IceratzSurf wrote:

So for best quality recording in the 60s original Surf era, what would be considered some of the best?

I think the Ventures probably had the better studio resources.
But which album?

I would also nominate the Astronauts, who I believe were recorded at Capital’s studio.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

For the first wave recordings I really like Wes Dakus’s tracks done at Norman Petty’s studio, and the Revels.

Rev

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

For modern albums, I agree that A Glorious Lethal Euphoria by the Mermen and As the Dark Wave Swells by The Bambi Molesters are the gold standard. Both have such fantastic, original guitar sounds as well as solid production.

As far as first wave stuff, I like the incredible crisp, clear and warm tones created by Bob Bogle and Don Wilson on The Ventures Mashed Potatoes and Gravy album. I read somewhere that the producer actually mic'd Bob and Don's right hands as well as mic'ing the amps. I've been listening to it for over 40 years and I still love it.

I think the Eddie and the Showmen recordings are my favorite first wave studio productions. There's so much instrumentation and yet the balance and clarity is perfect. It's a great attempt at a Dick Dale-esque sound, while still sort of having a bit of that wrecking crew super polished studio thing as well. I would love to hear any outtakes or extras on these recordings.

Jeremy

Last edited: Oct 12, 2023 08:13:38

I like it when the various instruments have to fight a bit for their space...

T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

IlyaFedotov wrote:

For me it's Messer Chups, especially the latest recordings. Love the drum sound, pretty old-fashioned and smooth as opposed to some modern surf bands, but maybe it's just the drummer's technique. The bass is also vintage without low-frequency hum. With the guitar you can't get any better. This EP is great in terms of mixing

I just listened to your band and like what I hear. Very tasteful and, IMO, a great presentation. It’s a sparse sound, and I like that. The guitar is front and center, where it belongs.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Last edited: Oct 13, 2023 13:17:55

CaptainSensible wrote:

I prefer stuff recorded in the 60s better than stuff recorded today.

I definitely find there is a certain atmosphere to the old recordings often absent in more contemporary albums. Too much high frequency and not enough room sound. Everything sounding up front. I dunno, I'm a bit of an amateur as far as the studio is concerned but that's my general sense.
There's a softness to those old recordings that I find totally consuming. Even the more aggressive numbers. Could just be low-fi approach(by modern standards) and old tape/vinyl rips?
Some faves would be
The Sentinals - Latin'ia
The Irridescents - Bali Ha'i
The Centurions - Intoxica
The Surfmen - Paradise Cove
Bob Hafner - Surf Creature
Richie Allen - Ballad of the Surf (even though I can only find a really poor quality digital copy)
The Lively Ones - Caterpillar Crawl
The Frantics - Werewolf
The Crossfires - Fiberglass Jungle
The Fender IV - Malibu Run (The very psychedelic slow strolling 2:45min version, there's some footage of Randy Holden playing it live on YT)
And then a whole host of stuff by The Rumblers, not strictly surf I but I love the atmosphere on those records
Angry Sea (Waimea)
Night Scene
Destruction
Lost Weekend
Many of these aren't the best recordings technically. Many are not even typical of the genre or showcase the kind of guitar playing one might expect from a surf guitar favourites list but once all those various elements are combined that music transports me somewhere else.

There's so many more but that's a sample. I used to hate the saxophone tunes when I was a kid but now it's often my favourite part.

chiba wrote:

The Surfrajettes' full-length, Roller Fink, pops to mind.

I really love this record. All the roller rink announcements and sound effects are a nice touch.

Landlocked surf rocker and leader of The Surfmasters from The Yukon.
Producer/Artistic Director of the Atlin Arts & Music Festival.
Proud citizen of the Métis Nation and certified citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

• Visit The Surfmasters on Bandcamp on Bandcamp!
• Visit the Atlin Arts & Music Festival on Facebook or at our Official Website

The Babalooneys' "Late to the Party!" is my current top pick. I love the sound of that record. The hot rod sounds are fantastic too!

Landlocked surf rocker and leader of The Surfmasters from The Yukon.
Producer/Artistic Director of the Atlin Arts & Music Festival.
Proud citizen of the Métis Nation and certified citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

• Visit The Surfmasters on Bandcamp on Bandcamp!
• Visit the Atlin Arts & Music Festival on Facebook or at our Official Website

I love live albums, one of our best sellings albums of Aloha Sluts is Live at Hotrodded Bulfrog.
My personal favorites are Phantom Fours 'Live at the Diepte' (recorded on VHS tape!) with one of the best versions of the classic 'Latinia' and phantom Four 'Live at Pacific Parc'. But the last one is a bit biased, because I shot the cover photo

www.alohasluts.com
Aloha Sluts on BandCamp
www.arnyzona.com (my photography)
Aloha Fest on facebook

Last edited: Apr 06, 2025 11:27:22