Surf Instro Review: Pollo Del Mar - The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea

https://pollosurf.com/

A release from the group Pollo Del Mar is anticipated with anxious excitement.  They are one of the premier third-wave surf groups that have made an indelible mark on the genre in their short time together.

Their first album, The Ocean Is Not For Cowards, was an impressive debut. This second release has more consistent driving energy than the first CD.

The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea separates Pollo Del Mar from the pack in a several convincing ways; the group has developed their unique sound, each tune is different and consistently over flows with powerful waves of energy, and last but not least, the sound of Pollo Del Mar remains very distinctive with the Latin-Spanish flavored guitar style of the group's leader Ferenc Dobronyi.

The multi-talented Dobronyi serves as guitar maestro, businessman, graphic artist, and gifted producer. The rest of the group has plenty to say on a musical level, and they all contribute to the overall recording process. All the correct elements are in place for a strong and tight group.

Every track is a reverb-tinged rocking gem. The only exception being the last track "Apache'99" which is a slowed down version of the song, like The Ventures on downers. It's not your typical cover, but then why be predictable? It's a clever version of a normally faster number. "The Saracen Gift" is a brilliant adaptation of "Little Drummer Boy" put to a haunting and dark soundtrack.

There is an ever-present changing and shifting of rhythms and beats throughout this recording. It's a real treat for any instro fan—tasteful and consistently top-notch instrumentation by one of the best surf-instro groups on the planet.

Pollo Del Mar is a very innovative and talented group, constantly pushing the boundaries of the surf-instro genre. This album is a testament to their universal appeal and their strong foothold in the surf-instro world, and is sure to inspire and impress any band or listener.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 03, 2000

Tracks:

01. Annabelle Lee

02. Cutlass Supreme

03. South of The Border

04. Jonny Foo: Ninja Chiropractor

05. Devil's Slide

06. Consuela's Revenge

07. Moon Over Marin

08. The Saracen Gift

09. Rt. 666

10. Apache'99

Surf Instro Review: Susan and The Surftones - All The Beat Live!!! All The Best (Live At The Bop Shop, Rochester, New York)

Susan and the Surftones, one of my favorite surf-instrumental groups, have finally released a live CD, All The Beat Live!!! All The Best. It was recorded Live At The Bop Shop, Rochester, New York.

Having never had the pleasure of witnessing a live show by the group, I was more than happy to give this disc a spin.

What sets Susan and the Surftones apart is their ability to bring the energy of a live show to their recordings. Their live, raw covers of familiar tunes explode with power. “Tramp” was my favorite track, a real classic surf-instro rocker that captures the band's live performance energy.

Susan told me in an interview earlier this year that they do covers because that’s what the crowd wants to hear at a live gig. Now we all get the opportunity to find why the crowd clamors for it.

This CD features twenty-one tracks of fun in the sun, along with sparkling waves of rock and roll to soothe your soul.

Susan is a straightforward woman, and her attitude is reflected in her music. When you listen to Susan and the Surftones, you're getting the real deal, straight up with no chaser. Their music is authentic and honest, just like Susan herself.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
December 12, 2000

Tracks:
01. Pipeline 

02. Rumble  

03. Stinger 

04. Baja 

05. Apache 

06. Sunburn  

07. Walk, Don’t Run  

08. Jezebel 

09. Tiki Kiki 

10. Jack The Ripper

11. Tequilla 

12. Trembler/Ace Of Spades 

13. Topsy 

14. Penetration 

15. Tramp 

16. Diamond Head 

17. Raw-Hide 

18. Spanish Wave

19. Blue Moon 

20. Wipe Out 

21. My Generation

Documentary Review and Interview With John Blair: Sound of the Surf

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Note: I have included an interview with John Blair, who played a crucial role in completing this film, despite the passage of 30 years and the untimely death of the person who started it.

Vision Films recently released their tribute to surf culture, Sound of the Surf. If you're a fan of surf instrumental music and curious about its origins, evolution, and resurgence, this documentary is a treasure trove of information. It's a testament to the genre's rich history and the characters who shaped it, preserving their legacy for generations to come.

 

I would paraphrase that as the life and death of surf, and how it has continually renewed itself from the first to the third wave and into the present day. It's a story of resilience and adaptability, inspiring a whole new generation of bands and listeners.

 

The genre is often cited as both simplistic and powerful. Over the years, many subgenres have formed, making the genre more complex and eclectic. Many of the cornerstones have remained, like having songs generally run in the 2-minute-plus range and providing colorful artwork for recordings ranging from 7” 45s to full-length albums.

 

A series of events led to the creation of this music and contributed to the culture of surfers. Before surfers claimed the music as their own, they listened to jazz because it was complementary in terms of expression, much like riding the waves.

 

The Rendezvous Ballroom and The Lighthouse were key venues at the beginning. Dick Dale, considered the father of surf, was eventually fired from the ballroom because someone deemed it "evil devil music." Now, how silly is that? Yet, many people bought into it. That, of course, did not stop the tidal wave of interest that was to happen. Soon, there would be hundreds of surf instrumental bands all over the U.S., and it would spread worldwide.

 

At least that is how it all started with the King of Surf, Dick Dale. His influence is undeniable.

 

The genre remains male-dominated to this day; however, when it first began, there were two central female characters, Kathy Kohner and Kathy Marshall. Kathy Kohner (Gidget, which stands for girl midget) decided that she wanted to write about her experiences, and her father took all the notes, wrote the book, and it was later adapted into a film in 1959. That propelled everything else to new heights, prompting an increase in movies and music about surfing. Kathy Marshall was good enough to play on stage with Dale and join a band. Dale anointed her “The Queen of Surf.” There is more to the story, of course, but you will have to watch the film.

 

Eddie Bertrand (of the Bel-Airs and Eddie and the Showmen) asked Fender to build a cabinet with two speakers for a bigger sound. And they did, but wanted it hushed because they were not producing them. Then, within a month or so, it became the standard, and Fender reaped the benefits.

 

John Blair formed Jon and the Nightriders in 1979 and released Surf Beat '80. This is what ignited the second wave to save the genre from falling into obscurity. It never truly went away; however, everything covered in the film was part of the music's growth and reach.

 

John had a significant hand in this documentary and handled all the narration for the film. He had the perfect demeanor and voice to pull it off.

 

When the 1990s rolled around, it was dubbed the “third wave.” At this time, some bands decided to mix punk with surf, creating an entirely new sound. So now surf morphed into something else entirely, spurring on a whole new generation of bands and listeners.

 

So that is the short version of what you will see and hear in this excellent documentary. It will create awareness and provide many people with a valuable history lesson on surf instrumental music. There is always something else to learn other than what you already know, so make sure you check this film out!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

July 7, 2025