May 29

HUMA GUMA

Huma Guma is an all-women surf rock band from Mexico. The origins of the band's name were inspired by the unusual sound of the words and their love of the Pink Floyd album Ummagumma. The band formed in high school took a break during university, and reconnected to relaunch as the Humas Gumas with an all-female lineup. The band’s instrumental style blends surf rock with Latin Caribbean rhythms, funk, rock, and other genres. Huma Guma, oceanic feminine themes explore the psychological depths of the sea and feminine psyche, in contrast to typical sunny surf rock imagery through femme anthropomorphic sea creatures inspired by Mexican folklore, dreams, and water symbolism.

A Brief History of Grrl Surfrock

Surf rock emerged in the early 1960s, as a rhythmic fusion of Middle Eastern and Mexican influences combining electric guitar, electric bass, drums, and at times keyboardists in an ensemble. Some of the earliest pioneer surf girl bands of that era were The Honeys, originally the Rovell Sisters, formed in 1958 in Los Angeles, with hits like "Pray for Surf", and the Surf Bunnies, with “Surf Bunnie Beach”. Several other notable girl surf rock bands are highlighted in a compilation of 60’s girl surf bands called Surf Bunnies and Hot Rod Honies. Outside the US from Vietnam is Phương Tâm, her album Magical Night- Saigon Surf Twist & Soul (1964-66). While surf rock peaked in popularity in the 1960s, its traditional instrumental sound declined during the 1970s as punk rock’s abrasive nature permeated the music landscape. From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, a subgenre of surf rock—surf punk—emerged. One band, Go Go's (1978) originated from the LA Punk scene and brought more traction to surf rock with a new edge. Another group, The Surf Raiders, a five-piece band started by Robert Dalley with Linda Dalley on keyboards, is regarded as a revivalist of surf rock during this era. The band had a dedicated following among surf enthusiasts, with songs such as Raiders of the Lost Surf, a homage to Spieldberg’s Raiders of the Lost Arc, the girl grunge surfrock band, The Pandoras (1982) which appears on the What Surf II compilation and 5,6,7,8s (1986) girl surf rock band from Japan. Moving into the 90s Susan and Surftones (1993) from Rochester, NY with lead guitarist Susan L.Yasinski, one of the few female lead guitarists in an instrumental surf band, the Neptunas (1994) from Los Angeles, CA, performed at The Lab in Costa Mesa (2014) playing “Whole Lotta Wipeout” and garage surf punk band Trashwomen (1991) from San Francisco. In the last decades, several more girl bands have emerged, the surf-noir bands Dum Dum Girls (2008) and La Luz (2012), the Surfajette (2015) from Canada, Aquadolls (2012), from Los Angeles, CA, Bombón (2009) from San Pedro, CA, Habibi (2011) from Brooklyn Plastic Cactus (2016) Portland, CA and The Centellas (2018) from Mexico. While there are far more all-male bands, these women continue to carve their niche while redefining surf rock culture.

Huma Guma deviates from classical surf culture standards with their edgy western punk style producing a far-from-classic surf image. The band’s atmospheric surf rock challenges the genre that pushes a rather masculine aesthetic as bassist Nathalie exclaims in her interview with Fonoteca Nacional de México. On their youtube channel, the bands indicate playing homage to their influences which include The Ventures, The Shadows, Los Twang Marvels, Los Belkings, Dick Dale, Santo y Jonny, Messer Chups, The 5,6,7,8s, Link Wray, Lost Acapulco, The Marketts, Lively Ones, The Chantails, The Dakotas, Man Or Astroman, and Gastly Ones. Huma Guma band members are Jessy Rex: Drums, Nadezhda Chargoy: Harmonic Guitar, Karen Mayraníe Marroquín: Melodic Guitar, Nathalie Sofía Moreno Durán: Bassist and Inna Chargoy: Keyboardist., incorporating dancer Jess Tsotso Yajarak on the center stage, belly-dancing with a sword in her hands. In an interview with Fonoteca Nacional de México, Nathalie states it was important to keep to five members, “so it would be five girls playing in an all-female instrumental band”. Amidst a few breaks and changes in the lives of the band members, they have managed to remain together while working on a musical project that began in high school called "Melee Music".

In the band's interview with Fonesca, Nathalie discusses how the bass guitar has been a foundational instrument for Huma Guma's songs. In 2022, the band released two singles on Spotify, "Sunset in Paradise" and "Paint it Black," each featuring women on their respective single covers. Like the group's aesthetic, these songs seek to invoke a philosophical and psychological impact on listeners.

"Sunset in Paradise" is an upbeat track that introduces listeners to the band's mysterious and adventurous surf rock sound. While atmospheric "under the sea" tones permeate throughout, Huma Guma's primary genre is rock, not just beach music. The song explores two main ideas: sea creatures and adventure, with the concept of the feminine. Drummer Silvana's rhythm immediately kicks off the track, complemented by Nathalie's bass. The lively, continuous beat provokes movement and dancing, central elements of Huma Guma's performances.

In contrast, "Paint it Black" is a longer, more melodic track oscillating between faster and slower rhythms. Karen's guitar riffs interrupt the bass and drum sequences, infusing the song with an element of surprise. This interplay of tempos and dynamics creates a captivating listening experience.

Live performances are the primary way Huma Guma shares their music, enabling them to connect with audiences in a unique way that emphasizes the raw sound of their instruments as an instrumental surf rock band. The cover of Link Wray's "Jack the Ripper," captured in a Huma Guma 2016 performance, pays homage to one of the band's major inspirations, Fred Lincoln "Link" Wray Jr. (1929 – 2005) who pioneered the early electric guitar and influenced the surf rock genre. Huma Guma's countless energetic live shows build a strong sense of community within the spaces they play, with nearly every person enthusiastically dancing with smiles and hands raised in the air. Jess Tsotso Yajarak's belly dancing adds an interactive and physically immersive approach, intensifying the experience of their instrumental sound. Researching this band, I've learned more about the alternative girl surf rock scene and its historical context. Compared with surf rock’s 1960s peak, modern bands are carving their paths amidst a very different society that evolves the genre while appreciating its roots. Huma Guma remains a major example of imbuing personal visions and aesthetics into the music space. Karen and Nathalie urge young musicians to persevere, advising them to "keep playing and keep going against the current."

Charlotte is a Spring 2024 writing Intern at WithitGirl. She recently finished her Junior year at the University of Connecticut and plans on spending time at home in New York this summer working as a poetry and creative nonfiction reader for Trio House Press, a small press publishing poetry, creative nonfiction, and other works of writing.

Las Humas Gumas Ñereando Session 2 on Sound Cloud: (in Spanish)

https://soundcloud.com/nereando/humaguma

Las Humas Gumas Interview: Fonoteca Nacional de México (in Spanish)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7cStcnFotM

Las Huma Gumas Instagram

Las Huma Gumas Facebook

Las Huma Gumas YouTube

Band Members Accounts

Silvana:@silvvega

Karen: @Karenhumaguma

Nathalie: @Nathaliehumaguma

Jessy Rex: (no account)