The Trashmen

Surfin’ Bird: The Best Of The Trashmen Charly

Bird is the word.

It may offend purists but the deranged, armflapping loonybabble of the Trashmen’s Surfin’ Bird is one of rock‘n’roll’s immortal classics. Derived from the Rivingtons’ Papa Oom Mow Mow, its gurgling onslaught peaked in 1963’s surfing craze, dive-bombing US charts – even if it was initially ignored in the UK.

The Minneapolis quartet struggled to follow with demented variations Bird Dance Beat and Bad News, but February 1964’s LP of surf/beat chestnuts, including Misirlou, Kuk and Money (That’s What I Want), along with hot rod tear-up A-Bone and effects-laden Tube City, is a minor garage-rock gem.

Subsequent years have seen Surfin’ Bird’s flight path continue with covers by the Ramones, Cramps and many more, in movies including Pink Flamingoes and Full Metal Jacket, goosing the UK Top Five in 2010 after Peter Griffin’s explosive obsession on Family Guy. Now reissued on wax, the bird flies again. ■■■■■■■■■■