[
    {
        "pk": 1, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.myspace.com/elsupernaut", 
            "notes": "El Supernaut is a new band from Finland (the home of the legendary Laika & the Cosmonauts) that grew out of another surf/instro band, the Lunatics. The band members\u2019 prior experience was obvious in their confident and powerful debut \u201cViva!,\u201d released in early 2011 and packed full of stunning musicianship. El Supernaut have a deep love for the hard rock of the 1970s and 1980s, which they freely incorporate into their sound. As their slogan says, pure instro rock!", 
            "name": "El Supernaut", 
            "order": 0
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 2, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.twang-marvels.de/", 
            "notes": "Los Twang! Marvels, based in Berlin, Germany, has an Argentinian lead guitarist (who was taught by King Crimson\u2019s Robert Fripp!), and Chilean rhythm guitarist (also taught by Fripp!) and drummer. Their diverse backgrounds result in an exotic sound that is full of passion, virtuosity, precision, and fun, all in evidence on their two full-length CDs: 2005\u2019s debut, \u201cGuitars in Orbit\u201d and 2008\u2019s epic, \u201cJungle of Twang.\u201d They have toured throughout Europe and Mexico.", 
            "name": "Los Twang! Marvels", 
            "order": 1
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 3, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.elray.dk/", 
            "notes": "El Ray is a Danish band with a diverse approach to surf music, reflecting their alternative rock influences. They just celebrated their 10th anniversary, having had a highly productive career so far with four CDs and one best-of compilation. Their most recent release is the phenomenal \u201cChasing Ray\u201d from 2010. El Ray have toured much of Europe, making a particularly strong impression with their appearance at 2010\u2019s Surfer Joe Festival in Livorno, Italy.", 
            "name": "El Ray", 
            "order": 2
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 4, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.coffindaggers.com/", 
            "notes": "The Coffin Daggers emerged from New York City\u2019s punk scene. Not surprisingly, their take on surf music is marked by a metropolitan attitude and a gritty toughness. They have released two CDs, 2011\u2019s hard-hitting and diverse \u201dMonsters from the ID\u201d being their most recent, notable for being recorded and mixed on tape \u2013 a true rarity today in any genre. The band toured Europe in 2005 and twice in 2006. Since then, they have been regularly criss-crossing the US, picking up fans far and wide.", 
            "name": "The Coffin Daggers", 
            "order": 3
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 5, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.aqualads.com/", 
            "notes": "Aqualads, based in Charlotte, NC, have been together since 1997. They released three CDs between 1998 and 2004, chock full of traditional surf: \u201cHotbox,\u201d \u201cRevenge,\u201d and \u201cSurf Surf Surf.\u201d After some downtime, they returned with a vengeance in 2011 with the astonishing \u201cTreasures\u201d (produced by Rick Miller of Southern Culture on the Skids), which firmly established them as one of the hottest American surf bands today. They are now playing throughout the South, hell-bent on making up for the lost time.", 
            "name": "Aqualads", 
            "order": 4
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 6, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.tmensurf.com/", 
            "notes": "The TomorrowMen is a lost band of time travelers from the year 3000, who through a temporal disturbance ended up in 2006 San Francisco. They made the best of being stuck in this primitive time by starting a surf band. Their recently released debut \u201cIt\u2019s About Time!\u201d has received ecstatic, even adulatory reviews. The band has begun to tour outside of California, hitting the Northwest twice, with wider appearances in the near future. They were also recently featured on the \u201cWTF with Marc Maron\u201d podcast, which is #1 on iTunes, with millions of listeners.", 
            "name": "The TomorrowMen", 
            "order": 5
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 7, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.thephantomfour.nl/", 
            "notes": "The Phantom Four was founded in 2004 in Amsterdam by \u2018Phantom\u2019 Frank Gerritsen, former lead guitarist for the legendary 1990\u2019s surf band, The Treble Spankers. Their unique and instantly recognizable sound reflects heavy North-African and Middle-Eastern influences. The band has released two CDs: 2005\u2019s \u201cLive at De Diepte\u201d and 2006\u2019s \u201cMadhur,\u201d garnering international attention and quickly establishing them as one of the most prominent surf bands in the world (a reputation richly deserved by their remarkable performance at 2011\u2019s Surfer Joe Festival). Their highly anticipated next album is slated for imminent release.", 
            "name": "The Phantom Four", 
            "order": 6
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 8, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.atomicmosquitos.com/", 
            "notes": "Atomic Mosquitos were inspired by their Washington, DC predecessors, Insect Surfers and The Space Cossacks, along with many others, when they formed in 2000. Since then, they have released three CDs: 2002\u2019s self-titled debut, 2005\u2019s \u201cRelease the Mosquitos,\u201d and 2008\u2019s \u201cMeltdown.\u201d Through the years they evolved a distinctive complex-yet-tight sound marked by the contrasting styles of their two lead guitar players and three songwriters. Though they primarily play on the central East Coast, they did venture out west for an appearance at the 2010 SG101 Convention in Los Alamitos, CA.", 
            "name": "Atomic Mosquitos", 
            "order": 7
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 9, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.loskahunas.co/", 
            "notes": "Los Kahunas hail from Argentina where they have been riding the crest of the new wave of popularity of surf and garage music. Their highly traditional style can be heard on 2005\u2019s \u201cEl Fantastico Sonido Surf & Hot-Rod\u201d and 2007\u2019s \u201cOtro Reverberante Encuentro.\u201d Their new CD, \u201c7 Mares,\u201d will be released soon. They\u2019ve opened shows for some of the biggest Argentinian rock bands and have toured Chile, Spain and Italy, where they had the distinction of being the first South American band to play the Surfer Joe Festival in 2010.", 
            "name": "Los Kahunas", 
            "order": 8
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 10, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.thebambimolesters.com/", 
            "notes": "The Bambi Molesters have had a highly accomplished career since forming in Croatia in 1994. They have released five CDs, the latest being their 2010 symphony-orchestra-augmented masterpiece \u201cAs the Dark Wave Swells,\u201d which recently earned them three Porins (the Croatian equivalent of a Grammy). The band has toured heavily in Europe, and has traveled as far as New Zealand. They became a favorite of the \u2028alternative rock legends REM, who personally invited them to open multiple shows on European tours. Members of REM played on The Bambi Molesters\u2019 2001 CD \u201cSonic Bullets\u201d (which was picked up for distribution by Warner Brothers and also won a Porin). Exhibiting a darker approach to surf music, a unique mix of traditional instrumentation and modern experimentation, and sporting distinctive dual lead guitars, they are likely the best-selling new instrumental surf band of the past two decades.", 
            "name": "The Bambi Molesters", 
            "order": 9
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 11, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.the-barbwires.com/", 
            "notes": "The Barbwires\u2019 2008 CD \u201cSearider\u201d stands as one of the most iconic albums in surf music history, an astonishing masterpiece that combined high-energy surf music with a hard-hitting orchestra in a completely unprecedented way. This feat was accomplished by a Swedish trio that has been around since 1995, but has released only one other CD, 2001\u2019s \u201c\u2026Sounds like Trouble.\u201d The Barbwires also have strong connections in the rockabilly community, which has helped them get some high-profile gigs, such as the popular Viva Las Vegas festival in 2009.", 
            "name": "The Barbwires", 
            "order": 10
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 12, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://cdbaby.com/cd/frankiepoolboys", 
            "notes": "Frankie & the Pool Boys were born in San Francisco as a side project by Pollo Del Mar\u2019s Ferenc Dobronyi. His goal was to record some traditional surf music with a few of his friends and favorite players (such as the legendary drummer Dusty Watson, and acclaimed guitarists Dave Wronski and Shigeo Naka). The release of the self-titled CD in 2008 was met with intensely enthusiastic reviews (being named New Gandy Dancer\u2019s album of the year for 2008), leading Ferenc to form a touring version of the band. They\u2019ve played all along the West Coast, including the 2010 SG101 Convention. There is general agreement that Ewa on the Beach is a true modern surf classic.", 
            "name": "Frankie & The Pool Boys", 
            "order": 11
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 13, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.myspace.com/thethunderchiefs", 
            "notes": "The Thunderchiefs is a surf supergroup of sorts, comprised of members of notable Austin, TX surf bands Death Valley and the Sir Finks, as well as several well-known Texas rockabilly and garage bands. They are widely recognized as being masters of a highly traditionalist take on surf music, displaying an extraordinary depth of understanding of 1960\u2019s surf music. This purist approach is displayed on their two CDs, 2007\u2019s \u201cDig\u201d and 2010\u2019s space-themed \u201cThe Interstellar Sounds of...\u201d They are also distinguished by having three equal songwriters who all assume lead guitar duties on the songs they write, giving them a diverse sound within traditional boundaries.", 
            "name": "The Thunderchiefs", 
            "order": 12
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 14, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.secretsamurai.org/", 
            "notes": "The Secret Samurai is a San Diego, CA trio formed in 2004 by 3/4 of Surf Report, a 1990\u2019s surf band. Their sound is highly influenced by ethnic folk music of the Middle East, Northern Africa, Japan, and Eastern Europe, as can be heard on 2008\u2019s \u201cGun Sho Gun\u201d and 2011\u2019s diverse and highly-acclaimed \u201cZanshin.\u201d They have played extensively around California, and shared stages with many influential surf bands from other parts of the country and the world.", 
            "name": "The Secret Samurai", 
            "order": 13
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 15, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://themadeira.net/", 
            "notes": "The Madeira is based out of Indianapolis, IN and has been around since 2004, releasing two CDs with a third on the way. They\u2019ve played all around the US, including two California tours as well as shows on the East Coast and in the South, but primarily play around the Midwest. They headlined the third night of the 2009 Surfer Joe Festival, followed by an Italian tour. Their 2008 CD, \u201cCarpe Noctem,\u201d was selected Album of the Year by Pipeline magazine.", 
            "name": "The Madeira", 
            "order": 14
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 16, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://theeliminators.com/", 
            "notes": "The Eliminators are the elder statesmen of this compilation, having started back in 1992 in Orange County, CA, becoming one of the leading exponents of a highly traditional surf band approach. Their songs have been used on many TV programs, the band even appearing in some of them. Their releases include 1995\u2019s \u201cUnleashed,\u201d 1998\u2019s \u201cUltra Sonic Surf Guitars,\u201d and 2010\u2019s \u201cRoom to Move.\u201d The band added the legendary surf guitarist and historian John Blair to its ranks several years ago. The band shows no signs of slowing down and remains one of the most professional surf music acts in the world.", 
            "name": "The Eliminators", 
            "order": 15
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 17, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.bosscombo.com/", 
            "notes": "Surfer Joe is Lorenzo Valdambrini, formerly of The Wadadli Riders from the Caribbean island of Antigua, and currently with Surfer Joe and His Boss Combo, his new Livorno, Italy-based band (who are well on the way to becoming the heaviest touring surf band in the world). The North Swell was recorded completely solo by Lorenzo while transitioning between the two bands. Lorenzo is also the man behind the world\u2019s most successful and longest-running annual surf music festival, the Surfer Joe Festival in Livorno, Italy. Not even the sky seems to be the limit for this remarkable man!", 
            "name": "Surfer Joe", 
            "order": 16
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 18, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadbeats63", 
            "notes": "The Deadbeats have the distinction of being the youngest band on this compilation, all four of them currently in their early 20s. Their mix of youthful energy and highly skilled musicianship has made them a popular draw in teen punk clubs around the San Francisco Bay area for the past few years. Their inspired and impressive debut mini-CD \u201cDay of the Deadbeats\u201d came out this past summer, and they subsequently blew everyone away at the SG101 Convention with a performance that is sure to go down in legend.", 
            "name": "The Deadbeats", 
            "order": 17
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 19, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://daikaiju.org/", 
            "notes": "Daikaiju have been forging a radically new and futuristic path in surf music since forming in 1999 in Alabama. The very embodiment of progressive surf music, they recognize no boundaries and are fearless about introducing a diverse set of influences \u2013 from Rush to My Bloody Valentine\u2013 into their highly personal musical vision. The out-of-this world results can be heard on 2004\u2019s self-titled debut and its remarkable 2010 follow-up, \u201cPhase 2.\u201d They have toured Europe twice, and in the last couple of years began touring the US heavily, averaging 200-250 shows each year. Their live shows are pure performance art, incorporating theatrical and even confrontational elements, the band wearing kabuki masks and sci-fi uniforms, and spending more time running among and interacting with the audience than on stage!", 
            "name": "Daikaiju", 
            "order": 18
        }
    }, 
    {
        "pk": 20, 
        "model": "bands.band", 
        "fields": {
            "url": "http://www.anacondas.nl/", 
            "notes": "The Anacondas are the second Amsterdam band on this compilation. They were formed in 2000 and have released three CDs: 2003\u2019s self-titled debut, 2005\u2019s \u201cSnakin\u2019 all Over,\u201d and 2010\u2019s \u201cBad Buzz - Lost in the Space Age.\u201d They have a unique and diverse approach, effectively incorporating 1960\u2019s spy, space and lounge music into their sound, which also prominently features an organ, trumpet, sax, Theremin, and more unusually, a flute and even a Moog synthesizer! The band has toured far and wide, from Ireland to the Czech Republic and even to the US.", 
            "name": "The Anacondas", 
            "order": 19
        }
    }
]