Recorded between 1961 and 1962, the contents of Volcanic Action! went unheard for nearly sixty years before Sundazed unearthed and compiled them into the album you see before you. The Belairs were one of the first surf groups and though their lifespan was brief (three 45s including the seminal 'Mr. Moto'), their legacy among the surfing set was nothing short of significant. In addition to contributing one of the most covered surf tunes, their demise resulted in the formation of two very influential groups: the Challengers and Eddie and the Showmen. Despite no bass player, these tunes pack a punch and offer a picture of the earliest emergence of the surf rock genre.

 

Those familiar with the Surfing with the Challengers album will recognize 'Volcanic Action' as 'Tidal Wave.' In reality, 'Volcanic Action' predates the Challengers' release by one year and is even more raw and exciting in its original state. 'Rampage' is a wild and wet highlight of both Richard Delvy's drumming and Eddie Bertrand's guitar work. Al Casey's influential 1957 single 'Ramrod' appears and would later become a surf band staple appearing on Surfbeat, Surfers' Pajama Party, Surfin' Hootenanny, and Soul Surfin'.   The previously unreleased 'Squirt' is another fine instrumental foreshadowing 1964's 'Small Fry'  from the Good Guys' Sidewalk Surfing!  'Mr. Moto' is the group's pioneering achievement, and rightly so. Here, it sounds very much at home among the other tracks. The original version of Paul Johnson's 'Chiflado' is just as quirky as the Challengers' rendition. 'Vampire' was released as a b-side in 1962. 'Let's Go Trippin' is a clean cover of Dick Dale's original hit, while 'Peter Pistol' is a surfy cover of the Henry Mancini 'Peter Gunn Theme.' The earliest version of 'Kamikaze' ('Kami-Kaze' on Sidewalk Surfing!), feels raw and new. 'Bulldog ' is another vibrant cover.  'Wild One' is a fairly straightforward sax-driven number with some nice guitar breaks. Duane Eddy's 'Moovin' & Groovin'' is also a welcome cover.