EPK (USK)

Urban Surf Kings

Contact: Michael Diabo surfkings@hotmail.com

Bio:

Canada’s East Coast instro-nuts, URBAN SURF KINGS, play surf music, 1960’s style. Think the beach blasts of Dick Dale, the leather jacket rumble of Link Wray, and the biker fuzz of B-movie heroes Davie Allan & the Arrows. It’s fun for the whole family!

The 24-year-old trio features Rev on surf guitar, Crash Flagg on surf bass, and Inky on traps. They are officially the longest running surf band in Canada!

URBAN SURF KINGS have 16 releases to date, including their June 2018 release, Astro Surf a-Go-Go, and have performed in Europe, the US, and the Caribbean.

All of their previous CDs & 45s have charted on campus/community radio across Canada, and the US.

With a fan base that extends around the world (including North & South America, Europe, Asia & Australia), Urban Surf Kings may be the busiest surf band in Canada.

“One of the best Surf Instrumental bands on the planet” Raucous Records UK

Select Awards & Nominations:
Music Nova Scotia Awards (2016) – nomination for Aboriginal Artist of the Year
Music Nova Scotia Awards (2015) – nomination for Aboriginal Artist of the Year
Music Nova Scotia Awards (2014) – nomination for Aboriginal Artist of the Year
Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards (2008) – nomination for Best Group or Duo, and Best Instrumental CD (Bang Howdy Partner)
Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards (2007) – nomination for best instrumental recording (Live)
Music Nova Scotia Awards (2006) – Award for best Aboriginal Group
Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards (2006) – nomination for best instrumental recording (Live)
Indian Summer Music Awards (2006) – nomination for best instrumental recording (Live)
Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (2004) – nomination for best instrumental recording (Surf vs. the Flying Saucers)
Genie Awards (1999) – nomination for best original score (Beefcake)
Atlantic Film Festival (1999) – award for best music composition

USK Releases:

Astro Surf a-Go-Go (2018, full length)
Livorno (2016, full length CD)
Play Along with Urban Surf Kings (2015, 4 song digital ep)
Penguin or Robot (2014, 4 song 7 inch)
Retro-Sonic (2010, full length CD)
Ski School (2009, 4 song 7 inch)
Bang Howdy Partner! (2008, full length CD)
Live in Hell (Nov 2005, OmOm, Italy, full length CD)
Snowman Rumble (2004, CDep)
Surf vs the Flying Saucers (2004, full length CD)
Get Instro-Mental! With the Urban Surf Kings (2000, full length CD)
Urban Surf Kings Play el Toro! & Other Favourites (1999, 4 song 7 inch)
The Man From S.U.R.F. (1997, CDep)
Surfin’ Santa (1996, cassette ep)
Looking Sharp (1996, cassette ep)

Compilations:

Three-Way Vol 2 (2018, Deep Eddy, USA, compilation CD)
Seasonal Favorites vol. 3 (2016, Double Crown Records, USA, compilation CD)
North Sea Surf Surf Radio’s Best of 2014 (2015, NSSR, Holland, compilation)
Seasonal Favorites vol. 2 (2007, Double Crown Records, USA, compilation CD)
Seasonal Favorites vol. 1 (2006, Double Crown Records, USA, compilation CD)
Wild Sazanami Beat vol 3 (2006, Sazanami, Japan, comp CD)
Beyond the Sea (2005, Cordelia Records, UK, comp CD)
NESMA Live (2005, USA)
Evil Fuzz: Davie Allan Tribute (2005, OmOm, Italy, tribute CD)
Hair (2004, OmOm, Italy, comp CD)
Charlie Does Surf: tribute to the Clash (2004, Rickshaw Records, USA, comp CD)
Lemme Take You to the Beach: Frank Zappa tribute (2004, Cordelia Records, UK, tribute CD)
Solid Gold Hits (2004, Double Crown Records, USA, comp CD)
The Continental Magazine #10 (2004, USA)
Locos Instrumentals! (2003, Isotonic Records, Mexico, compilation CD)
Jesus Christ Surferstar (2003, OmOm, Italy, compilation CD)
American Graffiti Revisited (2001, OmOm, Italy)
The Continental Magazine #9 (2001, USA)
Better Than an Average Weekend (2001, Deep Eddy Records, USA)
The Continental Magazine #8 (2000, USA)
Swivlin’ Wahine (2000, Scully Records, USA)
Up Periscope (1998, Stardust Music, Canada)
Loud Noise from the Valley (1997, Canada)

Select Film & TV:

Cloudburst (2011, full length film directed by Thom Fitzgerald)
Ridiculousness (2011, MTV series)
18 to Life (2011, CBC tv series)
Miss Barbara (2010, children’s DVD)
Teen Mom (2010, tv series)
Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory (2010, MTV series)
Stocked (2009, tv series)
Family Biz (2009, tv series)
Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story (2006, documentary, dir: Brian L Gillogly, feat narration by Jorja Fox)
The Teeth Beneath (2005, skateboard/horror flick)
Weird Sex and Snowshoes: a Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004, Directed by Jill Sharpe, Produced by Gabriela Schonbach, Omni Film Productions)
The Young Astronomer (2005, dir: Thom Fitzgerald, Emotion Pictures)
15/Love (2004/05/06, YTV tv series)
Making of the Snow Walker (2004, City TV documentary)
The Event (2003, dir: Thom Fitzgerald, Emotion Pictures)
This Boy (2002, dir: Amy Burke)
Powerski International Promo videos (2002)
Sickness and Health (2001, dir: Ben Wannamaker, extreme sports video)
Board Stories (2001, Hawaii, tv series)
Beefcake (1999, dir: Thom Fitzgerald, Emotion Pictures): won Atlantic Film Festival Award for best score, and nominated for 2000 Genie award for best Canadian score
and a bunch of other stuff continuing….

Select Festivals:

2108 SG101 Convention (SoCal, USA), 2015/2009 Surfer Joe Summer Festival (Livorno, Italy), 2010 Classic Yacht Week (Antigua), Guitar-Fest 1-10 (Hfx), Natal Day (Hfx), Halifax Pop Explosion (Hfx), Kite & Music Fest (Winnipeg). MARS (Amherst)

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