10 Best Surf Rock Bands of All Time
Surf rock is a genre of popular music that emerged in the early 1960s in Southern California. Fast, energetic, and reverb-drenched guitar riffs characterize it. It often draws inspiration from the sound of crashing waves and the culture of surfing. Surf rock bands sang about the joys of surfing, beach parties, hot rods, and girls. It created a sunny and carefree image of California that appealed to many listeners.
Surf rock reached its peak of popularity in the mid-1960s, but it also influenced many subsequent rock genres and bands. Here are 10 of the best surf rock bands of all time, ranked by their impact, popularity, and musical quality.
10. The Ventures
The Ventures are one of the most successful instrumental surf rock bands of all time. They formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington, and have sold over 100 million records worldwide. They gain recognition for covering popular songs like “Walk, Don’t Run,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Apache,” in addition to creating original compositions such as “Surf Rider” and “Perfidia.”
The Ventures have a distinctive sound that combines electric guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards. They have influenced many other rock musicians, such as the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, and the Pixies.
9. The Barracudas
The Barracudas are a British surf rock band that formed in 1978 in London. They are part of the revival of surf rock that occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s, along with other bands such as Agent Orange, the Bambi Molesters, and the Surf Punks.
The Barracudas are known for their catchy and humorous songs, such as “Summer Fun”, “I Want My Woody Back”, and “Surfers Are Back”. They blend surf rock with elements of punk, garage, and power pop. The band created a fresh and energetic sound that appeals to both old and new fans of surf rock.
8. The Chantays
The Chantays are an American surf rock band that formed in 1961 in Santa Ana, California. They are best known for their hit single “Pipeline”, which is considered one of the most iconic surf rock songs of all time. The song features a memorable guitar melody, a driving rhythm, and a surf sound effect that mimics the sound of a breaking wave.
The Chantays have also recorded other surf rock classics, such as “Runaway”, “Monsoon”, and “Blunderbus”. The Chantays have earned induction into the Surfing Walk of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. They have influenced many other surf rock bands, such as the Surfaris, the Lively Ones, and the Mermen.
7. The Surfaris
The Surfaris are an American surf rock band that formed in 1962 in Glendora, California. They are best known for their hit single “Wipe Out”, which is one of the most recognizable and popular surf rock songs of all time. The song features a catchy guitar riff, a frantic drum solo, and a maniacal laugh that captures the excitement and danger of surfing.
The Surfaris have also recorded other surf rock classics, such as “Surfer Joe”, “Point Panic”, and “Surfari”. The Surfaris have earned induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have influenced many other surf rock bands, such as the Beach Boys, the Ramones, and the Cramps.
6. SadGirl
SadGirl are an American surf rock band that formed in 2009 in Los Angeles, California. They are part of the revival of surf rock that occurred in the late 2000s and early 2010s, along with other bands such as Wavves, Dum Dum Girls, and Surfer Blood.
SadGirl are known for their fuzzy and nostalgic songs, such as “Little Queenie”, “Breakfast Is Over”, and “Feel Like Shit”. They blend surf rock with elements of doo wop, punk, and garage, creating a catchy and dreamy sound that appeals to both old and new fans of surf rock. Critics and fans alike have praised SadGirl. They have performed at various venues and festivals, such as the Teragram Ballroom, the Echo, and SXSW.
5. Jan and Dean
Jan and Dean are an American duo that formed in 1958 in Los Angeles, California. They are one of the most popular and successful surf rock bands of all time, with over 25 million records sold worldwide. Known for their harmonious and humorous songs, such as “Surf City,” “The Little Old Lady from Pasadena,” and “Dead Man’s Curve,” the band continues to leave a lasting impression. They also collaborated with the Beach Boys, who were their friends and rivals, on songs such as “Barbara Ann”, “I Get Around”, and “Surfin’ Safari”.
Jan and Dean have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have influenced many other surf rock bands, such as the Turtles, the Monkees, and the Partridge Family.
4. The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American band that formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. They are one of the most influential and acclaimed surf rock bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. The band are known for their complex and innovative songs, such as “Good Vibrations”, “God Only Knows”, and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”. They also recorded many surf rock classics, such as “Surfin’ USA”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”, and “California Girls”.
The Beach Boys have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. They have influenced many other surf rock bands, such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Ramones.
3. Best Coast
Best Coast are an American indie rock band that formed in 2009 in Los Angeles, California. They are part of the revival of surf rock that occurred in the late 2000s and early 2010s, along with other bands such as Wavves, Dum Dum Girls, and Surfer Blood.
Best Coast are known for their lo-fi and nostalgic songs, such as “Boyfriend”, “When I’m with You”, and “The Only Place”. They blend surf rock with elements of pop, rock, and garage. They create a catchy and dreamy sound that appeals to both old and new fans of surf rock.
2. The Mermen
The Mermen are an American instrumental surf rock band that formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California. They are one of the most original and experimental surf rock bands of all time, by incorporating elements of psychedelic, progressive, and ambient music into their sound. The band are known for their epic and atmospheric songs, such as “Krill Slippin’”, “Ocean Beach”, and “The Whales”. They also pay tribute to the classic surf rock bands, such as Dick Dale, the Ventures, and the Surfaris, by covering their songs or using their samples.
Critics and fans alike have praised The Mermen. They have influenced many other surf rock bands, such as Man or Astro-man?, Laika & the Cosmonauts, and the Aqua Velvets.
1. Babewatch
Babewatch are an American surf rock band that formed in 2013 in Oakland, California. They are part of the revival of surf rock that occurred in the late 2000s and early 2010s, along with other bands such as Wavves, Dum Dum Girls, and Surfer Blood.
Known for their garage and punk-infused songs like “Darken My Door,” “Kelp Monster,” and “Party Wave,” Babewatch has established a distinctive musical identity. They blend surf rock music with elements of rock, pop, and lo-fi. They create a raw and catchy sound that appeals to both old and new fans of surf rock. Critics and fans alike have praised Babewatch. They have toured with various bands, such as Together Pangea, SWMRS, and The Frights.
The Bottom Line
These are the 10 best surf rock bands of all time, according to our ranking. Do you agree with our list? Which surf rock bands do you like the most? Let us know in the comments below.