By Jim Barber
Brian Wilson is at relaxation now, and hopefully he understood the respect, admiration, love and inspiration related together with his life and his profession as a songwriter and performer. The founding father of the Seaside Boys, who succumbed to a prolonged sickness on June 11, had a pivotal function in growing the artistry and craft of each rock and roll and pop music by his progressive compositions, peaking with the seminal traditional Pet Sounds album in 1966, and songs like ‘Wouldn’t It Be Good,’ ‘Good Vibrations’ and the powerfully compelling, ‘God Solely Is aware of.’
He can relaxation simply understanding that his legacy is in good fingers musically as there’s a youthful rejuvenation within the reputation of what has been termed ‘surf’ music as epitomized by The Seaside Boys and Jan & Dean, in addition to by a plethora of guitar-based instrumental bands who have been contemporaries of these extra vocal-focused group. Bands like The Ventures, The Surfaris, The Tornados and The Chantays have been influential too, with imitators and appreciators persevering with to evolve the sound over the following a long time.
A part of the flourishing of the style, which whereas nonetheless pretty area of interest, is nonetheless populated by tens of millions of followers all through the globe, features a Canadian act which is garnering glowing press accounts, going viral on social media, and delighting audiences all through North America in addition to remote European locals as Spain and Estonia with their unforgettable reside concert events.
Beginning life in small city Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, the dynamically great, eminently tuneful and joyfully effervescent Surfrajettes are bringing the inimitable happiness and unadulterated enjoyable of the twangy, melodically irrepressible instrumental surf music to a venue close to you this summer season, as they embark on what’s, surprisingly, one in every of their first large efforts to tour their dwelling and place of origin.
Comprised of high-school friends Shermy Freeman and Nicole Damoff, their twin lead guitar assault is buttressed by longtime bassist Sarah Butler, and newcomer Annie Lillis on drums, who hails from Cleveland. Butler is a full-time trainer, so when the band is on the highway throughout the faculty yr, her spot is taken by one other Cleveland resident, Abby Joe J.). Beginning in late June, the quartet has exhibits straddling the U.S.- Canada border with stops in Buffalo, NY, on June 26, Lake George, NY two days later after which on to Amherst, Massachusetts on June 29, earlier than sliding throughout the border into Quebec for a present on June 30 at Bar Le Ritz in Montreal, then on Canada Day at Home of TARG in Ottawa.
July 2 sees The Surfrajettes make their first ever cease in Kingston, Ontario, at The Mansion, earlier than shifting on to The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on July 3, then taking part in The Inventive Competition in Toronto on July 6. After that, they head west … and north for a present in Whitehorse, Yukon on July 9 resulting in a present on the Altin Arts and Music Competition in Atlin, British Columbia on July 11; the final date on this run of concert events.
The band has launched two full LPs, Curler Fink, issued in 2022, and Straightforward as Pie, which got here out in direction of the top of 2024. They’ve additionally launched a handful of singles and EPs alongside the best way, with every launch bringing in a pile of latest followers, new admirers and constructing on their fame for firecracking reside exhibits.
Consistent with the sensible and movie good throwback retro aesthetic of the band, let’s step again in time to greater than a decade in the past, when McKenzie ‘Shermy’ Freeman and Damoff first met, and the way their frequent need to make music, their chemistry as writers and performers, and Freeman’s near-obsession with the tradition and life-style of the early Sixties have been the constructing blocks of what would quickly turn out to be The Surfrajettes.
“We weren’t in bands collectively in highschool, however we knew one another, though she was two grades above me. There have been two most important bands which have been like extracurricular actions after faculty: a rock band and an R&B band. Shermy was the guitar participant within the rock band and I used to be the guitar participant within the blues band. So, we have been on this music program collectively and would run into one another on a regular basis. Exterior of highschool I acquired into an all-girl rock cowl band. We met at a music summer season camp and performed round at a couple of locations. We have been nonetheless youngsters. I didn’t get into an expert band of any form till The Surfrajettes,” defined Damoff, who now lives close to Haliburton, Ontario, whereas Shermy nonetheless lives within the Port Perry space.
“She and I had misplaced contact for a bit after highschool. Then a couple of years after I graduated she simply contacted me out of the blue with this idea. She considered the band title, The Surfrajettes. She mentioned, ‘hey, wouldn’t it’s cool if there was an all-girl surf band referred to as The Surfrajettes. I actually need to make this occur.’ And since she remembered me from highschool being like the one different lady guitar participant, she referred to as me and requested me to assist her kind this band. So, the idea was all hers after which we acquired collectively and made it occur.
“I actually don’t know why she selected this idea. However I do know Shermy’s at all times been a lover of classic, retro stuff and we had some buddies within the Toronto surf scene round The Nice Lakes Surf Battle, which is a competition they’ve yearly. I believe she was impressed by that and needed to begin her personal surf band. She’s a really, very artistic particular person and I believe this was an outlet for her, and for her love of retro garments and furnishings and devices.”
For a fast recap of what surf music entails, let’s go to our friends at Wikipedia:
“Surf music (also referred to as surf rock, surf pop, or surf guitar) is a style of rock music related to surf tradition, notably as present in Southern California. It was particularly fashionable from 1958 to 1964 in two main varieties. The primary is instrumental surf, distinguished by reverb-heavy electrical guitars performed to evoke the sound of crashing waves, largely pioneered by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones. The second is vocal surf, which took parts of the unique surf sound and added vocal harmonies, a motion led by the Seaside Boys.”
The nascent Surfrajettes delved deep into the lore, legends and legacy of surf music, and cultivated a glance that would simply have been lifted from an Annette Funicello seaside film of the Sixties, or extra lately, a Quentin Tarantino movie. The beehive hairdos, matching miniskirts, Go-Go boots, and brilliantly colored set dressings, throwback devices and even the furnishings and knick-knacks in all their movies and picture shoots have been rigorously and artfully crafted, with an consideration to element that may impress any theatrical artwork director or museum curator.
The entire picture, tone and vibe of The Surfrajettes is one in every of unbridled enjoyable. They venture vivid, Technicolor awesomeness by their music, their presentation and energetic reside exhibits – one thing that’s bringing a pinch of sunshine and positivity to what’s seemingly turning into a darkening world.
“It was numerous work, however I’d say that all of it got here fairly naturally. It is extremely deliberate, however that’s Shermy. That’s what her precise home appears to be like like and he or she’s actually into all that stuff. She has an excellent eye and imaginative and prescient for aesthetics so it comes fairly simply to her as a result of that’s what she’s into anyhow. A number of the props and stuff are literally hers, and others we wanted, she would simply go hit an vintage store or prop store. She’s a collector of all that stuff. The look was her imaginative and prescient from the very starting. The Go-Go boots, beehives, which was at all times the imaginative and prescient and it’s one thing that has at all times been according to our aesthetic,” Damoff defined.
The title Surfrajettes is intelligent in so some ways, incorporating the style of music, alongside not-so refined dose of feminine energy and solidarity because it’s a variation of the time period suffragette, the title given to ladies in the UK and North America who started to prepare collectively, protest, foyer, display, write about and demand the proper to vote all through the late nineteenth and into the early twentieth centuries. Altering out the ‘G’ for a ‘J’ provides one other layer of authenticity, because it matches with the naming conventions of bands from the unique surf motion. It additionally completely matches the mandate of the band from day one to be all-female, on a regular basis.
“Truly, when Shermy considered the title there was no alternative however to really make it occur as a result of it’s such a very good title. And having a intelligent title like that and even messing round with the ‘G’ and ‘J’ was a means for us to have a little bit of an id as a result of we don’t have a singer, proper. Neither one in every of us actually sings, and we actually didn’t need to. Plus, it was one other technique to set us aside and for the band look and sound totally different?” Damoff mentioned, including that in addition they drew inspiration from a reasonably extensive musical palate throughout the Surf style, together with The Ventures, a legendary instrumental surf music band that’s thought-about to be of essentially the most influential acts of all time, promoting greater than 100 million albums. They’ve been dubbed ‘the band that launched a thousand bands,’ for what number of younger musicians all through the Sixties picked up the guitar, bass and drums and shaped bands. ‘Stroll, Don’t Run,’ their debut album, primarily based on a single of the identical title, is a should have for each early rock and roll aficionado.
“After we first began out, the primary songs we discovered have been by The Trashmen and The Rancheros, who have been among the extra obscure older surf bands. And we love The Ventures, they’re most likely our most important inspiration on what we do. We began issues primarily based on doing covers of songs that we discovered earlier than we began writing our personal. We liked the best way The Ventures have been so artistic with the variations of the songs that they coated and made them their very own. And that’s what we’ve at all times tried to do, like in overlaying Britney Spears’ ‘Poisonous’ and doing surprising covers, which I really feel was actually the factor that made The Ventures so good and so fashionable.”
The YouTube cowl of ‘Poisonous,’ launched in 2018 was an prompt hit, and has garnered greater than 7.3 million views, propelling the band right into a degree of recognition unprecedented for a contemporary surf band, incomes them a report cope with Hello-Tide Recordings, and resulting in provides to carry out all through the US.
One other bump in recognition got here after they have been featured on a video by Norman’s Uncommon Guitars, a web site and YouTube channel very talked-about with guitar nerds (not meant as a pejorative!). As effectively, they’ve additionally been featured within the venerable trade touchstone Guitar World Journal.
“I’d say most likely a very powerful factor that has occurred to our band is that video [‘Toxic’]. I don’t actually perceive how the algorithm of YouTube works however for no matter purpose that video simply acquired tens of millions and tens of millions of views. Individuals come as much as me at each present and say they found us due to the ‘Poisonous’ video. So, it’s undoubtedly a giant purpose for our success. And I additionally get lots of people due to that Norman’s video. For a guitarist, that’s a fairly large factor to be on that channel, and likewise the Guitar World characteristic. I believe it’s helped get us a little bit extra respect as a result of numerous instances we’re nonetheless listening to, ‘simply look, oh, ladies with guitars, they most likely don’t know what they’re doing,’ and write you off earlier than they even take heed to you,” Damoff mentioned, speaking in regards to the persistence of sexism, misogyny and sheer dismissiveness that also exists in direction of feminine within the music trade, even on this apparently ‘woke’ age.
“In the event you go and browse our YouTube feedback, and I do know they’re simply feedback, however we’ve even had folks say issues to us in particular person like, ‘oh, that was higher than I assumed it was going to be,’ due to folks’s expectations after they see ladies with guitars. I imply, most individuals aren’t like that, however there’s a minority of them, and so they’re fairly loud at instances, who suppose like that. We attempt to not let the destructive ones hassle us; the vast majority of individuals are very supportive.”
Whereas the present album, Straightforward As Pie comprises one other cowl model that ought to delight Nineties pop music lovers, a delightfully jangly and eminently danceable interpretation of ‘Spice Up Your Life,’ from The Spice Women, the majority of the fabric, as on Curler Fink, is unique. Damoff and Freeman are the first writers of the band, which is sensible contemplating they’ve recognized one another for therefore lengthy and are geographically appropriate.
“We do a lot of the songwriting and its often fairly collaborative. Considered one of us will give you an thought for the melody or no matter after which take it to the opposite particular person and say, ‘hey, take a look at this, what ought to come after it? Are you able to do something so as to add to it?’ We simply work collectively like that however it’s not all emailing backwards and forwards. We used t reside collectively and so it was straightforward to only sit round and give you songs in the identical room, however now often nonetheless love to do it in particular person, though we’re not in the identical city anymore,” Damoff defined.
“As soon as now we have a music form of mapped out, we’ll report a little bit voice be aware of it and ship it to our drummer who’s in Cleveland, and she is going to work off that voice memo. Then she’ll lay down her half and ship it again to us and the following time we get collectively, we’ll rehears it after which report it.”
Straightforward As Pie, in addition to the earlier album, was recorded on the Woodshed Studios in Toronto, which is the house studio of the legendary Canadian band, Blue Rodeo, and was produced by Blue Rodeo guitarist, and famous Canadian producer, Colin Cripps, who created what Damoff referred to as ‘a very cozy, welcoming vibe.”
Cool tunes and viral movies alone don’t a hit story make, particularly inside a distinct segment musical market akin to surf. Like a lot of rock and roll, a band or artist earns their stripes, builds their fan bases and makes a greater residing for themselves on the highway. Or within the case of The Surfrajettes, an tour or two on the excessive seas. One other breakthrough second for the band got here with a pre-COVID pandemic look on The Seaside Boys Cruise, an unbelievable alternative to attach with people who already had a predilection to like their music – in a captive setting!
“We additionally did the Melissa Etheridge Cruise and we acquired to go on stage and sing with Melissa Etheridge. After which we did the Seaside Boys Cruise two years in a row and even simply attending to journey for me is superb. I simply love doing these cruises and going throughout North American and seeing Europe: locations I wouldn’t have had the prospect to go to in any other case if not for the band. So attending to tour and go to new locations and meet folks and play for them – it’s all been a spotlight,” she mentioned, including that in addition to hanging with Etheridge, she and her bandmates did get to fulfill ‘Uncle Jesse’ from TV present Full Home, as actor John Stamos typically performs with The Seaside Boys,
“Yeah we acquired to hang around with Uncle Jesse. I imply, once I was watching Full Home as a child, I by no means thought I’d be hanging out with Uncle Jesse on a cruise. I actually needed to ask him to say, ‘have mercy,’ however I managed to restrain myself.”
The cruise appearances led to extra bookings, at a considerably longer distance. After a vastly profitable set at an occasion in Spain, The Surfrajettes have been contacted by a promoter of a competition within the small Baltic nation of Estonia to take part of their occasion [The American Beauty Summer Meet car show]. The leap of creativeness it takes to consider a child from Port Perry spending time enjoying music to a rapt viewers in Estonia, is actually not something Freeman and Damoff would have even thought-about again after they have been buying their first pairs of Go-Go Boots.
“It’s solely been a yr or so since we form of took the band full time and began actually hitting the highway. We performed a competition in Spain final yr and the competition in Estonia and that was the primary time we’ve been outdoors of North America. We discovered there’s these little surf music communities all around the world, and I believe they like it as a result of it represents Americana, or what America used to face for, and folks in different places all over the world nonetheless discover that unique and thrilling. These little communities are so captivated with it and it’s thrilling for them to see their favorite bands performing that music,” mentioned Damoff.
“We had performed a rockabilly competition in Spain and the one who places on the competition in Estonia was on the competition in Spain and so they provided us the present simply from seeing our efficiency. We saved saying to ourselves by your complete journey, ‘did you ever suppose we’d be enjoying in Estonia of all locations?’ And it was a cool competition the place there have been all these traditional American vehicles, however the competition itself happened on the grounds of an outdated fortress and it was like, wow, what a phenomenal setting. The surroundings was superb. And the folks have been very nice. Everybody there was so excited as a result of they’d introduced in performers from all around the world. I used to be a very cool, distinctive expertise that I by no means thought I’d get to do.”
Returning to the topic of the band’s lineup, there’s a little bit of the Spinal Faucet curse at play, as over the band’s decade lengthy existence, Lillis is their fifth drummer.
“Fortuitously, nobody has spontaneously combusted or died in a gardening accident. It’s extra of a factor the place it’s arduous to decide to being in a full-time band, and folks need to do different issues with their lives, which is completely comprehensible. Annie was in one other band referred to as The Beyonderers, a surf band out of Cleveland and so they opened for us as soon as and so we famous on the time, ‘wow, this lady’s actually good.’ Then a couple of months later our drummer on the time left the band so I considered Annie and referred to as her, and he or she was tremendous into it and actually needed to hitch us. So, yeah, we stole her,” mentioned Damoff with fun. “And Abby Joe J., she’s childhood buddies with Annie, so she slot in completely.”
Touring throughout Canada has at all times been one thing The Surfrajettes have needed to do, however since going full time, their dance card has been full of dates within the U.S. and additional overseas. There’s additionally the pure dimension of the nation and stringing collectively sufficient dates to make it each virtually and financially worthwhile. They’re hoping the summer season exhibits, most of that are in Ontario and Quebec, will assist construct momentum for extra within the Nice White North.
“We haven’t performed many gigs up right here in comparison with what number of we do in America. We performed Toronto so much and we at all times do fairly effectively there. And we’ve performed Montreal a couple of instances, so we’re wanting ahead to performing some extra Canadian exhibits this summer season as a result of we simply haven’t had the prospect. I imply, we’ve by no means performed Ottawa or Kingston earlier than, so we’re actually wanting ahead to enjoying and hopefully build up the Canadian fan base extra. Nevertheless it’s arduous as a result of Canada is so massive, and the inhabitants is smaller than in America. And there’s far more folks in every city and metropolis and so they’re nearer collectively down there. It’s the identical in Europe. However we actually do need to play extra right here, and I believe enjoying in Ottawa on Canada Day goes to be a giant deal for us,” Damoff mentioned.
One other side of the fashionable music trade, one The Surfrajettes are desirous to capitalize on, is getting their music positioned in TV exhibits, films and perhaps even video video games. It’s a means to make use of unique music to generate one other income stream, however the placement additionally exposes the artist to presumably tens of millions of latest followers. They jokingly point out of their bio that they’re actively in search of to be in a Quentin Tarantino film however would accept having their music a part of its soundtrack in the event that they weren’t solid. However simply consider how cool it might be to see The Surfrajettes cameoing in a Kill Invoice 3 or particularly a Pulp Fiction sequel.
“It’s one thing we haven’t tapped into fairly but, however we need to. We did have a proposal a couple of years in the past, however nothing ever materialized from it. They needed one in every of our songs to be on a British Netflix present they have been making, however I by no means heard something extra about it,” Damoff mentioned.
Whether or not they make it to the large display or on a significant streaming platform, the sheer pleasure and happiness and sense of escape generated by listening to The Surfrajettes music, and particularly seeing them carry out reside, is a tremendous sufficient legacy on which to construct for many years to come back. The notion that their music brings happiness to folks in what is typically an terrible world shouldn’t be misplaced on Damoff or her bandmates.
“That’s what we attempt to remind ourselves of on a regular basis. You mentioned the world we’re residing in is hard. Yeah, it feels form of foolish generally for us to be doing our foolish surf music when there’s all this heavy, terrible stuff happening. However you recognize, we’ve had lots of people come as much as us at exhibits and say, ‘thanks a lot.’ So, we simply attempt to maintain our heads up and keep in mind we’re doing issues that convey folks collectively and provides folks pleasure. And I like seeing little ladies at our exhibits. Not all venues we play enable underage folks in, however we’ve undoubtedly had exhibits the place numerous dad and mom convey their little ladies and we at all times attempt to meet with them as a lot as we will and say hello. It at all times brings a tear to my eye to see that. I grew up with out many examples of ladies as function fashions as musicians, particularly in rock music. So, I believe when ladies and ladies see an instance of that, it’s actually energizing and lets them suppose, ‘yeah, I can do this.’ And that goes for hockey and basketball in addition to music.”
For extra info on The Surfrajettes, Straightforward as Pie and their upcoming exhibits, go to
Jim Barber is a veteran award-winning journalist and writer primarily based in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, who has been writing about music and musicians for greater than 30 years. Moreover his journalistic endeavors, he works as a communications and advertising and marketing specialist and is an avid volunteer in his group. Contact him at jimbarberwritingservices@gmail.com.
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