Get Pumped For Semaphore Music Fest With Grenadiers' Ultimate Beach Playlist

It's finally starting to heat up (kind of) and Semaphore Music Festival is gearing up to consume Adelaide this Labour Day long weekend, Sept 30 — Oct 3, with an eclectic, star-studded line-up.

Among the talent are SA punks Grenadiers, who will play at Semaphore Beach on Oct 1. We had vocalist Jesse Coulter round up a beach playlist to get punters in the mood.

Frenzal Rhomb - Never Had So Much Fun

Despite the sardonic lyrical content of this one, it actually is a barrel of fucking fun. When that sweet little intro ends and the punk beat snaps in, you always get the sense that you're in for a good time. Frenzal are best at playing awesome pop songs really fast. That's what this is and it's perfect beach music.

Pounded By The Surf - Aloha Chino Hills

This is some of the dudes from The Bronx/Mariachi El Bronx doing Shadows-style '60s instrumental surf, and just like everything else they do, it's pretty spot-on. It's kind of demented - always makes me think of Hunter S. Thompson for some reason.

David Lee Roth - California Girls

Yes, this is a Beach Boys song, but who could give it more charisma than David Lee Roth? This manages to perfectly capture the vibe not only of the beach, but the flashy, puffed-up shamelessness of California and the eighties.

Beach Boys - Surfin' USA

I've never surfed in my life. But this one makes me want to.

Dick Dale - Miserlou 

The king of the surf guitar, and one of the most badass, distinctive guitar players in history. Today this probably conjures images of John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson brandishing 9mms moreso than the beach, but it will forever remain tied to the beach and surf culture.

Johnny Kannis - King of The Surf

I discovered this little gem through the Do The Pop compilation many years ago. There were a lot of bands in Australia through the late '70s and '80s playing a style not unique only to the pubs and band rooms of the day, but really evocative of different walks of Australian life too. This one is a perfect confluence of pub rock and surf guitar, and is a damn good time no matter which way you look at it.

Radio Birdman - Aloha Steve and Danno

The song starts with beach noise. Definitely not the first or only track to do that, but I'd argue the best. Pure power and a raging good time - Deniz Tek's blaring, juiced up Chuck Berry and Rob Younger's drunk go-go dancer charm make me wish I was chugging a tinny with my ankles in the surf right now.

Iggy Pop - Lust For Life

You go to the beach for a good time, right? This song is good times distilled into musical form. It's undeniable and iconic. Jet knew that and made a million bucks ripping it off.

Santo And Johnny - Sleep Walk

After all those high-octane beach bangers you might need something to cool down to. This dreamy little piece is the beach at night- cool, magical and a little bit scary.

Head to the Semaphore Music Festival website for more info and tickets.