The Avantis

In September 1963, "Wax 'Em Down" b/w "Gypsy Surfer" was released on Chancellor 1144. Both sides were written by Pat Vegas, also with Judd Hamilton handling the arrangements for both sides.[10][11] The single was their debut on the Chancellor label in 1963. Music magazine, Cashbox in its September 28 issue, gave it a favorable review with a B+ Rating, saying that the Avantis were a pro-sounding group and the track was first rate surfin’ stuff.[12] It became a minor hit for the group that year.[13][14] The single was distributed in Canada by Sparton of Canada Ltd.[15] It also got into the C-FUNTASTIC FIFTY chart in Canada. On October 12, 1963, the chart recorded the single's status as having moved up one notch from 37 to 36, sitting right behind "Fools Rush In" by Rick Nelson.[16] The record also ended up being bootlegged on an infamous label called Astra.[17]

"Wax "Em Down" in later years

Some decades after the record was recorded, an acetate demo of "Wax 'Em Down" caused a bit of a stir when it ended up at the Ventures fan club in the UK. Being only partially labeled, rumors were going around the club that it was an unreleased Ventures recording. The truth was realized when a labeled copy of the Avantis 45 came to light.[18]

In a review of Rock Instrumentals Volumes 1-10, Reverb Central/Phil Dirt referred to the song as "a dry guitar chamber reverbed adventure in the surf culture". With the B-side he said that "it was a chilling track with the organ break being different from the other discs of the day".[19]

"Wax 'Em Down" appears on the 2014 VA comp, Long-Lost Honkers & Twangers Ace CDLUX-013, which also includes The Impacts, The Exports, The Swanks, and Johnny & The Hurricanes.[20]

"Surfin' Granny" b/w "Do The Surfin' Granny" was released on Regency RP-107. The A side was written by Danny Whitten, Judd Hamilton and Pat Vegas, with the B side by Danny Hamilton and Pat Vegas. Judd Hamilton arranged both sides.[21] Later in 1964 "Phantom Surfer" (Regency 110) was released. The recording "Phantom Surfer" featured some extra studio musicians, David Gates on guitar and Leon Russell playing Hammond organ.[22]