Tongue-in-cheek, radiantly catchy and enormously fun, Brighton’s Sad Dads make a brilliant first impression on their vibrant debut single ‘Surf Instructor’. The brainchild of best friends Dan Noble and Owen Bullock, Sad Dads have crafted a sparkling brand of alternative-post-punk-inspired indie that’s as musically tight and energetic as it is quirky, drawing comparisons to the early work of Squid.
Blending bright, fuzzy guitar riffs, driving drums, and grounding bass lines, the track’s expressive spoken-word vocal delivery and satirical, self-deprecating lyricism propels the track forward with a palpable sense of urgency and purpose. Having a made a name for themselves playing live shows around their home city, the band’s infectious sense of humour shines through on their debut.
Speaking about the single, the band explains: “Surf Instructor is us poking fun at the mundanity of working boring jobs and never feeling good enough. Of course you’ll end up being a surf instructor if the one thing you can’t do is swim—that’s just good old Sod’s Law at work. It was written last summer in one afternoon of pure dads-induced genius, recorded by our dear friend Matt Pugh in his flat, and mixed by Brighton’s finest Bobby Smiles!”
Sad Dads have already cemented their place in Brighton’s thriving music scene, having shared stages with artists like John Myrtle, Ellie Bleach, and English Teacher. With members from bands like Hutch and Porchlight, they’ve become known for their sell-out shows and standout performances at festivals including Alt Escape and 234 Festival.
Listen below:
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