Surf-Instrumental-Rock-Punk Review: Lombego Surfers-Full Tank Of Tiki

https://lombegosurfers.net/

I think that I have finally figured out how to explain the Lombego Surfers’ sound. Think of The Clash on speed meets The Sex Pistols meets Dick Dale. So there you have it - the four major music groups all in one musical meal: punk, rock, surf, and rock.

I am not pleased with the direction this group is taking. The people who get off on the rapid-fire punk like The Ramones will Love Full Tank Of Tiki.

 

I prefer the instrumental work on this album, which consists of only three tracks. "Reverends Ride" is smokin’ and peelin’ out on two tires, leaving behind a trail of smoke and fire. "Acceleration" keeps the tires spinning and "Backfire" spits out more of the same. The rest of it is punk rock in high gear.

 

I steadfastly believe that this group continues to grow with the direction of Anthony ‘Lombego’ Thomas at the steering wheel, although I think that they took a wrong turn somewhere on this album. After hearing the first track, it set me up for more of the same, but alas, I was not going to get my instro fix this time around.

 

I heard a lot of growth on "Reverend’s Ride." They sounded like the Cadillac Hitmen. That Western surf-instrumental sound with a hard edge gets my blood circulating. I think that if this group pursues a strictly instrumental direction with their sound and experiments further, they will have the right mix and sound for my taste.

 

Full tank? I would say so, but only because of the wrong fuel at this stop.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
November 11, 2001

Tracks:

01. Reverends Ride

02. So Low Down

03. Makes No Difference

04. Full Tank ]

05. Grab It

06. Pumping My Heart

07. Up For Anything

08. Gimme The Shakes

09. In Their Eye

10. Acceleration

11. Wrap It Up

12. Backfire

13. Highball

Instrumental Surf-Rock-Psychedelic Review: Kioea-Electric Surf EP

Release Date: June 7, 2025

Label: Independent

Website

Kioea Is:

Carand Burnet- Guitar, Sitar, Synth, Vocals

Neil Collins-Bass

Matt Wilson- Drums

When I received a package from the band Kioea, I knew that it was going to be something different. Based on the introduction I read, it wasn’t just going to be a surf instrumental album, and it got me excited for what I was about to hear. I love surf instro; however, hearing something that is a few steps beyond that can also be intriguing.

The Electric Surf EP is a unique blend of atmospheric surf, rock, and psych. This musical journey features intriguing Middle Eastern influences, courtesy of the sitar. The use of a synthesizer for various effects throughout the tracks is another notable element. This complex mixture of music, each bit of it superb, is a testament to the band’s innovative approach. Despite the name, Kioea is not a Hawaiian band; instead, it hails from the vibrant music scene of Portland, Maine, and its surrounding areas.

Every track you will hear Carand’s guitar and earthy, wordless vocals. This adds another layer to the many other layers of guitar, bass, synths, sitar, and drums.

“Orca” begins the journey with a slow tempo and an atmospheric drone sound, a continuous, low-pitched note that creates a sense of depth and space in the music. Then the tempo picks up with some fast picking and rhythm guitar. Surfy leads and powerful drums follow. Here they set the precedence for ever-changing tempos and a transitory sound that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

“Canyon Wren” continues with the mellow vibes. A catchy melody then transitions to a different tempo, accompanied by a flash lead guitar lick before returning to the main melody. Another change comes with some echoing leads, which build up and then recede. Then you hear the bird itself (nice touch), and some wordless vocals come in again, and the bird sounds return with a dreamy atmosphere, creating an island paradise in your mind. Very picturesque and encouraging a listener to think about where they could be.

“Sun Fish” captivates the listener with its beautiful wordless vocals and strong bass and drums. The music’s transitory nature, changes in tempo and intensity, keep the listener engaged and intrigued. The band’s use of wordless vocals adds another layer of beauty to their music, making it a truly captivating listen.

“Paloma” is very melodic at the start, featuring wordless vocals. Drums and bass are excellent as they navigate through quick changes and sudden shifts in rhythm or melody, keeping the music fresh and engaging. Accompanied by guitar passages, which are a hallmark of these tracks, they provide a dynamic foundation.

The title track, “Electric Surf,” is quite different, featuring more wordless vocals. It is ambient and spacey, with a spacious and ethereal sound that creates a dreamy atmosphere, as the guitars, bass, and drums suddenly jump in. A smooth tempo is consistent, and excellent guitar work is a highlight. A changeover to some picking, followed by another switch, then a steady, rhythmic guitar, adds different layers of flavor as the tempos change. As with all their music, they create an atmospheric and dreamy soundscape with the addition of the wordless vocals.

“Province Lands” closes things out with a sitar and crickets chirping in the background. This is a live recording from a Simplify Yoga Retreat. It is an ambient meditative listen. So, the album ends like it was a new age instrumental album rather than a surf-tinged instrumental rock effort. Very different but quite enjoyable.

I would call their music progressive instrumental surf. Now that is a title you will rarely hear, and it takes a lot of elements for me even to suggest it. But here it is, have a listen and see for yourself.  If you are yearning for something entirely different, you will find it on the Electric Surf EP.

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

July 27, 2025

Tracks:

1. Orca 03:14

2. Canyon Wren 04:26

3. Sun Fish 03:31 video

4. Paloma 02:38

5. Electric Surf 05:34

6. Province Lands 03:44

Surf Rock Instrumental Review: Various Artists-American Surf Treasures Volume 1 & 2

Paul Johnson’s importance to the development of surf-instrumental music, more specifically South Bay Surf, cannot be overstated. His contributions to the genre helped to create and establish the music as a viable source of entertainment for teenagers nationwide during the early sixties. He is so vital that he stands alongside The Ventures, The Shadows, Merrell Fankhauser, and Link Wray as one of the true pioneers and innovators of a musical genre that has a colorful past and continues to grow and evolve today.

These two CDs, aptly titled American Surf Treasures Volume 1 & 2, are a significant part of surf-instrumental music history. Volume one delves into PJ’s work and his collaboration with The Galaxies and Art Fisher of the Journeyman, offering a glimpse into the admiration and respect PJ had for Artie and his group. This is not just a collection of music, but a historical narrative of PJ’s journey and his influence on the genre.

 

PJ was ready to grow and move on as a developing and influential guitar player at all times, hence his continuing evolution in several different groups and metamorphosis into a fabulous solo career that is going with a full head of steam to this day (check out his MP3 site-remember that?).

 

Volume two gives you a glimpse of some of the more progressive groups of the time, chosen by PJ to record and be guided by his musical genius in the studio. The Nocturnes, Vibrants, Wheely McSidewalk & The Ball Bearings (how do you like that name!), and the Revelairs, known for their experimental and innovative approach to surf music, are given equal time with their priceless songs. It proves the influence, importance, and respect that PJ had from his peers in the genre early on.

 

Some of these songs are surprisingly rocking for the time they were recorded. You can tell that the playing is slightly restrained, so they would not veer off too far into the rock and roll sound, a more aggressive and vocal-driven style, that could have soon derailed the surf-instro music phenomenon dead in its tracks.

 

Volume one has twenty-five tracks while volume two is bulging with twenty-eight tracks. How could I possibly cite any one song as a standout? They are all timeless pieces of surf-instrumental history, forever linked together. There was not one song that I didn’t enjoy.

 

That says a lot for the selection and quality of the songs and the sound.

 

The only drawback to the entire set is that the folks at Gee-Dee ignored PJ’s request to proofread the liner notes. It’s rife with errors. It’s a shame because it’s an exciting and fabulous read that could have been given the care it deserved, to complement the immense quality and significance of the collection. It’s an easy enough error to overlook when you sit and listen to the music, so don’t let that stop you from picking up these priceless gems.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
September 7, 2001

Track Listing

Volume One:

01. Tally Ho

02. Andele

03. Rise And Fall Of Flingel Blunt

04. The Shimmy (AKA Side Two)

05. Wild Goose

06. The Moldau

07. One Mint Julep

08. Rockin’ Pnuemonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu

09. Big Shot

10. Scouse

11. Lanky Bones

12. Comin’ Home Baby

13. Belly Button

14. Ramrod

15. Vamonos

16. (It’s Gonna) Work Out Fine

17. Squad Car

18. Mariah

19. Fink 20. Work Out

21. Bag’s Groove

22. Surfer’s Blues

23. Surfer’s Rule

24. Artie’s Blues

25. Rum Runner

 

*Tracks 1-14 are PJ & The Galaxies, 15-19 are PJ & Artie, 20-25 are the Journeyman.

 

Volume Two:

01. Third Star To The Left

02. Sticky

03. Bha-Ree-Ba!

04. Space Probe

05. Surfer Street

06. Midnight Run

07. Journey To The Stars

08. HonkyTonk

9. Comin’ Home Baby

10. Wipeout

11. Shootin’ The Pier

12. Memphis Beat

13. Funky Beat

14. Surf Beat

15. San-Ho-Zay

16. Hawaiian Warchant

17. Ridin’ High

18. Skokiaan

19. Scorpion

20. Zorchy

21. Stomp Crazy

22. Wild Fire

23. The Breeze

24. Fuel Injection

25. Whispering

26. Theme From “Blacksaddle”

27. Dark Eyes

28. The Cruel Sea Third Star To The Left

 

*Tracks 1-11 are the Nocturnes, 12-14 are Wheely McSidewalk & The Ball Bearings, 15-18 are the Revelairs, 19-24 are the Vibrants, 25-28 are the Revelairs.