Album Review:

Only released in mono, Surf's Up! The Challengers On TV is the rarest of all the band's albums. Congruent with the trend of the day, it features updated versions of previously released tracks as well as a few originals.

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'Theme From Surf's Up' was the theme tune of a short-lived show on Channel 9. The track itself had been previously released as a single by the band under the guise of the Banditos as 'The Mark of Zorro.' This version has more prominent percussion overdubs and no swashbuckling sound effects. Named after a popular surfing spot located 39 kilometers south of the California-Mexico border, 'K-39' had appeared on the K-39 album. 'Mr. Moto '65' is an update on the Bel-Airs breakthrough hit (from which the Challengers were born out of). The addition of bari saxes and the prominent bass and drums make this version refreshingly exciting. This was also released as a single credited to the Spartans. 'Ross at Sunset' had appeared as 'Asphalt Spinner' on the Go Sidewalk Surfing Lp the year prior. Another K-39 track, 'Chiflado' (meaning "crazy nut"), gets a makeover with low saxes. 'Kami-Kaze '65' is, you guessed it, another reimagining of a previous track; this time off their first album, Surfbeat. This track was also issued by the Good Guys. 'Pipeline '65' is an absolutely phenomenal take on the Chantays' original and possibly the best on the album. A cover of the Shadows' British single, 'Foot Tapper,' was lifted from the Challengers On the Move and fails to excite. 'Moon Dawg' opens with some eerie theremin sounds before blasting off into the stratosphere. 'Torquay' is an equally clean cover of the Fireball's 1959 hit. 'Theme From Adventures of Delvy McNort' had appeared on the Surfriders' Surfbeat Vol 2 album as 'Rum Runner.' Here, it pays homage to the Rick Griffin cartoon character who served as a mascot for the Challengers in their early years. 'Apache '65' is rather a simplistic rendition of the popular Shadows instrumental. 'Channel Nine' is an extraordinary instrumental track named after the location of the dial one would need to access the Surf's Up TV program. The song was also released on Go Sidewalk Surfing under the name 'Hop Scotch.' 'Wipe Out '65' is a pretty strong cover of the Surfaris' classic. It would not be the Challengers' best cover of the tune, however. That position would go to their 1966 version on their Wipe Out / Pipeline record.

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With a total of 14 tracks - many of which are retreads - it would make sense that Surf's Up would turn out as little more than a cash grab. However, the Challengers managed to defy all odds and with the help on strong material and tasteful overdubs still create one excellent album.