One of my favorites.
@SammyA, I think the commonality is stylized Spanish music, especially the experience of facing destiny – the bull. I am aware that For a Few Dollars More (the only DVD of the trilogy I did not buy) was released in 1964. I have to believe Mexican music, especially in CA, added some seasoning to tunes like Pipeline.
EDIT: My mistake. I own For a Few Dollars More (1965), not For a Fistfull of Dollars (1964). I transpose those titles sometimes.
Look up Man or Astro-man. Might help with your research: http://astroman.com/ From Wiki: “Man or Astro-man? is a surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama, in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade. Primarily instrumental”
I heard/saw Junior perform his surf tunes live in the middle of nowhere KY.
Well, as I already said, Spanish music has a ton of Arabic influence. So both genres have some roots in both Arbaic and Spanish music.
If you like Morricone and similar things, check Wall of Voodoo’s track called The Morricone themes. A cool, modern take on that stuff.
I don’t know but when I think of “surf music” I think of the music we listened to at the end of the day sitting around after dinner listening to relatives/friends play slack key and hawaiian music. I’m sure Duke, Sargeant, Paul Strauch, Doc P, John Kelly, George Downing, Blue, Scooter Boy, Rabbit, Jammer, Moe Keale, Sammy Steamboat, Chick Daniels, Woody Brown etc etc were playing and singing with a belly full of food and and beer in their hands at sunset. To me Hawaiian slack key is the ultimate surf music sitting in front of a bonfire on the beach, that music always hits the spot after a great day surfing. You don’t usually feel all “amped” up after a hard day of surfing and if so, you probably were dancing with some wahine you were trying to pickup for the evening. Which was the typical off hours pursuit of every waikiki beach boy who wasn’t or maybe was married.
As far as complex scales, I would rather listen to Django and his french hot jazz style, or some spanish/gypsy flamenco, or brazilian bossa nova, or the classic jazz style full chord progressions, Hell Zappa had some of the most complex scales and chording one could play, but whether I’d call that music I don’t know. And then you have someone like Hendrix or Santana who could squeeze more out of a single bent string than anyone I ever listened to back then.
To me what is typically termed as “surf music” in popular circles is music that used surfing as a way to find way to label what they were trying to sell to the general public. Kind of like how the whole surfing thing got marketed to the general public from an occupation(beach boy) or form of recreation to something to be considered “cool”. Its that concept of “cool” and “surf music” that I think created the genre.
If you hear what the new school and beyond have been listening to, it’d be hard to consider what’s playing in Gabriel’s headphone as “surf music”, but that’s what all the surfer’s are listening to nowadays.
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Dave Gonzales and Stevie Ray, blood infused with the same Texas Rockabilly Blues DNA
cool thread, diggin on the tunes, many new to me
the roots of surf music are embedded in R & B. The shuffle in Bill Doggett’s “Slow Walk” was heavily echoed a decade later by the 60’s surf bands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1EIGDzA7oM
the core of surf music comes from a Fender being stung during the shuffle, and stung well
chasing that reverb down the hall
what seperates surf music from beach music…
Surf music is alive and well.
a short list of 2014 surf music releases…
LPs (which I’m defining as 6 or more songs)
Bang! Mustang! - Surfin’ NSA
Barbacoa - Italian Medallion
Captain Ahab & the Sea Crackens - Jurmungandr
Condor Gruppe - Latituds Del Cavall
Cosmic Monster - Cosmic Monster
Die Krabben - Welcome to Surf Trash Island
Durango 14 - Vol. 2
El Ray - The Evil Mermaid
Forever Surf - Storm Warning
Hikury Beach - Soy El Diablo
Huaraches - Steal Second
Johnny Carbonaras - Johnny Carbonaras
Legato Vipers - LV
Los Wet Guitars - Keep Surfin’
Los Winston Lobo - The Man Who Surfed the World
Los Yetis con Jeans - Los Cuates del Ritmo
Molokai - Rack Attack 2.0
Phonocaptors - Danse Macabre
Pistolrays - Corona del Mar
Slingshot Dragster - Bite the Bullet
The Dead Rocks - Surf Explosao
Surf Zombies - It’s a… Thing!
Surf’s Up Spicoli - Surf’s Up Spicoli
The 427’s - Surf Noir
The Abominable Showmen - The Abominable Showmen
The Charades - All Around the World With
The Concussions - Break up With
The Del-Vipers - Terror of the Del-Vipers
The Derangers - The Legend of Daphne Blue
The Evanstones - There Are No Words
The Irradiates - Revenge of the Plants
The Krontjong Devils - Action!
THe Phantom Four - Mandira
The Protons - Out of Phase
The Radtones - Rad Times in Sun City
The Shockwave - Contact from Space
The Tiki Creeps - Invaders frmo Beyond the Sound of Surf
Tuareg - Go! Go! Surf
Watang! - Miss Wong
Marshall and the Martins - The Purple Thing
Marshall and the Martins - Boston Beans
Urban Surf Kings - Penguin or Robot?
The Del Rios - The Del Rios Ride!
The Terrorsaurs - Schlock Singles
Disco Picante - Disco Picante
Surflamingo - Creatures from the Deep
The Revomatics - Live at Lukcky Joe’s Tiki Room
Los Straitjackets - Play Instrumental Favorites
Los Cuchillos - Isla Macabro!
AmpFibians - The Surf Guitar Hear 'Round the World
Viernes de Hongos - Puedes o no Puedes
Slobodan Experiment - Electric Surf School
Los Cojones - Los Cojones
RPS Surfers - Danger Beach
Els A-Phonics - With Friends
The Men in Gray Suits - LIVE volume 1
13th Magic Skull - Sungazing in Rapa Nui
Jimmy Strings - Instro Hits
Tsunami Experiment - Ones and Zeros
Wavesauce - Stop Go
Freckles - Freckles
Surfin’ Jack Flash
Cutback - Surfer’ Journey
Dirty Fuse - Last Wave
The Men from… BEYOND!! - Deep Tide
The Madeira - Sonic Cataclysm
The Kilaueas - Waki Waki Woo
The Pyronauts - Live in San Francisco
Danny Amis and the Twin Tones - Super Spy Western Tones
Plato Zorba - Plato Zorba
Crazy Aces - Surfadelic Spy-a-Go-Go
Moonbase - Creation Myths
Trivalve - The Leona Sessions
Los Astascados - Sensacional de Tablistas
Los Cowabungas - Queremos Surf
Big Mick and The Curl - High Plains Surfer
EPs (up to 5 songs)
Aaron & the Burrs - Release the Bats
Audios Amigos - 432 hurtz
Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion - Caught Dead EP
Blairracuda - Tidal Grave
Kill, Baby… Kill! - Human Sounds Vol 1
Los Blue Marions - Los Blue Marinos
Night Birds - Monster Surf
Os Brutus - Cidade Suja Desastrada
The Lucks - Mono
Surfonia - Tales fromt he Sea of Istanbul
Surf’s Up Spicoli - Terra Omega
The Grande Bois - Meltdown
The Okay-Men - Best of
The Phantom Four - Esperanza EP
The Sloptones - Demon Haunted
Threesome - On Tour
Tsunamish - Strato Party
Twangozilla - Mexican Girl vs. Voodoo Witch
Operation Diamond Bikini - Hello, Chief! EP
Pedrito Diablo y los Cadaveras - Shambala-Rama Fa Fa Fa
Moms I’d Like to Surf - Mom’s I’d Like to Surf
Trash Can Scientists - Sewage Surfin’ EP
Kawabonga! - Kawabonga!
Los Apaches - Los Apaches
The Brigantines - Last Chance to Dance
Invisible Dracula - Invisible EP
The Flying Faders - No Sweat
Five Fingers with Parasol - Surf’n’Frus
Speedball Jr - With Steve Mackay
Speedball Jr - Tiki P.I.
Mexican Weirdohs - Dr Abominable
Moussaka - Moussaka EP
Surfonica - Tales from the Sea of Istanbul
Evil Waves - Vol 1 EP
Coffin Haze - Rehearsal Ritual 1
The Krektones - Megaladon
Ferni and the Vascos - Strings and Waves
Aloha Screwdriver - One Too Many
Hella Vader - The Frig-o-Riffic Fuzz Sounds of…
Picnic Point - Picnic Point
Thee Imperial Royales - It’s Dark
Romantic - BLACKSURF
Los Apollos - Testflug 3
Fifty Foot Combo - Alligator Wine
Boss Fink - Finksville
The Sine Waves - Tsar Bomba
Apollo Four - Instant Holiday Classics
Viernes de Hongos - ¡Puedes o no Puedes!
Reissues
Surf Raiders - The Originals - 1981-1988
Reverberati - Combat Surf
The Avantis - Gypsy Surfer / Wax 'em Down
Omar Khorshid - Livei n Australia 1981
Compilations
Search for Atlantis
Monsters of Surf
IMO The Mermen are anything but a typical surfing industrial complex band:
(And a Peaceful New Year to All)
Krill Slippin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSrAqghnmpI
Neptune’s Revenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BEWGgn3UHk
Into the West/Le Jiz Hot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEaUXt1_UsA
Songs of the Cows (online album):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKzywUv9D7o&list=PLk-HBV_pHmIihB7khehT527yuoRgxjt4p
To Be Naked and French/Unto the Resplendent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YowjzdBknE
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that has contributed so far - its been such a help.
The ‘surf music’ aka. the specific instro genre that SammyA and some others are discussing is super important to what Im writing about, but everyones contributions are super relevant too. The fact that ‘surf music’ is such a misunderstood term is going to be a key in my writings. Its really interesting that the guys before the 60s were listening to jazz, and in my mind it really reflects how surfing is art itself, and is intwined with other arts too.
I think what I want to try and focus on is How the real surf music is reflective of surfing itself, and the relationship between surf music and surfing. It seems to me that surf music has moved forwards with surfing, not in regards to its popularity, but in its style, give or take a few years. From my limited understanding, The surfing of the 40s and 50s would have the aesthetic of jazz, where as that of the 60s seems to sound a lot more like the sounds of the shortboard revolution.
Anyways, lots of research to be done, and thanks again
How about some useless surf music trivia?
The drummer in The Sandals (Endless Summer) was Danny Brawner. Former manager of the Hobie factory.
Plus, the original album by The Sandals was not the movie soundtrack. It had already been recorded and released when they came onboard to contribute to Brown’s movie. They went back in the studio, recorded the theme, and re-released the LP with the added track. The LP was originally titled Scrambler!, but after they did the soundtrack deal with Brown it was changed. The band started out as The Twangs, and later went by The Shadows and The Sandells. Finally settling on the name Sandals around the time that the movie was released.
A Southern Cal surf band called The Crossfires had two members named Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan. They later formed a band called The Turtles and after that became The Flourescent Leech and Eddie in Frank Zappa’s band.
A band called The Jesters had a member named Jim Messina, as in Loggins and Messina.
In Jimi Hendrix’ tune 3rd Stone From the Sun, he utters the line “You will never hear surf music again”. Many think this was a negative comment about the genre. The truth is that Hendrix was a Dick Dale fan. He had recently visited Dale in the hospital, where DD was in very poor health and not expected to live. Hendrix was paying tribute and referencing Dale’s pending demise. Both Dale and Hendrix employed the same oddball approach to guitar in that they played right-handed guitars that were strung backwards to accomodate the fact they were left handed.
The original title of Wipeout was “Liberty’s Whip”.
A few thoughts to ponders . Is there really anything that is truly surf music? To me it has always been anything that would connect the moves while one is riding a wave. If you have ever watched a skiing movie there is almost always music being played while the skiers are making there runs. This same music can also be intertwined with surfers riding waves. One and the same. Same tempo, same beat. However I have never heard of “Ski Music”.
I think the big difference is that there has been/was a recognized “surf culture” for several decades – whether commercially created/marketed or not.
Until the wave crowding of the past few decades, surfing has been public access recreation. The ocean is considered commonwealth.
No need for ski chalets, ski lifts and manicured riding spots.
Regarding marketed surf culture, Gidget did not go Squaw Valley, Winterpark or Breckenridge. Among other things, I think scantily clad, trim bodies and warm beaches were a big factor for the surfing industrial complex.
Surfifty, I agree with you, but I would argue that Skiing, snowboarding, and Surfing have all moved in the same direction, are all sports that its participents live, breathe and have got completely obsessed by. Id say that the sports are definitely linked in some way. Im not saying that Jazz in the 40s is ‘Surf Music’, and I wouldnt say what John John or Kelly listens to is ‘Surf Music’ either. I think the only thing that is truly ‘Surf Music’ is the music started by the likes of Dick Dale…
What Im trying to do,however, is categorically state that Jack Johnson and The Beach Boys are far from being surf music. Which is what Im sure my Western-Classical music obssessed university will assume is the only type of surf music upon reading the title. I want to explain that the kind of pop music with the odd surfing narrative is neither sonic representation of surfing, nor is it a intertwined with surfing today through being influential to or influenced by Surfing.
I reckon that Surf Music exists on a continuum, with 2 extremes, one extreme being the ‘Surf Music’ that SammyA speaks of like Dick Dale, and the other extreme is The Beach Boys; hardly genuinely relates to surfing at all. Now between these extremes in the continuum, theres all different types of ‘Surf Music’, and thats what i want to investigate.
Obviously today with the ipod and the huge access to music we have, it doesnt work so well as what surfers listen to has got to be way less monolithic than it used to be, but i want to see through the years, what forms of music were attached to surfing or sulf culture in their varying levels.
Its a big old topic and theres loads of different interpretations
One more perspective. I do not believe skiing and snowboarding would be nearly as popular if participants had to hike from the parking lot to the take-off point. And hike back up to the take-off point after every ride.
Is snowboarding just a variant of surfing/skateboarding?
There is a significant fitness factor for surfing.
Just saying…
…discussing music on any level , is similar to discussing religion or politics…music can be a strong influence on a persons life …and a persons life can be a strong influence on their music…as usual , commercialism corrupts the purity…the early recordings are invariably an artists best work IMO.
Well, you’ve got that right. For one thing, MacGillivray/Freeman chose The Beach Boys (stuff from Surf’s Up, etc.) for what turned out to be their statement film. That late period Beach Boys is surf music to me and a lot of others- rich, resonent and evocative. It’s not “Surf Music”, but it’s right next to it if you define it as a sonic definition of surfing.
Subjective city, pops.