Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Torquays - Escondido b/w Surfers Cry
 | This great San Jose band of played surf for several years during the sixties. The Torquays were an exceptionally fine band. The lead guitarist was a large fellow with a powerful pick attack. Their lone release is a double sided surf monster.
The Torquays were three brothers, Raul Martinez, David Martinez, and Pete Martinez, backed by drummer Jim Sierra. |
Picks: Escondido, Surfer's Cry
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is one of the great lost singles, recorded in monsterama, with big sustained lead notes delivering a simple yet very effective melody line, and moving to damped reverbed attack during the breaks. The dry rhythm guitar and thundering bass and military drums provide a suitable backdrop for this essential single. "Escondido" is a fine example of just how powerful single picked sustained reverbed melody lines can be. The A part is single picked, with a sound not unlike the Intruders lead guitar. The B part is double picked and damped, played in a playful almost flamenco way. Big whammy chords, and thundering tom-toms. Tribal ominous storm surf.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Surfer's Cry" is a slow moody number, with a metered prom beat, and shiny surf guitar not unlike the Safaris used on "Lonely Surf Guitar." The male chorus adds a sense of sadness and loss to this already very moody track. Very cool, with a double picked reverbed blues break a la B. B. King.