begins with one man - Jesus C. Escovedo
- guitarist, revolutionary, ladies' man and 1956 All-Mexico Surfing Champion.
Forced by his political beliefs to flee from his homeland, he escaped
by stowing away on a cruise liner with only a guitar, a Hawaiian shirt
and an autographed photo of Duane Eddy.
He landed in Southampton, convinced Britain would welcome his music with
open arms. Sadly, this was not to be. His debut single, Gringo Woody
Stomp (Mecca Recordings), was released on the same day as The Beatles'
She Loves You consigned the British instrumental scene to history.
But Jesus was not downhearted. He changed his name and hairstyle and tried
again.
The Termytes' Mersey Tube Rider (Provincial) also failed.
So he tried again, and failed. Tried again, failed; tried, failed and
finally failed without actually trying.He died a bitter and broken man,
in 1993.
But at his funeral, a strange thing happened. The only mourners were four
young men who all arrived wearing black suits, black ties, sunglasses
and fezzes. Because in all those years of touring Jesus' good looks and
charm had never deserted him, and a string of beautiful women had poured
sour cream on the burning chilli of his soul.
The four mourners who met that day were his sons - Miguel, Esteban,
Juan and Ricardo. Stranger still, the four discovered they were all
musicians; over a tequila-fuelled wake they realised they had found their
mission in life - The Bikini Beach Band was formed. The music
of Jesus Escovedo would live on!
Each brother added something different to the band's sound. Drummer
Juan brought the big beat. The deep twang came from guitarist Esteban;
his duelling partner Miguel added a swooning way with a melody.
And bassist Ricardo arrived with a crate of lager hed won in a
raffle.
Gigs followed from hip Stoke Newington to the French Riviera via
a residency at Club Indigo, London's home of exotic easy listening.
Sessions on GLR wowed listeners to Robert Elms' show. The boys
appeared as the house band for the station's Children In Need comedy
gala at the Shepherds Bush Empire in 1996 to such acclaim that they
were offered a slot on live, prime-time BBC
television as part of the 1997 event. The following summer they were invited
by Yorkshire pop group Pulp to open their show in Finsbury Park.
And that January the band were chosen to add the spiritual glow of their
music to the launch of Bo Fowler's first novel, Scepticism Inc.
Subsequently American art rockers Sparks chose the boys to
open for their 2002 show at The Royal Festival Hall and The
Big Chill Festival has seen them receive great reviews each time they
play.
On every occasion, the band's blend of classic instrumentals, soundtrack
favourites and contemporary covers has carried audiences away on a sea
of golden melody.
Their first waxing, a cover of Blur's Boys & Girls,
sold out its limited edition. The follow-up, a version of Oasis'
chart-topper Some Might Say, reached 16 in the Melody Maker
indie chart. And the next wave to break on the sun-kissed sands of Bikini
Beach was the brothers' debut album, The Bikini Beach Band Leave Home.
During 2006 the boy returned to their roots, eschewing the easy listening scene for a rawer, rockin' surf sound as exciting as those of the early 1950's bands which inspired them. Once you hear Tide's Out...? you'll understand what we mean when we say:- 'They are such surf as dreams are made of'.
And now in 2008 the band are building on the successes of the live shows and festivals and release a brand new album Sour Cream for the Soul on the 8th September through Cargo Distribution.
Once again dust off your dancing shoes and get down to a mix of Rock ‘n’ Roll,
Rhythm & Blues, Old School Ska & 60’s Garage with your host
DJ’s Fritz and Nice Sean
Friday 17th July - 8pm till 1am, FREE The Royal Sovereign, 64 Northwold Road, London E5 8RL
..Hey Brothers & Sisters! We are proud to announce the biggest GYPSY HOTEL event ever at The HACKNEY EMPIRE, FRIDAY 3rd JULY.
THE URBAN VOODOO MACHINE will be launching their long awaited debut album ‘Bourbon Soaked Gypsy Blues Bop ‘N’ Stroll’ (in the shops July 6th!)…Joining them on this momentous occasion will be …
…The Fire Tusk Pain Proof Circus | Gawkagogo | The Cesarians | Empress Stah | Lady Ane Angel | The Texas Chainsaw Orchestra | Frank Sanazi | Lalla Morte | Missy Macabre | dj Scratchy | and maybe the odd surprise guest or two…
Dust off your dancing shoes and get down to a mix of Rock ‘n’ Roll,
Rhythm & Blues, Old School Ska & 60’s Garage with your host
DJ’s Fritz and Nice Sean
Friday 5th June The Royal Sovereign, 64 Northwold Road, London E5 8RL
Don’t miss out on the last Bad Juju Lounge before the summer! Hosted by the infamous Texas Chainsaw Orchestra: a 13 piece “Nightmare Before Christmas meets Rocky Horror Picture Show” spectacular! Saturday 23 May @ The Gaff, Holloway Rd, London
The Bad JuJu Lounge!
It's always a night to dismember!
Featuring: The Texas Chainsaw Orchestra and Des Deville (aka Des O’Connor-compere) .. With DJs El Nino DaveDisaster and special guests
Don’t miss out on the last Bad Juju Lounge before the summer! Hosted by the infamous Texas Chainsaw Orchestra: a 13 piece “Nightmare Before Christmas meets Rocky Horror Picture Show” spectacular! Saturday 23 May @ The Gaff, Holloway Rd, London
The Bad JuJu Lounge!
It's always a night to dismember!
Featuring: The Texas Chainsaw Orchestra and Des Deville (aka Des O’Connor-compere) .. With DJs El Nino DaveDisaster and special guests
VOL.I “THE KING OCTOPUSS CHRONICLES” FIRST ANIVERSARY”
THE TRUE STORY OF THE KING OCTOPUSS Vs. GIORGIO & THE GINTONICS NOW AVALIABLE IN ENGLISH!!!
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD TRACK BY TRACK THE COMPLETE FIRST BATTLE!!
ENJOY YOUR MOLLUSK!!!!!
La verdadera historia del Rey Octopuss por fin disponible en inglés!! Ante el inminente lanzamiento del segundo capítulo de “THE KING OCTOPUSS CHRONICLES”, GIORGIO & THE GINTONICS celebran el primer aniversario de su primera batalla contra el Rey Cefalópodo con la traducción íntegra del primer capítulo y permitiendo DESCARGAR POR PRIMERA VEZ su Banda Sonora Original TEMA A TEMA.