RADMIX by Warriors of Radness
On the golden beaches of Cali', surfing is more than just a pastime. It's a lifestyle, a mind-set, a religion, and it permeates every aspect of life. Rick Klotz, founder of the LA clothing label Warriors of Radness, knows this better than most. When he's not out carving waves himself, you can find him flicking through his collection of vintage surf records, designing a new collection of surf-inspired beachwear, or sometimes just chillin' out.
But even if you've never stood on a surf board in your life, you'll still recognise the tight harmonies of the Beach Boys and, through the transcendental power of those warm summer vibes, be able to imagine what that laid-back surf life would be like.
That's why we asked Rick to pick out a selection of his favourite surf records from his extensive vinyl collection. He went one better and made us an hour-long mix of his favourite tunes, mixed with authentic surf lingo.
Read Rick's notes on the records in his RADMIX here, and check out the mix itself as part of our on-going MIX SERIES.
THE SWEET RIDE:
ORIGINAL MOTION
PICTURE SOUNDTRACK
This bitchin' biker/surf/swinger exploitation flick features a young hot Jacqueline Bisset in a bathing suit, a little surfing and a bunch of bikers.It was shot on location in Malibu and the title track, "The Sweet Ride" is sung by none other than Dusty Springfield. "You'd better hang loose, don't come undone, it's better to walk than run... Girls, love the sweet ride."
THE BEACH BOYS:
PET SOUNDS
Ranked as #1 album of all time on many music lists, this Beach Boys record from 1966 was Brian Wilson’s departure from girls, surfing, and fast cars. With its elaborate instrumentation and use of unconventional instruments such as the Electro Theramin, harpsichords, and bicycle bells, and a newfound interest in LSD, Brian Wilson set off in late 1965 to write, “The greatest rock album ever made”.
Well, it sure is, and it’s also known to have even influenced those four Englishmen’s subsequent Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.
EVERYBODY’S GOING SURFIN’
This 1963 compilation of surf tracks by acts that don’t surf is totally bananas. Surf tunes sung by the likes of Chubby Checker, the Orlons, Bobby Rydell, Dee Dee Sharp and more.KILLER PUSSY: BIKINI WAX
Most of my favorite beach and surf tunes are actually not from beach boys or girls. Killer Pussy were out of Phoenix Arizona. The singer, Lucy LaMode, was way cool, way hot. Way way hot.
SURF PUNKS: LOCALS ONLY
What more can I say about the legendary Surf Punks that they haven't already said themselves on their albums!The best band by far from the late 70s/early 80s second wave of surf music, I think a list of the tracks on this album is enough to get the point across: Locals Only, Shark Attack, No Fat Chicks, I'm a Valley, Tube Rider, Water Sports, Born to Surf, Spoiled Brats from Malibu 2, Hey Mr. Lifeguard, Kana's Doomed, Tijuana Weekend, New Lead Guitar, and Sealed with a Kiss.
ANNETTE FUNICELLO:
PINEAPPLE PRINCESS
The princess of 60s beach party movies including Muscle Beach Party, How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, and Beach Blanket Bingo, Annette Funicello was every teenage boys wet dream at the time.She ain't my wet dream, but I dig all the syrup-infused pop songs she put out including this one.
THE SURFERS: AT HIGH TIDE
I read that this record, “Remains one of the best representations of Hawaiian vocal surf music ever recorded”. The members of this Hawaiian vocal group, formed by two Hawaiian brothers, actually went to high school in Glendale, California. Word?SUBURBAN LAWNS:
GIDGET GOES TO HELL
Su Tissue headed this punk rock band formed in 1978 out of Long Beach, California. What’s it about? Privileged Southern California teenager ensconced in surf culture, shakes her bikini ass to tease the boys, paddles out too far and gets eaten by a shark.
JACK NITZSCHE:
THE LONELY SURFER
Once Phil Spector's right-hand man, composer/arranger Jack Nitzsche's sole hit single was "The Lonely Surfer", which was also released on the album of the same name.But this track was quite different from what you would expect at the time from a surf track. It made use of a soaring string section, Latin-influenced horns, and utilized top-level session musicians including Tommy Tedesco, Leon Russell, and David Gates.
You can definitely hear its influence on Spaghetti Western soundtracks in the following years after its release.
FARM: THE INNERMOST
LIMITS OF PURE FUN
The soundtrack to George Greenough’s ground-breaking film ‘The Innermost Limits Of Pure Fun’ was recorded by FARM, a band created by Denny Auberg and Dennis Dragon (Surf Punks) in 1969 to soundtrack the film. It was a mind-blowing amalgamation of psychedelic, blues, and jazz influences that meshed perfectly with Greenough’s progressive surf footage.
The original vinyl pressing was released privately and only 1000 copies were made.
GANTEZ WARRIOR:
I LIKE TO SURF
In the beginning we had The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. Then we had the Surf Punks. And now we have the one and only Gantez Warrior. Yes, the “new wave” of surf related music is definitely owned by these 3 young talented surfers from Costa Mesa, California. The band stays true to the fun and fantastic ways of the sun, sand, and sea.
I ran across these guys last year and got them into the studio to record their first album. This is their first release on WOR Records, and it’s just coming out now. I’ve sent oki-ni a bunch of the exclusive 45 singles and if you get enough WOR items from them, well, they’ll just throw in the record for free!*
*Rick is right, while stocks last every order of non-sale Warriors of Radness product will receive a free copy of the Gantez Warrior single 'I Like To Surf'. That is, as Rick would say, pretty rad!
Huge thanks to Rick for diving deep into his record
collection.
Not everyone can surf, but with the help of Rick's mix
you can close your eyes, put in your headphones, and
imagine that you’re living that carefree surf
lifestyle, if only for a while.
And remember to check out our range of Warriors of
Radness product for all your beachwear and summer
essentials.
shop WARRIORS OF RADNESS