Surf Rock
Surf rock is an evolution of rock & roll which emerged in the 1950s?, which is based around its distinctive twangy, reverb-drenched electric guitars. The surf musical aesthetic emerged initially as "instrumental surf" or simply surf rock, a form of instrumental rock? which grew popular in Southern California? at the tail end of the 1950s alongside the burgeoning surfing culture. As that style became nationally popular and intermingled with contemporary garage rock, the "California sound?" developed in a more pop-oriented direction with the "vocal surf" or "surf pop" of Jan & Dean? and the Beach Boys? in the early 1960s, featuring doo wop? harmonies and sunny, sporty lyrical themes. Similar styles of music were performed under the name "hot rod rock", exchanging the beachy lyrics for songs about hot rod racing, complete with driving sound effects. By the end of the 1960s, although surf had lost its popularity as a style and aesthetic, its reverbed guitar was all over film and television soundtracks, from the Spaghetti Western? to spy music?.
The surf aesthetic was adopted as kitsch within the early punk rock and New Wave? movement of the late 1970s?, with so-called "surf punk?" bands like the B-52s?, Agent Orange?, the Raybeats?, and the Barracudas? incorporating twangy surf guitar into their sound. The often darker, space-themed "sci-fi surf rock" sound developed in the early 1990s? through Alabama? band Man or Astro-Man??, and further explorations in kitsch? like horror surf have ensued.