In the hot, sticky Athens, GA summer of 2013…
… Surf Bored was conceived out of a need for migration and evolution. Singer T.J. Mimbs began noticing a change in his songwriting and production preferences from the jangly, indie-pop tunes he and his bandmates were crafting in The District Attorneys towards a looser, stouter style. In the fall of 2013, Mimbs relocated from the comfort of his Athens indie rock roots to the uncertain waters of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Already knowing locals Daniel Blum (Tumbleweed Wanderers) and Jeremy Lyon (Tumbleweed Wanderers; King Dream; Whiskerman), Mimbs set about looking for guitarists keen on playing long and loud – and quickly lit upon Avi Vinocur (Goodnight, Texas) and Chris Tye (Vandella). With all but Mimbs involved in other touring bands, Surf Bored congealed into a home base for each musician – an outlet for experimentation and a reminder of why they began playing music in the first place.
Following the release of their debut full-length album, The Rehearsal in 2016, Mimbs found himself navigating a stormy chapter of life. A battle with cancer in 2018, followed by the dissolution of a long-term relationship, left him reeling. As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, Mimbs stepped away from the band, channeling his energy into healing both physically and emotionally. But it wasn't long before the flood of emotions demanded an outlet.
In late 2023, Mimbs began penning the tracks that would become Surf Bored’s upcoming sophomore album. Recorded at Lyon’s Dimed Records in Bodega Bay, CA, the album immerses listeners in Mimbs’ journey through the ominous early days of his illness, the grueling treatment process, and the inevitable mental toll such battles take. Yet, amid the darkness, the album also celebrates the lifeline that community offers in times of struggle, ultimately revealing the joy that comes with emerging from the depths.
From the start, Surf Bored has been a refuge for Mimbs and the band, a way to escape the harsh realities of adulthood and revel in fleeting moments of carelessness. While the lyrics often delve into weighty themes, the music itself is a testament to pure, unbridled fun. This juxtaposition allows Surf Bored to carve out their own niche – a unique brand of surf rock infused with a Southern twang.