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Showing posts with label Surf Instrumental Reviews. Show all posts

4/13/2026

Surf Rock Instrumental Eclectic Mix Vinyl Review: Hola Ghost - The End of The Road - 7” Black Vinyl

Surf Rock Vinyl Review: Hola Ghost - The End of The Road | MuzikMan

Release Date: January 30, 2026

Label: Hola Pete Records/Svart Records

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The End of the Road – 7” single by Hola Ghost came out on the 30th of January 2026. - The side 1 is the rocking “The End of The Road,” and side two is the acoustic lockdown version of “Iron Reich.” Both are previously unreleased tracks from the upcoming album, due later in 2026.

The End of The Road is available in three vinyl editions: Svart-exclusive Natural Clear w/ Black Smoke vinyl (limited to 100 copies), White w/ Black Swirl vinyl, and classic Black vinyl.

The band was formed by Peter Sandorff (ex-Nekromantix) on vocals and guitar, and Jeppe B. Jessen on bass, accompanied by the haunted drum machine Ghost 707. Drummer Kristian Sandorff (ex-Nekromantix) later took over the drum duties, skillfully replacing the machine's haunted beats. The band has since added the horn section “The Haunted Horns” to the live and recording crew.

The band’s own brand of what they call Mariachi Death Surf is unique and will appeal to a wide cross-section of listeners.

“The End of The Road” jumps right into high gear, rocking straight into your heart with high-flying guitar notes with twang and purpose. The locomotive rhythm section and the horns give it a flavor and sound you won't find anywhere else. Peter’s out-front vocals carry a rough edge and emotion that fit their music. Man, I love this! It cranks!

“Iron Reich,” which was previously a rocker, is now morphed into acoustic splendor. The vocals take on a softer tone to match the strummed acoustic guitar and the interplay between piano, bass, and drums. There is nothing lost here for impact; the color and raw emotion of this band are on full display in an acoustic style! I really liked the change.

If this is just a taste of what’s coming on the full-length album, then you’re in for something truly special. Don’t miss your chance to own these exclusive vinyl editions—this is the kind of music that demands to be heard, collected, and played loud. Secure your copy now and be part of the legend before it sells out!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

April 13, 2026

7/09/2025

Documentary Review and Interview With John Blair: Sound of the Surf

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Note: I have included an interview with John Blair, who played a crucial role in completing this film, despite the passage of 30 years and the untimely death of the person who started it.

Vision Films recently released their tribute to surf culture, Sound of the Surf. If you're a fan of surf instrumental music and curious about its origins, evolution, and resurgence, this documentary is a treasure trove of information. It's a testament to the genre's rich history and the characters who shaped it, preserving their legacy for generations to come.

I would paraphrase that as the life and death of surf, and how it has continually renewed itself from the first to the third wave and into the present day. It's a story of resilience and adaptability, inspiring a whole new generation of bands and listeners.

The genre is often cited as both simplistic and powerful. Over the years, many subgenres have formed, making the genre more complex and eclectic. Many of the cornerstones have remained, like having songs generally run in the 2-minute-plus range and providing colorful artwork for recordings ranging from 7” 45s to full-length albums.

A series of events led to the creation of this music and contributed to the culture of surfers. Before surfers claimed the music as their own, they listened to jazz because it was complementary in terms of expression, much like riding the waves.

The Rendezvous Ballroom and The Lighthouse were key venues at the beginning. Dick Dale, considered the father of surf, was eventually fired from the ballroom because someone deemed it "evil devil music." Now, how silly is that? Yet, many people bought into it. That, of course, did not stop the tidal wave of interest that was to happen. Soon, there would be hundreds of surf instrumental bands all over the U.S., and it would spread worldwide.

At least that is how it all started with the King of Surf, Dick Dale. His influence is undeniable.

The genre remains male-dominated to this day; however, when it first began, there were two central female characters, Kathy Kohner and Kathy Marshall. Kathy Kohner (Gidget, which stands for girl midget) decided that she wanted to write about her experiences, and her father took all the notes, wrote the book, and it was later adapted into a film in 1959. That propelled everything else to new heights, prompting an increase in movies and music about surfing. Kathy Marshall was good enough to play on stage with Dale and join a band. Dale anointed her “The Queen of Surf.” There is more to the story, of course, but you will have to watch the film.

Eddie Bertrand (of the Bel-Airs and Eddie and the Showmen) asked Fender to build a cabinet with two speakers for a bigger sound. And they did, but wanted it hushed because they were not producing them. Then, within a month or so, it became the standard, and Fender reaped the benefits.

John Blair formed Jon and the Nightriders in 1979 and released Surf Beat '80. This is what ignited the second wave to save the genre from falling into obscurity. It never truly went away; however, everything covered in the film was part of the music's growth and reach.

John had a significant hand in this documentary and handled all the narration for the film. He had the perfect demeanor and voice to pull it off.

When the 1990s rolled around, it was dubbed the “third wave.” At this time, some bands decided to mix punk with surf, creating an entirely new sound. So now surf morphed into something else entirely, spurring on a whole new generation of bands and listeners.

So that is the short version of what you will see and hear in this excellent documentary. It will create awareness and provide many people with a valuable history lesson on surf instrumental music. There is always something else to learn other than what you already know, so make sure you check this film out!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

July 7, 2025

5/08/2025

Interview With Jim Abrahams - Surf Rally For Cali: Fire Relief, by Various Artists

I had a great conversation with Jim Abrahams, the lead guitar player of the surf instrumental band The Breakers. We discussed all the work that he and his friends did for the Surf Rally For Cali: Fire Relief Compilation, featuring various artists.