September 24, 1998
Like the Rolling Stones, a bunch of pasty Brits who wanted nothing more than to be old bluesmen from Mississippi, The Trashmen were a group of landlocked Minnesotans who threw down some mean surf-rock in the early 60's.
I don't think I've ever recommended a CD based on one track alone, but then I've rarely heard anything as primal, hilarious and manic as "Surfin' Bird". Amazingly, it was a top 10 hit in 1964, which shows how far we've fallen - nothing this lo-fi and wacky would likely make it to the top of the charts these days. "Surfin' Bird" is simultaneously a cover of two hits by the Rivingtons; "The Bird is the Word" and "Pa Pa Ooh Mow Mow", which The Trashmen make into a brilliant example of absurdist poetry and dada humor in the form of bizarre vocal effects.
Played with reckless intensity, "Surfin' Bird" at a deafening volume and three cups of coffee will have you throwing yourself through a wall. A driving surf beat, distorted three-chord rhythm glee and the hypnotic, repetitive lyrics make this song a lost classic that has to be heard to be believed. This is what rock and roll is all about, in the raw manner of The Monks, The Ramones, and countless bored kids who have figured enthusiasm is better than skill, picked up a guitar, learned a barre E and started yelling in their garage.
The reason you've never heard of The Trashmen is that they couldn't maintain "Surfin' Bird"'s freakish intensity to build a national following. They are unfairly forgotten - the rest of their only album is rock-solid surf rock played by a talented garage band, with highlights being their Dick Dale-worshipping "Misirlou" cover, an evocative instrumental with itchy rhythm guitar ("Malaguena") and tons o' covers which are neatly recast in a surf vein.
- Jared O'Connor
Hilarious and manic