The Dead Rocks

The Dead Rocks - International Brazilian Surfs (2005)

Brazilian surf trio The Dead Rocks use DiPinto guitars as favoured by Los Straitjackets. With Marky Wildstone on drums, Johnny Crash on guitars and Paul Punk on bass they are an energetic, hard-driving outfit who favour originals over covers. Although he occasionally adds a second guitar part, Johnny uses a very busy guitar style to fill out the soundstage. On International Brazilian Surfs, their debut album recorded in 2005, the benefit of such a ploy is immediately apparent with the additional shimmering chords that decorate Beach´s Bicth and Preciso Me Encontrar to facilitate a more expressive lead style. The beautifully floating ballad Love You is another that stands out amongst all the mayhem and the album concludes with the lengthy psychedelic piece Speaker Stone that works really well.


The Dead Rocks - Tiki Twist (2006)

The Tiki Twist CD is a compilation of the tracks from group’s two vinyl EPs, Tiki Twist and Bananada 2006 plus their contribution to the Fuzz’n’Surf Records EP Lost At Sea. All were recorded in 2006 and here the frenetic approach is tempered by the beautiful rolling ballad Kalamanawa. There’s a bonus track in the shape of an amazing House Of The Rising Sun that’s incredibly slow, it runs for ten minutes and still only manages two verses before zooming off into space. Yeah, really. Underpinned by Billy’s droning bass, Johnny’s guitar spits reverb effects as the atmosphere builds and drummer Marky only gets to hit the skins during the mid-number climax. It’s something else, man.


The Dead Rocks - One Million Dollar Surf Band (2008)

One Million Dollar Surf Bnad opens with The Dead Rocks’ trademark fast-flying repeated licks and riffs on the tittle track and they up the ante with a fine uptempo original in Sonic Stars where they show a good grasp of dynamics and make good use of hard-driving rhythm guitar. The jangly surfer Nicotine benefits from a good arrangement and they treat The Millionaire with duo respect, rearranging it without losing the spirit of The Dakota´s original. Crazy Race Rock is the first in a run of three pile-driving rockers and it’s becoming clear that the band have grasped the need for an extra guitar part on their recordings. Snappily reverb damped-picking features on La Terrible Madicion De Tutankamon, way to go lads, great whammy action on this on too. Kamikaze is a screaming surfer and suddenly we’re up to at least a 50:50 ratio of excellent to OK tracks. All credit to the band, this is a vast improvement on their first album.


The Dead Rocks - Il Grilletto D'Oro (2010)

And now for something completely different… Sub-titled Un Film De The Dead Rocks, their latest is Il Grilletto D´Oro on which they go for western (as in cowboy) theme. Rather than full-on attack, this displays a much lighter touch. In fact in a blind trial you’d never know it was the same group. Imagine a surf band taking on The Shadows’ Mustang EP, add in some early Ventures and a healthy dose of spaghetti sauce and Il Grilletto D’Oro could be the result. Rather than hitting you right between the eyes, this one gently cosies up to you – Jog-along. Casually anyone? The one track that dows stand out is La Conquista de Monte Negro, a good mid-tempo rhythmic spaghetti western theme. Where to next for The Dead Rocks I wonder, they’re clearly not a band to rest on their laurels.




Alan Taylor – Pipeline Magazine 86 – Instrumental Review – Summer 2011 - pg.33
- Alan Taylor

Call me ignorant, but I had no idea that surf rock was popular in such far-from-the-US places like Brazil. When I came across the Dead Rocks I thought, surely, this trio must be the only one in Brazil playing this style of music. The group went right ahead and proved me wrong by listing no less than 23 other Brazilian surf rock bands! Who knew?

Dead Rocks is an instrumental threesome: Johnny Crash (guitar), Marky Wildstone (drums) and Paul Punk (bass). Though the names are a bit silly, these three guys sure know surf rock. They have released a few 7” records, toured Europe, and are currently recording a full-length release.

The trio channels the likes of Dick Dale straight through their fingers and right out some nice, vintage sounding amps. “Center of the Universe” is just one of many enjoyable Dead Rocks tunes freely available. Aficionados of surf rock will find plenty of solid, rollicking licks to sink their teeth into here – and it is all about the guitar, after all, when it comes to this style. Dead Rocks has the right mix of flair and energy to keep the track interesting, despite the fact that it is completely instrumental.

Other Dead Rocks songs like “Dead Can Surf” and “Kalamanawa” are just as pleasant, but these slower numbers just can’t move me like the upbeat waves of a fast paced surf rock tune. “Center of the Universe” is a great accompaniment for a long drive on a hot summer night or as the soundtrack for your next tiki party. - Jenn O'Donnell - Adequacy Indie Review

The Dead Rocks - Tiki Twist

This ep sports four new tracks from one of Brazil's most original and traditionally based surfbands. There are plans in the works for Dead Rocks to play the US next summer, and I can't wait!
Picks: Tiki Twist, El Bongo, Center Of The Universe, L'Espion Invisible En Vacances

Track by Track Review


Tiki Twist
Surf (Instrumental)

From a dark version of the sort of stylistic flair that "California Sun" exudes, "" merges the limitless heroism of "Bat Man" and amped glissandos with reverb splash and coolness. It's a track that isn't particularly "twist' stylistically, but is very cool surf.

El Bongo
Surf (Instrumental)

"El Bongo" is a stomp kind track with a softly fluid melody line and simplicity of construction. It's simply a good listen in a basic surf style.

Center Of The Universe
Surf (Instrumental)

Up tempo and full of panoramic surf imagery, coupled with thick whammy chords, "Center Of The Universe" is an epic tale of travel across great expanses in search of the ultimate curl. It's a very cool track!

L'Espion Invisible En Vacances
Surf (Instrumental)

Built on a variant of the classic "Pipeline" rhythm pattern, "L'Espion Invisible En Vacances" is an dangerous track with lots of cool stuff happening, from the string swipes to the nerve-splitting lines and muted long slow glissandos. It is dark and threatening, with a wondrous attraction. very cool!
- Phil Dirt - Reverb Central

The Dead Rocks - 2003 Demo

From 2003, this 3-song demo sports early versions that are quite sophisticated for such sessions.
Picks: Crash Crash Crash Again, Beach's Bitch, Tema para o filme 'O Bota'o'

Track by Track Review


Crash Crash Crash Again
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

"Crash" is intense and yet restrained somehow. Great drums and stop-start energy, intensely relentless. Harsh double picked guitar shimmers with edge. Did I mention the drums here? Superb!

Beach's Bitch
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

This gently shimmered vibrato masterpiece may be pretty in its own way, but that does not mean it's quiet. The melody is haunting and sad, and the bass provides a stable platform for the drums to inject their beat. Quite a nice track.

Tema para o filme 'O Bota'o'
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

"Tema para o filme 'O Bota'o'" is an aggressive instro with a slowly shifting phase and gutty garage sound. Not melodic, but gutsy and driven.
- Phil Dirt - Reverb Central

The Dead Rocks - Il Grilletto D'Oro

Il Grilletto D'Oro is a major shift for The Dead Rocks. First, it's western themed - slightly spaghetti. It's written and played like it's many years ago, and recorded in mono. Decidedly enjoyable, and very well executed.
Picks: Il Grande Ballo, Il Grilletto D'Oro, La Speranza Del Domani, Cavalcata In Cerca Della Ferrovia, Il Segreto Della Ferrovia, Duello Veloce, La Persecuzione Del Vaso Perduto, Domenica, La Conquista Del Monte Negro, Liberta

Track by Track Review


Il Grande Ballo
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

This may be very simple melodically, but its bounce and infectious riffs carry the day. "Il Grande Ballo" is a rootsy romp done strictly for fun.

Il Grilletto D'Oro
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Cowboy fun and rich tone deliver a splendid western melody and cactus beat. "Il Grilletto D'Oro" is a marvelous song with a wide grin. I like this!

La Speranza Del Domani
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Echoed guitar, whammy chords, an engaging melody line, and a delicate backtrack in mono makes this sound just like a sixties European guitar instro. Very nicely done, and very pleasurable.

Cavalcata In Cerca Della Ferrovia
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

A western feeling bounces under a very cool melody played delightfully by lead guitar. "Cavalcata In Cerca Della Ferrovia" is a very well done track with vintage appeal.

Il Segreto Della Ferrovia
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Rich tone oozes liquid big guitar. Slow and moody, with a touch of tremolo, and western imagery. "Il Segreto Della Ferrovia" moves gently through your mind.

Duello Veloce
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

"Duello Veloce" has a very playful melody line and bouncy backtrack. Spanking fun in a rootsy sort of way. Just plain cool!

La Persecuzione Del Vaso Perduto
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

This is a faster number that reminds me a lot of The Halibuts' "Chummin'." I don't know if that was an influence, but it has very similar lead patterns and rhythms, though this is a little more hypnotic.

Domenica
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

With an infectious backtrack that hints of "If I Had A Hammer" and a catchy melody line, "Domenica" captures you quickly. This is a warm, friendly, and very enjoyable!

La Conquista Del Monte Negro
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

"La Conquista Del Monte Negro" has a splendid melody and very well suited rhythm section. The melody paints a western picture - you can almost smell the dry air and cactus rose. In some ways, this reminds me of The Treble Spankers. Excellent!

Liberta
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Lush tone and a very endearing riff guide "Liberta" easily through your heart. It's on the slow side, and moves gently. Simply a nice track!
- Phil Dirt - Reverb Central

The Dead Rocks - Il Grilletto D'Oro

Il Grilletto D'Oro is a major shift for The Dead Rocks. First, it's western themed - slightly spaghetti. It's written and played like it's many years ago, and recorded in mono. Decidedly enjoyable, and very well executed.
Picks: Il Grande Ballo, Il Grilletto D'Oro, La Speranza Del Domani, Cavalcata In Cerca Della Ferrovia, Il Segreto Della Ferrovia, Duello Veloce, La Persecuzione Del Vaso Perduto, Domenica, La Conquista Del Monte Negro, Liberta

Track by Track Review


Il Grande Ballo
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

This may be very simple melodically, but its bounce and infectious riffs carry the day. "Il Grande Ballo" is a rootsy romp done strictly for fun.

Il Grilletto D'Oro
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Cowboy fun and rich tone deliver a splendid western melody and cactus beat. "Il Grilletto D'Oro" is a marvelous song with a wide grin. I like this!

La Speranza Del Domani
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Echoed guitar, whammy chords, an engaging melody line, and a delicate backtrack in mono makes this sound just like a sixties European guitar instro. Very nicely done, and very pleasurable.

Cavalcata In Cerca Della Ferrovia
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

A western feeling bounces under a very cool melody played delightfully by lead guitar. "Cavalcata In Cerca Della Ferrovia" is a very well done track with vintage appeal.

Il Segreto Della Ferrovia
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Rich tone oozes liquid big guitar. Slow and moody, with a touch of tremolo, and western imagery. "Il Segreto Della Ferrovia" moves gently through your mind.

Duello Veloce
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

"Duello Veloce" has a very playful melody line and bouncy backtrack. Spanking fun in a rootsy sort of way. Just plain cool!

La Persecuzione Del Vaso Perduto
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

This is a faster number that reminds me a lot of The Halibuts' "Chummin'." I don't know if that was an influence, but it has very similar lead patterns and rhythms, though this is a little more hypnotic.

Domenica
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

With an infectious backtrack that hints of "If I Had A Hammer" and a catchy melody line, "Domenica" captures you quickly. This is a warm, friendly, and very enjoyable!

La Conquista Del Monte Negro
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

"La Conquista Del Monte Negro" has a splendid melody and very well suited rhythm section. The melody paints a western picture - you can almost smell the dry air and cactus rose. In some ways, this reminds me of The Treble Spankers. Excellent!

Liberta
Surfabilly (Instrumental)

Lush tone and a very endearing riff guide "Liberta" easily through your heart. It's on the slow side, and moves gently. Simply a nice track!
- Phil Dirt - Reverb Central

The Dead Rocks second album is a strong release with a blend of styles from rockabilly and country to surf and rock. Very good writing, and some strong arranging too.

Tracks: One Million Dollar Theme, Sonic Stars, Boogie Splash Crash, My Nurse Don't Wanna Dance With Me, Nicotine, O Milionario, Green Secret From Amazonia, A Song For The Future, Um Broto Apaixonante, La Terrible Maldicion de Tutankamon, Pais Tropical, Kamikaze, Delirium Tremens, Telephone Call - Phil Dirt - Reverb Central

Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Dead Rocks - International Brazilian Surfs
The Dead Rocks are one of the few bands perusing riff rock in the surf envelope that make it really work. That's not all they do, but it's quite remarkable how well they do it. Simple and powerful guitar lines, thundering drums, grumbling bass, and a relentless assault on the silence. Ad to that more melodic tracks and psychedelic drama, and you have a loose idea about the Dead Rocks. I like these guys! My only complaint is the frequent harsh left-right panning of guitar and bass in the mix. This is the CD release of their debut album.
Picks: Themme For Rock Is Dead, Banana Hit, Crash, Beach's Bitch, Dead Can Surf, Preciso Me Encontrar, Guaxo, BH-MG, Green Sleeves, Super Ant Monster, Unhead Rider, Maui's Sunset, Love You, Don't Push the Button, Surfing in the Kane, As Rosas Na'o Falam, El Condor Pasa, Billie Buggy, Speaker Stone

Track by Track Review


Themme For Rock Is Dead
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

Heavy double picked guitar and a thundering rough tonality come right at you as you launch into "Themme For Rock Is Dead." More about the relentlessness of the sound than melody for sure, yet very powerful and magnetic.

Banana Hit
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

An intriguing riff circles and plunders. "Banana Hit" is demented and in your face all the way. It's as if anger were circling above your head in the dark about to devour you.

Crash
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

"Crash" is intense and yet restrained somehow. Great drums and stop-start energy, intensely relentless. Harsh double picked guitar shimmers with edge. Did I mention the drums here? Superb!

Beach's Bitch
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

This gently shimmered vibrato masterpiece may be pretty in its own way, but that does not mean it's quiet. The melody is haunting and sad, and the bass provides a stable platform for the drums to inject their beat. Quite a nice track.

Dead Can Surf
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

Solid nerve-ending intensity, relentless grit, and a fine haunting melody line. Aggressive in its edge, and dark in its imagery. "Dead Can Surf" seems an apt name.

Preciso Me Encontrar
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

"Preciso Me Encontrar" is perhaps more traditional than most songs on this CD. Vibrato chords, a fine melody, a traditional surf beat and bass line. This is a very effective track, with some great reverb action and playing!

Guaxo
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

From the opening cow moo, you know this is going to be quirky. A surf beat, a relentless progression hinting of cowboys on the range, and glissandos. Big twang and great fun.

BH-MG
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

Whirling modulated twang in a spy-ish progression, wonderful sustained whammy chords, a dramatic beat, and rumbling ominous bass collide to produce a dark image of danger and a pensive mood. "BH-MG" (which means what?) is a Link Wray-ish song in its simplicity, and it uses drama, space, dementia, and sustain to create great tension.

Green Sleeves
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

This is a pretty straight rendition of this traditional English folk melody. Gutty bass, a surf beat, and reverbed guitar. "Green Sleeves" is a frequently covered tune, widely believed to have been written by King Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn.

Super Ant Monster
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

Great drums of tribal drama and super grumble bass support demented intense whammified chords, reverb crashes, double picked guitar, and dark imagery. At first, this song seems repetitious, but soon enough it invokes textural changes, several different bridges, and other elements to make it flow.

Unhead Rider
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

Vibrato shimmer, a verging-on-mean guitar line, rolling drums, and a relentless sense of forward motion are here in spades. The modulation of the guitar creates a sense of mental imbalance, or perhaps supernatural fear. I presume the "Unhead Rider" is a literal translation that should read "Headless Rider."

Maui's Sunset
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

A cowboy beat and rhythm run beneath this tweaky number. It has a sense of the islands, but more of a sense of the range. Perhaps the subject is the cowboys on the ranches on Big Island. It's quite fun, being hard not to grin as you listen. "Maui's Sunset" would be wonderful while driving south on a coastal highway with the top down at sunset.

Love You
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

Slow and shimmering, "Love You" paints a delicate picture of life through rose colored glasses. You can feel the emotional worship between the notes. The occasional ambient tweakery adds a hint of abnormality to the scene, giving it a slight Twilight Zone aura. Very cool!

Don't Push the Button
Heavy Surf (Instrumental)

A harsh rippin' glissando crashes into insane whammy chords before unleashing a late-period Dick Dale-ish rage. Like "Nitro," it's a relentless assault, but un - Phil Dirt - Reverb Central