We're rocketing towards the end of the year, which means lower chance of reviewing things while I start thinking about Gremmy Awards, but with so many great releases lately, I'd be remiss if I let some of them sneak by, so let's highlight a bunch of recent releases on bandcamp. And if you buy them today, the band gets bandcamp's cut of the purchase. You probably know the deal. Let's do it.
In no particular order.
Devils Teeth - Surf Punch Vol. 1
Restricting the stuff I cover to instrumentals is necessary to keep a reasonable scope, but sometimes there are bands that clearly have a penchant for surf despite the presence of vocals. Devil's Teeth have been hanging out on the periphery for ages and finally decided to jump in with an instrumental record, and it's great. A big dollop of sci-fi wildness and punk mentality comes into something with a unique identity and a whole lot of energy.
Mary Ann Hawkins - Waves Won't Lie / Rumble
One of my favorite groups out of Finland (there's a surprisingly large pool to choose from!) did some time-traveling, compiled and remastered their first two EPs and a few unreleased songs onto an LP. I had never gotten around to hearing these EPs, and sure enough they hold much of the unbridled energy and puffed-chest bravado of their Gremmy-winning first LP. If you've been sleeping on this band, fix that!
Phantom Lightkeeper - Four Days at the Precipice
Post-rock bands (Explosions in the Sky et al) sometimes demonstrate similar tonalities to surf music, but surprisingly these two largely instrumental forms of rock rarely meet. Phantom Lightkeeper smash them together almost forcefully, and the resulting heat from the friction is very compelling! While I feel like their craft is still coming together somewhat -- I think their best record is still ahead of them -- but they're unique enough to deserve your attention.
Los Incas Modernos - S/T
According to Munster Records' blurb about this reissue, this was the first LP released in Peru. I've been trying to find out whether they're missing a detail -- first rock band perhaps -- because that's just wild to me, especially considering legendary bands like Los Belking's, Los Shains, Los Destellos, and others would come out within five years of its 1963 release. And it's a surf album! Certainly not an Astronauts tone to it, a bit primitive, but I still find it quite enjoyable. I've had an ebay saved search on this for ages, but it also goes for a ton, so thrilled to see this reissued.
Spooksville Records
One of my favorite finds this Halloween was this throng of spooky 7"s put out by a recording studio in Champaign, IL. Or close to it. Sorry. I don't know who these guys are but man, do they do great lo-fi instrumentals that nail the retro sound. There's a few where they drop the spookiness (particularly under the Red Pendulums moniker), and they're great either way. Hopefully they keep this up!
Los Plantronics - ¡Maximum Mexican R'n'B!
Welcome back Los Plantronics, putting out their first LP in a smidge more than a decade. This group has always been a little confusing -- despite the album title and the "Los", they're from Norway, and I have no idea what Plantronics can be referencing other than the telecommunications company. As mystifying as these details are, their product has been consistent: high-gloss brass-backed rock & roll, usually with some Spaghetti Western flair. And that's the case here too. It's low on true surf, and there's a few vocal garage-rock rave-ups, but if you're familiar with this band's previous work (and they're worth familiarizing yourself), this should be familiar stuff. Big and fun as always.
The Tourmaliners - El Gato
I thought the Halloween Eve release date of this was inconsequential before I heard it, but the fourth LP (counting the Christmas one) from this high-powered San Diego band is actually a pretty spooky record! That's not to say they've shed their high-energy modern-traditional style, but most of these tracks are a bit darker if not overtly horror-coded with sound effects and the like. Even with the moodier approach, I can imagine some of these popping quite a bit for their electric live shows.
The Reverb Splashers - Attack of the Spring Reverb
Out of nowhere, this French band pops out with a great LP of straight-ahead surf music. Though their songwriting is a bit more modern, they've got a great traditional sound to them, and can really lock in and make you hold on tight. From a little poking around, it seems this band shares a guitarist with the considerably trashier Beach Moonsters.
The Currie Brothers - The Monsters of Surf
I think these guys are fantastic. They've been keeping things creepy for a bit now, and can absolutely thrash when they want to get savage -- which is a lot of this record. They sent me "The Crypt" before release and it was a total thrill ride, and I was happy to find that it was no outlier.
Thee Gasssed Caskets - Night at the Mausoleum
While there were a few nice singles and spooky-enough releases this Halloween season, these guys emerged from the darkness to bring us a true Halloween horror-surf record. This has a nice balance of garagey surf and spookiness comparable to The Ghastly Ones. Naturally, the credits on this album are a bunch of silly horror puns, and they sent me a bunch of fun stickers along with the album. I like them.
The Atomic Mosquitos - Blood Drive
Following a surprisingly similar release schedule to the aforementioned Los Plantronics, it's been far too long since this beloved group brought us an LP. And while you can't preview the tracks on bandcamp, I've heard the record and it's the same signature crashing roar and bits of sci-fi theremin we love 'em for. You can order the vinyl here
Doombox - XA
I don't expect them to be everybody's cuppa T, but Doombox smash surf, metal, and chiptune together to make frantic anthems that might be a bit too much for some. I suggest eating all of your Halloween candy at once and listening again.
And that's all I think I have time for since I want to get this out with some Bandcamp Friday left. Did I miss anything?
