Satan's Pilgrims

This is instrumental rock: surf music for the new millennium. With the plethora of third-wave surf bands that have formed since 1994's Pulp Fiction nudge, it's easy to get burned out on the similarities of the songs and bands. Satan's Pilgrims, like labelmates the Space Cossacks and the Fathoms, are by far the at top of the heap when it comes to the surf genre. Take the garage rock sounds of "Frankenstomp" or the Ventures-esque "All Day Party (All Night Party)." Both of these tracks stand out from much of the other surf music that has been showering down from the surf gods these days. But it doesn't stop there. Maybe it's because Satan's Pilgrims don't force themselves into one style of surf. Instead, they toss out a Booker T. & the MG's sound on "Mutha Fuzz," turn around and trip back to a distinctly 1963 surf sound with "Beach Binge," and toss out a rockin' cover of Sandy Nelson's "Casbah." Besides the wealth of fine instrumental rock here, there is also something satisfying about the understatement of ego. Nowhere in the liner notes will you find the bandmembers' full names. (They are listed as: guitars and keys, Dave; guitars, Scott; basses, John, and drum kits, Ted.) Pretty unpretentious. So is the band photo on the back cover of the CD, depicting the band looking like a cross between a good old-fashioned Southern gospel quartet and the Jam or some other mod-revival band. Satan's Pilgrims are originals, and they deserve your attention; give them a listen. You don't have to make a deal with the devil, you just have to spin their record and dance your funky little surf butt off. ~ Michael B. Smith, Rovi