SURF!

March 1, 2006 6:13 PM

Freddie's Home Pagefeatures streams of some classic hard-to-find instrumental surf albums from The Ventures, The Shadows, The Spotnicks and more, including my personal all-time favourite surf record. In other surf music news the previously mentioned Surf Guitar 101 has recently relaunched as a community site dedicated to surf music. Not familiar with instrumental surf music? Check out Delvar Surf Sessions Online Radio for a taste of some of the finest instrumental surf around.
posted by The Wig (14 comments total)

Excellent FPP The Wig! Really neat! Thank you.
posted by nickyskye at 6:18 PM on March 1, 2006

For more rip roaring surf, twang, rockabilly, and weird stuff go to Radio Rumpus Room
posted by wheelieman at 6:28 PM on March 1, 2006

Don't forget Sandgropers Surfspot.
posted by stinkycheese at 6:42 PM on March 1, 2006

Not surf exactly, but anybody who's willing to put out that much Chet Atkins deserves respect. Niiiice.
posted by arto at 6:49 PM on March 1, 2006

No mention of Agent Orange or The Mermen sadly.
posted by Relay at 6:57 PM on March 1, 2006

I love surf music and I'm not afraid to say it.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:43 PM on March 1, 2006

Zombie, or Astro Zombie?
posted by ursus_comiter at 8:16 PM on March 1, 2006

Wipe Out.

What Iron Man is to novice guitarists.

(Used to be, anyway)
posted by HTuttle at 8:20 PM on March 1, 2006

yah and no lawndale either what gives man
posted by joeblough at 8:20 PM on March 1, 2006

Cowabunga! Great posts and great additions. There is also some pretty good modern surf music over at archive.org, but the site is wonky right now.
posted by LarryC at 8:26 PM on March 1, 2006

Aw, no Crossfires?
posted by mwhybark at 8:38 PM on March 1, 2006

You know, my favorite surf-style music came out of my home town of Minneapolis (and the surrounding subrbs), such as "Surfin' Birf" by the Trasmen, "Olds-Mo-William" by Gregory Dee And The Avanties, and "Central High Playmate" by The Four Wheels.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:28 PM on March 1, 2006

The Spotnicks are so great. Thanks for highlighting them.
posted by jann at 1:56 AM on March 2, 2006

Astro-Zombie -- If you ever get a chance, listen to the flip side of the Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird". It's a non-instrumental called "King of the Surf," and it is the greatest non-Beach Boy surf song of all time. Best of all, it is nothing like a Beach Boy song (nor does it sound anything like "Surfin' Bird). Check out "King of the Surf" and you won't be sorry. I guarantee it. Superb vocal. Incredible guitar break. Drivin' beat. Great lyrics!
As far is "Surfin' Bird" is concerned: This is a great product of American culture, and is brilliantly utilized in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket" to demonstrate the scarey historical uniqueness of our country and its products. What a song. What a band (even if they only have two good songs)!
posted by Faze at 9:45 AM on March 2, 2006