**“Sound Of The Surf” is a one-hour documentary that celebrates the innovative sound that became an instant cultural phenomenon when it united surfing with music almost 50 years ago. It’s been said that surfing is the only sport with its own identifiable genre of music. Surf music helped to shape an entire generation and its influence is felt throughout the history of modern music.

The film begins in the 1950s on the beaches of Southern California, center stage for the forces that combined to create the unique sound and style of surf music. Filmed and presented in High Definition, “Sound Of The Surf” explores the surf culture as it was before the theatrical release of the film “Gidget.” It takes you on an intimate journey back in time through the use of original music, rare archival footage, photos, and exclusive interviews with legendary surf culture icons like Tom Morey, Mickey Munoz, Tubesteak, Corky Carroll, Kathy “Gidget” Kohner, Steve Pezman, Lance Carson and others who experienced, and sometimes despised, the surf phenomenon as it occurred.

The film presents exclusive interviews with the “founding fathers” of surf music, the original innovators of the sound born from the Southern California beach scene. Artists interviewed include members of Dick Dale’s Deltones, the Belairs, Chantays, Eddie and the Showmen, Surfaris, Challengers and other surf music legends. In their own words, they share the experiences and influences in creating surf music’s unique voice. Many of these original artists continue playing today and the film captures behind the scenes footage from some of these performances. The film also includes interviews with cultural historians and authors John Blair, Domenic Priore and Gordon McClelland, Los Angeles TV personality Lloyd Thaxton and many of the contemporary musicians and fans who continue to foster the Surf tradition.

“Sound Of The Surf” gives insight into the perspective of the “baby boomers” who lined up every weekend at Southern California venues like the Rendezvous Ballroom, Harmony Park Ballroom, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Retail Clerk’s Hall and numerous high school gymnasiums to hear the bands perform live and dance to their hits. They reminisce about the music that provided a soundtrack for an entire generation. For them, the experience was about friends, dancing, good surf and good times and their stories take us beyond the marketing hype to offer insight on how an entire generation was shaped by surf music and the emerging Southern California surf culture.

A common misconception is that surf music died an early death in 1964 due to the arrival of the “British Invasion.” However, surf music continues to enjoy a thriving and passionate following on a global scale. The cultural explosion which was indigenous to Southern California during the 1960s continues to send aftershocks around the world with an audience that grows with every decade.

Today, fifty years after the Rendezvous Ballroom in Newport Beach reverberated to the sounds of surf guitars and stomping feet, the sound of surf music is an American institution with universal appeal. For the first time, here’s the real story behind this cultural and commercial phenomenon as told by those who were part of the early surf culture and by the same musicians who brought surf music to the ears and hearts of millions.**

Sound of the Surf, the movie
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bigtikidude
can't wait to see it become a reality.
is there a link to a clip that we can see?

Opening PAndora's box... and I can't wait to make it a reality.

It will be quite some time before we can publicly share any footage without omitting critically important material and I don't want to do that. This is out of my hands due to legalities and while there is a concept of "fair use", it is risky and only used as a last resort defense.

With a few exceptions, all of the foundational interviews are now in the can. In the mean time, we still have many opportunities to acquire footage throughout the summer and include it, so it just keeps getting better.

The film will be distributed internationally on DVD, very likely broadcast in many markets and possibly some limited theatrical including some film festivals. That said it is important not to publish anything to endanger the final product. We are diligently working on gaining the advocates needed to make this a TOTAL success so that Surf Music can be appreciated and understood in it's rightful and historically significant place.

Sound of the Surf, the movie
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I have been privileged in that Tom has hired me to work on portions of this project. It has allowed me to take a peek behind the curtain so to speak. The production quality of this project is very high. This is a professional undertaking in every respect. When it is completed, I feel confident that people including those outside the surf scene will find this absolutely fascinating as well as highly entertaining.. I think the potential for a revival of the surf music genre is very high once this project becomes public. I hope I am right for once.

tdsurf
ONe thing I didn't mention above is we hope to give ample time in the film to the International Surf scene by including footage of foreign bands by attending some European / Japan gigs this summer. To me this is very exciting and, as is often the case, overseas sometimes appreciates original American art / culture more than America does.
td

One example is coming to you - The Surf Coasters. Don't miss it, it doesn't get much better than that.

Good luck with the project.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

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

Jeff,
Besides the classic bands of the 60s, it pretty much only features bands that have played in the OC area in the last year, especially during the SG101 event. Don't sweat it, it is by no means comprehensive, just a glimpse into what is happening now.

http://www.satanspilgrims.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Satans-Pilgrims/8210228553
https://satanspilgrims.bandcamp.com/
http://www.surfyindustries.com

It's because we're from the PacNW. No respect. Oh and I think Laika just played their last tour through there, while they were making the film.

http://www.satanspilgrims.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Satans-Pilgrims/8210228553
https://satanspilgrims.bandcamp.com/
http://www.surfyindustries.com

I seem to recall that they filmed some European bands at the Surfer Joe Fest in Italy for this also.

I hope not to heat this up too much, but really, don't feel so entitled. If there's one thing surf guitarists as a breed shouldn't have it's an ego. Just realize that, by the looks of the cast on the website, this seems to be a very Orange/LA County-oriented documentary, which at least makes sense for the historical aspect. I wouldn't be one to assume Tom and crew have the means to proactively search out all the bands from each wave. In fact it seems that with the exception of the Surfer Joe festival in Italy all the filming for this has been done opportunistically in southern California. I can tell already this isn't the exact surf documentary I would make either--I'd like to see a broader emphasis on modern bands and there are a couple of people on that cast who frankly I don't really care what they have to say (but who knows, maybe I'll be swayed)--but I'm still most definitely stoked that it's being made at all, especially with this level of quality and as much scope that it does have. In fact, I'll be pushing to the front to see this thing.

Surf Trio belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well!

Also, think of documentary as an essay. First of all they set up surf as a cultural event in California. Then they go on to show its influence world wide. Do we take them on their word or do they show us an example so there is credibility behind their point. Therefore the natural conclusion is to include Laika and the Cosmonauts.

But are they really a "SURF BAND"?

As much as a surf band as the Surf Trio.

JakeDobner
Surf Trio belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well!

yes, I quite agree

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