Surf Rock, Garage Rock and Hot Rod Music Articles, Interviews and Band Pages

I Can't Stop Cranking Out Toys Over Here, And I Have To Tell Somebody!
...courtesy of Guitar Bob
Irrepressible Guitar Bob Ohsiek is at it again, cranking out more goodies for us to drool over! This time he's crafted a couple of new amps and a new guiter, all with some very cool and unique treatments!

Los High Tops: Texas Radio Full-Length CD Release!
...courtesy of Los High Tops
Acclaimed Surfabilly band, Los High Tops, released “Texas Radio,” their first full-length CD, published by Nervous Music America. “Texas Radio” features an engaging mix of originals that draw from the diversity of Americana Roots music.

Tabarnacos Surfers: Hectares and Hectares of Decibels Quality!
...courtesy of Tabarnacos Surfers
From Melodic Surf to rock and roll garage, we always have an abrasive personal touch and we are generously delirious during our shows. We love our public so much that we do not hesitate to give them generously hectares and hectares of decibels quality!

The Incredible Mr. Smith: The Right Sound for Your Ears
...courtesy of Martin Schmidt
An energizing mixture of California Surf, Spaghetti Western Sound in the tradition of Ennio Morricone, Hillbilly Twang and wild Sixties Rock combined with a lot of guitar action between Twang, Noise & Blues. The Incredible Mr. Smith has been an important figure in the international instro scene since 1997.

The Razorblades: Surf Music for the 21st Century
...courtesy of Martin Schmidt
Influenced by Dick Dale and modern bands such as Slacktone, The Mermen and Jon & The Nightriders, they play surf music for the 21st century — dynamic, powerful and full of Twang. They've toured all over Germany and have met colleagues such as Slacktone and Fifty Foot Combo. Look out for The Razorblades when they come to your town!

Guitar Bob's Very Cool Home Built Amps
...courtesy of Guitar Bob
What can we, at Surf Rock .org, say about Guitar Bob Ohsiek? He's cool, he's talented, and he builds some damn fine guitar amplifiers! They don't just sit on a shelf. He gigs with 'em!

The Wavers: 100% Italian Surf Music
...courtesy of The Wavers
The Wavers are a cool group and they have some great surf rock music you can download ... FREE!

Robert Lastdrager: Goodnight CBGBs
...by Robert Lastdrager
...it was like something out of the Addams Family. The walls were covered thick with the posters, stickers, sweat, snot and ash of ten thousand bands, and I was keen as mustard to add our little poster to the sea of grimy paste and paper...

Sony Pictures Classics: Riding Giants
...courtesy of Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures Classics: Riding Giants Check it out! Be sure to check out the Riding Giants trailer.

The MODE
...courtesy of Brew
The Musicians Online Database Exchange. Brew's site helps you make that important connection!

The Waxfoot Surf Show
...courtesy of Waxfoot
Surf rock and other cool music. The Waxfoot Surf Show is an opportunity to get some valuable TV exposure for your band!

Twang Shebang Surf Rock Show
...courtesy of Unsteady Freddie
Unsteady Freddie is now hosting the new Twang Shebang Surf Rock Show on Internet Radio! Don't miss it!

Jetpack Interview
...by Wexler
Daniel J gave me some insight to what happens when a pair of large corporations dabble in selling surf music, staying original while covering famous material, and his associations with Dick Dale!

The Vara-tones: High-Energy Instrumental Surf Band
...courtesy of The Vara-tones
The Vara-tones are a high-energy instrumental surf band in the best traditions of The Ventures, Dick Dale and The Surfaris. The Vara-tones originated in 1961, inspired by the instrumentals of groups like The Fireballs, The Ventures and Duane Eddy!

Current Swell: The Sweetest Beats off Vancouver Island
...courtesy of Current Swell
Like the breakers that wash the west coast of British Columbia's Vancouver Island, the sonic wave of Current Swell invites you on an unforgettable ride. Playing some of the sweetest beats off Vancouver Island, Current Swell is a folk rock band that combines Jack Johnson and sublime vibes!

The Dillengers: Surfabilly/Crimejazz Experts
...courtesy of The Dillengers
Surfabilly/Crimejazz experts The Dillengers stun guitar giant Steve Vai and get signed to his label, Favored Nations Records. Consistently named best band in South Florida magazines and polls. Although renowned in the Southeast U.S., they have yet to break into the world ... until now!

The Defiant Ones: Hard Hitting Surf & Surf Punk
...courtesy of The Defiant Ones
Formed in the fall of 2004 when Dusty Watson and Sam Bolle were touring with Dick Dale in Florida. The Defiant Ones are all about smashing your sensibilities with a high voltage two on the two punk surf beat. Bringing it on in a Fender fueled munitions package that will just knock your ass out!

Messer Chups: Oleg Gitarkin and Zombi Girl
...courtesy of Messer Chups and More Zvukov Booking
Messer Chups is a duo from St. Petersburg, Russia. Oleg Gitarkin on guitar and Zombi Girl on bass guitar. Their music combines surf, samples from '50s and '60s trash horror sci-fi movies, Soviet synthesizers, electronics. Their show is a combination of music and a video mix from B-movies, sci-fi, horror and erotic films from the '50s and '60s!

The Astroglides: Primal SurfCore Music
...courtesy of The Astroglides
It is not very common to find a band that succeeded to shape a brand new musical genre. Since their formation in 1997, The Astroglides have been crafting unique instrumental and vocal 'Surfcore' tunes!

Mister Neutron: High-Energy, Fender-Fueled Surf-Instro Rock
...courtesy of Mister Neutron
Their energy -- and Damian's guitar playing -- take modern surf music to uncharted waters. Women want them, men want to be them. Luckily, with recent advances in identity theft, anything is possible!

Candygram For Mongo
...courtesy of Candygram For Mongo
All the planets must have been in alignment, because the band was contacted by the music supervisor for the number one show in cable on Friday nights, "Battlestar Galactica"!

'Viva' Lastdrager
...by Tim Barbon
Drummer Rob Lastdrager has done it all in music performance: since the 80s he’s been at it in the Oz pub scene playing rock/alternative/country/punk bands, recording and promoting vinyl LPs, radio interviews, European tours, a gig at famed punk venue CBGB’s in New York. Rob Lastdrager plays drums with Melbourne’s surf slack-o-billy trio The Tommys, gets film extra work and become a daddy.

The Sunrays Story
...by Eddy Medora
We were called the Renegades. We were a garage band rehearsing in my parents home in Pacific Palisades. We were in 7th and 8th grade. I saw a band perform called the Riptides - they had a local hit called Machine Gun. My name is Eddy Medora and I was the lead guitar player for The Sunrays.

Autoramas Interview
...by Commandante
One of the best well known Brazilian independent bands, Autoramas is constantly regarded by the native press for their powerful performance onstage!

Working at Fender (or I decided to get a 'real job')
...by Guitar Bob
I worked assembling amps at Fender in '72 and '73. When I walked through the plant mornings and afternoons I would pass bins of 'blem' guitar necks slated for destruction at the bandsaw. I agonized over it: "Can't I just take 'em home?" As it was, I ended up importing a few handfuls of pots, switches, and jacks home in my lunchpail...

Kelley and the Beachcombers
...courtesy of Guitar Bob
California's #1 Oldies Interactive Surf Band! Probably the busiest surf and dance band on the Central California Coast. They can be seen playing hot surf instrumentals and beach party music at car shows, street fairs, and beach luaus on the Monterey Peninsula.

Abisal: Surf Guitar
...courtesy of Abisal
Abisal is Maneco Saez's idea and was formed with the vision and intention of playing classic surf rock. Always respecting the traditional surf sound, the band has a repertoire that includes Dick Dale, The Astronauts and The Shadows, among others. From Buenos Aires, Argentina!

the skegs: surf-spy-rock-abilly
...courtesy of Larry Chandler
the skegs are a San Francisco based instrumental trio who play a buoyant mix of surf music, movie soundtracks, rockabilly and a host of smokin' originals. Larry, Marina and Steve know how to lay down the tracks! Check out their very cool tunes!

The Baywatchers Interview
...by Commandante
It was fun watching this band performing their "crude" instro surf! In a wise presentiment that some (after show) events of that evening will disappear in a dim haze of beer and mystery, I prepared an interview with The Baywatchers per e-mail.

The Fabulous Woodies: Surf Music and Beyond
...courtesy of John “J-Cat” Griffith
Specializing in classic surf instrumentals, the group also plays a variety of popular Top 40 songs from past to present. Through this music combination The Fabulous Woodies create the fun era of California sun, surf and beyond.

Nova Surfer: Surfdom for the 21st Century
...courtesy of Kasper Gerlach
The song Electro-gun, by surf rock band Nova Surfer (from Amsterdam, the Netherlands), is part of the soundtrack of Five Thousand Meters, a documentary on the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials that took place in July.

Pozor Vlak: Fuzz! Surf! Trash!
...courtesy of Commandante
Pozor Vlak was founded in the lazy summer days of 1996 as a trio. Their task was to teach the people how to surf 'n' roll. So, they began to write dozens of songs influenced by the music of the Phantom Surfers, Link Wray and a lot of other great bands and artists.

The Lava Rats: NorCal Surf Rock
...courtesy of Bill Bergstrom and The Lava Rats
For nearly three years now, The San Francisco Bay Area has come to know the name of The Lava Rats. With their distinct blend of fiery originals and razor-sharp covers, this trio of surf musicians has made a lasting mark on the clubs in their hometown and beyond.

Los High Tops
...courtesy of Tony Tissot
Who says Surf isn't commercially viable? Los High Tops wrote and recorded music for Hotwire's 30-second TV spots on Oprah!, SNL, E.R., Survivor and many fine programs.

George B's Gear Collection
...courtesy of George Boccanfuso
Here are some pictures and information on the gear I've found over the last 10 years or so. This represents a LOT of horsetrading and buying and selling to dig up the dough, but it's been a great trip! Lucky I have an understanding wife!

The Tommys: Groove Based Surf Rock
...courtesy of Robert Lastdrager
Formed in 1996, The Tommys have been entertaining punters in some of Melbourne and Sydney’s more salubrious watering holes with their own blend of groove based surf rock.

Get Your Shit Outta Here
...by Robert Lastdrager
The Internet has become the new middleman. These days it's possible for self financed independent releases to source particular niche outlets world wide and approach them directly, saving time and, in a lot of cases, money. And what does it take? Well, it takes what it's always taken; a dose of DIY ethos as espoused in those fantastic old Maximum Rock'n'Roll magazines.

Hard Luck Kings
...courtesy of Rick Reifenstein
The Hard Luck Kings are thrilling audiences with their roots based rock 'n' roll. Chris, Rick, Gregg and Brian bring a diverse blend of high energy, toe tapping music to their shows. Check out their good vibrations!

Jan Berry and Dick Dale Meet Unsteady Freddie!
...courtesy of Unsteady Freddie
Freddie is a cool guy! He tells us about meeting up with Surf and Hot Rod Legend Jan Berry and King of the Surf Guitar Dick Dale!

The Atlantics Interview - Trouble In Beer Garden
...by Robert Lastdrager
Sydney's surf maestros The Atlantics were pioneers who defined the instrumental rock'n'roll of the early sixties. The Atlantics were recently invited to tour with The Beach Boys on the Australian leg of their world tour, and in between sound check and showtime I squeezed them into a boisterous Galleon café for coffee and questions.

Fuzz Head Surfer
...courtesy of Mrbluetone, John Richards
Mrbluetone sent us this eye-popping photo of his effects and some links to his music. Check out his neat stuff!

Dick and Jimmy Dale - Photos and Videos
...courtesy of George Boccanfuso, Dick Dale and Jimmy Dale
George Boccanfuso, lead guitarist for North Of Malibu, sent us these great photos and videos of Dick and Jimmy Dale at the NAMM Show! Many thanks to George, Dick and Jimmy for sharing some very cool moments with us!

Laurie Geltman - Master Guitarist and Talented Composer
...by Devon Cathlin
Playing her guitar with both the beauty of expertise and the passion to evoke emotion from her audience, she is, in a phrase, a guitarist's guitarist. This woman rocks! She's shared the stage with such luminaries as Joe Cocker, Emmylou Harris and Sarah McLachlan, to name just a few.

North Of Malibu
...courtesy of George Boccanfuso of North Of Malibu
Rob, George, Wayne & Joseph lay down a wild mixture of 80% surf with a little punkabilly and good ol' rock 'n' roll. Neat stuff from four cool guys.

The Chillers
...courtesy of The Chillers
The fans and groupies cried out for the music, so The Chillers, an authentic rock and roll band, was formed in New Jersey, USA in 1991. Mike Brajer, Mike Hars and Wally Van Treek know how to rock.

Spruiker
...courtesy of Spruiker
Spruiker plays rootsy, bluesy, cruisy, Hawaiian, surfabilly, swamp music. Darren, Dan and Mike take some 50's rockabilly and add some 60's surf music, with a touch of 90's cool.

The Ramblers
...courtesy of John Vanderbeck
John Vanderbeck sent some really cool stuff about his 60s surf band, The Ramblers! John is still gettin' with the sax - Big Band Style!

Cosmonauti
...courtesy of Cosmonauti
On the road since 1990, this is the much acclaimed instrumental surf band from Rome, Italy.

Dick Dale In Concert
...by Cerulean Ravenwing
From the Wild Duck Music Hall in Eugene, Oregon, Cerulean Ravenwing rocks out with "The King of the Surf Guitar"!

The Cosmic Vampires
...courtesy of The Cosmic Vampires
These guys are very cool! Take a gander at that far out group shot! Makes us want to go over to Spain and watch them lay down some tunes!

Hound Dog Caught The Right Subway
...courtesy of Dan 'Hound Dog' Taylor
At the right Subway at the right time! Dan 'Hound Dog' Taylor tells us about his chance encounter with The King of the Surf Guitar!

Hound Dog's Cool Music Man Gems
...courtesy of Dan 'Hound Dog' Taylor
Dan 'Hound Dog' Taylor demonstrates truly great craftsmanship with some beautiful custom woodwork on his Music Man gear!

Surf Rock Guitar String Size Choices
...by Unknown
Some top artists' choices of string sizes for achieving the surf sound!

Billy Gray's Love 'n Thumb
...by Duke
If it feels good, do it! How about some tag team action?! Billy Gray and Archimedes vs. Sir Isaac Newton and the Muscle Gremlins!

The Neptunas
...by Devon Cathlin
Outrageous Women Who Rock! Devon Cathlin interviews these Uber Cool, Outrageous Women Rockers! Get ready for some wet-your-pants fun! Can we ever be that cool?!

Sticker Shock
...by Candy Apple Redd
Candy Apple Redd tells you how to pull stickers from your axe!

In The CURL With BIGROCK
...by Devon Cathlin
It took a 50s-60s teen icon and a member of the infamous Masked Marauders to do it ... re-invent the pick. Devon Cathlin has the story.

The Ventures Early Years
...by Duke
Like, Teensville, Dad! "...The Ventures, as exciting an instrumental twosome as you are likely to hear."

How To Double Pick a Guitar
...by Duke
The 'Secret Art' is not as mysterious as some people think. The fundamentals are fairly simple, but it takes a lot of practice and attention to detail in order to get the techniques down tight!