Surf+Rock

Surf Rock Honors American History Gabe Baker 5/20/11

**--Surf Rock** is a generally instrumental genre of rock originating around 1955. The use of distortion and wave effects gave it the surfing essence; several other techniques were used in the music. It was most popular in the California area but had influence from Hawaii; where the steel guitar, one of the key instruments, was first produced. Surf Rock had a fairly short time of popularity and began to decline by 1965; however there are now a fair amount of surf revivalists.

**Who:** There were hundreds of surf music groups, however only a small number had any lasting impact or even became noticed. This is because surf music happened just before the British Invasion of popular music. The Ventures, one of my preferred groups, had several hits including "Perfidia", "Walk Dont Run", and their most famous, "Hawaii Five-O." These songs sparked alot of interest in surf music and helped it to become popular. The Lively Ones released "Surf Rider", an instant hit. Recently the song was used as a theme in Quentin Tarintino's film __Pulp__ __Fiction__; Dick Dale's song "Mirslou" was also used.


 * When:** Surf Rock received it's inspiration from the blues, and it began to grow around 1950. At that point it was fast tempo blues scales with distortion effects. By 1959 the first hit was released, "Sleepwalk", by Santo & Johnny. This song featured a steel guitar, which produces an eerie, but calming wave sound. This song was and still is repeatedly covered. By 1963 Surf Rock was at it's peak, with several mainstream surf groups established. By 1965 Surf Rock began to decline. Between The Vietnam War, The British Invasion, Hippies, and Civil Rights, Surf Rock seemed to lose it's grip in mainstream society. Around 1970 Surf Rock took on a different persona. Many bands became "Hot Rod Rock". This music sounded similar to surf music, however they sang; their lyrics were about girls and cars. Instead of wave sounds in the music they made revving effects and screeching. Hot rod rock was fairly short lived and not enjoyed by as many as surf rock. Lately surf music has been a part of the popular childrens cartoon, "SpongeBob Squarepants". Between scene changes a surf riff is played, and for songs during the cartoon.


 * Why:** Surf Rock held no double meaning, there was no way to interpret it. Many people enjoyed it for that reason. During Surf Rock's peak there were several stressful conflicts going on in the world; people listened to surf music because it offered a 'feel good' break from mainstream society. The message within surf music is relax, have a good time, and never grow old.


 * Where:** Surf music originated from a mixture of blues and hawaiin inspirations. With the lazy background, steel guitar, and wave effects Hawaii played a major role. With the distortion, tremolo, and eerie effects it shows the blues background. It would only make sense that Surf Rock would land in between Chicago and Hawaii; Southern California. In Los Angeles and in San Diego surf music was everywhere. Surf music was spread by a series of teen exploitation movies. These films featured teenage love, surfing, and surf rock.


 * How:** Surf Rock pioneered several techniques in ways to play an instrument. The most notable is the Steel Lap Guitar. It is made with three guitar necks cut off and strung flat on a table. The musician wears five guitar pick rings on their right hand. In the left is a mettalic cylinder that gets slid across the string to make an eerie wave-like sound. This instrument is recognizable in "Sleepwalk." One of the key effects was Tremolo. This produces a repetition of the last note played to give a dazed effect. A similar effect used was reverb. This is a swishing sound produces by a spring that vibrates because of the sound waves. The effects generally helped to immitate the sound or melody that a beach produces.


 * Impact:** Surf Rock impacted several different genres of music. Many of the techniques are still used. Recently there has been a small surf revival. Songs like "Let's Go Surfing", by The Drums have recently been released. These songs use the prominent surf aspects while adding a bit of contemporary influence. The Ventures were inducted in the Rock Hall in 2008, and preformed there.

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 * Works Cited:** **Bush, John. "Hot Rod Rock." All Music. N.p., 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 May 2011. **
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 * Pandora Radio. Pandora Media Inc., 1 Jan. 2010. Web. 19 May 2011.
 * Campbell, Al. All Music. N.p., 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 May 2011.