Instrumental surf-a-gogo from Belgium. For anyone into 50’s and 60’s rock and roll this is Speedball Jr. Along the lines of Dick Dale and The Treble Spankers, yet without the vocals and a lot dirtier sounding. Rumbling reverb riffs played on big fat strings, symbolizing the sound of waves crashing onto the California beach; hence the name surf.

These Belgians embrace the key elements of surf as their personal bible. Little emphasis is put on vocals, yet al lot is placed on rolling guitar tones and rumbling drums. Most of all, however, mucho reverb, tremelo and tacky 50’s sci-fi effects, neatly gathered in songs like “Los Vampiros”, “Teaserama” and “Dr.

Evil”. Yes, the nifty song titles fit the music perfectly. Music like this hardly ever adds to the existing offerings, and it shouldn’t really. A problem for bands is to stand out. The recreating may sound perfect, but it’s nothing more than that, a recreation of times long gone.

How odd it is to feel Speedball Jr’s deep rumbling guitar tones in your stomach, knowing the California beaches are nowhere near Belgium. It makes Whiplash a pleasant surprise. Try imagining an American band doing Jacques Brel songs. Nah, wouldn’t work.