Surf Curse is an American indie rock band from Reno, Nevada. The band was formed in 2011 by two childhood friends, Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck. Surf Curse has gained popularity for their unique blend of surf rock and indie pop, as well as their captivating live performances. One of Surf Curse's most notable albums is "Heretic's Harmonies," released in 2017. This album showcases the band's growth and maturity both musically and lyrically. It explores themes of love, loss, and the struggles of youth.
A monumental new history of a dangerous profession, exploring witches throughout the British Isles: who they were, their magic, why people employed them but also tried to suppress them.
This monumental new history for the first time describes witches, their magic, and the attempts to eradicate them throughout the British Isles, and alters our picture of who those witches were and why people employed them but also tried to suppress them. , is generally regarded as their finest work; while they were hampered by the primitive recording technology available in Africa, they developed a large following in Zambia and were playing stadium-sized shows throughout the continent.
It explores themes of love, loss, and the struggles of youth. The songs on "Heretic's Harmonies" are filled with introspective and poetic lyrics that resonate with listeners. Surf Curse's sound is characterized by catchy guitar riffs, dreamy melodies, and Rattigan's distinct vocals.
Witch
A pioneering Zambian psychedelic act, Witch (the name is an acronym, standing for We Intend to Cause Havoc) were one of the defining acts of Zamrock, a fusion of Western rock and rhythm & blues with traditional African sounds. They were among Zambia's most popular and influential bands in the 1970s as a wave of psychedelic and hard rock gained an audience in Africa. A landlocked nation in the South of Africa, Zambia was formerly Northern Rhodesia until gaining its independence in 1964, and as Zambia established its own national identity, local musicians began embracing the progressive influences of artists such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as the forward-thinking soul and funk sounds of James Brown. By the mid-'70s, Zambia was falling into political chaos as the nation's once-profitable mining industry ran dry, and many Zamrock bands reflected this with a darker, more psychedelic-influenced sound that suggested a familiarity with the likes of Deep Purple and Grand Funk Railroad. Witch's 1972 debut, Introduction, was the first commercial album released by a Zambian band, and they continued to deliver music until fading into dormancy in the mid-'80s. A reissue campaign launched in 2011 brought the band to a new generation of listeners, and Witch reunited in 2012 and started touring again shortly thereafter. In 2023, they released Zango, their first new album in almost 40 years.
The original lineup of Witch included vocalist Emanyeo "Jagari" Chanda, guitarists Chris Mbewe and John Muma, bassist Gedeon Mulenga, and drummer Boidi Sinkala, who were veterans of Zambian cover bands of the late '60s; Chanda (whose nickname "Jagari" came from his fascination with Mick Jagger, one of his strongest influences) had worked with the Red Balloons and the Boyfriends (the latter group would evolve into another key Zamrock outfit, Peace), while most of the other members were members of Kingston Market. In 1971, Chanda sang with Kingston Market at a school function, and he was invited to join the group; they soon changed their name to the Mighty Witch, and then simply Witch, using the acronym they'd coined as explanation. Fueled by marijuana and Western rock and soul, the group's debut album, Introduction, was released in 1972, and was among the first commercially released LPs issued in Zambia. Witch's third album, 1975's Lazy Bones!!, is generally regarded as their finest work; while they were hampered by the primitive recording technology available in Africa, they developed a large following in Zambia and were playing stadium-sized shows throughout the continent.
After Witch toured as an opening act for Osibisa, the U.K.-based Afro-rock band, they began including more local influences on their next album, Lukombo Vibes, but in 1977 the group began to splinter when Chanda left to return to school and become a teacher. A reshuffled version of Witch continued to record up until the mid-'80s, going in a more disco-influenced direction on albums like 1980's Movin' On and 1984's Kuomboka. Around the mid-'80s, however, the band ground to a halt.
In the 21st century, crate diggers interested in idiosyncratic rock sounds from around the world rediscovered Witch, and the German reissue label Shadoks released new CD editions of Introduction and Lazy Bones!! In 2011 the American label Now Again Records released We Intend to Cause Havoc!, a comprehensive Witch box set that featured their five studio albums plus a bonus collection of single tracks and unreleased material. This sparked new interest in the band, and by 2013, a Chanda-led Witch had regrouped and was touring again. In 2023, Witch released Zango, their first album of new material in almost 40 years. It included contributions from fellow Zambian artists such as Sampa the Great and Theresa Ng’ambi.
"An engrossing journey through the world of witches and witchcraft. Highly recommended for those fascinated by the nature and extent of the notorious European Witch Trials."—Tony Robinson
The band draws inspiration from various genres, including surf rock, post-punk, and new wave, creating a unique and captivating sound. The lyrics on "Heretic's Harmonies" often tackle themes of heartbreak, longing, and the complexities of relationships. The album's standout tracks include "Christine F," "All Is Lost," and "Fire Walk with Me," which showcase the band's ability to create emotionally-charged music that resonates with listeners. Surf Curse's live performances have also played a significant role in their success. The band's energetic and passionate performances have garnered a dedicated fan base and have allowed them to connect with audiences on a deeper level. Their shows are known for their electric atmosphere and memorable moments. In conclusion, Surf Curse's album "Heretic's Harmonies" represents the band's growth and evolution as artists. Their unique blend of surf rock and indie pop, coupled with introspective and poetic lyrics, has garnered them a loyal following. Whether it be through their albums or live performances, Surf Curse continues to captivate audiences with their compelling music..
Reviews for "Unraveling the Complexity of Surf Curse's Heretical Harmonies"
1. Scott - 1/5 - I couldn't stand "Surf curse heretics harmonies"! The songs were repetitive and had no substance. The lyrics were pretentious and lacked any depth or meaning. I don't understand why this album is receiving any praise. It's just a bunch of noise that tries too hard to be edgy and unique. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
2. Kristen - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Surf curse heretics harmonies". The album had moments of potential, but overall, it fell flat. The songs all blended together and there was no standout track. The production was messy, making it hard to appreciate any redeeming qualities. I had high hopes for this album, but it didn't meet my expectations at all.
3. David - 2.5/5 - "Surf curse heretics harmonies" had a few decent tracks, but as a whole, it left me underwhelmed. The album lacked cohesiveness and felt disjointed. The vocals were grating and added little to the overall listening experience. I can see why some people may enjoy this experimental style, but it didn't resonate with me.
4. Sarah - 2/5 - I gave "Surf curse heretics harmonies" a try, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. The songs felt like a chaotic mess, and I struggled to find any semblance of structure or melody. It seemed like the album was trying too hard to be unconventional, sacrificing musicality in the process. I appreciate artists pushing boundaries, but this album missed the mark for me.
5. Jason - 1.5/5 - I found "Surf curse heretics harmonies" to be a completely forgettable album. The songs lacked any memorable hooks or interesting instrumentation. The vocals were monotonous and failed to engage me. Overall, it was a disappointing listen that didn't leave a lasting impact. I wouldn't recommend this album to anyone looking for a worthwhile musical experience.