Magnatech is a solo project from John Verhoef that jumped out mid-pandemic with a steady stream of releases that now totals seven LPs five years on. Each release saw noticeable tweaks and tips learned along the way until he'd worked out a pretty signature sound. Perhaps in fear of painting himself into a corner, for 312 Magnatech Fans Can't Be Wrong, there's a bit of a reset on that sound, pulling the plug from the compressor in the signal chain, for a less in-your-face sound...Read more
Reviews
Post date: 07/18/2025 - 13:50
One of the coolest things about the Surfguitar101 Festival is the burst of new releases occurring in advance of a band's appearance. For instance we've got fun LPs from The NovaRays, The Bloat...Read more
Post date: 06/28/2025 - 09:17
This blog has a pretty strict instrumental focus, so I'm bending the rules a bit to review the new Untamed Youth, as it only has four instrumentals. But they're such a legendary group that is essential to the story of surf revival, and it would be a shame to leave it off.
OK that's not really why. I want to focus on these instrumentals, as they're pretty excellent.
Alright, that's not really it either. I mostly just want to write about one song.
When...Read more
Post date: 06/27/2025 - 16:09
This band has been around for way too long for this to be their first LP, with EPs dating back to 20 years ago. While admittedly I'd never heard of them so I woudln't call this "long-awaited", it was certainly worth the not-wait. Very punchy, busy sound that can be just as much euro-instro or twistin'-oriented as surf but satisfyingly true to vintage sensibilities. A number of tracks feature a bit of a spaghetti-western gallop to them, though never quite slowing...Read more
Post date: 05/02/2025 - 10:34
I haven't done one of these for a while, but there have been a number of records I've wanted to make sure people heard lately, so now's a great time for a slew of mini-reviews! I'm going to try to limit myself to ~5 sentences per band, partially because I want to actually publish this on Bandcamp Friday, and also because I miss writing reviews in little nuggets like that.
Oh wait, what is Bandcamp Friday? It's a day (today) when Bandcamp doesn't take a cut of what...Read more
Post date: 04/30/2025 - 13:52
Frankie and the Pool Boys' first record was kind of a kitchen-sink record, with Ferenc Dobronyi on guitar, Jeff Turner on bass, Dusty Watson on drums, and a bunch of friends on the other guitars and additional whatever. Then they became a real band with an established lineup for two great LPs. And now we've got back to the start with Endless Drummer, a Poolboys record with a different drummer on every track, not to mention a bunch of other friends joining in.
And this...Read more
Post date: 04/20/2025 - 19:53
Things have been relatively quiet for one of the loudest groups in surf. While Arno has snuck in a few small EPs, it's been 4 years since the last entry in the Retrofuturisme series/their last LP. But I'd say the extra time has paid off.
For the uninitiated, ADC&TCW play apocalyptically loud surf that may owe as much to groups like Hot Snakes or Refused* than your typical surf fare, though Arno's CV with bands like Stef&Arno and The Irradiates demonstrate plenty of knowledge...Read more
Post date: 04/11/2025 - 14:22
The only artist on Bandcamp for whom I've clicked the "Buy digital discography" button is not a surf artist, but Estonian composer/producer/whatever Misha Panfilov. When I first came across his work it was mostly raw funk with a spacey element to it, and I've since appreciated his meanderings into jazz, ambient, and warbly synths. I almost always enjoy it, usually love it. One of his projects is Penza Penza, whose first album is some of the noisiest, stripped-down primal funk I've heard....Read more
Post date: 04/10/2025 - 14:26
Earlier this year, entire neighborhoods of the Los Angeles area were burned down from wildfires. You know this, I have nothing particularly insightful to add to this, but I am from a very disaster-prone area (New Orleans) and I can relate. There's a lot going on in the world and particularly the US right now, and it feels like the news has moved on to more recent matters. One thing I know from previous hurricanes, oil spills, etc. that I've seen, is that gestures of care and attempts to help...Read more
Post date: 12/12/2024 - 07:16
BASK IN THE GLORY OF SURF MUSIC!
This is an annual attempt to list everything that could reasonably be called surf music within this year. It's never perfect for many reasons, but it's always a very nice way to demonstrate that surf music is very much alive and well. Last year I had this as a list that was viewable throughout the year, I meant to do that this year but here we are in December!
There are a few notes and rules:
- I don't include ...Read more
Post date: 10/04/2024 - 09:11
It's been a thrill watching the trajectory of The Surfrajettes. Surprise youtube viral hit, then touring surf conventions, a few 7"s on Hi-Tide, and then a really fun debut LP. That was when I last wrote about them, and I felt that all the statements they needed to make were made, nothing left to prove. But I'm used to writing about bands that live in the surf realm. The Surfrajettes are one of the few legit instrumental surf groups that have managed to move beyond that, going on tours...Read more
Post date: 10/03/2024 - 14:38
I don't think The Rumtones are out here trying to rewrite what Surf is. They're here to play loud, put on a good show, provide some music that will make you feel amped. It works, and if everybody tried to do things differently in surf, there wouldn't be enough of this stuff to enjoy. So I forgive them for the questionable move of having a self-titled record in 2024 when they already had one in 2022. I don't mind that there's a few songs on both records. They're rerecorded and sound better on...Read more
Post date: 10/03/2024 - 13:36
Pekka Laine's previous LP The Enchanted Guitar of Pekka Laine is a can't-miss record. The thick layers of reverb and dreamy melodies make for one of the most engrossing listening experiences I've heard in (or at least very nearby to) this genre. The only real complaint I had was that there simply wasn't enough of it. And now there's more.
...Read more
Post date: 07/18/2024 - 07:39
From the moment they started playing shows there's been buzz in the surf world about The Scimitars, who blend surf and middle eastern music, often with the visual accompaniment of a belly dancer. There's enough reason to be excited just about the surf side of things, as Ran Mosessco's music with the Astroglides and The Sand Devils are great, and Jonpaul Balak on bass is always a big plus. They've been patient letting this sound and these songs develop, with only a single 7" released last...Read more
Post date: 07/11/2024 - 15:59
Sundazed has really been leaning into surf recently, with last year's Chantays - A Dawning Sun, Surfin' the Great Lakes compilation, and The Vaqueros' 80 foot Wave. All three...Read more
Post date: 06/28/2024 - 09:43
For a band with a decidedly unserious name, The Babalooneys' craft is no joke. While there's been recent hype building up with two great Hi-Tide 7"s and a strong (I hear) Surfer Joe 2023 appearance, I had admittedly forgotten about an EP from them way back in 2012. That's a long time to wait before putting out an LP! Well, I'd say it was enough -- what we have on our hands is a true gem of the genre.
"Sittin' on the Line" is a great choice for a first...Read more
Post date: 06/11/2024 - 14:52
Pointbreak didn't come out of nowhere, though I have to admit that I'm scratching my head trying to think of other Irish surf groups. But what I mean is they've had about 13 songs spread between 3 EPs since 2017 (with impeccable graphic design I might add!), before dropping this 11-song LP on us. Ming Dynamite is a record that feels like the band has taken their time to find their sound, and they're ready to present it, even if they're not sure you're ready.
...Read more
Post date: 05/31/2024 - 14:46
Not to be a brat, but when I got an email about another Messer Chups record, my reaction was "oh ok, sure"
There's just a lot of Messer Chups. I think my digital collection spans 17 releases. And I can't really blame them, I once watched a guy walk up to their merch table and buy one of each album, which is when I realized that having a big back catalog helps you make more money! But aside from one record with...Read more
Post date: 05/29/2024 - 15:30
While the recent Nebulas LP was close, I think the most anticipated surf comeback LP of 2024 is from Swedish trio Langhorns, who released a trilogy of LPs between 1998 and 2002. It's hard to choose a winner among these three LPs, with an impeccable sound, a mastery of mood and toughness, and versatility. Mission Exotica in particular showed a wide range of instrumentation, and some of the genre-pushing sensibilities shared by groups such as Phantom Four.
And then...Read more
Post date: 05/03/2024 - 07:39
It's May and not only have I not finished the Gremmy awards, but I've barely written anything about the slew of remarkable surf releases. So since it's Bandcamp Friday, which is when Bandcamp doesn't take a cut of sales, let me tear through them and give each of these fewer words than they deserve.
Apparently there won't be another Bandcamp Friday until September! So I guess I better get back to just reviewing stuff normally. I've wanted to do that anyway.
...Read more
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