the dynotones - gear grinder (beach party a-go-go)
manuel and the renegades - rev-up (45)
jim messina and his jesters - high voltage (the dragsters)
the surfites - thou shalt drag (big pounder)
the dragsters - dragster beach (stoked)
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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.
bang! mustang! - teahupoo stomp (the big twang theory)
c&c surf factory - takeshiesque (garage city)
Langhorns - in your fez (mission exotica)
the trabants - white fire (FREAKOUT)
link wray and the wraymen - the sweeper - 45
the breakers - jet stream (strummin mental volume four)
bo diddley - old smokey (bo diddley beach party)
freddie king - king-a-ling - 45
sandy nelson - Boot-leg (drums a go-go)
the astronauts - el aguila (the eel) (competition couope)
eddie angel - Rampage (7")
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 countrymen Los Plantronics?).
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. Worth checking out if you're into the spy sound!
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STORM SURGE OF REVERB
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Storm Surge of Reverb, like surf music in general, is a money-losing endeavor.