Label: Planet X Music
Introducing Surf Monkey Death Squad and their debut Super Ape Tsunami. The lead-up to this release has been marked by several colorful ads on Facebook. I watched all three of their videos and found them very colorful and entertaining.
Now
on to the music…they call it surf psycho, a mixture of surf, rock, psych, and
punk. I am always open to hearing surf instro as the core sound, with several
sub-genres mixed in for an eclectic, absorbing sound.
“Sex Wax” has a repetitive line, “sex wax, rub it on, rub it on, sex wax,” that runs through the track. Honestly, I could have done without all that (and it would not be the lead off track if I were to choose); however, the music is interesting with a steady rocking rhythm section, twangy guitar, and some fine smoking’ leads, and some saxophone comes in on occasion. The video is a riot, too! Good thing they have their chops down with all that chatter going on!
“Terror of the Deep” gets back into an all-instrumental direction with an exciting drum and bass line and some vintage tremolo lines that will make all the purest smile from inside out. Then it explodes into a heavier sound for a short time, then back to the main tempo and twangy reverb. This one really rips!
“Fire in Reactor 4” has a surf sci-fi sound. While a fire in a reactor can and has been a reality, tone it down a few notches with some fluid instrumentation at all positions. The guitar is spot on with plenty of twang and reverb. It sounded like it would have fitted as a soundtrack for one of the B sci-fi movies from the 50s.
“The Tick” keeps the energy up with a spaghetti-western sound and echoing guitars, while the drums and bass chug along. I also heard the theremin with its unique sounds. Three-quarters of the way in, a prominent bass line emerges. The sound is crisp and clean; it holds throughout.
“Buzz Bomb” changes things up yet again with a different guitar sound, rapid picking, and crazy sound effects. This rocks with a weird creepiness, as the drums and bass are huge; then they count off and go into another segment where the guitar just screams. All of this with a rocking surfy edge. Sounds like Dick Dale dropped acid then got a steroid shot.
“Pura Vida” maintains the eclecticism by taking an entirely different route. When it starts, there is funky guitar, but in just a few seconds it switches to rock and surf, with the drums and cymbals crashing at just the right moments. There is some fine transitioning guitar work going on here!
“Surfology” is the perfect surf rocker. They interject some surfer terms along the way, and if you see the video, it will all come together for you. This is a great surf-rocker with elements of punk and psych mixed in. This time, even with the words, I really loved it.
This is just a mountain of sounds that reaches many peaks, or should I say large waves?
“Long Board Low Sun” reaches back to a retro base, with twang and reverb to perfect it. It has some swagger, and when the sax arrives, that is the final touch. It puts you right there at the pier and the ballroom in SoCal, where it all started in the 60s. There is a segment with some smoldering slide guitar that comes as a surprise. Then finishes with the sax blaring away.
“Killer Takes All” has a decidedly serious connotation. They like to insert their short verses to remind you of what the song is about, but the music always takes precedence. Once again, they totally kill it with a modern touch, going back and forth between straight-ahead rock with some cool effects and the more classic retro guitar lines.
“Kicking’ the Dunes” is a full-on instrumental groove with a retro sound and atmosphere. What gives that extra push and a look back feeling is the addition of the sax. Some nice guitar runs to close it all out.
“Blood Beach” kicks in immediately with some fine surf instro rapid picking as the drums and bass are steady as usual, holding down the back end with absolute authority. Then the surf tank kicks in, and the echo and reverb are superb. This one never lets up for a second, pure instrumental energy and madness, I love to hear!
“Welcome the Dawn” ironically sets the sun on this excellent recording. This is a message to all who may be slaves to their work and do not allow time to surf, letting it all roll away (especially on the weekend!). They remind you, “Escape is all around.” This is an epic surf rocker with all their trademark intricacies and changes within a single track. This is the most complex track of them all in my estimation. The upbeat rhythms and layers merge into a tsunami of sound.
Super Ape Tsunami is not just an impressive debut—it’s a high-voltage celebration of all things surf instro. The band’s sheer musicianship, creative twists, and fearless genre-blending create a release bound to thrill surf-instrumental fans everywhere. If you crave powerful, inventive surf rock that never lets up, this album is the wave you’ve been waiting to ride. Get ready to be swept away and go Ape!
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder
April 24, 2026
Originally Published: March 2026
Tracks:
01. Sex Wax
02. Terror of The Deep
03. Fire in Reactor 4
04. The Tick
05. Buzz Bomb
06. Pura Vida
07. Surfology
08. Long Board Low Sun
09. Killer Takes All
10. Kicking’ the Dunes
11. Blood Beach
12. Welcome The Dawn
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