"... There are several bands today that strive to sound like the bands of the first wave who made their
mark in the earliest part of the 1960s. The Vara-Tones have it down pat ... The Vara-Tones take us on
a joy ride through crashing waves and beaches lit by tiki torches, where reverbed, chunky guitar rhythms
kick up one hell of a mist.... The final tune, "Repeto '64," is one of four songs the band did in the glory
days, but it's extra special because it was written by the late Dick Smith, their sax man. It's just
one of many highlights on a splendid album."
" ... The playing is exceptional throughout ... with its verve and, at times, intensity... some pounding rockers (try the opener, Surf Blaster, or The Jetty for examples) and plenty of quite
beautiful mellower stuff too (EL Sereno, Midnight in Mazatlan, Sunset at the Wedge)... Pride of place, though, must go to the original version of Repeto, which closes this album. The big
surprise to those of us who have never heard this before, is that the lead isn't taken by twanging guitars, but by a huge, fat,
honking saxaphone, which powers through this lively two minutes and seven seconds of stomping joy - great stuff indeed."
"... After a 36 year lapse, the Vara-tones have finally issued a full new CD. The wait is over, and it was well worth it!"
"We may have had to wait 35 years for their debut album but it's been worth it! Such a combination of quality sound,
performance and material is all too rare these days and I'd recommend it most highly to all surf fans."
"... Listen up all you youngsters out there, want to play surf-instro the way it was meant to be played?
The Vara-Tones hold a clinic for eager ears that are willing to learn. They have successfully re-ignited
their original sound with the help of today's technologies and equipment ... Welcome back Vara-Tones!
The surf-instro community needs more groups like you to reform and to remind people from whence they
came. "
" … Surf's up again with the Vara-tones' first CD, filled with new tunes that capture the classic surf style of the '60s. Jetty
Subject to High Surf grabs right away with the opening cut "Surf Blaster" and never lets go until it wraps up with the growling
sax and rumbling bass of their 1964 classic "Repeto." If you like your reverb thick and dripping wet, this is the band for you."
"When a surf band from the 60's decides to get back together, warning lights start going off in my head.
Too often the modern recordings fall flat, lacking the fire and raw enthusiasm that the band's had when
they were young, playing for beer and the chance to charm a chick or two. Well, from the second this
started spinning in my CD player until the end 40 minutes later I was completely blown away. First of all,
they have the sweet sound dialed in perfectly with tons of reverb used when needed, powerful playing on
fast and slow numbers, and excellent, innovative songwriting. The CD booklet has lots of cool photos of
the band in the 60's and a nice overview of the band and their lone single "Repeto", which appears on the
CD in its original form and in an updated "Repeto 2000" version. They may look like The Ventures now,
but man, they sound like Satan's Pilgrims or Los Straitjackets! "
"Taking a cue from the continuing resurgence of the surf-rock sound so popular during the
'60s, the Southern California-based Vara-tones are back with a reunion album featuring key members of the original band. The original Vara-tones made chart inroads with their hit
single "Repeto" released on Kay Records way back in 1964. Still featuring founding
members Bill Epps (guitar) and Rich Campbell (drums), the quartet's new comeback album
is a lively instrumental affair in the spirit of Surf-rock kings like Dick Dale, The Fireballs and
The Ventures. Sort of history in the remaking, Jetty combines 14 rockin' instrumentals
including a set closing finale of their original big hit "Repeto" ('64) along with a new
remake of the track entitled "Repeto 2000". Sporting shipshape cover art, Jetty Subject To
High Surf is a rousing set of surf-drenched guitar rockers bound to impress surf-rockers of
all ages."
"It's a big dripping sound, a little like today's Chantays which can't be bad at all and Surf Blaster and
Over the Edge crash into the surf exactly as you would wish while El Sereno is neatly titled being a
slower more serene sound but still holding the ticky ticky rhythm behind the sensitive guitars and drums
. Invasion Of The V-People has a "Penetration" feel to it and we then leap to the exotica of Midnight In
Mazatlan. And this is how the album develops - each cut is a contrast to the next with all the rocky and
relax involved in surf music. It certainly seems interesting and enjoyable enough to us to warrant a fairly
quick follow-up. It's good to hear a 'new' band and this one should prove to be a winner. "
"Boy what a treat to get the chance to listen and review Jetty Subject To High Surf by the Vara-Tones ...
What they accomplished is probably the surf CD of the year ... looking for a great surf CD? Look no
further. You just found it!
==> Bob Dalley, Surf Music USA, November 2000
-- Read Bob's complete review
==> DJ Johnson, Cosmik Debris Magazine
-- Read DJ's complete review
==> Jon Deadman, HangNine Surf Music Webzine
-- Read Jon's complete review
==> Phil Dirt, Reverb Central
-- Read Phil's complete review
==> Alan Taylor, Pipeline Magazine, Issue #49
-- Read Alan's complete review
==> Keith Hannaleck, Muzikman SoundScript, May 2000
-- Read Keith's complete review
==> Dave Wood, ZptdudaMusic.com
==> Continental Magazine, issue #8
==> Robert Silverstein, MWE3.com, October 2000
==> Davy Peckett, New Gandy Dancer, issue #60, September 2000
