The Reverb Syndicate is an almost exclusively instrumental "Spy-Fi" surf band from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who have been playing since 2006. Their music is of "soundtracks to 1960s spy films that don’t exist".[1] They toured England and Scotland in 2008[2] and again in 2012, and have played at the 2007 and 2010 Ottawa Bluesfest.[3][4] They have released four studio albums; Operation: Jet Set! (2006),[5]Sputnik A-Go-Go (2007),[6]Mondo Cacti (2011)[7] and Odyssey (2015).[8]
The band created and performed in a radio drama on the Canadian campus radio station CKCU in 2006,[9][10] and have had two interviews on CBC Radio One (Sep 21, 2006 [11] - and a 10-minute interview on Nov 21, 2007 [12]).
"The Reverb Syndicate is an Ottawa band that is taking on
sinister government plots using a series of high-tech gadgets, a
way with the ladies, and some seriously fast automotives. [They
sound like] a bunch of surfers jumped James Bond in an alley."
- CBC Radio One (Alan Neal)[11]
Bassist Jeff Welch has played with Suburban Pop Project and Fan Belt Seven.[1] Each band member plays a fictional spy character on stage:[5]
Mike Bradford (aka Agent Vic 20) – lead guitar, Theremin
Jeff Welch (aka Agent Ampeg) – bass
James Rossiter (aka Agent Sovtek) – rhythm guitar, keys
Mike Rifkin (aka X) - Drums (2006-2011)
Michael Sheridan (aka Felix Wainscotting) – drums
The band have also played shows across Canada and, on one occasion, as part of the line-up in a surf rock showcase in New York City.[13]