What gets you fired up?
Over my years of surfing and hunting for surf, road trips and holidays, there is a consistent theme. Music got me there. Music got me in the zone, and was it was music that was the backdrop to froth and stoke on the way home.
In my early grommy years, it was Gangajang, whose music was the soundtrack to the epic Mad Wax. Seeing Kong, Tom Curren, Ross Clarke-Jones and Sanga ripping, to “House of Cards” out at Haleiwa always got me primed and still does almost 30 years on.
The mix of driving guitar and driving power of Hawaii connected and stayed with me. Music is like that. It sets a mood, sparks a memory and, I think with surfing, there is the anticipation that is built and mind surfing your favorite sequence from your favorite movie, accompanied by your new favorite tune is very powerful.
I heard “House of Cards” on the radio today and it got me thinking there are certain tunes that help create the vibe for a session of having a laugh, shredding with purpose or progressing through the rounds.
“So Far Away,” by Social Distortion is one track that shakes me and gets me stoked within the first riff. My first introduction to the East Coast punkers was via Rusty’s “No Thrills for the Cautious” video. Social Distortion has been a part of nearly every surf trip I have been on and will continue to be there on future trips.
Most recently, the track that has been selected as part of my beach driving ritual – that gives me a buzz, that gives me a lift and that gets me going – is The Rolling Stones’ “Give Me Shelter.” There is something about Richards’ lead intro, there is something about the soul from Mick, there is something about the freedom the Stones encapsulate that resonates with the feeling of heading up the sand highway in search of uncrowded waves.
There are other songs that reflect holidays, fun times and special moments that can transport you back, but the link between music and surfing can be transcendent. All of these tunes take me somewhere because they have taken me somewhere.
Here’s my jam. Hopefully it inspires you to search for some uncrowded waves too.
