Today’s wave of surf rock-although the purists likely wouldn’t call it that- isn’t defined by a region or by a lack of lyrics. The Beach Boys gave copyright credits to Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Sixteen” for “Surfin’ USA” and sampled much of his other work in their songs.
The sound of classic surf rock resembled the barbershop quartet quality of 1950s pop music, but drew heavily from Polynesian influence-as surfing itself began in Hawaii -and the rock and roll genre invented by African Americans. The Beach Boys first album, Surfin’ Safari, came out in 1962. While The Beach Boys emulated the sound of surf rock pioneers like Dick Dale or the Ventures, they strayed from the status quo to add lyrics to their songs. Which is probably why when people think of surf rock, they think of the The Beach Boys.
Today’s audiences don’t normally like music that is purely instrumental. One reason why pure, classic surf rock is often overlooked is likely, in my opinion, the lack of lyrics. You may know Dick Dale more from the song “Miserlou,” famously featured in Pulp Fiction and sampled in The Black Eyed Pea’s “Pump It.” “ Let’s Go Trippin ’” by Dick Dale and His Del-Tones, is considered the first ever surf rock song, released in 1961. But the credited founder of surf rock, Dick Dale, was actually from Boston. “Real” surf rock, associated with bright guitars, high energy, and a steady pop rhythm started in Southern California in the 50s and 60s, with the emerging surf culture in the region. I still kept them on my “classic surf rock” playlist, though-because I love “Rock Lobster.”
After doing some homework, I learned that the B-52s were technically a post wave group from the 80s. Recently, I was chided for labeling the B-52s “Rock Lobster” as surf rock. Modern bands like Peach Pit, The Backseat Lovers, Surf Curse, Current Joys, and Her’s all mirror the genre in some ways. One genre that has rebranded itself in the indie rock scene today is surf rock.
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