Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Surfonics - Cold Water Classicdotdotdot
artworkThis is a pretty solid soundboard tape recorded March 3, 1989 at the Cold Water Classic party at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. The Surfonics are havin' big fun, and the band's sound is pure vintage surf.
Picks: Baja, Bulldog, Decoy, Spyline, Johnny Surf Goode, Diamond Head, 6 Pack, K-39, Mr. Moto, Surf Beat, Penetration, The Revenge Of Eddie Munster, Stoked, Wipe Out, Walk Don't Run

Track by Track Review


Baja dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Rompin' stompin' melodic reverb opens the show! Extra chunk carries off this rousing version of Lee Hazelwood's best know surf instro. Way cool!

Bulldog dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a thumpier version of "Bulldog" than their demo, but that's mostly due to the "too-much-kick-drum" soundboard tape. Rhythmic and infectious, with great drums.

Decoy dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Sandals' groovy "Decoy" sounds a lot like the Surfin' Lungs' version, just more reverby. Lots of energy and sparkle.

Spyline dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a big surf 'n' spy jam, opening with Pipeline sounding all chunky and 'verby, with great drums. Following an infectious original spy jam, the Surfonics ease into "James Bond." It shimmers with vibrato and curvy danger. Soon enough, they move into "Secret Agent Man," where the "Out Of Limits" riff separates the spies from their "Pipeline" end. Pretty cool!

Johnny Surf Goode dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A little surf jammin' on Chuck Berry riffs with lots of reverb makes for a rockin' instro. Great drums rock the house!

Diamond Head dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A cowboy beat thumps under the liquid flow of Danny Hamilton' "Diamond Head." Pretty close to the Ventures' hit.

6 Pack dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a rockin' performance of the Sandals' groovy "Six Pack." Tuff drums and lots of rhythm, plus that shimmering guitar line. Very nice!

K-39 dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The drums rock hard under the Challengers' ultra tuff "K-39." Probably the hottest track here, it's got a ton of drive and surf sense. Excellent fun.

Mr. Moto dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a reverent and tuff version of the Belairs' "Mr. Moto." Nothing special, yet quite satisfying.

Surf Beat dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Dick Dale and his Del-tones' great rhythm monster "Surf Beat" is chunked hard, right down to Dick's inscrutable shouts in the intro. Great performance, simple arrangement, and authentic surf sound.

Penetration dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Surfonics do a credible "Penetration" on the fastish side, with great period sound. While it's quite true to the Pyramids' original, it's also full of energy and twang.

The Revenge Of Eddie Munster dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"The Revenge Of Eddie Munster" is actually Henry Mancini' shimmery "A Shot In The Dark." Quite a cool version, with lush vibrato and delicate rhythm.

Stoked dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Beach Boys' "Stoked" is on the fast side, with splash and cries of "stoked!" Much closer to the original than, say, the Smithereens' cut.

Wipe Out dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Big party anthem here! Following a reverb crash, the voice of the Surfaris' "Wipe Out," Dale Smallen does the introductory laugh, and then the band rocks into the drummers' challenge. Credible and way fun.

Walk Don't Run dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Opening with "Hawaii Five-0" drums, this is the Ventures' 1960 arrangement of Johnny Smith's "Walk, Don't Run." Accurate and authentic, and rhythmic.