surfbeat was released in january 1963 on vault records and quickly went up the charts. just months earlier, the beach boys released a vocal single called "surfing safari". some months before the challenger's "surfbeat" release, surf music icon dick dale's first album "surfers choice" was released. "surfbeat" contained songs that were early influences on surf rock, including songs first recorded by the fireballs and duane eddy. in the early years rick griffin contributed cartoons of the band that appeared on their albums and a fan oriented "challengers band cartoon book". he later became well known for his work creating psychedelic poster art later in the 60's.