Many years ago, as I was just beginning to become obsessed with surf rock, I happened to pick up a copy of "Intoxica!" by the Revels on vinyl at a local music store.  I love the album and have treasured it ever since and though the biography inside intrigued me and my knowledge of and hunger for surf rock has grown immensely since then, I never really delved any deeper into that pre-surf rock "party band" instrumental sound of the late fifties.  Today I came across a recording of "Camel Walk" by The Saxons and the fire was lit once again.  Please, can anybody recommend their favorite tracks/artists from this slightly more primitive sub-genre or perhaps any amazing compilations I might be able to get my hands on?

The early Wailers fall under that banner , even the early Ventures , as they were never a Surf band , anyway. Charlie Gracie's "Live Stockton Globe , 1958" , The Fireballs , Bobby Wayne, Johnny and The Hurricanes , Viscounts , stuff like that.  Link Wray , goes without saying.

Thanks...the latest episode starts playing if ya just go to my page on here actually...

I don't know too much about what Michael Draine mentioned but they sound great but I too would have mentioned anything with the Cramps stamp of approval.  And Howie's show also comes highly recommended.

well, that is my extreme specialty, something i have been collecting since the 70s and something i feature heavily (but not solely) on my long time radio show, oddly enough called INTOXICA! Here's a link to my archive of some old shows where you can hear many hours (weeks!) of this type of stuff (plus garage, frat, rockabilly & lotsa more, with guests and other surprises...). I have been doing the show for 7 years & have a big following of crazed collectors...

http://jellsmayhemsgarage.podomatic.com/

enjoy!

There are some great pre-Surf instrumentals on THE CRAMPS JUKEBOX and SONGS THE CRAMPS TAUGHT US 1-3, on the STRICTLY INSTRUMENTAL series, the GREASER INSTRUMENTALS series, INSTRUMENTALS FOR GREASERS, the THAT'S SWIFT instrumental compilation, BRIGHT LIGHTS by Wade Curtiss & The Rhythm Rockers, and “Take It off” by The Genteels  (on I BELIEVE IN MUSIC by the Gross Prophet).

Check out the Las Vegas Grind series.  Not all of it is instrumental, but it's definitely that sound.