Photos by Angelina Dyrnaes

It was a spooky, scary night at SOMA on Halloween. Kiss? No. Surf Curse. 

Surf Curse took to the stage as rock legends Kiss. With their signature white face paint and edgy black graphic eye makeup, Surf Curse’s festive appearance and boundless energy had the crowd hanging on their every note. 

Though Surf Curse originated in Reno, Nevada, they fit right into the laid-back Southern Californian culture with their surf rock sound. Following its newfound success on TikTok in 2020, the song “Freaks’ ‘from their 2013 album Buds was an instant queue while driving down Pacific Coast Highway during California’s sunny summers. The angsty teenage energy of “Freaks” that took the internet by storm sounded even better live (if that’s even possible).  The band’s live rendition accompanied by the costume-adorned crowd jumping along filled the room with infectious energy. 

Characterized by a more hi-fi sound, Surf Curse’s new album Magic Hour is guaranteed to be a hit among fans of “Freaks”. “Sugar” and “TVI” off of the album exude the same high-energy, post-punk sound as the platinum single. Magic Hour is Surf Curse’s first album while signed to Atlantic Records, marking a major milestone in their career. Judging by their show here in San Diego, they will continue to set a high standard for both their music and performances. They plan to finish off their tour in Los Angeles, so if you’re in the area, don’t miss it!