Quarantine surf music research... trying to find audio if possible for the obscure

empty_glass

Joined: Nov 30, 2008
Posts: 134

Posted on May 09 2020 01:03 AM

Back in the 90's I really got into surf music and for a period of time drifted away while I finished college and that sort of thing. I kept up on the bands and those who participated in the bands I knew for the most part; however lots of new groups came since then including some great international acts. With the large amount of free time I have, I've been going through Phil Dirt's reviews for titles and listening to snippets of many of the releases and trying to so a least a few of each artist. No super internet savvy, is there is search engine that will pull up mp3 files buried in old web pages? While 90% of the artists I have been able to track down audio of, there is a pretty good list of those I have not. Please note: I am aware he stopped doing reviews on 2012 and I assume since then this might be the best place to find information to releases or new bands since then... if there is another resource any help would be appreciated. Thanks and looking forward to the second half of my life with a new soundtrack.

Top

martinblasick

Joined: Nov 27, 2019
Posts: 128
Los Angeles
United States

Posted on May 09 2020 05:48 AM

I’m not sure about pulling the mp3s. But 90’s space age bachelor music was my entree into surf. Lots of fun with retro stylings. It was really exciting to have some instrumental music that wasn’t distortion based. Friends of Dean Martinez and Los Straitjackets were my biggies.

And I too find myself pulled back into it. The Surfragettes and Messer Chups hooked me. And because of this site I’m catching up on what’s been going on. It’s a real micro niche now. But I love the way the melody rings clear. Welcome back to surf. Who are some of the artists that hooked you?

—

Squid From Madrid - New Single on Bandcamp
MB Website

Top

MartinB

Joined: Feb 06, 2018
Posts: 62
Birmingham
United Kingdom

Posted on May 09 2020 09:14 AM

If you've found links but they're broken, try putting them into the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine - http://web.archive.org/

—

The Miramars (2017-2022) https://www.facebook.com/themiramars / https://soundcloud.com/themiramars

Top

simoncoil

Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 928
Berlin, Germany
1 News Pin

Posted on May 09 2020 10:02 AM

From my experience the Wayback Machine only archives html sites and graphics, no mp3's, flash animations etc. I tried to find old music through it myself a number of times, but unfortunately it never worked out. In the early 2000s a lot of bands had homepages with 3-5 free download songs on them, but I think the chances of finding anything from that time are pretty slim, since most homepages were using hosting services, which are no longer existing (like Geocities or Lycos). And once MySpace rose to popularity, a lot of people used it as an easy substitute to host their songs and information, which were in turn mostly lost in one of the many changes it underwent. (I lost the whole gig history of my first band that way.)

There is however the possibility to listen to songs, that were posted during a certain period of MySpace through another project of the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/myspace_dragon_hoard_2010

As for songs on homepages, the best chance is probably to track down the band members and as nicely.

—

Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!

Top

empty_glass

Joined: Nov 30, 2008
Posts: 134

Posted on May 09 2020 11:25 AM

Thanks for the help. As for bands I listened to there were very many buy I figure I there is probably 5,000 to 10,000 titles listed on Reverb Central, so that still is probably only a drop in the ocean. I'd list a few, but I'm leery about forgetting someone as this is a rather well connected community... well it was but assume it still is. I was not totally away from the scene... I made it to one of the conventions but don't know the newer bands too well.

Top

ChuckEMong

Joined: Apr 27, 2012
Posts: 28

Posted on May 28 2020 07:02 PM

I've used the archive site quite a bit looking for everything. The trouble is there's so much stuff in there I get lost easily because as you scroll down the page it adds more. What I now do is a basic search and then when I find something I'm interested in I open it in a new tab. For instance :

https://archive.org/search.php?query=surf

From that I've found many surf albums but in the 20 minutes I spent looking the ones I found were only samples that give you 15 seconds of each track but I have found items for other subjects that are downloadable. This music vid by The Gumbys is one:

https://archive.org/details/AH-surf_city_the_gumbys

I just went back to see what else I could see and found this and was able to download 30 .mp3s one at a time. You could also just play the album from there:
https://archive.org/details/AUSTRALIANSURFCOLLECTION

Use with caution as you can spend a whole lot of time there but then if you're shut in you won't mind.

Top

ChuckEMong

Joined: Apr 27, 2012
Posts: 28

Posted on May 28 2020 07:06 PM

I wish I listened to the Surf Ride samples first it's more like piano and sax and I don't see how that's surf music but the cover is suitable for framing

Top

ChuckEMong

Joined: Apr 27, 2012
Posts: 28

Posted on May 28 2020 08:42 PM

Speaking of surf music, this FILM needs a surf soundtrack. You can download it or just watch it there (go full screen). It's only 8 minutes...go for it.
https://archive.org/details/0351_Surf_Riders_05_34_55_00

Top

ChuckEMong

Joined: Apr 27, 2012
Posts: 28

Posted on May 28 2020 08:56 PM

OK Last one Full Album

https://archive.org/details/Monsters_From_Mars_-_Play_Some_...

Top

RevWillis

Joined: Apr 25, 2006
Posts: 85
SLC, UT
1 Link Pin

Posted on May 29 2020 11:45 AM

Surf Ride is jazz. But Art Pepper is worth listening. Broaden your music horizons a little.

While in Archive.org, look for the live recordings of the Surf Coasters available for downloading. Unbelievable guitar work!

Rev. (PEI, not NS)

—

www.revwillis.com
www.willisclow.com
www.slajo.com

Top

empty_glass

Joined: Nov 30, 2008
Posts: 134

Posted on Jul 11 2020 05:06 PM

Well aware of Archive.org. I filled my hard drive with the stuff on there from the Surf Coasters and the Mermen. Then came the challenge of figuring out the better sounding recordings. Anyway, thank all for the help... it appears this is my last step to go through the list and as of July 2020 other than what is omitted here in the new releases and on ReverbCentral I will be all caught up. It will be quite a list but I'm sure the record shops need help right now. It looks like I will be hammered on European releases as far as shipping, although I was hoping to go to Carnival in Germany in the spring (was to go this year but friends pulled out luckily... I couldn't have went anyway). Right now I'm guessing I likely will be barred next year as well, although if I could go I'm sure maybe I could have them general delivered at some post office in Europe to save shipping... it might be a ton of releases. Would like to make the Surfer Joe show someday too... met the guy in 2014 briefly at the convention and it is great there is an event that brings together many of the great bands over there...

Top

empty_glass Joined: Nov 30, 2008 Posts: 134	Posted on May 09 2020 01:03 AM Back in the 90's I really got into surf music and for a period of time drifted away while I finished college and that sort of thing. I kept up on the bands and those who participated in the bands I knew for the most part; however lots of new groups came since then including some great international acts. With the large amount of free time I have, I've been going through Phil Dirt's reviews for titles and listening to snippets of many of the releases and trying to so a least a few of each artist. No super internet savvy, is there is search engine that will pull up mp3 files buried in old web pages? While 90% of the artists I have been able to track down audio of, there is a pretty good list of those I have not. Please note: I am aware he stopped doing reviews on 2012 and I assume since then this might be the best place to find information to releases or new bands since then... if there is another resource any help would be appreciated. Thanks and looking forward to the second half of my life with a new soundtrack. Top
martinblasick Joined: Nov 27, 2019 Posts: 128 Los Angeles	Posted on May 09 2020 05:48 AM I’m not sure about pulling the mp3s. But 90’s space age bachelor music was my entree into surf. Lots of fun with retro stylings. It was really exciting to have some instrumental music that wasn’t distortion based. Friends of Dean Martinez and Los Straitjackets were my biggies. And I too find myself pulled back into it. The Surfragettes and Messer Chups hooked me. And because of this site I’m catching up on what’s been going on. It’s a real micro niche now. But I love the way the melody rings clear. Welcome back to surf. Who are some of the artists that hooked you? — Squid From Madrid - New Single on Bandcamp MB Website Top
MartinB Joined: Feb 06, 2018 Posts: 62 Birmingham	Posted on May 09 2020 09:14 AM If you've found links but they're broken, try putting them into the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine - http://web.archive.org/ — The Miramars (2017-2022) https://www.facebook.com/themiramars / https://soundcloud.com/themiramars Top
simoncoil Joined: Sep 28, 2012 Posts: 928 Berlin, Germany	Posted on May 09 2020 10:02 AM From my experience the Wayback Machine only archives html sites and graphics, no mp3's, flash animations etc. I tried to find old music through it myself a number of times, but unfortunately it never worked out. In the early 2000s a lot of bands had homepages with 3-5 free download songs on them, but I think the chances of finding anything from that time are pretty slim, since most homepages were using hosting services, which are no longer existing (like Geocities or Lycos). And once MySpace rose to popularity, a lot of people used it as an easy substitute to host their songs and information, which were in turn mostly lost in one of the many changes it underwent. (I lost the whole gig history of my first band that way.) There is however the possibility to listen to songs, that were posted during a certain period of MySpace through another project of the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/myspace_dragon_hoard_2010 As for songs on homepages, the best chance is probably to track down the band members and as nicely. — Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin) "Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms! "Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records! Top
empty_glass Joined: Nov 30, 2008 Posts: 134	Posted on May 09 2020 11:25 AM Thanks for the help. As for bands I listened to there were very many buy I figure I there is probably 5,000 to 10,000 titles listed on Reverb Central, so that still is probably only a drop in the ocean. I'd list a few, but I'm leery about forgetting someone as this is a rather well connected community... well it was but assume it still is. I was not totally away from the scene... I made it to one of the conventions but don't know the newer bands too well. Top
ChuckEMong Joined: Apr 27, 2012 Posts: 28	Posted on May 28 2020 07:02 PM I've used the archive site quite a bit looking for everything. The trouble is there's so much stuff in there I get lost easily because as you scroll down the page it adds more. What I now do is a basic search and then when I find something I'm interested in I open it in a new tab. For instance : https://archive.org/search.php?query=surf From that I've found many surf albums but in the 20 minutes I spent looking the ones I found were only samples that give you 15 seconds of each track but I have found items for other subjects that are downloadable. This music vid by The Gumbys is one: https://archive.org/details/AH-surf_city_the_gumbys I just went back to see what else I could see and found this and was able to download 30 .mp3s one at a time. You could also just play the album from there: https://archive.org/details/AUSTRALIANSURFCOLLECTION Use with caution as you can spend a whole lot of time there but then if you're shut in you won't mind. Top
ChuckEMong Joined: Apr 27, 2012 Posts: 28	Posted on May 28 2020 07:06 PM I wish I listened to the Surf Ride samples first it's more like piano and sax and I don't see how that's surf music but the cover is suitable for framing Top
ChuckEMong Joined: Apr 27, 2012 Posts: 28	Posted on May 28 2020 08:42 PM Speaking of surf music, this FILM needs a surf soundtrack. You can download it or just watch it there (go full screen). It's only 8 minutes...go for it. https://archive.org/details/0351_Surf_Riders_05_34_55_00 Top
ChuckEMong Joined: Apr 27, 2012 Posts: 28	Posted on May 28 2020 08:56 PM OK Last one Full Album https://archive.org/details/Monsters_From_Mars_-_Play_Some_... Top
RevWillis Joined: Apr 25, 2006 Posts: 85 SLC, UT	Posted on May 29 2020 11:45 AM Surf Ride is jazz. But Art Pepper is worth listening. Broaden your music horizons a little. While in Archive.org, look for the live recordings of the Surf Coasters available for downloading. Unbelievable guitar work! Rev. (PEI, not NS) — www.revwillis.com www.willisclow.com www.slajo.com Top
empty_glass Joined: Nov 30, 2008 Posts: 134	Posted on Jul 11 2020 05:06 PM Well aware of Archive.org. I filled my hard drive with the stuff on there from the Surf Coasters and the Mermen. Then came the challenge of figuring out the better sounding recordings. Anyway, thank all for the help... it appears this is my last step to go through the list and as of July 2020 other than what is omitted here in the new releases and on ReverbCentral I will be all caught up. It will be quite a list but I'm sure the record shops need help right now. It looks like I will be hammered on European releases as far as shipping, although I was hoping to go to Carnival in Germany in the spring (was to go this year but friends pulled out luckily... I couldn't have went anyway). Right now I'm guessing I likely will be barred next year as well, although if I could go I'm sure maybe I could have them general delivered at some post office in Europe to save shipping... it might be a ton of releases. Would like to make the Surfer Joe show someday too... met the guy in 2014 briefly at the convention and it is great there is an event that brings together many of the great bands over there... Top

SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Music General Discussion »

Quarantine surf music research... trying to find audio if possible for the obscure