Surf Instro Vinyl Review: King Pelican with Chris Barfield - Vaquero/Mirage

Release Date:  February 28, 2025

Label: Western Satellite Music

King Pelican with Chris Barfield is a limited edition 45 release on 7” black vinyl with colorful, stimulating sleeve artwork. It has two tracks.

A big thanks to Matthew Clark, the creator of Colorado Instrumental Fanzine, for providing a copy of the zine with the record and a great interview with Ernest Hernandez of King Pelican.

 

“Vaquero” has a nice, clear sound with plenty of rhythm. The guitars are the highlight, backed by excellent accompaniment from the bass and drums.

 

The sound is retro and new, all at the same time. The backing rhythms keep your toes tapping while the lead takes you away to instrumental surf nirvana. The lead guitar cuts through and leads the way, while all the elements are still present, yet in a supporting role, for those stinging, surfy leads.

 

The sweeping sounds and atmospheric tones are memorable. It is an excellent track!

 

“Mirage” is depicted colorfully on the artwork sleeve with the cowboy surfer watching the setting sun in the desert. The band’s leader, Ernest Hernandez, is from the great southwest, Texas.

 

The track takes a decidedly different turn in sound, beginning with atmospheric effects and well-placed soft leads before the entire band breaks out into a more upbeat sound. The rhythm section comes through again to get those juices flowing.

This music has its complexities, and it becomes evident once the entire band joins in. The smooth flow and sound reminded me of some Shadows music I have heard over the years.

 

The lead guitar is outstanding with catchy hooks and that echoing reverb we all love to hear on surf instros. The crescendo of music is sweet ear candy that you want to spin again.

 

King Pelican, featuring Chris Barfield, has released two great tracks.

 

As is often the case with releases of this type, there are limited copies available. Please give it a listen and grab your copy to support this work and add another piece of surf instro vinyl to your collection.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music And Art Reviews Founder

June 28, 2025

The Players:

Chris Barfield: Guitar

Ernest Hernandez: Guitar

Darren Kuper: Drums

Kris Zebrowski: Bass

Surf Instro - Rock Review : An Evening In Nirvam - The Music Of The Shadows

The Shadows finally receive their due with an awe-inspiring tribute CD, An Evening In Nirvam The Music Of The Shadows, put together by the reigning king of surf-instro labels, MuSick Recordings. The label is known for its dedication to preserving and promoting the surf-instro genre, and has curated this exceptional tribute to The Shadows.

Besides The Ventures, The Shadows stand as one of the most influential groups of the 1950s and 1960s. The successes of a vast array of artists who have gone on to stardom are owed to Hank Marvin and his friends. The fact that so many people picked up an electric guitar after listening to a Shadows record is a testament to their profound impact on the music industry.

Despite its release a few years ago, this tribute CD remains a cornerstone of the surf-instro genre. It features some of the finest tracks handpicked from The Shadows' repertoire, a testament to their enduring influence. From The Omega Men to Satan's Pilgrims, the tracks have been handled with utmost care, preserving the timeless quality of The Shadows' music.

The Shadows, a group that has long been overdue for recognition on this level, finally receives its due with this tribute CD. All the participating groups are at the forefront of the instro scene and understand the pivotal role this music played in shaping the surf genre that blossomed in the sixties.

This release was timed perfectly, as the third wave of surf-instro —a modern resurgence of the genre —has taken hold of the world and continues to grow and fascinate us all with its vibrant music, characters, and culture.

An Evening in Nirvam: The Music Of The Shadows is sixteen tracks of instrumental gold interpreted by the young and restless youth who strived for the classic Hank Marvin sounds. It's not the same as the original, but it was all done very well. Hell, I listened to this CD three times before I finally sat down to write about it! It's wonderful.

It is one of the best instrumental discs released in the last decade.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

August 2000

Tracks:

01. Main Theme-The Omega Men 

02. Apache-The Falcons 

03. Gonzlaes-The Hunington Cads

04. Atlantis-The Aqua Velvets

05. Man Of Mystery-The Fathoms 

06. The Savage-The Space Cossacks 

07. Don't It Make You Feel Good-The Boss Martians 

08. The Lute Number-The Troubadours

09. Evening Comes-The Alohas 

10. Tomorrow's Cancelled-The Tiki Tones 

11. Tales Of A Raggy Tramline-Davie Allan & The Arrows 8

12. Maroc 7-The Travelers Of Tyme 

13. The Rise And Fall Of Flingel Bunt-Satan's Pilgrims

14. Zambesi-The Deoras 

15. Theme For Young Lovers-Teisco Del Rey 

16.  Back Home-Jim Mankey 

Surf Instro Track Review: The Outback Surf Squad - Spy Chaser

The Outback Surf Squad, known for their unique sound, is back with another single release titled "Spy Chaser."

Jamie Balcombe, the mastermind behind the band's signature sound, plays lead and rhythm guitars and handles special effects.

Jason Deatherage (The Surf Hermits) plays lead and rhythm guitars, bass, and drums and handles production and special effects.

With a title like "Spy Chaser," the music is a high-octane thrill ride, featuring explosive guitars that evoke the adrenaline of a spy thriller.

This is what I have come to expect from Jamie with his track releases. There is always a great deal of excitement and a multitude of things happening in his music.

Look no further than down under for some classic surf rock with today's clean and clear production elements, courtesy of the masters of surf instro, The Outback Surf Squad.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

June 28, 2025

Dodge City Social Club · Spy Chaser

Surf Instro Review and Interview: Desert Undertones 7" Vinyl - Massacre Canyon/The 48ers

Release Date:  May 1, 2024

Label: Independent

Website:  https://desertundertones.com/

Product Provided By: https://www.facebook.com/cifanzine/

Dylan Oldham (guitar), Christopher Marshall (bass), and Curt Pleiss (drums) are Desert Undertones. Hailing from Arizona, they aim to bring you exciting and memorable surf tunes. They hit the bullseye with “Massacre Canyon B/W “The 48ers”.

The tracks come housed in the sleeve you see here on black 7” vinyl. The retro cinematic artwork was provided by David Venegas, who captured their sound and intent.

 

The band partnered with Matthew Clark, creator of Colorado Instrumental Fanzine, who kindly provided copies of his fanzine, which included the vinyl for my review. He also had an interview with the band members in issue #3 (shown here). Their enthusiasm for the music is contagious, compelling you to seek it out and listen now (Stream it from the player I have provided). 

 

“Massacre Canyon” is a slow burner with some fine glissando sections and a nod to the foundation of surf instro. The atmosphere of intrigue and the rider kicking up dust on the cover is created in the music as you listen.

 

The music evolves with a unique blend of spaghetti western influences, but with their special sauce, creating a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly new.  

 

At 3:27, there is enough time to create that dual atmosphere, where the retro surf morphs into the desert/western sound portion of spaghetti, just not a full meal, but just enough around the fringes of surf to pique your interest with what they are doing.

 

“The 48ers” are the people who cashed in on the gold before the 49ers realized it was there.

 

This track is a solid rocker with plenty of rhythm, strong bass, and drums to complete the powerful trio formula. The guitar resonates beautifully throughout and between the changes, with shimmering leads that conjure images of sun and surf (except they do their surfing on the dunes of the desert). It then concludes with a perfect outro that reverberates and echoes.

 

Desert Undertones can spread the gospel of surf and intend to put out a whole album of tracks at some point this year. The prospect of a second full album is something I, and I'm sure many of you, eagerly anticipate.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

June 26, 2025

Surf-Rock-Punk Review: Surfpatrouille - Venus Pussy Polka Riot

Alright, so I bet you want to know what Venus Pussy Polka Riot is, right? Don't ask me, okay? All I know is that the surf genre, historically, has often depicted nude women and a devil-may-care attitude about sex in its artwork and themes. Now, considering that minor formality is out of the way, we are on to what matters: the music.

Surfpatrouille, a thrilling import from Germany, has crafted a unique sound by blending hard-edged rock-punk elements with traditional and third-wave surf-instro (like The Lombego Surfers). This deadly combination bursts through your speakers at hyper speed, ready to blow the roof off any sleepy morning. It's a refreshing jolt at the end of a long day, invigorating and making you feel alive!

Surfpatrouille's music is not just sexy, raw, and unnerving; it's also a therapeutic release. It's full of reckless abandon, the calling card of any carefree, mindless youth who seems to play surf-instro. 

Music and attitude ignite and perpetuate each other. The young and the restless capture my imagination and make blood go racing to my head. Music is the driving force behind the emotive rocket fuel that burns inside everyone.

Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, it's there. This great surf-instro-rock unit will be a therapeutic tool in helping you release those demons that live inside, just dying for an opportunity to cut loose.

Yeah...this is kick ass music on a mission. Get it, play it, feel it, and experience it. It will do your soul good, regardless of your age or upbringing. This sure outweighs some of the crap that's making millions right now and dominating the airwaves. This is the real deal.  I can smell the salt air and hear the crashing waves now...

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck  

August 15, 2000

Tracks:

01. Surfpatrouille Orion

02. Venus Pussy Polka Riot

03. Warp VI 

04. Man O' Surf  

05. Long Riders On Ventura 

06. TelSka 

07. Supernova # 5  

08. Miss Marple 

Surf Music Waves and Sun

Here are a few more images I created with MS Designer

This is just for fun, and I'm sometimes surprised by the results!

Surf Instro Review: Dave Myers and The Surftones - The Best Of Dave Myers and The Surftones: Moment Of Truth

Dave Myers and The Surftones were as pivotal and popular a group as any others that dominated the early 60s surf craze scene. The Surftones were one of the house bands at the famous Rendezvous Ballrooms. 

The Best Of Dave Myers and The Surftones: Moment Of Truth is a vintage surf instro from the "first wave."

Dave was a music student with a good head for business. At the age of 19, he was a multi-talented instrumentalist. His saxophone and guitar playing were the core of the group's foundation. Johnny Bartlett mentions in the liner notes that it wasn't uncommon to see people like Dave in the music business back then.

Nowadays, it's unheard of for artists at 19 to have so many talents. Those were different times when children were brought up much differently than today. Technology has much to do with how an artist is disciplined and trained when following a career path in music.

The cover art indicates that the CD contains 14 pounding surf stompers. They give it to you exactly as advertised. The group utilizes the guitar and saxophone proportionately and very successfully.

When I listen to music like this, I can understand why a musician would be so attracted to it. Playing this music must have been a real charge!

This is pounding, reverb-filled surf from the vintage era, and it is a must-listen if you want to hear more about when it all began.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Frog Walk Part II  

02. Church Key  

03. Smokey Stomper 

04. King's Surf  

05. Aquavelva 

06. Surferama  

07. Moment Of Truth

08. Road To Rincon  

09. Surf Breaker  

10. Surfer's Theme  

11. Passion  

12. Wet Walkin'

13. Driftin'  

14. White Water

Surf Instro Review: The Sentinals -The Best Of The Sentinals: Sunset Beach

The Sentinals formed in 1961. They rose from the confines of a garage to national prominence as one of the top surf groups in the country in the 1960s. This group was known for raising the roof at live venues. 

Their trademark hit, "Surfers Stomp," was very popular. The song brought the house down, literally at times, because teenagers of the day would dance and stomp their feet so hard the building shook! Now that's rockin'!

The Best Of The Sentinals: Sunset Beach is jam-packed with breathtaking, high-intensity vintage surf. They covered a wide range of styles and did it all very well. Some of the guitar playing is incredible. The saxophone also has a notable influence, proving that it was an instrument with as much power and substance as the guitar when used in a surf tune. It sounded very fresh and full.

If you put this CD on without telling anyone who it is, most people would think it was a new recording. Most of the tracks sound that good. This is a tribute to the fine production and sound mastering efforts that are standard at Del-Fi Records.

Quite a few cuts fit really well into a movie soundtrack. This is an awe-inspiring compilation. If you really pay attention when you listen to this music, you can envision the time and place it came from. It's another slice of surf culture to add to your surf collection.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Big Surf  

02. Exotic  

03. Latin'ia  

04. Tough Soul    

05. Revellion  

06. Pismo Beach  

07. Shout  

08. Tor-Chula

09. Sunset Beach  

10. Surfin'  

11. Intoxico  

12. Latin Soul   

13. Hideaway  

14. Surfin' Tragedy  

15. Surf 'N Soul

16. Gremmies Walk

17. Sentinal, The  

18. Free And Easy   

19. Surfer Girl  

20. Pipe, The  

21. Surf Stomper   

22. Blue Booze

23. Ooh Poh Pa Doo  

24. Nite Shuffle     

25. Sensation       

26. Twilighter    

27. Vesuvius

Surf Instro Review: Satan's Pilgrims - Self Titled

https://satans-pilgrims.com/

Satan's Pilgrims have turned it up a few notches on their first self-titled release for MuSick Recordings. It is no coincidence that this is by far the best output of music the group has had to date. The capable hands of MuSick have pushed the group into the stratosphere of surf-rock-instro stardom with their slashing, thundering, biting guitar.

The ever-present thumping bass lines, the rock-solid drumming, all the earmarks of great surf music—it's all here in its raging glory. Each song is a new and fresh progression of instro madness. Just listen to Hungarian Dance No. 5; it will surely convince you of the capabilities of this fine group. 

I have listened to a few of this group's previous releases, and they sound tame compared to this release. That is not to say that their previously released music is not good; it is. This CD's sound, production, and excellent musicianship just floored me!

The 3rd wave of surf groups is rolling right into your shore with all the untamed surf's power, intensity, and electricity. Satan's Pilgrims are amongst the elite of the genre. Can't you hear the waves beckoning you to swim in the endless expanse of reverb?

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Badge Of Honor  

02. Theme From The Arturan  

03. Fra Diavolo  

04. Tears & Gears  

05. Step It Up  

06. Casbah

07. All Day Party (All Night Party) 

08. Mutha Fuzz   

09. Frankenstomp  

10. Super Stock  

11. Black Marquis  

12. Chi Chi

13. Jungle Room  

14. Hungarian Dance No.5 

15. Beach Binge

Surf-Lounge-Tropical Review: Tropical Tunes - SurfLounge.com Joe Fleming Productions

Imagine the sensation of a warm tropical breeze, not on your skin, but directly into your ears through your speakers. This is the unique experience that lounge music offers, a sensation that has been a part of the hip, slick, and terminally cool consciousness for many years.

Now, we have a resurgence of lounge music. This resurgence fits with the current surf instro, swing, and big band explosion, bringing a fresh wave of interest to the genre. 

Tropical Tunes from SurfLounge.com and Joe Fleming Productions takes you there first class.

The style fits snugly into the surf instro section of your local record store. Although it's not surf, a sub-genre's influence and prevailing categorization remain.

Eclecticism is the key to the allure of lounge music. It's a genre that can transport you from a sunny California beach to an exotic Caribbean Island in the blink of an eye. Just as you're about to sip your drink from a coconut under a palm tree, you're whisked away to a smoky nightclub in Chicago, where you can immerse yourself in the sounds of Lounge and Exotica.

I'm a massive fan of this kind of music, and this CD perfectly captures the essence of the lounge sound. Crazy Joe Fleming and his band have done an incredible job of painting vivid landscapes in your mind's eye. With this CD, you can experience all the angles and subtle nuances of the music in one place.

Grab your shades, beach umbrella, surfboard, limbo stick, and drink. Get ready for a trip you won't soon forget.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Flight To Exotica  

02. Paradise Calling  

03. Caribbean Cruise 

04. South Seas Swing  

05. Bossa Blues

06. Beyond The Beach  

07. High Tides & High Times  

08. Cayucos Cocktails   

09. Bamboo Rain  

10. Mango Tango

11. Over The Horizon  

12. Bongo Island  

13. Guitars On The Water  

14. Calypso Sailing

Surf Instro Reviews: The Woodies - Swimmin' In Reverb

It was a long wait, but it was worth it. The making of The Woodies Swimmin' In Reverb was an actual labor of love, a unique project that stands out in the music scene. It is one of the year's most revered and exciting releases, a must-listen for any surf music fan.

 I couldn't agree more with the album's consensus from the surf community. It's that vintage early sixties surf sound with multitudes of twang, reverb, and attitude. All the tracks are positively captivating.

Talented guitarist and artist Ferenc Dobronyi poured his heart and soul into mixing this and releasing it on his Pop label.  He also came up with the ultra-cool cover. Then, to finish this masterpiece, the Surfmeister, Phil Dirt, contributes the liner notes. What a superb package from start to finish, a testament to the dedication of these artists.

A bonus is a live track taken from Phil's radio show on KFJC. Unrelenting surf waves come splashing through your speakers as you drown in the satisfaction of it all. This is a no-brainer, folks. The Woodies Swimmin' In Reverb is a must-have for any surf collection, especially with the high-quality live track included!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Mavericks  

02. Midnight Ride  

03. Surf'n with Bernie  

04. Little Dume  

05. Spanish Word  

06. If it Swells  

07. The Swami

08. Zorba's Last Wave  

09. Agent Woodrow   

10. Chief Bigwood  

11. K-55 (Live from KFJC) 

12. Surf'n with Bernie

13. The Swami  

14. The Rebel  

15. Bonanza

16. Phil Dirt–Untitled Track Voice [Uncredited Introduction] 

17. The Rubbachicken Band–Phil's Dirt

18. The Rubbachicken Band–Uncle Al, A Surfers Pal

Surf - Rock Review: The Torpedoes - Good For The Country

http://www.thetorpedoes.com/

The Torpedoes, a power trio of surf enthusiasts with heavy-laden guitars, are a force to be reckoned with. Their unique blend of surf and rock, as showcased on Good For The Country, is a refreshing departure from the norm and a testament to their innovative sound.

It's hard to tell where they fall. The guitar progressions I heard are on the fringes of alternative rock, yet the port from which they carry out each mission is undoubtedly anchored in the surf!

The unconventional methods of groups like this have pushed an entire genre to the edge of creating an entirely new type of music. It has become so inviting and so aurally pleasing that I crave more. 

One striking aspect that caught my attention immediately was the distinct appearance of the three members of this trio. In contrast to the typical surf group aesthetic, each member exudes a unique style.  The guitar player, 'Big B', has a rock star/hippie look, the bass player, Jason Brown, could easily be mistaken for a Stray Cats tour member, and the drummer, Brandon Watson, resembles a jazz musician from the 50s. This visual diversity adds an intriguing layer to the band's persona.

One aspect that I rarely discuss but was impossible to ignore is the unique way The Torpedoes present themselves. The most notable track, "Theme From The Ipcress File (A Man Alone)", is a testament to their style.

With 17 tracks of crunching primitive power, Good For The Country is potent, high intensity, and outright gripping. It's like a wave of energy from the murky deeps, slashing and snapping at you, leaving you exhilarated and wanting more. 

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Manta Ray  

02. The Hornet  

03. Interplanetary  

04. Spanish Main 

05. Nebula 33-7  

06. Green Light  

07. Half-Pipe

08. The Mummy 

09. Midnight Surfer (Ode to Mark Foo)  

10. Gyro-scopic Control 

11. Theme From The Ipcress File (A Man Alone)

12. Secret Agent In Berlin  

13. The Naked Spur  

14. Stockyard-250  

15. Torpedo

16. Tarantula  

17. The Snake

Surf-Rock-Pop Instro Review: Seks Bomba - Operation B.O.M.B.A.

Seks Bomba's Operation B.O.M.B.A. is a play on original motion picture scores, with all the suspense and adventure of the spy thriller movies it emulates. This CD presents an exciting and explosive sound.

The music encompasses surf, rock, lounge, and a fair bit of pop. The vocals are perfect for this setting, as they make you feel like a young boy sitting in the movie theater getting a thrill watching 007 smooch all the beautiful girls. Yes, this young man did just that. In my heart, I would like nothing more than to return to those days. Music like this really takes me there. 

The music is more than appropriate for a spy flick; it fits like a glove. The group does a nice job switching from a rocking instrumental jaunt to a lounge, sexy spy song—the kind where he gets the girl. Need I continue? I found this to be a very upbeat production. It made me feel great, and I was smiling inside.

The result is that the music accomplishes what it sets out to do. It sets the mood for the movie soundtracks that it spoofs and runs you through the gamut of emotions, like it is supposed to.

This is such a strong effort from Seks Bomba. The music would get your heart pumping, and the movies would be secondary. This excellent work deserves all the recognition and accolades that all the great soundtracks get, even if it is a spoof!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Jet City  

02. The Right Track (Baby) 

03. 'To Kill 89': Theme  

04. Bright Lights And You, Girl  

05. The Cat

06. 'Mondo Edgar': Theme  

07. Do You Know The Way To San Jose? 

08. Klown Kar  

09. Operation B.O.M.B.A.

10. 'Satan's Shriners': Main Title & Love Theme  

11. Last Call  

12. It Had Better Be Tonight  

13. Rum Holiday

14. The Seks Bomba Theme Part 1  

15. Bonus Track: The Seks Bomba Theme Part 2

Surf Instro-Pop-Rock Review: The Lively Ones Hang Five!!! The Best Of The Lively Ones / Heads Up! The Best Of The Lively Ones Volume 2

Some groups have distinct and solid links to the original '60s surf sound. The Lively Ones are one of those select few that can stake a claim to that honorable distinction. They were an exciting surf instro /pop/rock/group that enjoyed doing originals and several covers. 

Hang Five!!! The Best of The Lively Ones and Heads Up! The Best Of The Lively Ones Volume 2 spans 47 tracks!

With their unique flair and color, The Lively Ones transformed covers into something new and exciting. Their renditions of other groups' songs always bring a fresh perspective and unexpected twists, making each tune a delightful surprise.

Volume 1, with its 24 tracks of surf music, is a treat for any surf music lover. The saxophone, a constant presence, adds a unique dimension to each song. It's a testament to the complexity of surf music—when a group incorporates the saxophone, the music transforms into something entirely new.

This is why The Lively Ones' cover tracks sound so fresh and exciting, not like the typical rehashed covers that can be tedious. This volume perfectly introduces one of the most crucial surf groups of the original first wave, released in 1995.

Heads up! The Best Of The Lively Ones Volume 2 is Del-Fi's most recent package of tracks. This CD features more of the trademark surf instro sound that you had the pleasure of experiencing on the first volume, as well as 23 more tracks of great originals and covers.

You must realize that if you have Volume 1, you must have Volume 2, right? Well, it's true! It's another slice of history that any surf music enthusiast would appreciate. This group is one of the founding fathers of that surf sound.

Forty-seven tracks are more than enough to cover this fine group's history and overall importance. Surf is currently experiencing a resurgence, or renaissance, if you will. It is only fitting that groups such as The Lively Ones can enjoy the renewed interest.

It's no surprise that Del-Fi is in the thick of everything as they were when it all started. With a gallant nod to the past, The Lively Ones and Del-Fi show you the way.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999
 

Tracks:

Volume 1

01. High Tide (Tranquilizer)  

02. Walkin' The Board   

03. Goofy Foot (Surf Battle)  

04. Surf Rider 

05. Misirlou

06. Chicken Scratch  

07. Surf Beat   

08. Exodus 

09. Caterpillar Crawl, The  

10. Telstar (Surf)   

11. Mr. Moto

12. Cryin' Guitar (Surfer's Lament)  

13. Livin'   

14. Guitarget(Hotdoggen)  

15. Crazy Surf  

16. Paradise Cove

17. Bustin'Surfboards  

18. Raw-Hide 

19. Shootin' The Pier  

20. Forty Miles Bad Surf   

21. Rik-A-Tik  

22. Happy Gremmie

23. Night & Day     

24. Hey Scrounge

 

Volume 2

01. Pipeline     

02. Surfin' U.S.A.   

03. Let's Go Trippin'   

04. Heads Up   

05. Tequilla   

06. Hot Pastrami   

07. Soul Surfer

08. Malibu Run  

09. Rumble   

10. Wipe Out   

11. Surfin' Safari  

12. Tuff Surf    

13. Surfer Boogie   

14. Stoked  

15. Guitar Man

16. Surf City   

17. Mexico   

18. Latin'ia   

19. Wild Weekend   

20. Sleep Walk   

21. 40 Miles Of Bad Road    

22. Torquay

23. Shut Down

Surf Instro Review: Swingin' Creepers! : A Tribute To The Ventures-Various Artists

At long last, the iconic Ventures receive the tribute they genuinely deserve. MuSick Recordings has masterfully crafted one of the most influential and impeccably produced tributes of the year, a testament to the Ventures' enduring legacy with Swingin' Creepers! : A Tribute To The Ventures.

The Ventures' legacy goes back 40 years now. The young and the restless pay homage to the Godfathers of the instrumental surf genre. The only artist who comes close to the Ventures' age group is Davie Allan; even Davie might have learned a few things from the magicians of the Northwest.

The Space Cossacks kick it off appropriately with "Journey To The Stars."  It's a rousing, reverb-filled jaunt that takes you to the farthest reaches of the instro universe. The Cossack's guitar man, Ivan Pongracic, is one of the best players in the world, and he proves it on that number. (Ever listen to Interstellar Stomp?).

After that tremendous intro, it never lets up. Every track is a sonic adventure with plenty of reverb-drenched guitar that would please any surf instro lover. Just look at all the great groups that contributed tracks! All the best today, giving their utmost best to the legends of instrumental music. 23 tracks of pure intro dynamite.

You will recognize the names-Jon and The Nightriders, Satan’s Pilgrims, The Hypnomen, The Boss Martians, The Bomboras, and the list goes on and on. Everyone involved does an outstanding job. 

I know the Ventures are thrilled and honored by this release. The contributing artists must be honored to participate in such a stellar project. Can you imagine the thrill of being in a surf or instrumental group and getting a call to contribute to a CD of this magnitude? What a highlight of a career.

Quality is the primary focus here. MuSick Recordings epitomizes quality projects, and this one is their crowning glory. Want to listen to the new breed and hear their interpretations of the classic instrumental sound? This is the one CD you cannot do without this Summer. 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Tracks:

01. Journey To The Stars-The Space Cossacks   

02. Walk Don't Run-The Fathoms

03. Stop Action-Eddie Angel & The Omega Men 

04. Hot Line-The Quiets   

05. Ravin' Blue-The Volcanoes

06. Lonley Girl-The Exotics  

07. Mariner 4-The Penetrators  

08. Go-Go Slow-The Hypnomen  

09. Fuzzy & Wild-The Cave 4

10. Guitar Freakout-The Boss Martians 

11.Diamond Head-Jon & The Nightriders  

12. War Of The Satellites-The Sir Finks

13. The Ninth Wave-The Bomboras  

14. The Twomp-Fortune & Maltese and the Phabulous Pallbearers

15. Lullaby Of The Leaves-Davie Allen & The Arrows   

16. Yellow Jacket-The Saturn V    

17. Swingin' Creeper-The Tiki Tones

18. A Go-Go Dancer-The Looney Tunes   

19. Bird Rockers-The Mystery Action   

20. Eleventh Hour-The Vice Royals

21. Escape/Psychedelic Venture-Satan's Pilgrims   

22. Sha LA LA-The Huntington Cads

23. Moon Child-Ivan Pongracic featuring Ed Abolins and Eric Ebeling

 

Surf Instro Review: The Space Cossacks - Interstellar Stomp (Interview With Ivan Pongracic Included)

I could not hide my enthusiasm and adulation for this band's music. And my feelings have not changed after all these years!

The Space Cossacks Interstellar Stomp has already become a classic. It's not just a record; it's part of a legacy. Destined to be hailed as such, it had all the excitement and anticipation working for it before its eventual release. By listening to it, you're not just enjoying music but becoming a part of a prestigious group of listeners.

This CD is phenomenal! It is appropriate to cite it as one of the most significant surf releases ever.

Ivan Pongracic is a real gunslinger who takes no prisoners. His guitar playing is not just exceptional; it's awe-inspiring. The tonality, glissando, and reverb he coaxes from his axe are the stuff dreams are made of.

The rest of the group is outstanding in giving Ivan the backbeat he needs to consummate the marriage between his furious guitar playing and the foundation from which each masterpiece of reverb is born.

The tremendous talent on the musician's behalf, excellent production, and sonics make this a recording for the ages in the surf world. It is one of the best you will ever feast your reverb-soaked ears upon.

Tracks:

01. Third Star To The Left  

02. Red Sunrise  

03. Solaris Stomp 

04. Neutron Sabre  

05. Black Sand  

06. The Cossack

07. The Spy Satellite  

08. Planet Of The Apes  

09. Gunmetal Express 

10. Transatlantic Orbit  

11. Moroccan Adventures

12. Mir Rescue    

13. Bombora   

14. The Space Victory Theme  

15. Navajo Star

Surf Instro: The Space Cossacks/The Hypnomen - From The Shadows Of The Evil Empire...

Whoever said Vinyl was dead? It never died, it just took a backseat while the world was captivated by the new kid on the block, the eight-track. But the charm of vinyl, with its crackling sound and tangible presence, never truly faded.

Of course, after that, the cassette revolution followed, leading to CDs, which gradually took over as the main format. What format has hung right in there through all of the format changes? Vinyl.

I bought a turntable last summer because I missed it. All the albums and 45s with their colorful inner sleeves and cover art, those were the days.

Just leave it to the surf genre to make it fun and interesting again, with a release like From The Shadows Of The Evil Empire…, featuring the two amazing bands The Space Cossacks and The Hypnomen.

90% of the vinyl in my present collection is surf instrumentals. All 7" with various color palettes adorn the Vinyl as it spins away on the turntable, sounding as good as ever!

Surf is the only genre I know that combines different groups' songs on the same 7" to create this fascinating and colorful format. MuSick has been steadily building its 7" collection. This is the collectors' arena. I am not a rabid collector like in the 1970s, but my interest has been piqued by releases like this one.

The Space Cossacks and Hypnomen bring you some of the best surf instro in the galaxy, complete with the signature "surf sound." The songs don't last that long. Surf songs aren't designed that way, never were. 

They are all great songs, regardless of the length; that's the beauty of surf instro music. All the energy of great surf music armed with rapid-fire guitar playing encompasses all four tracks. The two groups do a very nice job of combining their experience and expertise to create wonderful and vibrant surf music.

So, why not dive back into the world of vinyl? Start your collection again and experience the thrill of discovering new music in a classic format. Trust me, it's cool stuff! 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 1999

Side A -The Space Cossacks /Escape From Gulag 17/Metsakukkia

Side B -The Hypnomen /Holotna/ Comrade, The Squealer