Mark Malibu & The Wasagas - Crash Monster Beach 2018

   Since returning from the grave back in 2014, Mark Malibu & The Wasagas have been making a lot of  noise and creating some major wave action. They have delivered some top notch surf rock with 2 very fine  albums: "Original Surf Punk Recordings" (2014) and "Return Of The Wasagas" (2017).If that wasn't enough ,they also gained a rep as a damn kool live band.Not standing still they have released their 3rd and best album so far,"Crash Monster Beach".This time out they don't pull any punches and land an intro and 12 hits.This is damn confident instrumental surf that ranges from traditional surf to garage and surf punk. Hell it's also modern surf that is vigorous and straight up kool.We get 3 covers here and the band also throws in "Hey Chiwawa" which appeared on "Original Surf Punk Recordings". It's well produced and executed but then again that's kind of a trademark for them.From start to finish this puppy reels you in and doesn't let go.Highlights include: "Punch Out At The Beach", "Crazy Mouse", "Astro Bot" and "Fuzzy Love".

                                             
          Mark Malibu & The Wasagas have hit a home run with "Crash Monster Beach".It sounds great and is freakin' stout .You really have to throw down some of your hard earned cash on this baby and your better half will thank you for it.Highly recommended!!
https://www.facebook.com/Wasagas/
https://wasagas.com/

The Terrorsurfs - Mutant Surfin' Trash 2018

 
 Back in late 2016 The Terrorsurfs  crawled out the primordial ooze and dropped the explosive and raw  "Zomboid Surf Attack".With that knock out punch ,they firmly established themselves as a  surf band to be reckoned with.  These cats throw  down some of the best  surf punk/ smash mouth surf  out there and aren't afraid to mix it up.The band's debut album set the bar high  and now they have struck  back with their  excellent sophomore effort "Mutant Surfin' Trash".This time out( now as a four piece) they back it up a bit  and bring more traditional surf  into the sonic mix.But don't kid yourself this, baby still packs a big punch. We get 12 original tracks  that range from traditional leaning surf to all out surf punk.Highlights include: "Surf Burger", "Sax Fiend","Terrorsufer" and "Bat Shit Crazy"

    By showing some restraint  The Terrorsurfs manage to pull off a well balanced and kool sounding attack with " Mutant Surfin' Trash" .It's one album you want to grab. Highly recommended!
    https://www.facebook.com/terrorsurfs/   http://terrorsurfs.com/

Mark Malibu & The Wasagas - Return Of The Wasagas 2017

 
Back in 1979 Mark Malibu & The Wasagas  washed up onto the Toronto punk and immediately stood out from the pack. Been Canada's first surfpunk was no easy chore but they managed to record a handful tracks,some which appeared on a few compilations.After a 3 year run they packed it in and sadly were quickly forgotten. Funny thing thou,in the early 2000's  Toronto burgeoning surf was starting to gain traction and for a few people  Mark Malibu & The Wasagas became a touchstone band. It took a few more years but in 2014 they appeared at The Great Lakes Surf Battle #9 and released the kool "Original Surf Punk Recordings". As a result you could say the game was back on. Now in 2017 they have dropped the  kool and sweet album " Return Of The Wasagas". This puppy craves in with 12 originals and 2 covers of mighty fine surf. For the most part this is aggressive traditional surf but we also  get a range of surf here ,from traditional to spaghetti to surf punk and a little horror surf .From the opening intro to the final track this is one refreshing and fun ride that maintains a stout groove.Highlights include: "Surfin' A Go-Go" , " Boogie Board ", " Spaghetti Summer" and "Ain't Gunna Crash"
      There is no doubt about it "Return Of The Wasagas" packs a punch. Mark Malibu & The Wasagas are making up for lost time here.This is a lean and hungry outfit that's bringing it on and having fun too boot. Highly Recommended!!
https://www.facebook.com/Wasagas/ 

Insect Surfers - Datura Moon 2017

The Insect Surfers have been kicking around since 1979 and in that time they have appeared on a whack of compilations but have only released 4 albums ( not including a best of and live album).However those 4 albums are pretty much considered classics of the surf genre. Their last and arguably best offering "Infra Green" came out in 2013.Despite the limited amount of releases they are and remain one of the kings of modern surf.That said the band's latest "Datura Moon"is finally out and  again they take it a notch up.This time out we get 10 original tracks that run the gamut  from traditional to progressive surf to psychedelic.Let's call it what it is damn good modern surf.Sure it's more of the same but these cats always seem to up the game. This is one  kool and refreshing ride that pushes the folds  of surf .Highlights include: " Flying Fish Offramp","Red Mesa", "Tapping The Source" and "Wavelength"

 The Insect Surfers are a band you expect good things from and they always deliver.With " Datura Moon" they do it again.This is a pretty stout and impressive album by a truly killer band. Highly recommended !
 https://www.facebook.com/InsectSurfers/     http://www.insectsurfers.com/

Los Tiki Phantoms - Aventuras En Celuloide 2017

  For over 12 years now Los Tiki Phantoms have been serving up some damn fine surf. In that time they have released 4 albums and 1 ep and have a world wide fan base that just keeps growing.Well there back with another killer album " Aventuras En Celuloide" .This time out we get 15 tracks inspired by the movies that leave you wanting more.With this outfit you just know what your getting, kool surf music that ranges from traditional to kinda poppy to garage.It's also always pretty sweet.On this outing they also throw in some spaghetti and some horns too boot . Highlights include: "El Baron Rojo", "Buencha","Kung Fu Tiki " ,"Winchester" and "Locos Sombre Ruedas"

Once again Los Tiki Phantoms have delivered an excellent album with "Aventuras En Celuloide". This is a band that stays the course for the most part and still manages to come off refreshing and fun .You just can't go wrong with these cats.Highly recommended!

https://www.facebook.com/lostikifans/  https://twitter.com/lostikiphantoms?lang=en

   

The Concussions - Newaygo Sound Machine 2016

Hailing from Grand Rapids, the instro/surf band The Concussions  have been at it  since 2003 and along the way they have released 4 pretty damn good records to boot.Their brand of surf inspired instrumental rock is contagious and as a result they have developed a strong and growing fan base It's been to 2 years since their last effort, the stout "Break Up With The Concussions " was released .Now they are back with the kool " Newaygo Sound Machine" and this puppy steps it up.Coming in with 12 tracks that hit the ground running,this is a sure fired winner.Ranging from  raw and hard edge instrumentals to poppy surf.Throw in some spaghetti and garage and the result is a mix bag of goody's that leaves you wanting more.Highlights include:  "Whack Job" , "Flicksville" , "Pump City" and "Storm Team Dave".
         The Concussions have put together their best album yet with" Newaygo Sound Machine". At times there is a familiar ring here but with the mix of styles, strong writing and execution this puppy comes off fresh and exciting. Recommended !!!
  https://www.facebook.com/theconcussions/    http://www.theconcussions.com/   http://www.doublecrownrecords.com/the-concussions-newaygo-sound-machine-cd/  

The Coffin Daggers - Aggravatin’ Rhythms 2016

 The Coffin Daggers  may not have a big discography for a band that's been around since 1999.Hell they have released a couple of singles ,an ep and only 2 albums, the last been in 2011. However each release has  been pretty impressive.This is one surf punk outfit that knows how too do some serious damage and as a result there is a large, loyal and growing  fan base for these kats.In 2015 the band hitched up with Cleopatra Records and the results are now out  with their third album " Aggravatin’ Rhythms". This  mad puppy comes out swinging  hard, fast and most of all delivers on all accounts.We get 14 tracks (a mix of originals  and  covers) of instrumental surf punk that range from garagy  to smash mouth .This is a powerful brew that's stirred with hard driving guitar and a damn kool organ. Highlights include:  "Instigator", "Five-Five", " The Thing" , and " Wake Up Screaming".
     There was some buzz surrounding the release of  "Aggravatin’ Rhythms' "and that was good to see. This is one very strong and intense album but it's a fun ride to boot .Yeah it kicks butt and that's what you would expect.  Highly Recommended!!!     https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger/timeline    http://coffindaggers.com/

X-Ray Cat Trio - Out For Blood 2015

If your looking for dark, raw and tough  rock n roll  the X-Ray Cat Trio are a band you should check out.This surf based band out of Leeds has been delivering the goods since 2009 and are more that just surf outfit.These kats mix rockabilly,psychobilly,Link Wray, punk and more  into a a kool brew that's hard to resist.They released the pretty good ep "Bloody Deeds" back in 2014 and managed to gain some international attention.Now in 2015 they about to unleash their full debut album "Out For Blood'.
 This puppy comes in with attitude that snarls hard with 13 tracks that for the most part, pack a punch.We get only 2 tracks with vocals(both are pretty good) and the rest of the tracks are instrumentals The band also throws in some killer saxophone on a few tracks as well as a theremin added to the mix,all which ups the anti here.Highlights include: " Surfing Sasquatch", "Berenice", " In The Mausolem" , " Rockero Fantasma" and "Wolfcop".

      Out For Blood struts in with a whack of swagger,maintains it and leaves you wanting more. Yes it's dark,raw and rough but hell it's also damn good. Recommended!   https://www.facebook.com/xraycattrio/timeline?ref=page_internal  

Boss Fink - R.P.M. 2015

On the strength of one ep,"Finksville" and a whack of pedigree many fans of surf music are expecting big things from  Boss Fink.Since lighting up the So-Cal  scene a couple years ago these kats have earned a solid rep and have become kinda a buzz band .Their brand of hotrod ,drag and rat fink inspired surf is just flat out kool.The band's debut album has been highly anticipated  and comes with  some high expectations.That said, the debut is now here and  "R.P.M" definitely delivers in spades.This beast  smashes ashore with 15 killer tracks(13 new) of first wave  inspired surf that more than holds it's own.When you hear about hot rod, rat fink inspired surf  this is what there talking about.  From start to finish this is one powerful and kinetic ride.No dogs here ,it's all more than good.Standout tracks include: " Pontiac Chief", "Motorvixen" , " Boss Fink Twist" and "5th Horseman" which first appeared in 2013.

    Simply put "R.P.M." is one really killer album that should be in everyone's collection.Hell it's one of the better albums to come down the pike in a while. Definitely  one of the best releases so far this year  by anyone in any genre.Highly recommended!!!  https://www.facebook.com/BossFink/timeline

Swami John Reis And The Blind Shake - Modern Surf Classics 2015

 

 Legendary guitar slinger  John Reis (Rocket from The Crypt, The Sultans,Hot Snakes, Night Marchers,etc.)  wanted to make a surf album  so he joins forces with Minnesota`s psychedelic punkers The Blind Shake.So a couple of years ago they got together and laid down  a whack of tracks  and now the resulting album is finally out.Washing up on shore is ``Modern Surf Classics`` containing  13 tracks of hard driving surf ,hell for the most part this is surf punk meets  smash mouth surf  and it`s damn good.Yes there is a few traditional surf tracks and that adds to the kool feel of the album.Highlights include: ``Over The Falls``, ``Zulu As Kono``, ``Sea Saw`` and ``Kooks On The Face``.

   Overall  ``Modern Surf Classics`` is a killer album  that is a blast of fresh air as well as a wall of sound.It may not appeal to  all fans of surf but there really is something for everyone here (even if your a traditionalist). This baby will blow you away !! Highly Recommended!!   https://www.facebook.com/swamijohn.reis/timeline    https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Blind-Shake/62488177468 

BANG!MUSTANG! - SURFIN' NSA! 2014

BANG!MUSTANG! washed up on the European surf scene back in 2010 with a ton of expectations on their back.After all here was a band with great pedigree and enough talent to raise the bar when it comes to the surf music.Well they have definitely more than lived up to the expectations ,to many followers of surf  they are simply one of the best "modern surf " bands period. Their 2012 debut album"The Big Twang! Theory" basically nailed it  and they are considered a must see band. Now in 2014 they're back with the sophomore effort "SURFIN' NSA!"  and this puppy  really is pretty impressive   .Coming ashore with with 16 tracks of  pure modern surf .We get  a disc full of spaghetti, spy ,power surf and more .This is rich  impressive surf  that flows  and leaves you wanting more.Highlights include: "Haunted By A Shadow", "Giant Zora" ,"Charles Bronson" and " Surfin 'NSA".

 

     BANG!MUSTANG! have delivered in spades here and one has to ask just how good they  really are.Pretty sweet and highly recommended!   https://www.facebook.com/bangmustang/timeline   http://www.bangmustang.de/