The Challengers ‎– Sidewalk Surfing

Every time I pick up another Challengers album, it’s like receiving an awesome mystery gift. I see a song like “Mr. Moto” or “K-39” listed on the line-up, a song I’ve heard them play on their other album. Yet with The Challengers at the wheel, I know it’s unlikely that I’ll hear a simple rehash of the tune. This is one of the reasons why The Challengers have become my favorite surf band; they don’t just replay the song note for note with the same instrumental line-up. They go ahead and put a fresh spin on a classic surf instrumental without butchering its essence.

“Go Sidewalk Surfing” belts out one of these examples in the first track with “Pipeline,” one of surf’s most frequently covered songs of all time. It starts not ten seconds into the song with that classic “breaking wave” backup, a lighter and smoother backup, which gives the core of the song a welcome contrast with a rough and passionate edge. The Challengers threw lots of saxophone into this mix, giving “Pipeline” a wicked attitude! This take has become my favorite rendition of “Pipeline.”

The entire album is every bit as solid, with songs like “Big Shot” and “Skinned Shins” especially capturing my attention. Another notable is “Bust Your Buns,” a nice melodic piece that has such a pure surf music aura, so much that I’m surprised we haven’t seen it covered more frequently.

The Challengers, simply put, are one of the most creative and bold surf music groups in history. While I am also a huge admirer of The Ventures and The Surfaris, they have a very crisp & clean sound to them….almost a little too crisp & clean at times. The Challengers have a creative edge and that unique and exotic surf-guitar melody we have grown to love. They add just the right dose of attitude without going overboard. If you have never heard these hep-cats before, now is the time. You won’t be disappointed!