Today is Bandcamp Friday, which means bandcamp is taking no commission on sales on their site, so most of your money goes to the artist. Paypal, of course, still takes a cut. Sometimes in the past I've done Bandcamp roundups where I write a bunch of rapid-fire reviews as suggestions of new things you can buy. But lately I've started doing my Storm Surge Splashes which have kind of been doing the same thing just not on Bandcamp fridays.
That said, I haven't been able to keep up with those in the past few weeks. In fact, most of the reviews you see here started as a Storm Surge Splash. Anyway, basically what I'm saying is you can find even more recommendations in those. But for now, here's some new fun things that have come out.
Unkle Kook - Frenzy
Dirty Mops - Berlin Depression
Dirty Mops' own bandcamp description described them as vastly underrated. You know what? Sure. This band has been improving with each EP I think, and this is a great taste of what they have to offer. All three have a fun groove to them to start with but then react into a wild, fuzzy explosion. They're really good at that part.
Braindead Dogs - Westfälische Tänze
This German band has been around since 2007 with only a single 2015 EP to their name, which I don't totally remember. I'm saying this because this record kinda caught me with my pants down. A mostly traditional surf sound, though certainly in a playful manner, and maybe this is just the Grecian themes talking, but I get some Les Agamemmnnonz vibes from it. It's definitely got some wonky moments, but there's some really good melodies in here. Definitely give it a shot!
Playa colérica - Caleta de la Santa Rabia
Whatever impression this band's cover art may give you, you'll likely do a double-take when you hear their aggressive biker-punk twang. That said, the popular-cartoon-character-laden imagery gives you a hint at the attitude underneath the distortion pedal; this band isn't here to make a dramatic masterpiece, they're after a good time. They want you pumping your fist, nodding your head, and maybe even shouting along to the gang vocals (still very much an instro band).
Golems of the Red Planet - Surf Masada
You down with ZORN? Admittedly, I've only really heard of John Zorn, never dug in. Certainly not like these guys! John Zorn composed 613 works as part of his Masada project -- little snippets of melodies rooted in Ashkenazi Jewish folk modalities. Which happens to align pretty well with a lot of surf music, so Golems of the Red Planet formed as a cover band of these works. While they sometimes really lean into the surf angle, like in "Mehalel" where they integrate hand-claps and farfisa, you can't expect a band dedicated to an experimental composer to not get a little weird with it, and probably the most overt way they do that is having a cellist core to their sound (and not on this recording, but they just added a violinist!). It's different, it's fun, check it out.
Les Robots - Intermission | Optigan
I've loved Les Robots since I've first heard them. I think the corners of vintage instrumentality that they explore align with my own curiosities, and they always manage to utilize them in a kitschy yet melodically fun way. This remains true, but others following their output have likely noticed that they've leaned more towards the experimental and away from rock & roll with every release. I'd say that's true here on this album featuring the Optigan, a keyboard released by a subsidiary of Mattel electronics. I like this record, and I think it will appeal to a lot of surf fans, but would I feature it on SSOR if this were the first I'd heard from them? I don't know, but I'd certainly put some thought into it.
The Mermen - Akwa Mmiri
UV and the Rays - Rayos
This lineup has already been very heavy on experimental surf, and that's the case here too, but at least you have a bunch of covers to moor your to familiar territory. These are instrumental covers done in a jazzy, surfy, jammy way that I thought was pretty fun. The sleepy take on YMCA was especially fun.
The Vicissitones - Because I Can't Say It
Let's end with an actual surf LP! The Vicissitones have a bit of a dark sound to them, with a bit of skronky, occasionally dissonant guitar and smoky sax being a big part of what they do. Even "Summer Jam" doesn't exactly sound like Beach Blanket Bingo. But I like it, it's fresh and full of surprises and keeps your brain engaged.
A few more that you might want to check out, but I ran out of time.
