Are you feeling the Spring Fever and pre-summer vibes yet? Do you need a reason to escape and just enjoy some cool tunes? Always. Well, International Guitar Month isn’t over yet, so there’s still time discover some great, cool guitar centric tunes for your playlists.
“Pink Pantheratu” from Messer Chups
This spooky, cool surf rock trio from St. Petersburg reminds us even not to dislike everything that comes from Russia, especially with band members like bassist Svetlana Nagaeva and guitarist Oleg Fomchenkov who go by the names “Zombierella” and “Guitaracula” respectively. I recommend checking out most of their original tunes, but I gotta highlight their sexy-sounding take on the Pink Panther theme.
“Black Sand, Blue Sea” from Tikiyaki Orchestra
The Tikiyaki Orchestra is like having like a cozy beach sunset or tiki bar buzz for your ears. They started in 2008 in Los Angeles, and have built quit a following ever since. Give this a listen, and you can see why.
“Jack The Ripper” from Link Wray and the Wraymen
This one might be more familiar, if you’re a rockabilly and rock guitar fan, or if you’ve ever seen a Robert Rodriguez movie. Link Wray is one of the legends, but I think he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. He was edgy with rebel appeal, but his sound and technique was meticulous perfection.
“Blues After Hours” from Pee Wee Crayton
Even before the rock, surf, punk, and rockabilly sounds came around, there was the old school, smoky whiskey-filled blues. Pee Wee Crayton was born in Texas and began his guitar journey in California. His name might not be as familiar to you as some of his blues and jazz cohorts like Dinah Washington and Lionel Hampton, but his sound influenced musicians for years to come. This included John Lennon. That guitar intro at the beginning of “Revolution” is a direct tribute to Crayton’s sound.
“Toxic” Surf Cover by The Surfrajettes
The fab sixties sensibilities from this all-female guitar-based group is strong. I wish I had kept up with my guitar lessons over the years, because I would love to run away and join these ladies. If you had told me before I heard this I would be jamming to a Britney Spears cover, I would told you to get bent. Yet, this is a fantastic cool, and great way to finish up this list.