Making mini music lists is becoming a thing I’ve been enjoying. Picking a topic and rolling with it via Youtube, BAM. Mini music list.
Any of y’all fans of surf rock? It originated in the 60’s influenced by the surf culture under the California sun. It’s a sound that I thoroughly enjoy – that electric guitar and reverb gets me. I adore it.
I don’t listen too much to the older/original surf rock although I’m considering growing a surf rock record collection. I plan on doing my research to familiarize myself with specific bands and musicians who are associated with the sound so when I make my way to thrift stores, I’ll know who to look out for. My goal is to find some real obscure sounds, but in the meantime, I’ve got my 90’s revival and modern indie surf rock bands that I appreciate.
So, here’s my mini list of some surf rockin’ bands I listen to.
I honestly couldn’t pick a song to best represent their surf rock as they have their own sound featuring noise, reverb, and hip hop beats with a surf rock undertone. They are my number one and I love them more than words can describe. My ultimate music sounds like this. They capture the perfect amount of surf with their dark rock. Their most recent album is influenced by the surf culture in Hawaii, and I can’t get enough of it.
Originating from Seattle, it’s strange that La Luz has taken on such a sound since it’s pretty gloomy where they reside. But there is a tint of dark to their surf rock inspired songs, so it’s not too far off. They also feature great harmonies, doo wop, and noisy guitars with synth. They’re about to release a new album, so I’m excited to add more of their sound to my collection.
I went through a huge Kids In The Hall phase years ago, and since then, I’ve been obsessing over instrumental surf rock. I’m not a fan of instrumental music because I love to hear vocals in songs, but after listening to this band, I grew an appreciation for just instrumentals, and I feel like instrumental surf rock just makes so much sense. Plus, this song is catchy in its own way.
When I first discovered Authority Zero, I immediately fell in love with their surf/skate punk sound. I will never forget buying their first album and having it on constant repeat while playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 with my brothers. When spring-summer rolls around, there’s something about their sound that I can’t get enough; they are part of my summer jams. They also bring back memories of those Tony Hawk days.
Here’s a band I discovered somewhat recently that is just super fun. Clearly there’s something happening in Seattle that’s encouraging this wave (hardy har) of surf rock. Maybe it’s the fact the gloomy weather encourages them Seattleites to find a way to bring the sunshine into their city through a sunny sound. Tacocat does that perfectly.
Here’s a chill band that has underlying tones of surf rock, just like The Raveonettes. Don’t get me wrong, both bands have are different and distinct sounds but their main sound is a sort of indie with undertones of that surf vibe. Swim Deep is super chill causing a great environment to just space out, and fits into the modern surf/garage/dream pop sound that has been creeping into the current indie music scene.
So there’s my modern surf list. I’ll report back when I begin my vintage surf rock record collection which I’m hoping to get going soon. Research will commence at some point!
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