You know, close enough. Not this song, but the band in general.

This has to be the band the frustrates me the most. They are local, they are contemporaries, they are friends of friends, they have similar influences, etc...

Those first demos they did smoked, those were so promising. I thought they were gonna be big. And they've had success. Being a local band, I got to see them at one of our cooler venues which was sweet.

But we have one big problem... they haven't gotten better. Obviously that first demo was a lo-fi thing. Sounds great! Great energy, good tones, I like it. But listening to albums since, they aren't improving upon their harmonies, they keys haven't gotten better (they sorely need to), it's just kind of paint by numbers 60s surf/girl group/garage/etc... Ya know? They sorely lack in dynamics as well.

Their drummer is freaking great live.

I think Vivian Girls are an influence on La Luz, but listen to how much tighter the vocals are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYFeHVkFLBY
I might be biased (friend in the band) towards Vivian Girls who I'm not even a big fan of but they come to mind first when I hear La Luz. And I do hate to draw that conclusion because comparing girl bands together should be tread carefully. But they both do the harmony thing (with Vivian girls litterally being a million times better), they both do sort of a loose guitar thing (with Vivian girls being rooted in post-punk/punk and La Luz being rooted in surf)

Fady wrote:

Jake, I always appreciate your ability to concisely articulate your/the 'why'. That's a rare skill and really tough to do well when the context is something so personal and subjective as music. Glad you're not shy about chiming in. Thanks for that!

I think it comes off as really strong sometimes/most times, but answering why is really the only way to go. Otherwise its a yes/no answer and is useless. Thanks!

Love this band, their music is quite simple but well-made and enjoyable. I like the new single too, pretty cool tune, lookin forward to the new album. They are doing pretty good for a band that hasn't improved, touring the US/Europe, even Australia, and seem pretty laid back and down-to-earth.

Yannick

Lead Guitar in Blackball Bandits : https://blackballbandits.bandcamp.com/
Solo project : https://thechollasurf.bandcamp.com/releases

Speaking of vocal music fused with surf, is there a better textbook example than this song?

I know Satan's Pilgrims agree, they played it live with Ted stepping out front to handle the vocals.

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

There's definitely some surf guitar in there though, which works really well with the sound they are going for.

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

Brian wrote:

There's definitely some surf guitar in there though, which works really well with the sound they are going for.

No doult there are the surf licks played in that song.
But think pipeline, or wipeout, with lyrics with a love for an elephant.
Would it still be surf music?
I don't think so.

JakeDobner wrote:

They do instrumentals, it should be pointed out. They did 2-3 a set when I've seen them live.

Pipeline and Wipeout would still be surf even with the lyrics about the love of an elephant. Those were genre defining songs, they were part of the scene it would share the same surf guitar but the lyrics would be as non-surf as any number of Beach Boys, Dick Dale vocal tunes, or Astronauts vocal tunes. So many of the 1st wave bands weren't purely instrumental.

So what I think you are saying, is that a surf band can sing non surf songs. But they would still be a surf band.
With that in mind, view this Chantays video and tell me if you would call them a surf band in this format. Not knowing they did pipeline. I wouldn't.
To be truthful I have a very narrow idea of what surf music is. So at my age (68) I may not be as musically progressive as everyone here. Perhaps I can learn something from this thread.

Like I said the instrumentals are few and far between, but they have them. I wish they did more. I rather like Suntroke.
Personally, I don't want to hear about surfing. Maybe if you could work zombies into it or something. Is the surf board jet powered in anyway?
I've loved The Misfits and The Cramps since '99, so no surprise I like songs by Route 66 Killers, Phantom Creeps, and The Creepniks.
They mostly play instrumentals but when they write a vocal song, it retains surfiness but injects sci-fi or horror humor.
The Creepniks Zombie Kinda Love is a good example.
Being a western fan I enjoyed the Hellbenders vocal songs, as well.

Ok I decided I needed more education on this band. So I went to YouTube and found a whole set to listen to. I'll post it below.
My analysis is that the lead guitar player certainly has a surf guitar back ground. You can hear the licks as she plays. But that doesn't make them a surf band. Sorry I won't buy it.
But over all I would say that they are closer to the Bangles or even Blondie with the off key singing than anything at all resembling a surf band.
Have you ever went to one of the conventions this site has? You won't find 'Anything' near what these young ladies are playing. I'd say a SG101 convention music would certainly define surf music.
Here's what I watched.

Last edited: Feb 15, 2018 17:49:19

They're doing what they want and it appears to be working for them.
No one is saying they're a surf band, no one said that. You said what we all said; that they have surfy elements to their music. They clearly appreciate the genre.
Like Yngwie (gross)obviously liked/can play classical music, it's fingerprints are all over his music...but would you call it classical music?
Nah, it's Bach and roll!!!