Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Hot Rods To Hell
 | Blood Red Vinyl & Discs Records (Jeff Martin of the Surf Trio) issued this great theme compilation of 9 bands doing hot rod songs. There are some vocals here, including a fine Surf Trio version of the Pyramids' single Custom Caravan with great poutie vocals & ample spirit, and the worst recording I've heard since the Gentrys' did Wild, a thin tinny shallow amateur version of RPM by the Trashmatics (aptly named). Overall, a good CD with some fine surf instros. |
Picks: Corrido Twist, My Woodie, Suspense Run, Hot Rod Alley, The Outlaw, Midnight Ride
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
The Exotics are from Wisconsin, and their cover of the Venturas' Corrido Twist is their best effort yet, though they still have quite a ways to go.
Surf (Instrumental)
From Portland, Satan's Pilgrims do an instrumentalization of the Trashmen classic vocal track "My Woodie," and it's quite good, though the recording is primitive. Lot's of energy.
Surf (Instrumental)
Vancouver BC's Mark Brodie & the Beaver Patrol honor Jim Messina & the Jesters with a rousing version of Suspense Run. It's less hot than his previous output, but that still leaves it perched in the upper echelons.
Surf (Instrumental)
One of the two best instro tracks is the Surfdusters' Hot Rod Alley! Wow! This Canadian band from New Westminster BC is a lineal descendent of Ralph & the Garage Surfers / the Unknowns / and the Fridge Magnets.
The Outlaw Surf (Instrumental)
Southern California surf/frat boys the Bomboras play a very Link-like tune (I'm Branded?), which must have been recorded in a school hallway... The sound sux.
Surf (Instrumental)
From the opening horror laugh, this ominous track reeks of monsters riding the waves after dark, haunting the surf, and stalking the unsuspecting.