Everything about Brooklyn-based punk band Surfbort is surprising. Two of their members are in their 50s. Their vocalist, Dani Miller, was featured in a Gucci Beauty campaign and appeared in a recent Good Dye Young commercial. Before the band, Miller worked with filmmaker Darren Aronofsky.
Surfbort even owe their name to Beyoncé’s “Drunk In Love” and played their first show on Miller’s 21st birthday. “Ever since the first show, which was just supposed to be a joke show, I was like, ‘I’m gonna do this for the rest of my life. This is the best thing ever,’” Miller says.
Another classic punk rock record from New York City (now based in Los Angeles) band Surfbort, this album produced by legend Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) really brings forward the band’s sound in a well-crafted production which lets Dani Miller’s songwriting shine through while still keeping the edge that hooked in fans in the first place.
Two of the members—drummer Sean Powell and guitarist Alex Kilgore—are veterans from the punk scene in Texas. “I tapped into the Texas punk scene from the ’80s,” Miller says. “That’s how I got the members.” The band’s line-up also includes guitarist Matt Picola and bassist Nick Arnold, the latter being their roadie before becoming their newest recruit.
On top of that, Surfbort have received co-signs from Debbie Harry, the Strokes’ Julian Casablancas and Frank Iero no small feat—but they don’t let it go to their heads. “I think being creative and being into art and music, no human’s really above each other,” Miller says. “Everyone’s just making their cool shit.” Known for their fast, raucous, high-energy punk songs, Surfbort have tackled subjects such as politics, capitalism and mental health in their music. But ultimately, Surfbort want to emphasize friendship and acceptance. “I’m trying to not do sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll,” Miller says. “I’m trying to do friendship, sober-raging and rock ’n’ roll.”
The Fat Angel Sings 