Surf-Rock Instrumental Review: White Sands-Self Titled EP

Release Date:   August 20, 2024

Label: White Sands/Nomad Eel Records

Website

The White Sands six-song EP is a dynamic combination of surf and rock from an excellent trio. The colorful artwork, featuring a spooky Halloween font and an alien abduction, serves as a good lead into the track titles you will encounter before listening. The cover reminded me of early sci-fi posters from 1950s movies. This is a cinema set to music.

As with any exceptional instrumental music in this genre, the EP is guitar-centric, with robust backing from the bass and drums. Across the six tracks, you can hear three musicians at the peak of their craft, delivering a performance that is sure to impress.

The EP is readily available for download on Bandcamp, ensuring easy accessibility to all music enthusiasts. For those who appreciate a more tangible experience, a limited cassette version is also available.

"The Black Cat Is Deathless" features strong rhythms (something that is a strength of their music). There are twangy, clear-cut leads that take on this spine-tingling adventure of the evil black cat. Some nice tremolo effects are inserted for that surfy feel, then some tight rockin' leads for more impact. The bass and drums are synced nicely to hold down the back end, which they consistently do throughout this recording.

"Cult of the Crab King" has a subtle drum opening and a heavy bass as the guitar comes in with its surf reverb vibes, making you "feel" the waves of sound as you picture this bizarre creature prodding along. The constant cymbals echo throughout as the drummer's other hand maintains the steady pulse to match the bass.

"Revenge of the Tikibots" starts like a shot out of a cannon with lots of reverb flying off the strings of the guitar. The guitar dominates their sound, as it should. The proper effect to match the track titles is accomplished by the tempos created. Some fast picking occurs for a short time, approaching a glissando sound as closely as possible. The drums and bass answer the call and pick up the pace, then a sudden finish.

"It Came From Hobbs" makes a grand entrance, showcasing the band's exceptional musicianship. The instrumentation kicks into high gear with immediate impact, and the various sections of music highlight the trio's superb skills. They certainly make a lot of noise for just three men, leaving the listener in awe of their talent.

The "Vampire Drug Party" begins with an eerie sound that fits the script of the vampire. This is a vampire on drugs, though, so I don't know how that would work out. Or maybe everyone at the party is drugged out, so it's easy picking for the bloodthirsty ghoul! Some rockin' surf leads and big drums and bass show their power as the lead guitar cuts through with its pinpoint notes. Now the atmosphere is set, and the time is right for the vampire to strike!

"Bamboo Forest" is just shy of 4 minutes, showing the band's exotica side of the equation. There is a cinematic entrance into the forest of mystery as the music's atmospheric sounds captivate your imagination, with the drummer's beats and well-placed leads from the guitar creating even more intrigue. The bass is meaty, adding more depth to the track. What lies around the corner of the maze of bamboo?

White Sands has crafted a captivating collection of tracks and made the most impact possible for a short EP release. Their sound can be complex and shifting; however, I found it highly entertaining and would look forward to a full-length album with more of the exotica elements mixed in.

The Players:

Chris V. – Guitars

Dustin Mortensen – Bass

Brian Burton – Drums

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

July 3, 2025

Tracks:

1. The Black Cat Is Deathless 03:42

2. Cult of the Crab King 02:53

3. Revenge of the Tikibots 02:15

4. It Came From Hobbs 02:58

5. Vampire Drug Party 02:41

6. Bamboo Forest 03:58

Surf Instro-Garage Rock Review: Monster Party 2000 - Various Artists

What did you dress up as this Halloween? Did you have enough candy for all the groveling rugrats? None of it matters if you had Monster Party 2000 blaring out into the street. This CD is eerie, scary, and cool all wrapped into one package. Look no further than MuSick Recordings to make every Halloween a real party.

MuSick Recordings, known for its selective approach, doesn’t flood the market with music. Instead, they carefully curate their releases, ensuring that each one is a unique and special addition to your collection.

Some of the best instrumental, garage, and instro artists are gathered together on this CD, offering a diverse range of music styles. From reverb excitement that makes your blood curdle to howling speakers, this CD promises a musical journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I guarantee you will be the hippest house on the block if you play this music while the pumpkin is all aglow with its fiendish smile, beckoning the wary to approach your haunted house.

This is no trick, it’s a treat, and it rocks. This bag of treats is jock full of surf-instro, garage, punk, and good old rock and roll to make your party the best in town. Some of the guests are The Boss Martians, known for their high-energy surf rock; The Space Cossacks, masters of instrumental rock; Satan’s Pilgrims, a surf rock band with a spooky twist; Hypnomen, a garage rock-surf-pysch sensation; and Los Straightjackets, a band that combines surf rock with Mexican influences! ...All of the heavy hitters.

This is not just music for a season, my friends, this is kick-ass music that's perfect for any time of year. So, whether it's Halloween, a summer barbecue, or just a regular day when you need a pick-me-up, grab your makeup, costumes, and masks (if necessary) and let’s rock! How can you go wrong when you start the party with the Munsters’ theme?

This was a lot of fun, and that’s what it’s all about. This kind of graveyard bash gets you loosened up right from the start. Let your hair hang down, get down and get weird, and enjoy this ghoulish platter.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

November 20, 2000

Tracks:

01. Welcome To The Party   

02. Frankenstomp-Satan’s Pilgrims   

03. Have You Ever Seen...?-The Boss Martians   

04. Transylvanian Orbit-The Space Cossacks

05. Frankie’s Groovy Monster Boots-Eddie Angel & The Omega Men   

06. Dracula’s Deuce-Freddy Fortune & The Four-Gone Conclusions

07. The Goon-Bleed     

08. Theme From “Young Frakenstien”-The Madeira    

09. Ghosts From Boot Hill-The Hellbenders  

10. Nosferatu-The 3-D Invisibles

11. The Pendulum-Hypnomen     

12. Daddy Long Legs-The Tiki Tones    

13. (Theme From) Slaying Beauty-Bambi Molesters   

14. Billy’s Dead-Deadbolt

15. Evil Walks In-Fifty Foot Combo   

16. El Monster Surfin’ Time    

17. Already Dead-Electric Frankenstein    

18. Roadside Cross-Cobrajets

19. Rockula-Los Straightjackets    

20. Dracula’s Daughter-The Woggles   

21. It’s The Mummy-The Chimps

22. Theme From “Young Frankenstein” (Reprise)-Madeira

Fanzine Review: Colorado Instrumental Fanzine (Matthew Clark)

https://coloradoinstrumentalfanzine.bandcamp.com

I recently had the pleasure of connecting with Matthew Clark, the ingenious creator and publisher of the Colorado Instrumental Fanzine. This unique gem in the world of music publications stands out, making it a must-read for any music enthusiast.

He sent me copies of volumes 2, 3, and 4, along with two 45s for review, a bunch of band stickers, and several download codes for Bandcamp for additional reviews. Additionally, in his generosity, he connected me with some labels, allowing me to review more products. Some of the people I reconnected with from years ago, when I started doing a ton of reviews in the surf instro genre, remembered me, thankfully.

This man is passionate about music and spreading the word in any way he can. He travels extensively throughout the country to cover festivals and conducts in-depth interviews for his magazine, along with feature stories that cover gear and reviews of new releases. All this while holding down a full-time day job. That is something I did for over 25 years myself, so I know how much time and energy it takes to accomplish it all.

Reading all the zines cover to cover was a delight. The fact that it's all in black and white not only adds to its charm but also keeps the costs of publishing down, making it more affordable for all of us surf instro fans.

Matthew Clark's passion for music and the people who create it is truly inspiring. His responsiveness to my outreach has been commendable, and he has made significant efforts to help me expand my community presence. I am deeply grateful to him for his friendship and interest in my work, and I'm sure you will be too (If you are a band looking for some attention for your music).

I highly recommend going to Matthew’s Bandcamp page and purchasing a physical or digital copy of his work. Stay in touch with what he's doing, as many exciting surprises and bonuses are coming along soon with the fanzine! Keep an eye out for his future projects to stay engaged with the surf instrumental music community.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music & Art Founder

July 3, 2025

 

Surf Instro Vinyl Review: Various Artists-Legends of Surf Guitar-Recorded Live at The Lighthouse 1995

Release Date: July 4, 2025

Label: Oglio Records

Buy The Vinyl

It is quite a period to imagine when looking at this album, recorded thirty years ago, then reaching back another 30 or more years to when those songs were released. Now you can relive them in a live setting, in all their glory. That is precisely what you get with Legends of Surf Guitar-Recorded Live at The Lighthouse 1995 on Oglio Records.

 

The title "Legends of Surf Guitar" pays homage to the influential artists featured on this album, marking it a significant event in the history of surf music. The location was Hermosa Beach, CA, and that was most appropriate.

 

This 2-LP vinyl set, a must-have for any serious collector, is housed in gatefold sleeves featuring pictures and commentary on the inside. The vinyl is a beautiful, light green, translucent, with superb sound. The gatefold sleeves not only protect the vinyl but also provide a visual treat for the eyes, with rare photographs and insightful commentary about the performances.

 

Many of the tracks on this album are the ones that first drew me into the world of surf music. Revisiting them now, in a live setting, is an exhilarating experience. The lineups that provided the entertainment were top-notch, and the sound quality was impeccable. If I were to sum it up in a tagline, I'd say, “It’s a riptide of surf instrumental that will pull you out and drown you in reverb.” What a way to go, right?

 

All the tracks are short but very impactful, and the best way to describe them is to do it the same way: short, sweet, and to the point. The brevity of the tracks adds to the album's energy and keeps the listener engaged, with each track delivering a punchy, memorable performance.

 

Tracks 1-10 by Paul Johnson and The Packards:

“Lanky Bones” brings on an explosive start to the proceedings, and I would not have expected anything less. This is surf rock, and I detected a hint of country flavor around the edges, which came as a surprise but was nevertheless a welcome one.

 

“Andele” is twangy with a great beat set behind the guitar. The steady bottom end holds it all together nicely.

 

“Windshield Wiper” is filled with hooks and sparkling reverb as it slides right into “Joyful Blues,” which is filled with clean licks and no tricks. I was reminded fondly of Danny Gatton.

 

“Apache” is classic surf instro! I love the irresistible riff, featuring some rapid picking that emulates the sound of a rider on his horse leaving a trail of dust behind. Think The Ventures and The Shadows on this one, at least that came to mind for my ears. Both bands covered it, and many have followed suit.

 

“Tally Ho” features a dueling guitar sound, followed by a switch to a strong lead run and fine rhythm backing, creating the surf instro foundation that all the great tracks have. They are totally in the groove and sound like a musical machine on fire!

 

“Armor of Light” is a real toe-tapper with superior rhythms, featuring a quick, rapid-fire drum fill for added excitement to end side one.

 

“Kami Kaze” opens side two soaked in reverb, followed by a splash of instrumental greatness.

 

“Squad Car” features a saxophone that provides the siren sound and a very familiar riff to all of us surf fans. It is surf instro in hyperdrive.

 

“Mr. Moto” is a Paul Johnson classic. They remake it live to perfection!

 

“Peter Gunn/Baby Elephant Walk” and “Blues Theme” bring back Davie Allan & The Arrows, and they nail it down. You get the best of both worlds with surf/spy sounds, then some real string bending sounding like a bee ready to sting! Then, some heavy fuzz steps away from surf instro and sounds more like rock with attitude, without uttering a word as side two comes to an end.

 

Side Three introduces The Chantays as “Killer Dana,” reminding us of the first wave of surf again. Vintage reverb fills the air, featuring some cool transitions, nice picking, and all supported by a steady rhythm section.

 

“Crystal-T” features some catchy riffing that transitions into more rock-oriented leads. I enjoyed that mixture and the back-and-forth.

 

“Pipeline” catches that perfect wave of legendary tracks that never seem to get old; it's timeless.

If you like reverb+, you will love it!

 

“Green Room” is a high-energy rocker with a tight rhythm section.

 

Jim Masoner (The Lively Ones) comes on stage and kicks it off with “Surf Rider.” Another can’t miss classic and a standard for the “first wave” set list—an unmistakable riff and one short part where the guitar screams, which catches you off guard. Then “Happy Gremmie” closes side three with some red-hot leads.

 

Bob Dalley (The Surf Raiders) opens side four with “Curl Rider,” featuring a strong bass part. The track then cranks up with superb reverb-laden guitar leads, a brief rapid drum fill, and some fast picking.

 

John Blair (Jon & The Nightriders), who started the second wave of surf, was a producer of this project with Matt Linett. The track begins with some powerful drums and bass on “Rumble at Waikiki.” The reverberating guitar notes put you smack in the middle of the rumble. The atmosphere is cinematic as you imagine the huge waves in Hawaii at their peak, where only a few dare to surf.

 

“Geronimo” has some guitars meshing nicely as the tribal beat of the room fills the hall.

 

Bob Demmon (Astronauts) is off to a strong start with the classic “Baja,” a perfect surf instro tune. The irresistible rhythms and leads are excellent!

 

“Movin’” begins with a bass line, something unusual on this recording, as the guitar rings out with clear and crisp hooks.

 

“Hot Doggin’” is your typical fast-moving surf, equaling the thundering waves hitting the beach at high tide. This is the sound of the genre and the culture.

 

Now, to end things properly with Jim Pash (Surfaris), we have the most recognizable and probably the most famous song of the genre, “Wipe Out.” This all-time great tune is known for its brisk drum parts and the crazed cackle saying, “Wipe Out,” this time courtesy of Bob Dalley. You can hear the crowd hooting and hollering—a perfect ending to one amazing recording.

 

Legends of Surf Guitar-Recorded Live at The Lighthouse 1995 is sure to become an instant hit and collectors' item. There are only 500 copies available, so get yours before it becomes an overpriced, out-of-reach after-market item.

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

July 5, 2025

Tracklist:

Side One:

Paul Johnson & The Packards

1. Lanky Bones

2. Andele

3. Windshield Wiper

4. Joyful Blues

5. Apache

6. Tally Ho

7. Armor of Light

Side Two:

8. Kami Kaze

9. Squad Car

10. Mr. Moto

Davie Allan (Davie Allan & The Arrows)

11. Peter Gunn/Baby Elephant Walk

12. Blues Theme

Side Three:

The Chantays

13. Killer Dana

14. Crystal-T

15. Pipeline

16. Green Room

Jim Masoner (The Lively Ones)

17. Surf Rider

18. Happy Gremmie

Side Four:

Bob Dalley (The Surf Raiders)

19. Curl Rider

John Blair (Jon & The Nightriders)

20. Rumble at Waikiki

21. Geronimo

Bob Demmon (Astronauts)

22. Baja

23. Movin’

24. Hot Doggin’

Jim Pash (Surfaris)

25. Wipe Out

Surf Instro Review: Laika & The Cosmonauts-Absurdistan

Warner Bros. initially released Laika & The Cosmonauts' Absurdistan only in Finland, a decision that might puzzle some of us. However, this album is a gem that deserves a global audience. 

Having heard a few of their previous releases, I can confidently say that Absurdistan surpasses them all. This is not to discredit the group's earlier work, as they have consistently delivered good music over the years.

This is a high achievement, considering all the factors that come into play when recording an album from start to finish.

The original release of Absurdistan featured thirteen tracks, each a testament to Laika & The Cosmonauts' musical prowess. The American release, however, offers a little extra. In addition to the original tracks, listeners can enjoy three bonus remixes that add a new dimension to the album's sound.

Laika & The Cosmonauts have matured into one of the instrumental genre's best, showcasing their versatility by touching upon every sub-genre of surf-instrumental music. This flexibility in their music creates a pleasing range that transcends all age barriers. It's a superb, mature sound that’s sure to captivate any listener.

As a self-proclaimed surf-instro addict, it takes a lot to impress me after years of listening to this type of music. Being a hardcore Ventures fan makes me more critical than the average listener. Laika & The Cosmonauts pass the test.

This kind of music needs some inventiveness and artistic faculty to sound fresh and invigorating. Laika & The Cosmonauts have managed to infuse their music with these qualities, offering a different slant with a consistent, ear-catching eminence in each song. This CD rocks.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

November 15, 2000

Tracks:

01. Disconnected 

02. Turquoise 

03. Look! No Head!  

04. Hypno-Wheel, The   

05. Boris The Conductor   

06. Lands End   

07. Circumstantial Evidence

08. The Freefaller   

09. Syncophant   

10. Silenzio  

11. Hi & Lo   

12. Nanaki   

13. Rough Ground  

14. Silenzio In Dubsurdistan

15. Rough Evidence On Circumstantial Ground    

16. Re-Inventing The Hypno-Wheel