The Balboas Release “The Pandemic Singles” Album

The Balboas, a punk surf sensation spanning six different cities across the United States, are making waves with their brand new full length, The Pandemic Singles, that is out today via Burn N’ Surf Records. Amidst the chaos of the global pandemic, the band found solace and inspiration in their music, crafting an album that captures the essence of resilience, camaraderie, and creative exploration. As Richard Griffith, one of the founding members, recounts, “When the pandemic hit, we were like most people – scared and anxious, just trying to figure out what this new world meant for us, and our families”. However, rather than succumbing to despair, The Balboas embraced the challenge head-on, leveraging their individual home studios to collaborate remotely. “We all have home studios,” Griffith explains. “So I would write a song, and then we would share Dropbox links and pass it around until we had all the tracks”.

What ensued was a remarkable journey of musical collaboration, with industry icons like East Bay Ray (Dead Kennedys), Paul Roessler (Screamers / 45 Grave), Dez Cadena (Black Flag / The Misfits), Rikk Agnew (Adolescents / Christian Death) and Mike Palm (Agent Orange) joining forces with The Balboas. “It was like heaven for us!” Griffith exclaims. “We were creating music with people we idolized, and the songs were some of our best.” The Pandemic Singles is more than just an album; it’s a testament to the band’s resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. Mark, another original member, conceived the idea of compiling their pandemic recordings into one cohesive record. “It has been so cool to see the record through the lens of the pandemic,” Rich reflects. “Our brains were so messed up, but it ended up being a good influence for us. We grew closer, stronger, and more confident to step onto the punk surf stage and own our space.”

The Balboas‘ journey is as remarkable as their sound. Rick, Mark, and Rich, all professors of psychology, formed the band after a chance encounter with surf legend Dick Dale. Joined by Caitie O’Shea and later Dusty Watson, a legend in the surf and punk communities, and Jimmy Dale, son of Dick Dale, The Balboas continue to push the boundaries of punk surf music. Griffith declares: “Like most punks, nobody taught us how to play, how to tour, how to record. We just aren’t afraid to try things and are great at learning.” This fearless attitude permeates their music, as The Balboas fearlessly navigate unexplored territory, staying true to their punk roots while carving out their unique sound. With The Pandemic Singles, The Balboas ride the wave of creativity through pandemic turbulence.