Label: Missing Fink Records
SURF
ZOMBIES are:
Brook
Hoover - Guitar
Trevor
Treiber - Bass
Ian
Williams - Guitar
Luke Ferguson – Drums
Are you looking for a Howlin’ good time? Well, the Surf Zombies have just what you need! Monster a Go-Go was released on the Devil’s Holiday.
The fun thing about instrumental surf and subgenres is the colorful artwork that adorns the releases’ covers. And that’s not the only thing; the music is lighthearted and usually played with razor-sharp precision. In the case of Monster a Go-Go, all the above applies!
“Brain Rock” gets things rolling with an instantaneous groove in all positions. The twang and resonating tones ring true for any instro fan. The guitars provide a dreamy atmosphere and also get into an interesting retro chicken pickin’ mode for a little extra flair, as you hear one of the band members say Yeah! They are having fun. Incredibly, it can be packed into two minutes and fourteen seconds.
“Dug Out” is a definitive 60s first-wave sound, with subtle guitar woven into the bass, drums, and organ. Funky riffs and hooks galore make for a fun gallop to the past (laugh inserted at the end).
“Punkin' Juice” get your juices flowing! This one is a good rockin’ time with dueling guitars. A real ripper! This high-energy track, powered by a terrific bass and drum combo, is designed to energize you and get you ready to move.
“Full Moon on Prom Night” is a nighttime waltz as the moon lights up the sky. But beware of what that full moon can bring this time of year! Howleen! Guitars are bright, and the bottom end is tight with variations in tempo and transitions.
“Scream Soda” continues with the retro motif as the guitars tell the story. The backend is cutting a path as the bass remains strong. I am impressed by how much the guitar accomplishes in these short tracks. Some parts reminded me of The Shadows.
“Bouncing Baby Bones” has a great rhythm, with the guitars’ reverb and twang resonating with conviction, but keep the volume down to mid-range. They continue to offer toe-tapping and head-bopping grooves to keep your body moving.
“Wooly Willis” immediately recalls ’60s sitcoms with its funky bass line and twangy retro guitars. The only thing missing is that Hammond B3 churning away. Nice guitar work and strong bass and drums keep those toes tapping.
“Gill-man Crashes the Party” takes things in a different direction, showcasing the album’s variety. The sound in this instro rock piece features a twangy guitar, with distinctive chord changes and interesting transitions that remind you of the roots of this music and where it all comes from—a real rocker with many engaging shifts.
“King of the Sting” starts with a buzz, then a shout that someone just got stung. The band’s pace is mid-tempo, with a kind of bluesy, funky Ventures sound that they would record on one of their covers. Different but very cool.
“The T-Rex Twist” features a simple drumbeat in the background as the guitars take center stage with well-placed lines and groove-filled transitions. All the while holding their retro sound and superb control of the guitar’s steady exchanges.
“Greetings Cretins” keeps the rhythms flowing nicely, and you get some rapid-fire picking, glissando anyone? They take guitar players to school on this one. Some country-flavored notes are inserted along the way as well. They are experts at melding genres, and this is a shining example of that.
“The Outlaw’s Last Dance” takes us into another territory altogether with the thematic atmosphere of spaghetti western-tinged guitar lines, with a bit of Latin splashed in for more effect. And ah! Did I hear an organ! Briefly, but it was there—the longest track with a lushness and wordless background vocals towards the end.
“Midnight Macho Mambo” ends this musical merry-go-round with plenty of rhythm and twangy reverb-soaked lines and a steady bottom end. Slick guitars permeate this one, with the men hollering out the track title a few times. A great way to close out this album!
Monster a Go-Go is full of intense energy and blazing guitars with equally adept bass and drums for support. The Surf Zombies are back with vengeance!
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Review Founder
December
10, 2025
Tracks:
01. Brain Rock 02:14
02. Dug Out 02:13
03. Punkin' Juice 02:53
04. Full Moon on Prom Night 02:42
05. Scream Soda 02:28
06. Bouncing Baby Bones 02:48
07. Wooly Willis 02:38
08. Gill-man Crashes the Party 02:27
09. King of the Sting 02:48
10. The T-Rex Twist 02:06
11. Greetins Cretins 02:25
12. The Outlaw's Last Dance 02:57
13. Midnight Macho Mambo 02:41
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