An Adrenaline-Filled Night at The Novo With Surf Curse: 9/26/23
I have been to thirteen shows and two festivals in the past two years, and by the end of this year, it will be twenty-one shows. I have seen several musicians play. And all of them have been amazing, and I cherish the memories I have of them. So, it is hard to say that out of all those shows, that one tops them all. But after seeing Surf Curse, this was by far the best show I have been to. It is one of those performances that you wish you could see or revisit over and over again. It was a high-octane show, not one dull moment the entire time.
Nick Rattigan of Surf Curse. Photo by Atikis Curiel
Surf Curse is a surf-rock/indie band out of Reno in 2012. The founding members include Nick Rattigan (vocals and drummer) and Jacob Rubeck (vocal and lead guitar). Recently, the pair added two new members to the band: Henry Dillion (bass guitar) and Noah Kholl (guitar).
I first found out about Surf Curse about 2-3 years ago by coming across their song "Goth Babe" on a recommended list on Spotify. Instantly, I streamed their first album, "Buds" (2013). That whole album has songs that you wouldn't want to skip. Some of their most well-known songs, such as "Freaks," "Heathers," and "In My Head Till I'm Dead," are in that album. Each track epitomizes surf rock and rock and roll: fast, loud, and exciting. They would come out with other albums years later that, although diverted from their surf rock start and went more to the indie side of rock, they still stuck true to their beginning, mixing both surf and indie rock in albums. Just a year ago now, they released their newest album, "Magic Hour." and it has some great tracks on it such as "Lost Honor," "TVI," and "Arrow."
I have seen them once before. It was nearly a year ago, back in December, and it was quite the experience, but it would pale in comparison to this show. Earlier this year, they announced they would tour with fellow rock band Gretta Van Fleet and do their solo gigs. However, Los Angeles was not one of the stops. It wasn't until about a week or two later that a Los Angeles show was announced, and there I went to buy the tickets.
Arriving at The Novo, my best friend and I decided to pregame a little before the show started. After we had done that, we went to wait in line for the doors to open. The line was long and stretched around the corner. Eventually, when the doors opened, the line moved quickly, and in about 10 minutes, we were in the venue. This being my first time at The Novo, it was similar to other venues like the Hollywood Palladium—nice ambiance, space, and acoustics.
The night moved quite fast, and soon, it was 8 p.m., and the opener was about to start. Surf Curse had the band TONER. Although I hadn't known this band before the show, they gained a fan. Their sound is more punk rock-ish, and some surf rock thrown in there. There were multiple parts in their set where I compared them to a punk band I listen to, The Adolescents. Their set was entertaining, and I think the drummer, in particular, was killing it around 8:50 p.m. when TONER finished their set, thanked the crowd, and left the stage.
From left to right: Jacob Rubeck, Nick Rattigan, Henry Dillon, and Noah Kholl. Photo by Atikis Curiel
Only about ten minutes later, the lights dim, and the finishing touches are being done on stage to ready Surf Curse. A few moments later, the bands walk on stage and go to their respective instruments. Rubeck to a guitar, Rattigan to the drumkit, Dillon to the Bass, and Kholl to the other guitar. The band said their hellos and immediately started their set with "All is Lost." It's a fast-paced song with fast drum beats and the guitar to match. It's the perfect way to get the crowd riled up from the get-go and a personal favorite. When that song started, almost simultaneously, the people around me started moving and moshing.
When the song "Heathers" was played, the crowd went completely wild. There was moshing all around. I was in the one nearest to me. People were going from side to side, up and down, some flinging their bodies and some falling but getting picked back up. One woman fell at least ten times and smiled each time she fell and got picked back up. And once she was back on her feet, she returned to moshing.
Around halfway into the show, a couple of guys around me, myself included, had taken their shirts off because of how hot it got and how much we were sweating. It is safe to say that almost everyone was drenched in sweat. As the show continued, I slipped and fell about 3-4 times but was helped back up each time. Between intermissions, the crowd would pause the rowdiness. There were people I did not know I was standing shoulder to shoulder with, leaning on, and they had their arms on my shoulder and vice-versa. There was this comradery among everyone. Everyone had one goal: to have a great time, and a great time is what we had.
The entire night was so riveting and filled with so much fun that I cannot stress it enough. The last three songs before the encore were "Freaks," "Sugar," and "Disco," which had an insane effect on the crowd. It was peak adrenaline. Each song represents a different time for Surf Curse: "Freaks" coming from their first album, "Sugar" from their most recent one, and "Disco" coming from a previous one. All sound different, but their core is, in all sense of the word, to rock. Based on my and the crowd's reaction, that is what those songs did, that's what the songs did.
The encore saw Surf Curse play fan-favorite songs like "Goth Babe," which they didn't play the last time I saw them, and "Forever Dumb." After the set was finished, my friend and I left, and while we were walking back to the parking lot. I ended up meeting the lead singer of one of my favorite bands who were at the show. The band he is a part of is Vacations, who will also be playing at The Novo in November, and I will also see (hint, hint).
The night was remarkable, from the show to the people around me. Surf Curse delivered an exhilarating performance and one that will stick with me for the rest of my life. This has been the best show I have been to so far in my life. If you are into Surf Curse even in the slightest, you do not have to be a die-hard fan. See a show and immerse yourself in it. It is a unique experience and energy you cannot find anywhere else. So, check out their music because it's all amazing, and if you could go to one of their shows, you will not regret it; I guarantee it.
From left to right: Jacob Rubeck, Nick Rattigan, Henry Dillon, and Noah Kholl. Photo by Atikis Curiel
Overall Rating: 10/10
Recommended Tracks
Sugar
Lost Honor
All is Lost
Memory
Ponyboy
Midnight Cowboy