Ears Wide Open: Pounded By the Surf

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Pounded By the Surf (Photo by O.)
Pounded By the Surf (Photo by O.)

Joby J. Ford must be some kind of polymath. He’s one of the creative forces behind two (mind-blowingly) different bands, the Bronx and Mariachi El Bronx, and now he’s engaged in a side project called Pounded By the Surf, described as music “for surfers, by non-surfers.” It’s instrumental rock that straddles the line between vintage surf music and Western movie soundtracks — equally good for catching a wave or riding a horse. Ford says he first took a shine to instrumental music when Henry Rollins played a song by U.K. legends The Shadows years ago on his radio show. Since then, Ford has explored the music of Duane Eddy and others, and, joined here by guitarist Thaddeus Robles, drummer Vincent Hidalgo and bassist Brad Magers, recorded a full-length album of instrumental jams that will be released Nov. 2. We have no idea whether to shout “Surf’s up!” or “Saddle up!” But something is indeed up.

||| Stream: “No Waves”

||| Live: Pounded By the Surf will open both of the “White Drugs Christmas” shows at the Teragram Ballroom — on Dec. 18 with Mariachi El Bronx and Dec. 19 with the Bronx.