By: Madeline Jenkins
Australian surf rock. That is how I spent my last Wednesday night, and this is why every Wednesday from now on will be a disappointment.
The wonderful thing about Australian surf rock (if you didn’t know, yes – that is an actually genre) is that never have I ever payed $25, ended up standing right next to the headlining band while the openers were on, was able to make my way to the very front when a mosh circle opened up, heard the lead singer announce that one of his songs was dedicated to his love of vegemite, and listen to blond Australians saying ‘cheers’ all night.
Surf Trash. That is the name of a four person band from Australia who I had the privilege of experiencing live at House of Blues in Anaheim earlier this April. The trail that led me to them, and the trails that they have sent me on, consists mainly of The Old Mervs, Ocean Alley, The Rions, Skeggs, The Terrys, and Pacific Avenue. Surf Trash currently has 270k Spotify monthly listeners, while the most popular of those listed would be Skeggs with a current 522k Spotify monthly listeners (though I wouldn’t argue them to be the best). The chances of you knowing more than one of these bands, or even knowing one, is unlikely. Or maybe you love all of them. Heck I don’t think I could truthfully say I love all of them, but I do love the culture and the vibe that turns on with the music; and if any of the following sounds appealing to you, then I am happy to have introduced you to the world of Australian alternative surf rock.
With my newfound love of this music has come newfound knowledge of the country and continent that is… Australia. One of my favorite parts of the concert was hearing all the Australian slang. Of course I heard lots of cheers and mate, but from the rabbit hole they sent me down, these were the most interesting slang terms:
- Accadacca = the band AC/DC
- Arvo = afternoon
- Fair Dinkum? = honestly?
- Chook = chicken
- Dag = nerd
- Drongo = fool
- Furphy = absurd rumors
- She’ll be apples = everything will be alright
- Woop woop = the middle of nowhere
- Bonzer = great
- Earbashing = nagging