Release Date: October 17, 2026
Catching the Wave: Heavy Reverb, Raw Energy, and Modern Surf Dynamics
Back in July, I was introduced to The Dirty Licks and checked out their latest release, Shelf Break. Their rock punch and surfy licks were a joy to hear.
Now we have an EP titled Power Stance. I am looking forward to some more energetic tracks! So here we go again- will there be a few more tricks and a lot of dirty licks?
“Karmageddon” starts with a gong crash, then dives straight into rapid-fire surf-rock runs that come at you. This high-energy power surf has a driving rhythm section. It sounds like a musical locomotive barreling down the tracks, but you’re not sure it’ll stay on course!
“Mariana Trenchcoat” switches to surf-spy intrigue. Melodic and keeping its pounding rhythm section intact, the guitar shifts back and forth on great runs with amply resonating twang. Another banger with tasty rockin’ runs and plenty of atmosphere, making it feel like 007 has it in the bag.
“Pier Pressure” hits you straight in the eye at the starting gate. This band doesn’t mess around; it's straight-ahead energy, no fail. Some interesting transitions develop along the way. The twang and reverb are excellent as the drums and bass keep attacking at full force.
“Mi Tio Borracho” translates to “My Drunk Uncle.” It kicks off with a distant guitar and prominent bass before cutting loose with piercing guitar lines and a potent bottom end. It returns to the intro tempo, then shifts back to tear it up with fiery guitar licks. Strong rock-oriented runs sit alongside their core surf melody. Excellent!
“Runnin’ With Sam Hill” takes yet another turn and a broad stroke into spaghetti western territory. Dylan Oldham of The Desert Undertones is a guest guitarist, adding vintage sounds. That shift in sound grabs you immediately, and a picture forms in your mind. You’re off and running on a galloping horse, a cowboy bandit escaping the clutches of the law, a cloud of dust kicking up behind him. Nice transitions in this one, with different layers and guitar tones. And it ends with the crack of the whip, perfect. My favorite track!
“Sea Senor” starts the same way the opener did, with high-energy surf and twang riffing and a locomotive rhythm section. This is killer surf rock with no subtleties or holding back. Excellent energy and color burst through your speakers. Exciting and so much fun to hear, and what a way to close it out!
The
Dirty Licks picked the perfect title for their latest offering; it's literally a Power Stance.
This isn’t laid-back surf—this is high-octane, full-throttle energy from start to finish. So pull up your boots, hang on tight, and get ready for a surf-rock ride you won’t soon forget.
The Dirty Licks are:
Mike Panico - Guitar
Fernando Gomez - Bass
Jeff Locke - Drums
Additional guitar on "Runnin' With Sam Hill" courtesy of Dylan Oldham
of Desert Undertones
Recorded and engineered by Jim Waters at Waterworks West in Tucson, Arizona
Mastered by Jim Blackwood at Blackwood Mastering in Tucson, Arizona
Front cover by Nate Brinker
Back cover art by Steven Sommitz
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder
October 2, 2026
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment