NEWS: Surf City Sign To Fire Records

Fire Records is proud to announce the signing of a band that has been thrilling our ears all year. New Zealand’s Surf City will be releasing the jaw-dropping kiwi guitar buzz masterpiece “Kudos” on the iconic label this November.

We might be biased but this is clearly the finest six string pop haze we have come across in quite some time. Joining the long line of Fire masters from Spacemen 3 to Teenage Fanclub, and sprinkling in that beloved New Zealand flavor, Surf City are the perfect pack of young chord slashers to take their place on our wall of guitar mavens.

Updating the psych haze of the Spacemen with the circular drone of Animal Collective and the off kilter melodies of The Clean with the drive of Interpol, Surf City is the perfect mix of everything you loved about the early 80’s New Zealand jangle and the 60’s blur of Velvets and Zombies with the shapeshifting songwriting of today.

Formed by Davin Stoddard and Josh Kennedy, they quickly stared banging out catchy nuggets with the aid of Josh’s brother Jamie on bass and Logan Collins pounding the drums, and the foursome were off and running. Eventually settling on the Jesus and Mary Chain inspired name, they arrived with their Steve Keene (hunted down for his previous work for Pavement and Silver Jews) adorned self-titled debut EP. Keene’s art will feature on the long player as well!

Hotly tipped as a band to watch, the group played some manic shows at both home and showcase gigs abroad. Stereogum praised their “impressively assured sound” and “perfect 2-minute pop storm.” All Music was taken with the “sheer energy and ragged happy sound” and gushed “the whole is just a delight.” Pitchfork noted that “their punky psychedelic pop is impressive” and admitted “Surf City’s pleasure for pleasure’s sake approach already has me pining for more.” The buzz was building and with the release of “Kudos,” it is time for it to be realized.