Post date: 09/19/2015 - 10:02
The Stingrays aren't hiding it: they're proudly heading straight for a trad 60's surf sound. They even named their album "The First Wave", which I assume to be a reference to that era as much as it is pointing out that it's their first release.
I haven't been able to find any previews directly from this album, but the videos and songs that they've posted are upbeat and energetic as a first wave band should be. You can get an idea from the soundcloud and videos below, or you could dive...Read more
Post date: 09/19/2015 - 09:03
Holy misdirection Batman! Not that I think all instrumental groups should religiously adhere to the agreed upon surf style guide, the cover of this album looks like it could be going for an vibe (and a lot of guitarist Jeffrey Bützer's...Read more
Post date: 09/17/2015 - 07:26
For us English speakers, I believe the band name translates to Thieves of Guitars. This is their debut album, and self-recorded, and the result is a pretty easy-going modern-trad surf record with some glimpses of spaghetti western. Give it a listen!Read more
Post date: 09/15/2015 - 07:56
Mom's I'd Like to Surf may hold the crown for goofiest surf band name, and seeing what might even be a on the cover can make you think "hooo boy, where's this going?". As it turns out, the goofy cover art is mostly just that; this is still comfortably within the surf realm. That's not to say it doesn't have some quirks to it. The singing on "Surf Blast Inferno...Read more
Post date: 09/08/2015 - 07:41
Surf is usually pretty analog, even in one-man home studio incarnations, so it's always a little strange to hear projects like this. While most tracks still have recognizable reverbed surf guitar, just about everything else is unabashed drum machine, electric keyboard, and synthesized sounds. And it's pretty fun! Definitely has a bedroom project feel, but still has a surf pace and surf song structures. Songs like "Todas las Olas" are really where this comes off strongest: a great surf...Read more
Post date: 09/04/2015 - 11:09
I was a fan of The Twang-o-Matics' Fretboard Mojo but they really let loose on their new LP Rock Havoc! The cover alone suggests a collision of surf sounds and spaghetti western, but there's also moments of the jungle, arab-esque themes, and it's hard to not think rockabilly with that stand-up bass sound. It's meaner, faster, angrier, and packs a bigger punch. Some of this might be from the stellar production (maybe they got some tips from their...Read more
Post date: 09/04/2015 - 07:37
Henchmen have it tough, so I appreciate that they found the time and space in their employer's lair to form a band and let off some steam. They've got a pretty dark twang going throughout that sets up a big vibe of mystery and evil. I mean I'm really buying this as a henchman sound, right down to the feeling of oppression - "Nikola Tesla Theme" even starts out with a bit of a march. The winner of the bunch to me is "Worthy Adversary" with its harsh buzzing and forboding trumpet buildup....Read more
Post date: 09/03/2015 - 07:42
Perhaps you can tell by the name, but Men from S.P.E.C.T.R.E are pointed in a global syndicate of evil direction than rather than southern California. If you didn't figure that out, then you need to watch Goldfinger. But what I really mean by that is you can expect plenty of organ with your guitars, and a swanky mod beat. Not so much John Barry, closest cousin I can think of is Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited. It's a sound I'd like to hear more of, and they pull it...Read more
Post date: 09/01/2015 - 07:49
We've got four songs of rough and raw surf here, all new tracks. As a live EP, the production quality takes off some of the crispy edge that was on their , but it's still fast and fun. I'm hoping we can hear some of these on an LP in the future
...Read more
Post date: 09/01/2015 - 07:41
Arizona's The Coconauts are back with their second LP. It's been a while since I last sat down with their album Get Coco-Naughty, but this one seems creepier and spacier. It's also a bit more focused as an album, with several interstitial bits to accentuate the creepy, spacey feel. Looks like the tracks from their EP I Drove My Car to Heaven found new version on this one as well. I've barely given this album a full listen, but standouts are...Read more
Post date: 09/01/2015 - 07:26
The Exotics have two LPs under their belt: 1996's Go Go Guitars and 2009's The Lost Room as well as a few EPs. A retrospective album like this works in a time sense at over 20 years, but it's still pretty easy to pick up the complete collection too. Their bandcamp says this has a few new and remixed tracks, but I haven't figured out which ones those are. I think that mystery will likely be solved with this gets its physical release on CD and vinyl...Read more
Post date: 09/01/2015 - 07:09
I've had this one for a few weeks now and have , but the latest Madeira release just became available to purchase from . The very quick version: it's another...Read more
Post date: 08/26/2015 - 17:21
From what I can tell this is the first release under the Surfaris name since 2005's Wipe Out (which seems to be a completely different version from the 60's version we all know). The lineup here includes original guitarist Bob Berryhill. Haven't been able to dig up information on any other members, but this doesn't include Jim Fuller.
This was recorded live at Hurley studios (as in the clothing line) with a track listing of a bunch of surf standards. Surprisingly, I think "Point Panic...Read more
Post date: 08/17/2015 - 08:25
Double Crown had been teasing a mystery EP in a few of their newsletters and I confess I had no clue. It turns out it was a new outfit with Sean Berry, Mr. Double Crown himself, in the lineup! He's joined by Jonny Browning of Jonny and the Shamen/MOAM and Hollis Pilling. It's a modest collection of songs, not terribly loud or aggressive, more quirky and creepy, but the MOAM lineage definitely comes through. Three of the tracks are originals, but I actually really like their take on the...Read more
Post date: 08/16/2015 - 08:15
The Turbosonics have been around for a while now and have a number of live recordings up on their bandcamp, but I believe this is their second full LP. While the heart of their sound is fuzzed-out, gritty and rockin', this LP is pretty well-rounded with the cool, slow number "Frozen Surf", and the total oddball "Meat Slicer from Outer Space" that had me checking that I wasn't still listening to the...Read more
Post date: 08/16/2015 - 08:00
Based on their facebook presence, Arizona's The Apaches haven't been around for too long, but they've got one EP to show for it. This EP has 4 originals, pretty straight-ahead surf perhaps with a bit of a lonely desert vibe.Read more
Post date: 08/16/2015 - 07:50
I still wasn't done enjoying Oskar Benas' solo release from this year (which apparently I never made a post about) but we've already got this release from his full combo. While surf typically puts you on the seashore, Oskar's music points me towards the jungle as its getting dark. It's creepy-crawly, strange...Read more
Post date: 08/11/2015 - 18:37
You gotta be careful looking for surf rock on Burger Records. They're home to an awful lot of the bands that are muddying up the term. You know, garage bands with a lot of reverb on the vocals, stuff derived from Wavves, Black Lips etc. And right from the first track one might think that's the case here, with summery girl-group-garage sing-a-long vocals, but I urge you to stay! The next track is "Swedish Fish", a rippin' surf instro with punchy, splashy percussion free of pretention and all...Read more
Post date: 08/11/2015 - 08:26
Wow! It's been 7 years since Atomic Mosquitos released their last LP Meltdown, and I've played that one an awful lot in the meantime. I was curious what Bug Music for Bug People was going to sound like. I seem to remember an email a long time ago where they told me that they weren't as happy with Meltdown as I was, and really what CAN you expect a band to sound like 7 years later?
Well, from what I've heard so far I'm pleased....Read more
Post date: 08/11/2015 - 07:30
When Os Brutus released , I concluded by saying I was looking forward to hearing more of them. I didn't have to wait long! Os Brutus have a great dirty tone to them but stay solidly within the surf realm. Some of the tracks from their EP have made it onto this one, but with a full album they get to breathe a little bit...Read more
