Jim Fuller - Guitar
Paul Johnson - Guitar
Ron Eglit - Guitar
Jay Truax - Bass
Rob Watson - Keyboards
Dusty Watson - Drums
Influences
SURFARIS TRIVIA:
· Jim Fuller, the lead guitar on "Wipe Out", "Surfer Joe", and "Point Panic", is known as the "Godfather of Surfguitar."
· The manic laughing and spoken title at the beginning of “Wipe Out" is the voice of the band’s manager Dale Smallen.
· “Surfer Joe/Wipe Out” was recorded at Pal Studios in Cucamonga, California USA.
Sounds Like
JIM FULLER — GUITAR
Founding member of the Surfaris
Jim grew up in suburban Glendora, CA. east of LA, near the foothills in the San Gabriel Valley. Having picked up the guitar at age 13 in 1960, just in time for the new surf trend, he started a band with some local pals in ’62 to get in on the action.
Owing to the band’s huge success, Jim lived the life of a rock ‘n roll star throughout the early ‘60s. In the mid-to-late part of that decade, after the surf trend had subsided and yielded center-stage to folk-rock and garage band music, Jim adapted to the times and played locally with a number of such bands. Most noteworthy was a stint with The Seeds around 1968, just after they had hit with “You’re Pushing Too Hard”. During these years he also spent some time traveling in Europe, with an extended stay in Denmark where he lived for six months.
Through the ‘70s, Jim worked a day job and played only occasionally; but the ‘80s were a time of rebirth for him, as a full-fledged revival of interest in the surf sound was by then under way. Accordingly, he hooked back up in ’81 with his original Surfaris bandmates Jim Pash and Bob Berryhill to reform the band once again. Berryhill soon left to pursue his own goals; but Fuller and Pash continued on with the band that eventually evolved into the lineup it has today, traveling nationally and playing the very music that he had first made famous in the early ‘60s!
Today, Jim Fuller is often touted as “the Godfather of surf guitar.”
He can be heard occasionally at LA area clubs playing blues-rock, soul and R&B with a little surf thrown in, with his side band, Jim Fuller & the Beatnik.
Jim is single and lives in Monrovia CA.
PAUL JOHNSON — GUITAR
A Surfari since 1989
Paul’s impressive surf music credentials actually predate the Surfaris— in fact he was, along with Dick Dale, one of the genre’s principal founders and pioneers. He wrote the classic tune, “Mr. Moto,” at age 14 for his band, the Belairs. Charting in early ’62, this was the very earliest recording to be tagged at the time as “surf music.”
His innovative, lyrical playing style led to numerous studio credits. He played on records by The Hondells, Davie Allan, Bobby Sherman, Sonny & Cher and others; his prolific output of original tunes and creative ideas made him one of the most respected figures of that period. He even turned down an offer to join the Beach Boys in late ’62!
Paul’s path, as it turned out, led full-circle. The ‘80s found him back at the vanguard of a growing surf-instrumental revival that embraced his melodic style. He made several albums during this decade—some with his band, the Packards, and others showcasing his genius as a solo-multitrack artist. This made him worldwide renown as a leader in the early and latter phases of this musical subculture. in the late ‘80s, Guitar Player magazine devoted a feature article and a "soundpage" insert to Paul’s music, and the Hard Rock Cafe put a PJ guitar on their illustrious wall for display.
Today, along with his high visibility as a Surfari, he is also quite active with the Duo-tones—his innovative collaboration with Gil Orr of the Chantays ("Pipeline"). In these and all his other many projects, Paul’s MO is to keep on breaking new ground with further innovations that continue to give new life to the music. Thus he remains high in the esteem of the genre's enthusiasts as one of its leading lights.
Paul is single and lives in Santa Barbara, CA.br>
Visit Paul online: www.pjmoto.com
RON EGLIT — GUITAR
A Surfari since 2005
One of the newest members of the Surfaris (replacing original member Jim Pash, who passed away in May ’05), Ron is a veteran surf music star in his own right, having played bass with Dick Dale from 1979 through 2003. His surf credentials go all the way back to 1963, when he played guitar with Adrian & The Sunsets.
Throughout the ‘60s and beyond, Ron was an active part of the So Cal rock ‘n roll scene. He is a multi-instrumentalist adept at guitar, bass, pedal steel, keyboard, banjo & dobro, and a “human spark plug” who adds a great deal of zest to any band or project fortunate enough to have him on board.
In one capacity or another, Ron has shared the stage or studio with: Jackie De Shannon, Sandy Nelson, Ian Whitcomb, Freddie Fender, Paul Peterson, Kingfish (members of Grateful Dead), the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Connie Van Dyke, Dennis Weaver and many others. He has also acted in numerous films and TV shows. Surf music fans may recall his appearance along with Dick Dale in 1987, in the Frankie & Annette revisit to their Beach Party series, Back to the Beach.
It is mainly for his stint with Dick Dale that Ron has won the respect and admiration of so many surf music fans. And now the Surfaris are reaping the benefit of all those years, as the qualities of musicianship that were honed by that experience are most evident in the energy and finesse that he now brings to the band.
Ron is single and lives in Huntington Beach, CA
JAY TRUAX — BASS
A Surfari from ’82-‘84 and again from ’95 - Present
Jay’s genre credentials go all the way back to his musical beginnings in 1962, when he began playing surf guitar on a ’57 Strat with his first band, the Nomads (who recorded two singles during their heyday of ’62–’64). He soon moved on to bass, and he has been a dedicated bassist ever since. Later in the ‘60s, Jay went on to compile an impressive rock ‘n roll resumé by playing with a number of bands that figured prominently in the larger music scene:
67–’69 — Spirit of Creation was big in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they opened for most of the major acts that came to town such as Grateful Dead, Led Zepplin, Janis, Credence, Canned Heat, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, etc.
’70–’75 — Jay returned to So Cal to co-found the pioneer Christian rock band, Love Song, which recorded three albums and toured the US throughout this period. Love Song was THE most important early band of the “contemporary Christian” genre and the chief model for others that followed.
’75–’77 — Jay played with Richie Furay, veteran of Poco & Buffalo Springfield. He can be heard on Richie’s first solo album, I’ve got a Reason.
’78–’79 — Jay toured the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand with fellow Love-Song veteran Chuck Girard, who was by then a major contemporary Christian solo artist.
’80–’82 — Jay got back into surf music by joining Paul Johnson’s Packards in the early days of the “surf-instro revival.”
’82–’84 — Jay’s first stint with the Surfaris playing rhythm guitar and bass.
’90–’93 — more surf with the Reef Riders with original Nomad Gregg Samp and Jim Pash of the Surfaris; a classic surf sound.
’95 – Jay rejoined the Surfaris.
Jay is single and lives on Balboa Island CA
ROBERT WATSON — KEYBOARDS
A Surfari since 1993
Robert began his musical life as a composer/pianist prodigy at age 6. Under the diverse influences of a musical family, Robert set an eclectic course which he maintains to this day, that led him to play regularly with rock bands AND classical ensembles.
From the beginning, his primary goal has been to excel as a film composer. But his list of accomplishments includes this and a whole lot more.
In the late ‘80's-early ‘90's, Robert found himself in demand as a session keyboardist, album producer, music director and sideman for dozens of artists and groups, including Donna Summer, The Platters, Daniel Amos, Tonio K., and the Swirling Eddies. He also worked on a number of projects with Paul Johnson during this time, which led to his induction into the Surfaris band.
Robert's film music career began to take off in the mid ‘90's after he won a prestigious BMI Scholarship for the study of film composing at UCLA Extension. This led to numerous credits for television and film, including the feature films Pokemon 2000, Pokemon III, Vicious Circle and others, plus the A&E biography The Unknown Jesus and numerous film festival short subjects. He conducted for segments of Star Trek Voyager and The Simpsons and orchestrated a number of Star Trek Enterprise episodes. He is currently composing and editing music for the hit cartoon series, Catscratch.
Robert lives in Eagle Rock, CA with his wife, recording artist Carolee Mayne.
visit Rob online: www.rwatson.com
DUSTY WATSON - DRUMS
A Surfari since 2008
Dusty started taking drum lessons from Gerry Calipinto at the age of 6 and recorded his first record at just 9 years old. He studied jazz, swing and big band, competing in numerous jazz competitions around the country and earning a scholarship to Stan Kenton Clinics while still in Jr. High School. He was introduced to Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich and his high school band opened for the Buddy Rich Band at Disneyland.
He joined the Musicians Union at age 17 and has been a professional musician ever since. He has played on over 100 albums and has toured around the world with several different artists covering a wide range of musical styles and genres.
A surf music legend, drumming with Dick Dale for nearly a decade, as well as being a founding member of both Jon and the Nightriders and Slacktone, Dusty has played surf music in all three “waves” and is known as ‘The King of Surf Drums’.
The newest member of The Surfaris and a perfect fit for the band who plays the most famous drum solo in history – WIPE OUT!
Dusty lives with his fiancé and fellow drummer, Rikki Styxx, in Corona, CA (home of Fender guitars!)
Back in the fall of 1962, a band of teenagers got together in a modest recording studio in Cucamonga, California, to record a song based on a dream their drummer had, “Surfer Joe.” They pressed up 500 45 rpm copies and sold them at school to raise money for guitar amps. The B-side, “Wipe Out,” was composed on the spot and recorded in less than an hour. By August of 1963, “Wipe Out” had become a million seller, charting at 2 on Billboard. “Surfer Joe” reached 62, and their later follow-up, “Point Panic,” reached 49. They went on to tour internationally and recorded numerous singles and albums, most of which are still available at Amazon and CDNow as well as local retailers. In 1965 they had a 2 hit in Japan called “Karen.” But by 1967, music trends and other careers moved the original band separate ways.
After a few reunion performances in the 70’s, they decided to perform regularly after playing at Disneyland in 1981 and attracting 5000 people per show!. Later that year they recorded a live album called Surf Party! It is still available today along with their 60’s recordings. They appeared on a special episode of The New Gidget Show, which featured them as the theme of the show about their imaginary new hit, “Bred to Shred”. Later in the ‘90s they appeared on the Vicki Lawrence Show. They have performed at such venues as the LA’s Universal Amphitheater, Forum, Greek Theater and Alladin Performing Arts Theater. In 1990 Guitar World Magazine voted “Wipe Out” one of the ten most influential songs on rock guitarists in rock history. The Book of Rock Record Lists reports that “Wipe Out” is the No. 1 surf hit among both vocals and instrumentals of all time based on record sales and chart positions.
In 1991 the Surfaris were inducted into the Surf Music Walk of Fame at Euro Disneyland (France) with six other groups. On April 12th, 1996, they were inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk as “legends of rock and roll.” That night, they headlined at the House of Blues to a sold-out audience. They now appear in the Encyclopedia Britannica as “…the Surfaris whose “Wipe Out” featured the most identifiable drum solo in rock history.” They are also featured in the Encarta Encyclopedia 2001 edition with a sound file specimen of “Wipe Out” identified as a prime example of California surf music of the 60’s. In August of 2001 they were featured in a front-page story of the Wall Street Journal which exposed Morton Downey, Jr., and others who have falsely claimed to have been involved with the Surfaris in the past.
“Wipe Out” has appeared in more movies and TV commercials than probably any other song in recent decades, such as it’s appearance in the Robert De Niro movie “Meet the Parents” and the recently released animated film, "Surf's Up". In recognition of the many fans who have played Wipe Out on car dashboards, school desks, and Pringle cans, the Surfaris will sometimes invite members of the audience to play the drum solo on stage with the band!
Currently available recordings:
Wipe Out: the Best of the Surfaris (Varese Sarabande VSD-5478) Vol. 1 of the Surfaris anthology
Surfaris Stomp (Varese Sarabande VSD-5588) Vol. 2 of the Surfaris anthology
Surf Party! (GNP Crescendo GNPD 2239) Live reunion album from 1981
Surfers Rule/Gone With The Wave (Beat Goes On Records BGOCD423)
The Surfaris: Basic Tracks (Got It Productions www.Gotitprod.com) Released in ’04.
Compilations:
Surf Crazy (GNP Crescendo GNP 2245) features the Surfaris, Storm Surf
Wax, Board, & Woody (Varese Sarabande) title cut features the Surfaris Wax, Board, & Woody
The Warmth of the Sun (Varese Sarabande Records)
25 All-Time Greatest Summer Songs (Varese Sarabande Records)
Hot Rod: Big Boss Instrumentals (Capitol Records) features the Surfaris instrumental Burnin’ Rubber, & Woody
FOR BOOKING AND SERIOUS INQUIRIES: Call Jay 949-285-2553 or click here:Booking The Surfaris
Voodoo Court (VC) has just released three new songs in advance of their first CD release since 2002. Be the first on your block to listen to the rockabilly style vocal “Gitmo a Go Go”, as VC casts off their traditional American surf roots to ride the crest of the new American tradition of waterboarding. Listen in glee to the Beach Boy style vocal of “Route 69” as VC takes you down a bumpy beach road of frayed bikini tops and cherry flavored Pez. And for those of you longing for the days of your youth, when you listened to instrumental surf while roasting chestnuts in front of the fireplace with Grandma, you can recapture those memories while listening to “Crossing the Border”, a song so profound, that INS officials have asked for the rights to use it as their theme song.
These songs are now available for online download on iTunes, http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/voodoocourt , and other places where music that does not exist in the physical world are sold.
Por fin podras bajar las Palme Rolas de Palmerita Surf en un Demo que decidimos titular
Los Palmera VS Los Zombies!!!
Solo da un click en la imagen para descargar el archivo comprimido
Esperamos que sean de tu agrado y no dejes de ir a las tocadas que ahi andaremos rolando el disco y tambien podras escuchar las nuevas Palme Rolas que no estan incluidas en el demo...
Hey hey surfin’ bird! Keep up the good work you’re doing. Absolutely loving the surf vibes! By the way, recently posted a new video from Margaret River on gone-surfing.com along with some more goodies. Would be great if you checked it out! =D
Many thanks for the friendship. If you're interested we have just released a CD for which you can pay what you choose (with Free Worldwide Postage)...cheers
