If you ask five people what is an under-appreciated genre of music, you would probably get five different answers. If you ask me, one of the under-appreciated genres is surf music.
The Phantomatics is a surf band from San Antonio (one of many unlikely places to find surf music) that plays uptempo instrumental surf music that grabs me immediately. The first track ("Hearse Surfin'") on this EP features an excellent rhythm from the drummer and some wicked reverb-drenched guitar. Then after a break where the tempo and volume are turned down comes a bass line that you will feel somewhere in your gut. It is so low and rumbling, you might swear you're feeling an earthquake.
By the time you hear the second song, you realize the bass is what sets this band apart. Well, that and the fact that these songs sound like they could be used in a B horror movie. Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing the guitarist and drummer. They're both very good. However, this heavily distorted, rumbling bass is memorable regardless of the genre in which it is played.
If you like surf music, I can't see why you would dislike this band. If you're not that familiar with surf music, give this band a listen and you just might find yourself checking out other instrumental surf bands.
Comments