Surf music is a genre of popular music associated with surf culture, particularly in Southern California. It was especially popular from 1961 to 1966, has since been revived and was highly influential on subsequent rock music.
It has two major forms: primarly instrumental surf rock, with an electric guitar or saxophone playing the main melody, largely pioneered by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, and vocal surf pop, including both surf ballads and dance music, often with strong harmonies that are most associated with The Beach Boys.
Many notable surf bands have been equally classified for both surf instrumental and surf pop music, so surf music is generally considered as a single genre despite the variety of these styles.
During the later stages of the surf music craze, many groups started to leave surfing behind and write songs about cars and girls; this was later known as hot rod rock. Surf music is often referred to as simply surf rock, even though the genre has many forms.
This film, currently in development, is the documentary about the actual history of this music style. The film details the first wave of surf rock that was kicked off by Dick Dale and his single "Let's Go Trippin” in 1961, which launched the surf music craze, to the current bands and artists of today that are inspired by this genre.
The film will focus on the chronological history of this style of music and it's implification on modern culture as well as a look into the spiritual and mystical aspect of the sport. Written, assistant-directed and executive produced by LaVerne Shank Films.