Airplay:
- Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand, The Underground Garage, SiriusXM ch21 (July 6, 2024; July 13, 2024; July 27, 2024; August 10, 2024)
- Little Steven's Coolest Songs In The World, SiriusXM (June 23, 2024)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (June 15, 2024; June 29, 2024; July 6, 2024)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (June 23, 2024; June 24, 2024)
- "Strike The Box" with Chris Major - WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio (June 27, 2024)
- Jeff of the Future Show - 89.7 WITR-FM Rochester NY (July 6, 2024)
- "Troubadour" with Chuck Rosina - WMBR 88.1 FM Cambridge, MA (July 18, 2024)
- "The Attic Show" KPISS New Jersey (August 16, 2024)
And something really special from Susan & the SurfTones:
Digital CD, release date July 9, 2024.
This is a board mix from a show we played on our 2001 Euro Tour in Nuremberg, Germany. No frills...just us.
Airplay for Susan & The SurfTones Live at Klupfel 2001(The Euro Tours):
"Tiki Kiki"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (July 20, 2024)
- A Day At The Beach with Clint Beachwood (July 25, 2024)
- Jeff of the Future (August 3, 2024) "Stinger67"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (July 13, 2024)
-"Strike The Box!" with Chris Major (July 25, 2024) "Blue's Theme"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (August 17, 2024; September 14, 2024; September 28, 2024)
- Jeff of the Future (June 22, 2024) "Penetration"
- Jeff of the Future (July 20, 2024)
-Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (August 24, 2024; October 12, 2024) "Chaquita"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (July 27, 2024) "Jack The Ripper"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (August 3, 2024; September 7, 2024)
- "Strike The Box" with Chris Major - WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio (August 7, 2024) "Diamond Head"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (October 5, 2024)
"Live at Klupfel 2001" is number 3 on Whole Lotta' Shakin's Top Five for September, 2024 and number 2 for October, 2024
"Thunder"
- Little Steven's Coolest Songs In The World, SiriusXM channel 721 (1st Play-October 15, 2023)
- Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand, The Underground Garage, SiriusXM ch21, (October 28, 2023; November 4, 2023; November 18, 2023; December 2, 2023; December 30, 2023)
- WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio "Strike The Box" with Chris Major (November 2, 2023)
- Jeff of the Future - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (November 11, 2023)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (November 25, 2023)
- "Strike The Box" with Chris Major (February 17, 2024)
- "A Day At The Beach" Podcast with Clint Beachwood (February 12, 2024)
"More Than Zero"
- Jeff of the Future - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY - Podcast; preempt for hockey... (October 14, 2023) - Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (November 4, 2023)
"Bulldog"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (October 21, 2023; November 18, 2023)
- Jeff of the Future - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY - Podcast; preempt for hockey... (October 28, 2023)
- The Clint Beachwood Show (November 9, 2023)
"All Along The Watchtower"
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (November 8, 2023)
- Cardwell's Cove, WXOX 87.1 Louisville (November 17,2023)
"F.B.I."
- "Strike The Box" with Chris Major - WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio (March 21, 2024)
Beatle Roots II
(January 9, 2024)
In observation of The Beatles' arrival in the United States in February 1964 I've recorded some more Beatle songs. With the release of "Beatle Roots II" drummer Jamie Parks and I recorded some of The Beatles' early material, their own and some of their influences. "Beatle Roots II" is a digital release, available now (January 9th) at all the usual places.
"I Feel Fine"
-"Strike the Box" with Chris Major - (January 11, 2024)
- Jim Prell's Radio Candy Radio (January 15, 2024)
"Troubador" with Chuck Rosina - WMBR 88.1 FM Cambridge, MA (January 11, 2024)
"There's A Place"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (January 13, 2024; January 20, 2024)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (January 15, 2024)
- Jeff of the Future - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (January 20, 2024)
- Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand, SiriusXM ch21 (February 10, 2024; February 17, 2024; March 2, 2024)
"Anna"
- Jim Prell's Radio Candy Radio (January 15, 2024)
- "Troubador" with Chuck Rosina (January 25, 2024)
- "A Day At The Beach" with Clint Beachwood (March 8, 2024)
-"Till There Was You"
- "Troubador" with Chuck Rosina (February 7, 2024)
"Lucille"
- "Cardwell's Cove" with Adrian Cardwell, WXOX 87.1 Louisville (February 8, 2024)
"Soldier Of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)"
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (February 17, 2024; March 2, 2024)
- "Troubador" with Chuck Rosina (March 7, 2024; August 15, 2024)
Susan is Featured Artist for November on Cardwell's Cove, WXOX 87.1 Louisville and online here.
"There's A Place" is #19 on Bill Kelly's Top 21 for the week of February 19, 2024:
Dave Clark Five singles:
...Plus advance airplay for an upcoming EP
Glad All Over
-"Strike the Box" with Chris Major - WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio (May 2, 2024)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (May 4, 2024; May 18, 2024)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (May 6, 2024; May 26, 2024)
- Jeff of the Future - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (May 11, 2024)
"Roll Over Beethoven"
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (June 5, 2023)
- Jeff of the Future - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (June 24, 2023)
-The Clint Beachwood Show - Episode #61 (July 17, 2023)
- Cardwell's Cove, WXOX 87.1 Louisville (November 17,2023)
"Wild Weekend"
- Little Steven's Coolest Songs In The World, SiriusXM channel 721 (June, 2023)
- Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand, The Underground Garage, SiriusXM ch21, (June 24, 2023; July 1, 2023; July 15, 2023; July 29, 2023)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (June 3, 2023; June 10, 2023; June 24, 2023; July 1, 2023)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (June 5, 2023)
-WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio "Strike The Box" with Chris Major (June 8, 2023; August 3, 2023)
- Jeff of the Future - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (June 10, 2023; July 8, 2023)
- A Day At The Beach with Clint Beachwood (August 21, 2023)
"SukiYaki Stomp"- Little Steven's Coolest Songs In The World, SiriusXM channel 721 (January, 2023)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (January 7, 2023; March 4, 2023; December 30, 2023)
-WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio "Strike The Box" with Chris Major (January 12, 2023; February 2, 2023)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (January 17, 2023)
- Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand, The Underground Garage, SiriusXM, (January 28, 2023; February 11, 2023; February 25, 2023; March 25, 2023)
- Clint Beachwood's "A Day at the Beach" podcast (March 4, 2023) "Run For Your Life"- Little Steven's Coolest Songs In The World, SiriusXM channel 721 (January, 2023)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (January 28, 2023; March 18, 2023)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (January 31, 2023; March 2, 2023)
- Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand, The Underground Garage, SiriusXM (February 4, 2023; February 18, 2023; March 4, 2023) "(You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care" - Jeff of the Future with Jeff Otf - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (January 7, 2023)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (February 4, 2023)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (February 14, 2023) "Lucky Seven" - The Music Authority with Jim Prell (January 10, 2023)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (January 14, 2023; April 8, 2023) "Penetration" - Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (January 21, 2023; February 25, 2023)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (February 21, 2023) "Steel Pier" - Jeff of the Future with Jeff Otf - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (January 21, 2023)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (February 8, 2023; May 31, 2023; February 16, 2024) "Tiki Kiki" - The Music Authority with Jim Prell (January 24, 2023) "Exotic!" - Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (February 18, 2023)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (March 31, 2023)
Up The Coast is #9 on Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' Top 10 for 2023.
Up The Coast is #3 on Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' Boss 20 for April, 2023.
Up The Coast:#4 on Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' Boss 20 for March, 2023.
Susan's Bio...
CD "Whisper of the Devil"
Airplay for "Whisper of the Devil": "Beyond" - The Music Authority with Jim Prell (July 13, 2022) WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio "Strike The Box" with Chris Major (September 8, 2022;
-Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand, The Underground Garage, SiriusXM, (July 30, 2022; August 13, 2022; August 27, 2022; September 10, 2022)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (August 13, 2022; October 8, 2022) "Whisper of the Devil" - WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio "Strike The Box" with Chris Major (July 14, 2022; August 4, 2022;October 20, 2022) "Switchblade Beat" - WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio "Strike The Box" with Chris Major (July 21, 2022)
- Jeff of the Future with Jeff Otf - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (August 6, 2022)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (July 27, 2022; October 8, 2022) "Little By Little" - Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (July 23, 2022; September 3, 2022)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (August 9, 2022; July 6, 2023) "Wondrous Place" - The Music Authority with Jim Prell (August 2, 2022)
- Jeff of the Future with Jeff Otf - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (July 23, 2022)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (August 20, 2022) "Dan El" - Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (August 6, 2022)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (August 16, 2022) "Downtown" - Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand, The Underground Garage, SiriusXM, (August 6, 2022; August 20, 2022; September 3, 2022; September 17, 2022)
- Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin' (September 17, 2022)
- The Music Authority with Jim Prell (July 19, 2022)
- Jeff of the Future with Jeff Otf - WITR FM 89.7 Rochester, NY (August 20, 2022)
- WMFO 91.5 Medford, MA - Tufts University Radio "Strike The Box" with Chris Major (September 22, 2022)
On April 15, 2022 Susan was the guest on Carnival of Randomness, a podcast out of Rochester, NY. It's an hour of Susan talking mostly about surf music and related topics, and her musical saga. Here's a link to listen.
Susan's cover of "No Particular Place To Go" and her original, "SkinWalker"
Airplay for "SkinWalker" Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand - SiriusXm - Little Steven's Underground Garage (June 19, 2021; July 3, 2021; July 17, 2021; August 7, 2021)
Airplay for "No Particular Place To Go" Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand - SiriusXm - Little Steven's Underground Garage (June 26, 2021; July 10, 2021)
Airplay for "The Lonely Bull": Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand - SiriusXm - Little Steven's Underground Garage (April 3, 2021; April 17, 2021; May 1, 2021; May 30, 2021)
Airplay for "Diamond Head": Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand - SiriusXm - Little Steven's Underground Garage (January 23, 2021; February 6, 2021; May 15, 2021)
Mike Murray's Whole Lotta Shakin'(Jan 16, 2021; Jan 23, 2021; Jan 30, 2021; February 6, 2021; "WInter Beach Party", Feb 13; February 27, 2021); The "Boss20" February and March, 2021 WFMU - Rock and Roller Derby with Suzy Hotrod (Jan 24, 2021) Jeffery Lindholm's "Geezer Rock" radio show (Jan 29, 2021)
Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand - SiriusXm - Little Steven's Underground Garage ("Beat Rider" from The EP):November 30, 2020; December 14 & 28, 2020; January 11 & 25, 2021; February 8 & 13, 2021
Whole Lotta Shakin' (Mike Murray) - "Boss 20 Countdown" - November & December, 2020; January 2021
WFMU - Rock and Roller Derby with Suzy Hotrod - "Stinger 67" (Nov. 8, 2020)
The Music Authority (Jim Prell) - "Stinger 67" (October 28, 2020)
Susan was interviewed in Upstream Indie (June 24, 2020)
Whole Lotta Shakin' (Mike Murray) " - Boss 20 Countdown" for May, June, July, August, 2020; Top 50 for 2020 (#29)
Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand - Little Steven's Underground Garage - SiriusXM Ch.21
May 25; June 15 & 29; July 13, 20 & 27; August 10 & 24, 2020
"Baja" is #13 on the Top 40 for 2020
We're very honored to be listed with R.E.M., Cowboy Junkies, Galaxie 500 and others.
"Surf guitar unit Susan and the SurfTones offer up this beautiful instrumental version of "All Tomorrows Parties". The guitar sound is pristine indeed, giving it a Ventures style stance that also pays tribute to the original in fine form." - Dave Allison, Custom Made Music
It was nice to get a mention in "Rock and Roll in Kennedy's America: A Cultural History of the Early 1960s" by Richard Aquila, John Hopkins University Press 2022.
We were name checked in "Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and London
Calling" by Marcus Gray.
Elvis Wikiquote: My quote about Elvis is found under "Y" (Yasinski). Look for
Susan and the SurfTones in blue. It's a long list of quotes from
a large array of people.
Susan's single "Blue Moon Of Kentucky," from her EP "The Magician," is available from Amazon. Click here to get it now.
"She finishes an excellent EP with "Blue Moon of Kentucky," giving the full country treatment as she entreats, "Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining, shine on the one that's gone and left me blue." There's some fast-moving acoustic plucking going on here that will leave you with no doubt to SurfTone's prowess." -Winnie McCroy, -The Edge Media Network
"Of course the stand alone track has to be Bill Monroe's Blue Moon Of Kentucky... Close your eyes and listen to Susan Surftone paying homage to The King...... Elvis" -Ginger Coyote, Punk Globe
"Blue Moon is contagious, entertaining, and energetic. We are enjoying the vocals and the guitar. Susan Surftone has a very unique style. We can't wait to listen to more music from this beautiful artist!" - El Cerrito Records - Amazon review
Blue Moon of Kentucky... The Library of Congress
Susan's vocal cover of Bill Monroe's classic, as redefined by Elvis Presley, gets a mention in Richard D. Smith's Recording Essay "Blue Moon of Kentucky" found in the Library of Congress, National Recording Registry (numbered 52 on the list of recording essays.) Susan is mentioned on page 6 of the essay, along with other artists you may recognize. See it here.
"Susan, indeed, is one of the late masters of old-style, pre-psychedelic surf guitar." - Ron Garmon, SF Weekly
"An instrumental album, Shore is a wonderful melding of both a familiar surf rock sound along with a less expected garage punk/trash rock sprinkling on some tracks, so that the album lifts everything a leap away from the predictable, becoming something that sparks my ears which always love a well worked fresh juxtaposition of genres." - Robert Jaz, Forces Of Geek
"It's a modern take on the '60s surf music legacy, with elements of punk, rockabilly and classic rock thrown in for good measure, as a fine time was had by all. SurfTone's guitar timbre is liquid, crystal-clear and succinct, an alluring combination of such practitioners of the form as the Ventures' Bob Bogle and Don Wilson crossed with jazz "lounge" players Charlie Christian and Johnny Smith." - Roy Trakin, Hits Daily Double
"She's the undisputed queen of immersive, garage-influenced, instrumental third-wave surf-rock, delivered with all the velocity of a punk show and a swaggering stage presence that has more in common with the lineage of bad-ass lady guitarists SurfTone's clearly embedded in than it does with the puka-shelled passivity you might typically associate with surf guitar." - Ellen Cushing, East Bay Express (San Francisco)
"In her new six-song EP "Reckoning," surf guitar icon Susan SurfTone takes surf rock to a haunting and beautiful place it's never been before. With characteristic mastery, SurfTone gives each song life and depth. From the album's hypnotic opener "Mojo Junction," to its closing "Mystery Train"--a skillful homage to one of her earliest influences--SurfTone shows once again that she's not just the reigning Queen of Surf Rock, but that she could topple any Surf Rock King from his throne." - Mary Pauline Lowry, Huffington Post (Read the full review here.)
"She certainly holds her own against surf rock icons like Dick Dale. In fact, her style of playing is perhaps a bit more fluid and smoother than Dale's....her intricate guitar work and good ear for melody certainly distinguish her in the surf guitar world and suggest just how talented she is on the instrument."
"Reckoning is twenty-five minutes of intimate, authentic surf rock bliss whose DIY methodology and deliriously accessible tunes celebrate how far SurfTone has come - and hint at where she may go next."
- Peter Roche, Cleveland Music Examiner
Read the full review here.
"The Ventures of the new millennium are here! Great guitar tone and tuneful melody, structured and arranged in fine detail will revive the kind of music. The title track Reckoning, Vortex with the tremolo guitars, Mystery Train - a racy tune, a cranky tune, capturing every mood; brilliant go get a copy for yourself."
"With Too Far she's delivered an instrumental album in which none of the songs sound the same, and one that will be as appealing to dedicated surf guitar fans as it is to those less familiar with the genre...As a whole, Too Far stands as both a revival of the genre and a testament to the fact that a woman can bring extraordinary talent and contemporary creativity to the classic, traditionally male world of surf rock." - Mary Pauline Lowry, The Huffington Post (Read the full feature article HERE.)
"Susan Surftone is no stranger to our proceedings here. Her new album "Too Far" redefines surf guitar for a new generation with a sexual bombast of guitar slinging and Watusi beats that makes one hunger for a dangerous and lustful summer." - Kevin McGovern, Fear and Loathing in Long Beach
"SurfTone evinces such a mastery over her instrument, it's hard to believe there's anything she can't do. In fact, Too Far is an album that's so alive with style, verve and innovation, it may very well singlehandedly revive the genre." - Alex Green, Caught In The Carousel
"...Her music will one day be as classic as those artists of the past that have influenced her." - Robert Jaz, Forces of Geek
"Susan SurfTone, the reigning queen of instrumental surf rock, makes her singing debut on her new song, "Little Bit Lied To," a perfect anthem for this presidential election." writes Mary P. Lowry in HuffPost Entertainment. Read the full article here.
Pete Roche writes in The Examiner:
"Little Bit Lied To" sees Surftone stepping out of her instrumental-rock comfort zone to personally deliver the deeds-not-words missive on mic; it's her debut vocal performance. Think Debbie Harry (Blondie) meets Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders), and you'll get a sense of Surftone's easygoing, too-cool timbre...More than merely a great surf guitarist or great female guitarist, Susan's a terrific player, period, possessed of singular tone and slight-of-hand string prowess. Like many legends who develop their own "voice" on the instrument (B.B. King, Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc.), Surftone's got a style all her own. After minimal exposure to her music, one can hear a new solo (like the one on "Little Bit Lied To") and instantly know it's Surftone wielding the pick and working the whammy."
Kevin McGovern reviews "Little Bit Lied To" and "ShadowLand" in Fear/Loathing:
"Brimming with a mysterious musical sexuality and grooving in a hot cold trance, 'Little Bit Lied To' is an exceptional single. Combining the suave grit of Mink DeVille and the earnestness of Broken English era Marianne Faithful, this surf-wave pop bomb keeps the melody flowing with a rocking staccato backbeat. Susan's vocal performance on this number is instantly memorable with its sweetly detached and punky delivery..."ShadowLand" kicks out the jams with an unapologetic Thunders style six-string aggression that rides a rockabilly wave of bouncy percussive bashing. Spastic and fun, this titillating track flies by way too fast. A nice and volatile slice of surf-garage finesse combined with punk purist simplicity. Both of these singles complement each other by accentuating the different dimensions that always make any Susan Surftone release a required listening experience. These singles are now available on her official site. Support independent music and check out her unforgettable live show when she comes through your town." Read the full article here.
"SurfTone lets loose across seven sensational tracks that showcase not only her guitar chops, but her vocals. As with her last few efforts, Susan's newest Acme Brothers disc boasts a satisfying balance of her own material and intriguing interpolations of oldies-but-goodies by other groovy cats."
-Pete Roche, AXS
Pete Roche reviews the new EPThe Magician in The Examiner:
"Susan acquits herself splendidly for her first-go behind the pop filter; her vocals remind us of '80s-era Deborah Harry...There's mischief and mirth to Susan's sun-kissed plectrum prowess...no one else today can do twangy, ocean-spray instrumentals like SurfTone."
Here's Ginger Coyote's review of The Magician in Punk Globe:
"Another winning Ep from one of the industry's most under-rated surf/rockabilly guitarists the one and only Susan Surftone. Susan put her heart and soul into this new release and every track shows her immense talent. Of course the stand alone track has to be Bill Monroe's Blue Moon Of Kentucky... Close your eyes and listen to Susan Surftone paying homage to The King...... Elvis" Check it out here.
Winnie McCroy reviews The Magician in Edge Media Network. "...Critics compare her sound to Debbie Harry meets Chrissie Hynde, and SurfTone is definitely a product of her time...Her steady rock guitar always comes through in the clutch. She shreds up and down the scales in the instrumental tracks "Rumble," and gets go-go-licious in "Sunburn." Just try not to do the wipeout dance to this one!... she finishes an excellent EP with "Blue Moon of Kentucky," giving the full country treatment as she entreats, "Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining, shine on the one that's gone and left me blue." There's some fast-moving acoustic plucking going on here that will leave you with no doubt to SurfTone's prowess." Read the full review here.
"I love the wonderful vintage sound on "TRYING TO GET TO YOU" and "BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY" complete with that signature echo/reverb effect too!
2nd To One ranks #34 on the "Whole Lotta Shakin'" radio show's Boss 50 Countdown for 2018! Check out the list here
Pete Roche reviews 2nd To One in AXS: "Surftone's a master of effervescent, oceanic guitar tones, but here she's less concerned with catching waves than with date nights, dancehalls and
ditties about break-ups and make-ups. 2nd to One swaps woodies and surf wax for deuce coupes and
fuzzy dice, and the result is a rollicking, seven-selection salute to not only Presley, but also to groundbreaking labels like Sun Records (Memphis) and Chess / Checker Records (Chicago) and their now-legendary catalogs." Read the full review here.
Ginger Coyote reviews 2nd To One in Punk Globe:
"Lay back with your eyes closed relaxing and you listen to this CD, It brings you back to the 50's listening to The King. But it is not Elvis it's Susan Surftone doing her very best version Elvis Presley's hits... For this CD Susan took voice lessons and it is evident that it was money well spent. Great guitar on every track.. My personal favorite is Track one: Blue Moon Of Kentucky and of course Heartbreak Hotel is a winner as well... Well worth investing in for everyone who digs rockabilly, surf and ELVIS!!!!"
Dragutin Matosevic from "Barikada - World of Music" Radio from Bosnia highlights three of Susan's CDs
"Regular listeners of 4-years long broadcasted The Jeans Generation (radio show) did have a few opportunities to listen to the music of Susan SurfTone. We did learn that she is playing mix of surf, rockabilly (one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music) and rock music. The main point is - she was always great regardless which song / style she played... Susan, explains her music the best possible way - 'One lesson I learned from The Beatles was to not repeat myself.'...Susan proved that musicians have to go further, to change, to explore new ways, to achieve many new skills."
Read the full review here.
Reviews of Susan's 2015 EP, Blue Light at Midnight:
"SurfTone remains legendary for her ability to create instrumental albums loaded with songs that each carries its own unique influence and sound. "Blue Light" holds to SurfTone's tradition of creating original songs that are "one part surf [rock], one part garage [rock,] and one part something else." Like all great surf rock, "Blue Light" evokes sunshine, waves and sand, but SurfTone also uses her understanding of iconic guitarists like Carl Perkins and Chuck Berry as a launching pad to generate her own signature sound steeped in 1960s culture. She digs into a rich history of American guitarists for influences and adds her personal spin to create a completely fresh take on a beloved genre." -Mary Pauline Lowry, Huffington Post Arts & Culture
Pete Roche reviews Blue Light at Midnight in the Examiner: "Blue Light continues Surftone's tenacious tradition of distilling '60s culture into engaging, economic bytes (and blasts) of sand and sunblock-friendly rock."
Ginger Coyote reviews Blue Light at Midnight in the June, 2015 issue of Punk Globe Magazine: "Seven killer tracks from the amazing Susan Surftone..... She will leave you wanting more. I loved the surf guitar on all the tracks but am most impressed with the tracks Blue Light At Midnight and Night Waves... If you want some heavenly sounding surf guitar buy this CD... It will put a big smile on your face!"
Here is the video for Susan's original song, Out Of My Dreams
Video credits:
Dancer: Masha Balovlenkov Director: Rolla Selbak
Out Of My Dreams is streaming on Bongo Boy TV! You can watch the episode here. Beach Sloth from Skopemag.com says: "60s pop pours out of Susan SurfTone's tender "Out Of My Dreams". Nearly psychedelic in its approach, there is a bright and airy style that comes to define it. Guitars go for a garage rock flavor, for the whole piece has a timeless quality to it."
Evelyn Reyes reviews Out Of My Dreams in Skopemag.com:"Susan SurfTone's "Out Of My Dreams" delves into a glorious retro sound. Nicely bring together classic surf rock, garage rock with a hint of twee pop, the entire piece has a dreamy quality to it. Vocals have an ethereal quality to it as they rise above the gentle rhythms."
Pete Roche reviews Dicey After Dark in North Coast Voice:
" Surftone's own "Out of My Dreams" opens the disc, with twangy guitar licks and robust bass underscoring pining lyrics of unrequited love. The "invisible chains" of infatuation have the singer's heart tied up - but her hands are free to roam the frets and bend the strings to channel the anguish and ecstasy into positive sonic vibrations. That's Brian Foxworth on drums; Nick Vincent handles percussion on the rest of the release. Susan enlivens a standard rock progression with glistening chords and arpeggios on the instrumental title cut, wherein her glowing, conversational lead guitar lines mingle with the frisky (yet unhurried) riptide rhythms. The EP's third original entry, the rollicking "If I Knock," expounds upon the romantic yearning of "Out of My Dreams" by coupling Vincent's sharp snare and sibilant cymbal work with bright guitar lines and earnest verses that explore the "bit of hope and touch of fear" that empowers (or plagues) the lovelorn. Along with the title track, it's our favorite here - a flirty, fun song sprinkled with swing and psychedelia."
Ginger Coyote reviews Dicey After Dark in Punk Globe Magazine:
"Ms. Surftone is back with six songs of surf bliss... That will have connoisseurs of this genre of music in ecstasy.'Out Of My Dreams' kicks off the CD with some moody vocals along with some of the coolest surf tones that you have ever heard on a song.. My favorite track for sure.... Killer guitar work is what you will continue to hear on the next tracks. The final track 'If I knock' will have you begging for more with this rawking CD. Susan Surftone is a hidden treasure in the world of surf music... Buy it now..."
Dicey After Dark ranks #23 on the "Whole Lotta Shakin'" radio show's Boss 50 for 2019! Check out the list here.
Susan ventures into acoustic territory... see her acoustic projects here.
The Grouch from Sweden writes in Music Industry Network News:
"The last song on the album is by another of my favorite Bongo Boy artists. The incredible Ms. Surftone. This is where Surf meets the Blues and they make an interesting combination. If there is one thing in the world I cannot stand it is negative stereotypes. Not all Punks are Nazis, in fact most Punks I have known have been, at heart, very gentle guys who just play rough. In the same way, even today some people think women can't rock. News: Bands like the Gore Gore Girls, Shonen Knife and Susan SurfTone all rock - and they rock well! Give this track a listen and tell me women can't play guitar and I'll tell you that you need your ears checked." Read the Grouch's full review of Backroom Blues Vol. 6 here.
"Things come to a close with the rather blissful, beach-side slides and tones of Reconsider Baby, an instrumental journey from Susan SurfTone." - Rebecca Cullen, Stereo Stickman Read the full review here.
Skopemag says: " Susan SurfTone dives into a contemplative spirit on the low-key "What A Shame". With a neat little shuffle, the song sways by ever so gingerly. Guitar work features a unique nimbleness." Read the full review of Backroom Blues Vol 8 here.
Skopemag says: " 'Buckle Up' closes the collection in style showing off Susan SurfTone's effortless charm. An absolute joy to behold the track has a giddy energy to it. Truly fantastic it defies easy categorization." Read the full review of Volume XVI here.
The Grouch from Sweden says: "Susan is another one of my favorite artists. She blew my mind when I first heard her, and I have liked everything I have heard from her since. Susan does such a fantastic job with the surf guitar, no one can touch her on that stuff. This track has a bit of a Surf-Punk feel. It appears the drummer is putting down a slowed down classic Punk beat. I have a feeling that if the Ramones had done Surf, it would sound something like this track. Just to be clear, the Ramones are one of my all-time favorite groups and that is a complement." Read his full review of Love Is here.
Skope Magazine's Isiah We reviews Love Is and says: "Peppy to a tee Susan SurfTone opts for jangle-pop approach with "Out Of My Dreams". The giddiness allows everything to rush through with tremendous brightness. Rushing by in a blur Susan SurfTone burns through their track with determination." Read the full review of Love Is here.
The Grouch from Sweden says: "Susan SurfTone - "If I Knock" - The amazing Susan SufTone, the coolest former federal agent I know, is back. I have been digging Susan's stuff for a long time. The woman can play! God there is almost nothing cooler than a smashing drum intro followed by a gnarly surf guitar. Okay, I guess this is a love song, but in all honesty I am too busy listening to the drummer throwing in his machine gun fills which cue Susan to open up and make her guitar scream. This is a very tight band that must be a massive party live!" Read his full review of Love Is here.
Beach Sloth writes in Skope mag: "With a clear retro feeling, Susan SurfTone's "If I Knock" has a sunny, summery atmosphere. Tremendous energy flows through the work, full of determination. Infectious grooves take hold helping the whole piece evolve in a gracious fashion." Read his full review of Love Is Vol 2 here.
Susan's original "Little Bit Lied To" is included on Out of the Garage, Vol 2, And in Steel Notes The Grouch from Sweden reviews "Little Bit Lied To": "The bio sheet says that she is out of Beaverton, Oregon, but I would not have been surprised if she came out of Texas. This track has Buddy Holly's influence all over it. I really like this song. The guitar is good. The rhythm is infectious and the vocals sound good. You cannot really ask for anything more in a pop song. Well done Susan."
-Gatemouth Wighat reviews Out of the Garage, Vol 2 in Music Industry News Network: "I love my car, I love my guitar, I love you but you broke my heart when you took me to the beach and didn't give me what you promised - the story in a nutshell in A Little Bit Lied To from Susan SurfTone. A rock-blocked engine drop on love's lost highway, with heartache in the rearview."
And, in Steel Notes, Sept. 2016, he writes: "Casting our fishing pole back into time when life was good and America was in its golden age - the 1950's. That's the vibe "Little Bit Lied To" by Susan SurfTone provides (and it's a head-bopping good time (even if the song it about being lied to (just a little bit.). Thank goodness love never goes smooth or we'd never have little musical gems like this one. We've all been A Little Bit Lied To and now we have an official theme song to celebrate the occasion. Bravo! Susan SurfTone!"
The Grouch writes: "Another track from one of my favorite Bongo Boy Artists - the talented Ms Surftone. Susan can play guitar well! Most of her stuff, as her name Implies is surf based and this song is no exception. She lays down a wicked surf solo while being backed by a band that is spot-on tight. I really like the fills her drummer is laying down. As for the lyrics, this is a love song, but what matters the most to me is that the vocals sound good. All in all, this is what I have come to expect from Susan. That is, a very tight jam with a blistering surf inspired solo. Well done!" Read his full review of Out of the Garage Vol 4 here.
Beach Sloth writes in Skope mag: "Energy runs through the entirety of Susan SurfTone's "Temptation". Done with the greatest of care, the song does not slow down for anything. A yearning weaves itself through the entirety of the track, lending it a sense of urgency.." Read his full review of Out of the Garage Vol 4 here.
In Music Industry News Network and Steel Notes, The Grouch from Sweden reviews Susan's track "Green Light" on Gnarly Wave, Vol 1: "I know Susan's music from Bongo Boy's Out of the Garage Volume 2 album. I really liked her work on that LP, so it was with a Grouchy smile that I listened to this track. Man, this woman can play! I challenge anyone to tell me that women can't rock. All you have to do is listen to Ms. Surftone to realize women absolutely can rock! Hands down, this is one of the best tracks on the album. I love that massive rockabillyesque jam. Listen to this song! What would a show with both Susan SurfTone and the Gore Gore Girls be like? I can only dream."
The Grouch from Sweden reviews Subduction: "I dig the bass line that hold this song together... Then there is that smoking guitar... This is the kind of song that should be listened to in a red convertible driving down the Pacific Coast Highway."
And Mint471: "If you are a caveman who thinks women can't rock, get ready for the Enlightenment as Susan blows the roof off."
Skopemag says "Poppy to its very core, Susan SurfTone creates a colorful atmosphere on the hyperactivity of "Vortex '59". With a timeless classic style, the piece unfurls with such ease. Guitars weave together intermingling in a great woven web."
Read Skopemag's review of Gnarly Wave - Vol3 here.
"The former FBI Agent turned singer/songwriter who plays a mean guitar has arrived and is definitely here to stay."
"Rock n' Roll High School 101: Assignment: Surf" features an interview with Susan, and a live performance taped on our tour in March, 2012. This program was broadcast on Time-Warner Cable Channel 16 and Verizon Channel 38 in the Riverside-Moreno Valley-Perris area of Southern California. Watch it on YouTube here.
Before Susan's solo career... there was Susan & The SurfTones (1996-2010)
The west coast Surftones: 2001-2010
•Two halftime shows for NBA Portland Trailblazers
•Two west coast tours
•Rockrgirl Music Conference - Seattle 2005
The east coast Surftones: 1996-2001
•Three CDs on Gee-Dee Music, Hamburg, Germany
•Four European tours
•Multiple releases on Italian label OmOm Music
•Two original tracks used on MTV's "Real World - Sydney"
•Original track used in Italian promotional video for Nissan
•Voted Best Retro Band of 1999 by the Editors and Readers of Metroland, Albany, New York