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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Recording Corner »

Permalink Best surf albums from “recording” point of view?

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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.

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 actually prefer stuff that sounds a little rougher, if you will. Like it was recorded with the whole band playing all the way through with a simpler recording setup, rather than each instrument in isolation using the 15th take (or a mix of takes).

Sean

Last edited: Oct 07, 2023 09:44:20

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/

To me the Lively Ones albums on Del-fi sounded amazing.
Cheers, Andy

www.LosVenturas.be

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.

The Diamondheads at Dusk

Viva Los Straitjackets

Throwback I like The Sentinels -Big Surf
especially where the bass dies out during the break...

Surf.The most dangerous of genres...

Surfcat

MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus
THE JOURNEY HOME - Free download (2025) - Agent Octopus (Single)

BANDCAMP - Agent Octopus
YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf
BANDCAMP - Reverb Galaxy

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

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

Sovietwave surf band 'Volny Sovetov'

Bandcamp: https://volnysovetov.bandcamp.com
Youtube (VS and other stuff): https://www.youtube.com/@user-lm8nl5km7h
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetsurf93
VK: https://vk.com/volnysovetov

Legko na serdce ot pesni vesyoloi

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 hear what you are talking about. This is First Class, all the way.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

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

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.

Thank you, Synchro! Wish the audio on this one was better though. Guitaracula playing is a big influence for me. This track is a kind of homage to MC in terms of guitar technique and melody. Check more tunes on Bandcamp, this one will also be uploaded soon.

Sovietwave surf band 'Volny Sovetov'

Bandcamp: https://volnysovetov.bandcamp.com
Youtube (VS and other stuff): https://www.youtube.com/@user-lm8nl5km7h
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetsurf93
VK: https://vk.com/volnysovetov

Legko na serdce ot pesni vesyoloi

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.

Oh Yeah, Here it is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuDb9hwwcMQ
And YES to the Astronauts and Dave Myers, Aquavelva should have been on my list!
Also love some of the more Hi-fi stuff like Jack Nitzsche - Lonely Surfer, Last Race and Jerry Cole - Deep Surf
I could go on but I won't.

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.

867 Surf Squad!

IceratzSurf wrote:

Neon Boneyard by the Black Flamingos
..is high on my list of quality recordings, only available on Bandcamp, so does that count?

I agree with those saying Aqua Velvets too.
Probably Nomad being the best.

Neon Boneyard is fantastic! Of course, it's now available on vinyl through Hi-Tide.

867 Surf Squad!

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!

867 Surf Squad!

Another vote for "Amateurs" by Les Agamemnonz for me. That one's pretty much perfect in my book. Sounds classic and timeless. Definitely less drippy and treble-y than most modern records.

Listen to The Deathly Quiet
Bandcamp
Spotify
Instagram
Facebook

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 Wink

image

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

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

johnnyanguish wrote:

Another vote for "Amateurs" by Les Agamemnonz for me. That one's pretty much perfect in my book. Sounds classic and timeless. Definitely less drippy and treble-y than most modern records.

I’ve noticed that some newer Surf recordings go over the top with reverb drip and brightness, sometimes to the point of being harsh. Some vintage Surf recordings were pretty mellow. Dick Dale’s Summer Surf was anything but harsh.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

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