Hello surf cadets
I skipped a week of this because... well there wasn't much to write about. But now there is!
Yesterday I posted the Best Trad Surf Gremmy for 2025. I might have played a little fast and loose as to what "trad" means, but the modern surf category was looking pretty bloated so I shifted some things around.
It might be a bit until I post the Modern Surf category. I like unveiling them on my radio show, but that opporunity isn't going to present itself for a bit. Monday will be Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras here in New Orleans, and each year I like to play an off-the-cuff show of mostly 45s. That's also going to edge out the semi-tradition of doing an Olympics show. Then we're going straight into WTUL's Marathon fundraiser period for two weeks, and I'll have special shows planned for that. So it might not be until March. Which is fine by me. I know what albums are going to be on that list, but I'm having a very hard time choosing an outright winner!
Anyway, as I was saying, we're in the midst of carnival season here, which is definitely high gear. Tons of fun, and plenty of stress in the logistics of said fun. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.
REAL QUICK
A reminder that this the eventual plan is for SSOR to leave facebook, so if you're worried about missing this, SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL LIST.
And since I'll probably find less surf news when I do, email me to let me know stuff that you want people to know!
New Releases
The Atom Jacks - Nth Country Experiment
I've been talking about how The KBK has reformed and is about to release new material (I've heard it! It's good!). This feels like the moon falling as that sun rises. Both are fronted by people I've made friends with. Both are probably as influenced by the rest of the Touch and Go catalog as they are Man... or Astro-Man? Both recorded new material in advance of a big concert. In The KBK's case, it's their first in years. In The Atom Jacks' case, it's their last. Jamie from the Atom Jacks had told me when I met him at Surfer Joe in 2024 that The Atom Jacks had an expiration date as life plans wouldn't allow their lineup to continue, and that date has passed. This swan song EP is great though -- energetic, expressive, and a little oppressive.
Surfentarium International
Sharawaji Records had slowed down a bit as the label owner was battling some health issues. It sure seems like he's kicked the engine back into running again though! This is a compilation of a wide range of covers done by a wide range of bands. Somebody called in when I played Mariachi Death Squad's song because they were stoked to hear a surf version of Fugazi. Other standouts for me were The Sci-Flies and RPS Surfers.
Music for Alternate Realities, Vol. 2
In 2026 Tabu Records has already put out two of these split EPs. This one features The Tentakills, who previously released a loud and fun record on this label, and "Escape from Bermuda" on this one is especially fun and pretty dramatic. But let's focus on the other band. Have you heard of Thee Leviathans? You'd be forgiven because this is their first physical release, but on guitar you've got Patrick O'Connor from Destination: Earth and The Madeira. And I want to point out: while Ivan Pongracic was lead guitar for The Madeira and was pretty fucking amazing at it, if you look at songwriting credits for their work, you're gonna see a LOT of "O'Connor" next to those tracks. He's also a killer musician on-stage, but this is an audio recording. So yeah, these songs are really fun and our first taste of a band that I have some high hopes for.
Lost Vimba - Alaia
To my knowledge, there's not a lot of surf music coming out of Lithuania! And they're representing pretty well, with a nice mix of modern surf, spaghetti western, and a few acoustic moments that really bring a different flavor. I like this record, but it's also one of those records that feels like the next one will be better.
The Tsunami Brothers - The Seasides
We call it surf music, the name evokes the thrill of riding a wave, but isn't the beach itself nice? Here The Tsunami Brothers have six tracks that feel like a great time just hanging out near the water, out in full sun. That's not to say it's a slow record, it's just an easy, fun time. The guitars sound great and they know it: the warm sound from the amp shining on you like the sun. From the description, it sounds like this album came out of a certain feeling, and I think they did a good job of sharing that with the listener.
Zako II: From the Deep Abyss
Heavy, progressive surf that borrows a lot from metal. Big sound, angry bass, a sense of panic, but it's funny how "Dreadful" kinda sounds like "Church Key" and you've still got some kitschy Sci-Fi theremin on "Hot Drop".
B'Sartek - Ferme Les Yeux
Barely surf, but surf enough for me to recommend! On the edge of spy music and ethio-jazz, which I bet is not an edge you thought existed before! I think this band is really interesting an fun and they appear to be virtually uknown, so be the hipster that heard them before everybody else
Cool music that isn't surf
Cosmique Hypnotique - S/T
Pairing well with the above B'Sartek album, this is a modern exotica record that convinces you it's friendly with vibraphone, jungle-traipsing drums, and the occasional woodblock and such, only to peel back a fern and reveal that you're not on earth at all. Eventually you're hearing just as much Sun Ra and Piero Umiliani as you are Martin Denny. And I'm not complaining.
Surf you might have missed
Subversivo - Turn Yourself In
OK I missed this one. My mouse cursor aim was off errantly clicked bandcamp's "Surprise Me" button, and I was indeed surprised by this album that popped up. If you were already in an experimental mood from the past two albums I've linked, let's stay there, because this is noisy, chaotic, free-jazzy surf. I've always been surprised by how little overlap there is between surf and noise, and this feels like the missing link between surf and, I don't know, Lightning Bolt? Certainly not for everybody, but works for me.
Meaningless poll
I love finding surf tracks in places where you wouldn't expect them. Green Day's "Last Ride In" was an early exposure to surf for me before I even knew what I was listening to. What are some others you've enjoyed?
Favorite surf instrumental from a non-surf band
