Let me introduce some songs by The Ventures, a band that could be called the pioneers of American surf music.
Their slightly laid-back electric sound really conveys the relaxed atmosphere of the seaside.
They’re a legendary band said to have influenced the music scene that followed, on par with The Beatles.
Their signature technique is the tremolo gliss-down—sliding while applying tremolo—which is famous from tracks like “Diamond Head.” In Japan, this technique is often nicknamed “tekete-ke.”
However, it’s also said that the first to use this technique was Dick Dale, another pioneer of surf music.
Now, let The Ventures’ tunes make you feel the ocean.
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The Ventures’ classic and popular songs (1–10)
Murder on 10th StreetThe Ventures
It’s said that it originally was a song from a Broadway musical.
Even so, it lets you fully savor the subtle brilliance of the guitar technique.
“Electrifying” may be an old expression, but it’s exactly that—I’m thrilled to the core.
Diamond HeadThe Ventures
It’s a parade of “tekete-ke.
.
.” No matter how many times I hear it, I get excited.
Back then, there were quite a few people around me practicing this.
I don’t know if they ever mastered it, but it certainly brought the electric guitar closer to young people and showed them how fun it can be.
Stars in the night skyThe Ventures
Isn’t this a song influenced by The Ventures by Mr.
Kayama? I hear it was an insert song in the movie “Young Guy with an Electric Guitar.” The Ventures apparently met Mr.
Kayama on a TV show, hit it off, and became interested in Japanese songs.
I love The Ventures’ eagerness to incorporate anything.
Mission: ImpossibleThe Ventures
It’s the theme song from a well-known American TV drama.
In movies, you usually only hear a snippet, so this was my first time listening to such a long version, and it really conveyed the protagonist’s sense of urgency.
The arrangement was interesting too.
It made me imagine the protagonist’s movements.
Let's goThe Ventures
Apparently, it’s a hit song by The Routers.
There’s a cheer of “Let’s go,” and I feel like it’s the first time I’ve heard their voices.
This one is fun too.
I’ve heard it later became popular as a sports cheer song, and I can see why—the timing of the chant seems just right.
ApacheThe Ventures
It seems to be a song released by the British group The Shadows that reached number one.
I also felt the interesting guitar techniques of The Ventures here.
It was humorous—at times it sounded like a horse galloping, and at others the notes were so high I wondered just how high they could go.
Hawaii Five-0The Ventures
This is also the theme song of an American crime drama, and it seems The Ventures handled the opening theme.
The crisp, lively guitar and drums feel pleasant and fun.
It has that classic crime-drama vibe—like you’re running and chasing down a suspect.