Kram : photo courtesy Quiksilver
Industry News
Quiksilver Launches Product-Line Based On Iconic Ramones
Originals In An Agreement With Global Merchandise Label Bravado
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 June, 2009 : - - Quiksilver, the world’s largest surf company, and one of Australia’s most recognised musicians, Kram, have teamed up to produce a cover of one of Punk Rock’s most recognised songs, the infamous 'Blitzkrieg Bop' as originally performed by the Ramones.
The collaboration is a continuation of a relationship that began earlier this year when Kram was invited to play at Quiksilver’s “Pro Show” music festival on the Gold Coast and co-host the hugely popular “Backstage with Hoy” segments that featured on quiksilverpro.com.au during the first event on the 2009 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour.
The Ramones, who are universally regarded as spearheading the punk music revolution of the 70s, chose “Blitzkrieg Bop” as their inaugural release and the song’s opening line, “Hey! Ho! Let's Go!” became an unforgettable chant that helped define a brand new era in Rock n’ Roll.
Kram’s rendition honours the fast-paced catchiness of the original and sees the talented musician spread his skills across all facets of the song – Kram plays drums, lead guitar, and bass guitar and belts out the vocals with the frenzied, no-fuss intensity all the original band members would be proud of.
The cover of “Blitzkrieg Bop” is supported by a film clip starring Kram, former world champion Aussie surfer Matt Hoy and other members of Quiksilver’s pro surf team. Filmed over two days on Victoria’s rugged South West coast, the clip was produced by Soup Kitchen films and has been described by director Toby Angwin as a hybrid blend of “Dog Town meets Mad Max”.
A Quiksilver/Ramones product-line, which includes t-shirts with artwork based on iconic Ramones originals has been produced in agreement with the Ramones’ global merchandise licensee, Bravado. The t-shirt product names are inspired by Ramones songs with tees called “Gabba Gabba Hey”, “Blitzkrieg” and “Rockaway”.
A pair of Quiksilver boardshorts featuring Ramones art is also being made available for sale, in black quick-dry fabric with white artwork.
Kram admits he was initially a little daunted when asked to cover “Blitzkrieg Bop”, but ultimately took to it with the enthusiasm and determination he possessed when recording his debut solo album MIX TAPE that soared into the mainstream with his first single “Silk Suits”.
“Blitzkrieg Bop is one of the best songs of all time so when the Quikkie guys asked me to do a cover of it, it was a little daunting because it was such a famous song, it’s like someone asking you to do a cover of Stairway to Heaven (LED Zeppelin) or Jailbreak (AC/DC)” explains Kram.
“So I just tried to do my own version. I did it really fast. I did it in one day. I got the next door neighbour’s kids to sing the back-up ‘Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!’. I just wanted to have that kids element to it. That’s one of the major elements about it. I was so stoked to be asked to do it.”
The parallels between the punk/anti-establishment ethos of bands like the Ramones and surf-brands like Quiksilver are strong. Established in 1969, literally a few short years before the Ramones inspirational first gigs went down at New York’s infamous rock-venue CBGB’s, one of Quiksilver’s earliest and most memorable advertisements resonated intensely with an emerging generation of surfing pioneers worldwide.
The print ad featured three leading surfers of the time wearing Quiksilver boardshorts, drinking beers and standing on an old car, and in bold black text was the unabashed proclamation: “If you can’t rock and roll, don’t f*cken come!” A second version of the ad appeared again nearly two decades later starring Quiksilver’s modern brigade of surf talent, more beer and another old car, but it screamed the same raucous message.
“I’ve been a long time fan of the Ramones. They’re a band that truly personifies rock and roll and their start signalled the beginning of the punk era,” explained Matt Hoy, who was one of the surfers who starred in that second ad, wearing a black leather jacket, unzipped to show off some of his many tattoos.
“Quiksilver’s motto when they started was all about subversive, alternative shit; taking a different path, doing what you loved and what you wanted to do, whether other people agreed or not. It’s a magical fit.”
Kram’s cover of “Blitzkrieg Bop” will be serviced to Australian media next Monday June 29 and is due for digital release through Universal Music on July 3. Kram will appear at a number of Quiksilver flagship stores in Sydney and Melbourne where he will perform “Blitzkrieg Bop” acoustically.
Saturday July 11 @ 3.00pm – Quiksilver, Shop 82-88, Manly Corso, Manly, NSW
Sunday July 12 @ 2.00pm - Surf, Dive & Ski, Bondi Beach, NSW
Friday July 17 @ 7.00pm – Jetty Surf, Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC
For behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Blitzkrieg Bop” film clip: click here
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www.kram.com.au
www.getmusic.com.au
www.quiksilver.com.au
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Steve Robertson
Industry - Surfersvillage
