Surf Music

Surf music is a genre typified by its reverb-soaked guitars, steady uptempo beats, and an overall sound that evokes the sensation of carefree days basking in the coastal sun and riding the waves. Emerging in the early 1960s in Southern California, the genre comes in two main forms: instrumental tracks, characterized by twangy, reverberating guitar riffs—inspired by the likes of Duane Eddy—and the vocal surf harmonies of bands such as Jan & Dean, which often featured lyrics about surfing, beaches, and summer romance. Bands like The Surfaris and The Chantays delivered iconic instrumental hits, while groups like The Hondells and The Rip Chords infused pop sensibilities into their music. Surf music's golden era may have been brief, but its influence endures, capturing the spirit of a quintessential American youth culture obsessed with the allure of the ocean.

Latest Surf Music Release
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Wild Guy
Album - 16 Tracks - Released November 1, 2024

RecentMusic users are tracking 38 Surf Music artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 645 releases .

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Aqualads
Daikaiju
Davie Allan & The Arrows
Duane Eddy
Eddie Angel
Freddy Cannon
GATITAS VEGANAS
Hawaii Samurai
Jan & Dean
Jon & The Nightriders
Kid Simius
Laika & The Cosmonauts
Link Wray
Los Straitjackets
Man Or Astro-Man?
Ronny & The Daytonas
Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
Sandy Nelson
The Avengers VI
The Bobby Fuller Four
The Champs
The Chantays
The Coffin Daggers
The Diamondheads
The Hondells
The Nebulas
The Paladins
The Pyronauts
The Rapiers
The Rip Chords
The Rivieras
The Secret Samurai
The Surfaris
The Tomorrowmen
The Trashmen
The Ventures
The Vibrants
Vitor Kley
Vitor Kley
The Ventures
The Trashmen
Link Wray
The Champs
Duane Eddy
The Surfaris
The Bobby Fuller Four
Kid Simius
Jan & Dean
Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
Los Straitjackets
The Chantays
Man Or Astro-Man?
Freddy Cannon
Daikaiju
The Paladins
Sandy Nelson
The Rivieras
Hawaii Samurai
Ronny & The Daytonas
Davie Allan & The Arrows
Laika & The Cosmonauts
The Rip Chords
The Hondells
GATITAS VEGANAS
The Coffin Daggers
Aqualads
Eddie Angel
Jon & The Nightriders
The Nebulas
The Rapiers
The Avengers VI
The Diamondheads
The Vibrants
The Pyronauts
The Tomorrowmen
The Secret Samurai