Favorite surf music band of all time?

[derby378]

Poll question: Favorite surf music band of all time?

There's plenty, so if you don't see yours listed, please post 'em for us.

Poll result (28 votes)
The Ventures	(4 votes, 14%)	Vote
Dick Dale (and the Del-Tones)	(12 votes, 43%)	Vote
Man or Astro-Man?	(0 votes, 0%)	Vote
Teisco Del Rey	(0 votes, 0%)	Vote
The 5, 6, 7, 8's	(1 votes, 4%)	Vote
The Sonics	(0 votes, 0%)	Vote
Beach Boys	(6 votes, 21%)	Vote
The Eliminators	(0 votes, 0%)	Vote
Surf Punks	(1 votes, 4%)	Vote
Other (please specify)	(4 votes, 14%)	Vote

[St. Jarvitude]

1. One of the deacons at my (ex) church was in New Colony Six

I have no idea if they sucked or not, but my parents said they were alright.

[Magrittes Pipe]

2. The Sonics had nothing to do with surf music

Other than coming from the same state as the Ventures (who really, other than the Surfin' album, didn't have so much of a surf-oriented thing, either -- "Walk, Don't Run," despite being a guitar instrumental, is not a "surf" song).

Going newer, Man... or Astro-Man? really only had a strong surf vibe on their first few records. Once they signed to Touch-and-Go, they went to the Astro-Man side of that spectrum. They're space-rock now.

I'm not a fan of Teisco Del Ray (who names himself after a shitty guitar brand, anyway?), 5-6-7-8s aren't really surf (if you want to give props to the Japanese, Jackie and the Cedrics are a better choice).

My vote goes to Dick. Who pretty much is just that. A dick. But he's a hell of a guitarist, and he was far more prolific than any other worthwhile instrumental surf artist of the '60s (though I still maintain that the best surf SINGLE of all time is "Hollywood" by The Scrambles, from the surfing hotbed of Portsmouth, Ohio).



The Beach Boys I'd probably rank above Dale, but instrumental surf really needs a separate poll from vocal pop about surfing -- not to mention, on the strength of surfing-oriented songs alone, I'd say Jan and Dean were better than the BBs (it's their other stuff that puts them over the top).

[tuvor]

3. Weren't the Ventures pioneers of the "surf" sound?

Also, their sheer output makes me vote for them.

Other bands of note: Link Wray and the Wraymen, and of course, the Wipeouters!

[gmoney]

4. Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet

Best known in the states for the theme and incidental music from "The Kids in the Hall" TV shows, they were a tremendous surf trio, doing (almost) strictly instrumentals. I got to see them live once, by accident (opening for the Fleshtones), and they sounded like six guys... massive.

Why are all the best surf bands Canadian? (Huevos Rancheros are great, too)

[Magrittes Pipe]

5. Not into Huevos....

SMoaSP is an outstanding combo, though.

I'd have LOVED to see them and the Fleshtones on the same bill -- around when did you see that show?

[Tikki]

6. The Deadcats.....eom

[fit4life]

7. Gotta go with Dick Dale

I live in Illinois and he makes me want to take up surfing!

[oustemnow]

8. The Mermen

awesome surf-rock, almost proggy in its scope, from a San Franciso band. Highy recommended.

[HEyHEY]

9. Do shadowy men from a shadowy planet count?

[HEyHEY]

10. Do the tornados count?

[NightTrain]

11. Dick Dale's "Miserlou" is THE surf instrumental, baby!

[HEyHEY]

12. I met him once

Nice guy, sat at the end of the stage until everyone that wanted to meet him met him. Only thing, fucker wouldn't sign my hawaii shirt, said it would wreck his pen.

He does a great Johnny Cash impression by the way.

[derby378]

16. Yeah, gotta hand it to him

His rendition of Hava Nagila was awesome, too.

[mitchum]

13. Los Perdidos

[starroute]

14. Jan and Dean

I'd also like to put in a plug for Indo-Rock -- which has nothing to do with indie rock. Indo-Rock was rock'n'roll with a heavy surf music influence played by Indonesians living in the Netherlands in the early 60's. There are still people around who remember it fondly.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

15. Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters.