Whenever you mention surf music most people think of the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean or perhaps Bruce and Terry, but the original surf music actually is instrumental. The early vocal groups, singing odes to surfing and its life style, contributed largely to the commercial success of the genre but relatively little in quantity compared to the number of instrumental surf songs recorded. The instrumental surf bands attempted to create musically the sensation of actually surfing. One can not deny that the popularization of surfing, it's culture and music, is largely due to vocal groups and the "beach films", both of which are denounced by the surf purists, and both will be give their dues on this site.

Surf music is rooted in instrumental rock music from the 50s and early 60s by artists: Link Wray known for his raw primitive style and "handmade" distortion (by poking pencils threw speaker cone); and Duane Eddy who combined the whammy bar with tremolo effects and lots of reverb created by means of an empty water tank. Also, The Ventures, The Fireballs and The Champs were influential bands. Instrumental pop music soon became very popular all over the world. Many new bands started playing instrumental music. Among these were Southern California bands.

Dick Dale formed The Deltones in early ''61 and started playing instrumental music. He opened in a Balboa CA club stuffed with surfers who went crazy for his double picking guitar style. Dale compared his style of playing to the sensation he got on a surfboard. Since then, the term "surf" no longer applies to the sport alone but to a music style as well. Dick Dale's first instrumental release August '61 "Let's go trippin'" was the first to use of a prototype guitar reverb unit. Through his work with Leo Fender, Dale was instrumental in the development of the Fender Showman amps, and the Fender outboard reverb unit (initially created to add reverb to Dales voice). Both Fender units became hallmarks of the "surf sound".

Surf became extremely popular in the South California area and far beyond. In shot order it became obvious that most of these surf musicians could not surf especially the likes of The Trashmen based in Minneapolis and Tornadoes of Denver. Each major label had at least one surf act. If necessary they created one, using session musicians. Many known songs were surfed up to gain a new appeal.

In October ‘62 the Beach boys single Surfin' Safari reached # 14 on the US charts and many more hits were to follow. The Beach Boys were a mainly vocal band formed around the Wilson brothers singing about girls, summer fun and surfin'. Their music had little in common with the original instrumental surf. Never the less, people called it surf anyway. Due to their success many people today incorrectly recognize the Beach Boys as a pioneering surf band. Their longevity and number of hits may have left them as the most recognizable band from the surf era.

With the British invasion Surf died a silent death, though not without a trace. Famous guitar players such as Jimi Hendrix and SRV refer to Dick Dale as their major example. Surf influences can easily be heard in the sound of bands like The Ramones, The Cramps The Pixies, The B-52's or Chris Isaac. During the mid '80's a revival started, refereed to as the second wave of surf music. In the '90s Tarantino used Dick Dale's Miserlou, among other surf tunes, in the film Pulp Fiction' announcing the third wave of Surf. Bands with a surf flavor such as The Boss Martians, Mermen and Man or Astroman were launched and continue today, and the revival isn't limited to the US alone Surf bands can be heard around the world.

Half of this site is devoted to surf music in its many forms both past and present. The musical equipment used in creating the Surf sound is also examined. I also cover the "beach party" and surfing documentaries films. The other half of the site is devoted to my love of Siberian Husky sled dogs Many aspect of training, care, breed standard and equipment will be cover as the site. So if you can't catch a wave care for a dog.