Surf Instro Review: Surf Monsters - Various Artists

The tsunami called Del-Fi comes crashing back with an incredible testament to the talent flourishing in the surf music community today. Surf Monsters, a compilation of various artists, is not just another surf album.

It's a unique blend of vintage and modern surf music, providing fresh sound waves that intrigue and excite any surf music enthusiast. It comes rumbling through on the latest sonic delight, adding to the music's ever-growing popularity.

Del-Fi is the unequivocal king of the surf comps. What makes it interesting are the essential ingredients of vintage surf from the sixties.

Let us not forget the music's forefathers, but can we? True to form concerning surf culture, the artwork of Surf Monsters is not just colorful, it's a vibrant reflection of the sixties. It's a visual journey that will make any surf music enthusiast feel nostalgic and connected to the era.

Flaming, pounding, savage, and manic guitars fill this disc. The second time around, I realized I was listening to one phenomenal group of songs.

If this is where surf music is headed, I'll be along for the ride. I hope it lasts forever! This is a brilliant foray into reverb-soaked twang, characterized by reverb and a distinctive guitar sound.

Like the wild and untamed wave, surf music takes you for one hell of a ride, magical and timeless like nature itself.

Surf Monsters is where music meets art and combines for a complete cultural experience. 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

June/July 1999

Tracks:

01. Man Or Astroman?-Flotation Devices For Frequencies Yet To Be Detected

02.The Bomboras-Planet Of The Apehangers   

03. Satan's Pilgrims- Harem Nocturne 

04. The Original Sufaris- Bombora

05. Huevos Rancheros- Beach Blanket Blackout  

06. Dave Myers & The Surftones- Church Key

07. The Centurions- Bullwinkle Pt. II  

08. The Cocktail Preachers- Alabatross Joe   

09. The Sentinals- Exotic

10. Barbacoa- Northern Sky   

11. The Tike Tones- The Island Of Lost Soul

12. Dave Meyers  & The Surftones- Moment Of Truth  

13. The Dynatones-Devil's Martini

14. The Space Cossacks- The Apes Of Wrath   

15. The Impacts- Wipe Out  

16. The Sub-Mersians-Dr. Yes

17. The Lively Ones- Miserlou   

18. The Sentinals-Big Surf   

19. Powerjive-Surf Session At Sunset

20. The Lively Ones-Surf Rider

Surf Instro Review: The Knights-Surfin' The Web

Another Surf group from the '60s emerges from the ashes with a new recording, The Knights. This group of songs consists of mellow, twang-drenched surf.

The group fast-forwards to the 90s with their recording Surfin' the Web, complete with all the high-tech sounds of getting online. The first cut jumps out at you, then quiets down a bit after that with a softer approach. This group has the talent to do a full-length CD with all original material, which many groups in this genre need to do.

I don't mean to take anything away from the Knights, but they do a fine job with this release, and I enjoyed it. Their versions of the classics are done exceptionally well. I also appreciate a nod to the past. However, one or two cuts from the '60s suit my taste. Many folks may enjoy hearing all of the older tunes again.

I am happy that some of these groups are seizing the moment, getting web pages up, and reconnecting with their past. The Internet has breathed new life into groups that would otherwise have been forgotten.   

Note: My opinion today about doing surf covers is entirely different from what it was then. I was just starting out writing and was hungry to hear new bands' original material. Of course, I would soon find out that many of the bands would enjoy doing covers on their releases!       

Tracks:

01. Surfin' The Web  

02. Mother Load  

03. Bull Dog  

04. Sleep Walk 

05. Surfin' The Rio  

06. El Nino

07. Sea Of Love     

08. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow   

09. Cool Links  

10. Walk Don't Run

Surf Instro Review and Interview: Jon & The Nightriders-Raw & Alive '98

https://www.johnblair.us/

Jon and The Nightriders' incredible, electric, bona fide surf played live is realized on their iconic album, Raw & Alive '98. This album, a testament to their live performance prowess, solidified their reputation as the only supergroup in Surf Music.

Jon & The Nightriders is a group of exceptional talents. Dusty Watson, who plays drums, and Dave Wronski, who plays rhythm guitar, also lead the group Slacktone, which makes up two-thirds of the ensemble.

 

What's impressive to me is that Wronski plays rhythm guitar. His lead playing with Slacktone is nothing short of phenomenal.

 

It's loud and pounding surf, accompanied by a guitar that sounds like a machine gun, delivering rapid and intense notes. There is plenty of the trademark reverb sound, along with a distinctive echo effect that adds depth and texture to their music.

 

Jon Blair is a legend on lead guitar who plays as if it were his last night alive. Fresh and invigorating like a swim in the ocean. This is a wave that must not be missed.

 

Don't miss the chance to experience the unbeatable Jon & The Nightriders live in action, captured in Long Beach, California. The energy, the sound, and the atmosphere are all there, waiting for you to be a part of it.

 

This is a legendary surf music supergroup in their element, and you won't want to miss it.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

June/July 1998                                          

Tracks:

01. Thunder over Rincon   

02.Geronimo   

03. Boogie Board   

04. Moving Target  

05.Molokai Cocktail

06. Rumble At Waikiki    

07.Horror Hayride 

08. Hurricane      

09. Twitchin'   

10.Grommet

11. Shake'N' Stomp

12.Storm Dancer    

13. Banzai Washout