Surf Instro Review: The Stingrays Surf Band - Don't Fear The Reverb

What do three kids from Southern California have in common with surf music? You wouldn’t think all that much. To the contrary, they play the music like they were born to spread the word of reverb like it was Gospel.

Their ages range from 14 to 16, and they are The Stingrays Surf Band, and their album is titled Don’t Fear The Reverb (their nod to Blue Öyster Cult). 

This is what it was like in the 60s. High school kids would surf, dance, and play this new thing called surf music. This is 1999, and things have changed. The excitement of the music is still alive, but the kids are different and have more resources available to them.

 

The talent of this young group is far beyond their years of experience.

 

They sound more like a group of seasoned veterans rather than a bunch of overzealous teenagers. They’re a lightning speed power trio with all the exuberance and optimism of youth going for them, plus a great future to look forward to. What more could you ask for? Life is good for The Stingrays.

 

On the track "La Chancha," a Latin-salsa flavored trumpet gives it that south-of-the-border feel. That was an unexpected pleasure. They also do some good covers of the classics, "Pipeline" and "Nitro." However, it's their unique interpretation of these classics that truly sets them apart. Every song is very well done with the essence of that classic reverb-filled surf sound.

 

I can’t imagine how these young men will sound once they are further along in development. I wish more teenagers would start picking up guitars and create music like this. Who knows? Another golden age of surf could begin again...

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

December 29, 1999

 

Tracks:

01. Don’t Fear the Reverb

02. Los Mosquitos

03. Sunnyside Up

04. La Chancha

05. Hawaiian Pullout

06. Bodybag

07. Weiners and Beans

08. Pipeline

09. Larry’s Got A Longboard

10. Impact Zone

11. Sabrina

12. Gone Surfing

13. Nitro