Hey surf aficionado, Dustin here, and I’ve got to tell you about a stoke filled evening that perfectly encapsulates the heart of San Diego’s surf culture. This past Sunday, I found myself in the back lot of Pack Ratt Records in Talmadge, soaking in the good vibes and the amazing sounds of POR, also known as Pacific Ocean Relic.
This newly formed surf rock band is still in its infancy, but they’re already generating some serious crowd stoke. Jake on drums held down the rhythm, while Justin, the lead singer (who was also celebrating his birthday!), commanded the stage. But it was their lead guitar player who truly channeled that psychedelic surf rock thunder and twang – a pure wave call and ride response that transported me straight to the lineup. It was fantastic to hear their unique take on classics from The Band, Van Morrison, and even Velvet Underground, all filtered through that unmistakable surf rock lens that makes you want to ride.
What struck me most was the stark contrast to the industrialized music scene. The back lot at Pack Ratt felt like an incredible, welcoming, free potluck. It’s a rare place where people of all ages, from the oldest legends to the youngest groms, get together to celebrate surf stoke across all generations. Mikey, the owner of Pack Ratt Records, is truly preserving something special here. His shop is a veritable shrine of human ocean vintage wears – from lower-powered surf mats to iconic vintage surfboards and cassette tapes. In fact, Mikey was recording the whole show on his cassette tape recorder, and I’m eagerly hoping we’ll be able purchase copies soon!
Amidst the surf rock tunes and good company, I even had the chance to chat with Steve and Cher Pendarvis, who I truly consider to be San Diego’s iconic surf couple. I got lost in conversation with Steve about a possible distant “King of Bohemia” heritage of his, famously sung about by the Grateful Dead as “Saint Stephen.” Cher, radiating Polynesian cultural celebration in her beautiful first-generation floral shirt, was gracefully dancing next to Mikey, Steve, and the bass player’s daughter with her mom – a true intergenerational surf dance party. Later, everyone gathered around to sing “Happy Birthday” to Justin, as he enjoyed a well-deserved slice of chocolate cake – just another moment that underscored the genuine community spirit of the event.
Speaking of rare finds, Pack Ratt Records also presents an extremely rare opportunity to purchase a 1970s heritage twin fin G&S surfboard with a museum finish. I instantly recognized it as belonging to a very distinguished Cliffs guy collector, having seen it in his house racks when I returned one of his personal team rider Canyon Surfboards. Honestly, I’ve paid more for surfboards far less perfect than this epic G&S twin; I longed to surf it at Blacks again just seeing it! This heritage Gordon & Smith surfboard is a true gem, a testament to the iconic surfboards Pack Ratt typically stocks.
I also chatted with Randy, the business owner behind Methless Surfboards, a unique line of aesthetic surfboards recycled from skateboards. Randy’s own history is as rich as the boards he creates: building ramps in the 70s, working at G&S in the 1980s, and managing the Gullwing skateboard team in the 90s. Growing up, he had unique access to surf Camp Pendleton, adding another layer to his authentic surf roots.
Sitting on a blanket in the back lot, beholding this surf psychedelia, I was riding high on pure festival community stoke. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of San Diego’s vibrant surf rock scene and a truly welcoming community, you need to get out and enjoy POR’s ascension into the San Diego music scene. You won’t regret it!