Alone.” So hopefully there’s something to find lyrically too. If I had to give a few samples to a new listener;

• ”My Car, My Board and You” - again kinda tongue-in-cheek humor, but the vocal arrangement is pretty cool and I like breaking the genre down to its essence… A verse devoted each to cars, surfin’ and girls.
• ”You Know What I Mean” - power pop, with a chord structure that changes key every other line but doesn’t sound like it. Lotsa vocals (as usual).
• ”The Calm Song” and the Malibus version of “Let Him Run Wild” - I’m always searching for a way to add all kinds of vocals to a song (and sometimes I probably go to far) but these two are pretty dense but actually seem to work. If you like a lot of overlapping harmonies, check ‘em out.
• ”A Little More Love” - shows a different side of the Malibus, more of an ELO sort of arrangement. And a nice message in the lyrics.
• For those purely interested in surf/hotrod, check out “Surf’s Up, “Ride With Me”, “Tell the Teacher I‘m Surfin”, “Go Little Malibu”, “New Girl in the Neighborhood”, “Til Summer Comes Again” or “Fun When the Weekend Comes”. My idea of The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean to the max.

Phil ~ Matt, thanks for taking time to talk. Share with us your future hopes for The Malibus ... Matt ~Making lotsa money… Seriously, just to keep making this sort of music that hardly anyone does anymore. I really enjoy the idea of making good-time music that hopefully has a positive impact on people. I will never stop making music, but it is nice to have a few people hear it and actually look forward to the next song or album. It’s so cool to get to “meet” some of the listeners through the internet and get a feel for what they like. One listener (Tim Kleier) actually sent me some “surf” lyrics that will make it to the next Malibus CD - the first one (“Just Can’t Reach the Beach”) has already been released as the latest Malibus single! I will continue to sprinkle in some of the more ambient type stuff like “The Unexpected” or “Cold Christmas Eve” - I like the marriage of ambient music and BW vocal arrangements. I like the idea of blending different genres in with Malibus music. Though Surf and power pop will always be the main Malibus vehicle. I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to Johnny Proctor and Claude Bouchard. Johnny was the guy who initially heard something in “My Car, My Board and You” and has been a great supporter and inspiration to the Malibus ever since (not to mention that he’s a great artist in his own right). Claude has been a die-hard supporter too and devotes much of his Soundclick and Myspace pages to the Malibus - it really means a lot! I know there’s a lot of Beach Boy and Jan & Dean fans out there that might get into the Malibus if they ever hear it. So I would love to reach a wider audience and things like this interview will surely help. Thanks Phil. It’s been fun and a real treat to do this. >> 100+ rare Beach Boys videos @ http://uk.youtube.com/BB45s >> Type keywords in the Search box above >> Visit http://www.PrayForSurf.net for more "stuff"