The Record Store Day Official List came out yesterday, and as much as I feel that Record Store Day is a great way to make record collecting a lot less fun, there ARE a number of surf-relevant releases this year. So if you're heading to the stores on April 16th, here are some things being released that day that you might be looking for.
Al Casey - Surfin' Hootenanny
This isn't the first time Sundazed has reissued this, though it's a little different this time. The biggest change is that this is the mono version, whereas the last one was stereo, green wax instead of red, the sundazed logo on the record has changed, and if this picture is to believed there's no white border around the album art. I'm actually pretty curious what the back side of this LP looks like, as the last one is covered in (thoughtful) Sundazed text telling you about the record.
If you're not familiar with this one, it's great. The title track is a lot of fun even though it's a vocal track, but it's extremely well produced by Lee Hazelwood with absolutely beautiful guitar sound. One of my favorite versions of "The Hearse", and "El Aguila (The Eagle)" is a classic.
The Tornadoes - Beyond the Surf
This is a best-of compilation that Sundazed has had on CD for a while that found its way to vinyl. I'm never a huge fan of "Best-Of" records if they've released an LP, but they've reissued some 7"s for past record store days as well. More classic stuff, "Bustin' Surfboards", "Shootin' Beavers", and "The Gremmie pt. 2" are all great. This is of course the California Tornadoes, not the British Tornados, so no "Telstar" here.
The Bel-Airs - Volcanic Action
Sundazed is really focusing on the classics this year. They've had this one on CD but it hasn't found its way to vinyl. LOVE the new album art on this, even if it might trick some people into thinking this isn't a Sundazed-made compilation. I'm curious how this one sounds as I thought their CD compilation from back in 2001 took a little bit of the energy out of the BelAirs. This isn't as complete as the 2001 CD as it only contains the tracks you see on the cover there.
The Challengers - Hot Rod Album
Now this is interesting! Sundazed is claiming this is a first issue of a "lost' Challengers album. A bunch of these tracks can be found on other Challengers records ("Out of LImits", "Penetration", "Satan's Theme") but it's still something I'm going to be considering.
Dave Myers and his Surftones - Gear/Let the Good Times Roll
I love Dave Myers' surf material and Gear is a killer example of what he's capable of. Frantic, dangerous, mysterious, absolutely golden surf stuff. I don't think I've heard "Let the Good Times Roll" so I'm not sure that it's an instrumental.
Sundazed made a little promo video for it too.
Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet - I Guess We Were a Fucking Surf Band After All
The hilarious title refers to their insistence on separating themselves from surf and how history hasn't respected those wishes. This is a complete anthology of their work: all 3 LPs PLUS an LP of 7"s, b-sides, rarities, etc. Unfortunately this is designated as a regional/limited focus release, so it might be pretty hard to track down.
Side note: I'm getting married on Record Store Day, so have fun without me!
