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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Music General Discussion »

Permalink Where would you like to see surf music headed in the future?

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Just curious... Would you like to see more of the same in surf rock music, or would like to see something different. There's nothing better than putting on an old 60's Surf garage record. The sound is so raw and gripping, but do you think Surf music has any more room for evolution. If so, what would you like to see! I'm anxious to hear everyone's answers! Very Happy
SURF'S UP
-Travis

Maybe I'm just kinda short sided, but I don't see how many more directions it can go while still being able to be called "surf." I'm not a purist, by any means, but at this point now, we've got surf-punk (as far back as Agent Orange in the 80's), surfabilly (Huevos Rancheros, Atomic 7, SCOTS), borderline surf-metal (Estru'm'ental), experimental, psychedelic sounding surf (The Mermen)...

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there's room for plenty more, and I'd be curious to hear it, at this point, I'm just not sure what it is.

The Disasternauts

I am good with Trad or experimental, it just has to be done well.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Jeff(bigtikidude)

image

I'm a huge fan of evolution: especially when it pertains to the subject of reverberated surf music...

-dp

butchdelux
...but at this point now, we've got surf-punk (as far back as Agent Orange in the 80's), surfabilly (Huevos Rancheros, Atomic 7, SCOTS), borderline surf-metal (Estru'm'ental), experimental, psychedelic sounding surf (The Mermen)...

I like where PointbreakSpy is headed: off into the realms of techno/ambient/synthified-surf-seascapery...very moody and ethereal surficization of sound...

Id like it to get a tad more exposure without ever becoming close to mainstream. it would be great if a few more people got drawn to shows and shows were a bit easier to get. And Im sure it would entertain lots of people, every time we play a show for the average crowd that doesn't even realize there's surf outside the pulp fiction song, they love it. if they only knew what to expect upon seeing a poster or a show announcement in the local paper. so basically, what Im saying is, when the F#@% is slacktone gonna be on Oprah?! ( Idea or how about a new series of "dr. Phil"- but this time get the good Phil! )

musically, I don't want to see any partciular genre developping. as much difference as possible I'd say, and if I don't like it I wont listen and i I do I will, but by any means, all just go ahead and do your thing. (or, as the evolutionist said: create as much offspring as possible and see who survives Shocked )

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

Agree Wannes nails it again.

Where would I like to see surf music headed in the future?

How about into the public's conciousness again. I don't expect it to break out and fill stadiums. But a nice sized niche audience that would help balance out all the effort the bands are putting out. And don't think I'm not optimistic about it, I think it's going to happen.

I recall there being a poll on the home page....

As far as styles, I think we've got enough diversity, though I'm all for adding to the mix. Think about other genres, how diverse are they? Blues, Reggae, Rockabilly, Cajun,etc... Frankly, surf is as eclectic as any of them.

On a related point; I don't think it does a disservice to older surf musicians and fans to put some energy in recruiting young ones. I've been working hard on it and I think it's going to pay dividends. Get your clubs to book an all ages show then hit up the local colleges and hand out flyers and/or discount tickets. Recruit some young studs, sucker them by promising them all the groupies are theirs for the choosing ;) I'm convinced by the reaction I've gotten thus far after exposing quite a few under 25 year olds to this music that it's viable.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

Last edited: Feb 08, 2007 20:15:44

I have to say, there's probably very little that can be done at this point that would be new and still be called surf music. Where I think bands can excel though, and many bands are today, is through recording good songs, originals and covers, and wrap it in quality cover art. I think videos might be a good thing - very few bands to videos for their songs, which is surprising considering that much of the technology is affordable these days (relatively). Bands could be doing videos for themselves and put them up on YouTube - some are doing this, but I think more should. I'm thinking more scripted/story type videos, not so much live recordings. A good quality live video is okay, but many of the live videos I've seen on YouTube are poor quality (video and audio). I also would like to see more bands work on their live act. The surf/instro bands that have done well with recordings and attracting a decent audience have all had good showmenship, and almost all have a gimmick. Bands like Los Straitjackets, Man Or Astroman, The Phantom Surfers, etc. I don't have any ideas at the moment as far as what kinda schtick a band should use, but be creative. Make your show about more than just the music. Involve the audience. Talk to the crowd. Tell jokes. Entertain. If people start equating surf music with fun, then crowds will grow (maybe) and recordings will be more popular.

Sean
Double Crown Records
www.doublecrownrecords.com


Surf CD's / Vinyl / Fanzines / DVD's
Aloha Screwdriver - Lunar Wobble CD
The Nebulas - Euphorion LP / CD
Supertubos - The Fourth Drive CD
Continental Magazine - Issue #38 w/17 Song CD

I have a great idea for a Polite Satanists band. "Hey! How's everybody doing tonight. We'd like to dedicate this next one to our personal lord and savior, Lucifer". And when you get heckled "Sir, that isn't very christian of you".

Anyways, I really want to hear a surf album but done like the Postal Service's Give Up.

Where would I like to see surf headed in the future?
Florida!!!! Rock

Cheers!
Fez

butchdelux
Maybe I'm just kinda short sided, but I don't see how many more directions it can go while still being able to be called "surf." I'm not a purist, by any means, but at this point now, we've got surf-punk (as far back as Agent Orange in the 80's), surfabilly (Huevos Rancheros, Atomic 7, SCOTS), borderline surf-metal (Estru'm'ental), experimental, psychedelic sounding surf (The Mermen)...

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there's room for plenty more, and I'd be curious to hear it, at this point, I'm just not sure what it is.

Hey Butch... You forgot Astro-Monkey-Surf
and who cares where it's going... lets just make it up as we go along...

Cheers! (again)
Fez

One of the things that so impresses me about surf is its ability to accommodate just about any external style or genre. It can rock to hell, lull you to sleep, or just be the biggest happiest funnest ball you've ever heard on record, and it all works as surf. There are plenty of western sounding surf bands, people have mentioned the heavy Japanese folk influences of eleki, the Madeira have the whole middle eastern/mediterranean style working beautifully, and still it's all easily identifiable as surf music.
I think anyone who's got the mind to can take the genre in pretty much any direction, and to think that it has reach its potential is dangerous. There's a whole globe full of musical cultures and styles, and I'm sure tons of them can be successfully incorporated into surf music to a certain degree. You can really just choose a style, study it, and if you have a good enough feel for it and surf as well you can make the two work together.
So long story short (finally), I'd like to see surf taken in any new and reasonable direction. I get really excited about bands trying new stuff and bending the rules. In my opinion the rules should be bent from time to time. The genre as a whole is really malleable, and we should exploit its potential.

The price of equipment needed to make authentic surf music is out of reach to most guitar players starting out, so i think we should be more accepting of peoples limitations and encourage them to stick at it. We should embrace all the offspring, and also infiltrate other genres of music, without forgetting our roots.

I like where PointbreakSpy is headed: off into the realms of techno/ambient/synthified-surf-seascapery...very moody and ethereal surficization of sound...

Thanks DP!, and although i use technology that was not around back in the 60's, i'm still trying to be trad in some ways. Most artists these days have so much more to draw from than the originals bands did. I think the internet is such a good medium for surf guitar music, in educating and recruiting new players and fans alike, and i think that surf music played live is going to continue to attract more and more music fans, and girly go go dancers right down the front. Wink

go forth and multiply
adam

Last edited: Feb 09, 2007 04:21:01

I agree with Wannes and Danny. A distinct shift in style isn't really necessary, just better exposure. Everytime I've had my friends (in the age range of 20-25) listen to surf music, they are definitely intrigued by it. We all know it's GREAT music. We just need to keep it alive and energetic to recruit the next generation of fans.

Science friction burns my fingers.

tonybologna
I agree with Wannes and Danny. A distinct shift in style isn't really necessary, just better exposure. Everytime I've had my friends (in the age range of 20-25) listen to surf music, they are definitely intrigued by it. We all know it's GREAT music. We just need to keep it alive and energetic to recruit the next generation of fans.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, being a college DJ and music director of my radio station.

I agree that I think there's nothing in the music itself that's unattractive to the college crowd today (who, I think, decide what's hot). Instrumental rock is only gaining speed with groups like Explosions in the Sky and with bands like Beirut becoming popular it seems that "indie" listeners are trying to reach outside that indie sound, though perhaps not into the kitschy realm of surf.

I think one important thing is the labels. Double Crown, Golly Gee and the likes have no name recognition outside the genre and do very little radio promotion (any?). Yep Roc is really surf friendly, with The Sadies and LSJ but really aren't that good at pushing even their best acts. Think about who HAS done well though. I have no idea why Shadowy Men get so much mainstream recognition on their small label, but I look to Man? or Astroman, who were on a small label but one with a squeeky clean record and trust from the indie crowd. Of course, don't know how influential a label's name is these days. M?oAM? were right at Touch and Go's sweet point. Still, if a surf band found its way onto a label with a reputation like that, I think you'd be seeing a lot more shows. A lot of the bands out there (or in here!) could easily bust out a surf classic as well as those bands.

They're one of my personal favorites, but maybe a band like The Messer Chups are the idea. The surf melded with electronic sound gives you something really out there and could conceivably be picked up by an electronic label, a genre that still seems to trust bands by their labels. While I don't think punk is going anywhere great itself, I think the punk community has always been pretty open to surf, so maybe that's another in.

I thought I had more ideas but I've forgotten them. But here's the thing: we've got an incredibly rich pool of music. The talent is there, we just need to find out how to get it noticed.

Oh and also, we need a way to bridge east coast and west coast gap. And I agree with Fez too... the Gulf Coast. We have the internet, a place to meet (these forums can do SO much), I think NESMA is a good idea that needs to be used more, we just need to get something to happen

Storm Surge of Reverb: Surf & Instro Radio

pointbreakspy
Thanks Danny,

That quote should be credited to DP. But I agree, there's lots to be explored in that direction. Keep going with it and see where it takes you.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

As far as the popularity of surf goes it has a long and bright future - it is essentially a commercial (commercial as in people like it not commercial as in bland and overproduced) sound; big tunes, big sounds, lots of energy, usually without ever sounding abrasive, what is there not to like??!?? At nearly all my band's shows to date people have warmed to us and a party has been started, and we are very much in our infancy as a band.

The surf sound is bound to update itself in all manner of ways over time and long may it. Our 'informal' approach is two-pronged:
1. - live - mostly stick to guitars and drums, its them that blow the roofs off..
2. - recording - mess about with everything possible - try adding different instruments, atmospherics whatever can keep things sounding fresh and lively. So far we've used theramin, glockenspiel, a man with a bag of screws in a mug (was 'sposed to sound like sleigh bells) and a class of 5 year olds..

I see..
thanks DP for the nice words!!
.. and thank you Danny for the evolution of facial hair in surf music. Are those Jewish wrestling masks. Stir the Pot

tonybologna
I agree with Wannes and Danny. A distinct shift in style isn't really necessary, just better exposure. Everytime I've had my friends (in the age range of 20-25) listen to surf music, they are definitely intrigued by it. We all know it's GREAT music. We just need to keep it alive and energetic to recruit the next generation of fans.

Agree

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
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"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

--I'm more than happy to send promos of our releases to any radio station or publication that would like to play our music on their station or write about our music. Anybody reading this that has a radio show or is a writer can e-mail me at: records@dblcrown.com and we'll talk about adding you to our promo list.

The thing is, small labels like mine that release surf music have little-to-no advertising/promo budget. Sending out promos to surf-friendly radio stations and publications is about all we can afford to do. I've tried paid advertising in all sorts of publications and it doesn't work. I would love to have our music played in regular rotation at college radio stations - but nearly every time I've tried I've failed. It seems like the only stations open to playing surf music are ones with specialty shows that focus on surf/garage/rockabilly/retro rock. About once or twice per year I get a promo request by a DJ/music director that deals with their stations regular rotation, and I'm happy to send promos out to them. I just don't get those requests that often.

As for Shadowy Men, their popularity was primarily due to the fact that they did the theme music for Kids In The Hall and toured quite a bit during that period. Plus they were extremely talented musicians and put out a fair number of CD's and 7"s on a variety of labels.

I think Touch & Go signed Man Or Astroman because they toured constantly, drew large crowds at their shows and had "crossover appeal".

I just discovered a label yesterday called Hammond Beat in Portland (http://www.hammondbeat.com/) - who have a very interesting concept going. Like the label name implies, their focus is on music featuring the Hammond organ, which seemingly wouldn't have much greater appeal than surf music. However, 90% of their releases are instrumental and they are working with groups like the Men From SPECTRE, The Nelsonics (used to be The Exotics) and The Special Agents, with more of a surfy sound. By combining two genres, organ and surf, they are doubling their potential market. I kinda found this to be the case when I reissued our Christmas CD Seasonal Favorites a few months ago - it had double appeal, appealing to surf fans as well as fans of Christmas/Holiday music, and it sold big. So yes, combining surf with something else can work, as long as it's done right.

Sean
Double Crown Records
www.doublecrownrecords.com


Surf CD's / Vinyl / Fanzines / DVD's
Aloha Screwdriver - Lunar Wobble CD
The Nebulas - Euphorion LP / CD
Supertubos - The Fourth Drive CD
Continental Magazine - Issue #38 w/17 Song CD

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