THE SURFAHOLICS
The Surfaholics formed in 2005 by Brad Yates (The Wanderers, Lights Over Bridgeport), Paul Cullen (The Odyssey, The Shatners, Josh McCormack Band) and John Prestipino (Quarter Turn, The Shatners, Lynxwail) who were all employees of HGS Music (formerly the Highland Guitar Studio). The group was an homage to Paul and Brad’s fascination and love of the sounds of vintage surf recordings. The original
intention was to have a band that was different than most region groups and would be suitable for house parties and sock hops. The original lineup had writing credits by all parties with Brad and John on Guitar and Paul playing drums and composed the first Surfaholics’ original “Gazoo.” John moved on to other projects and Paul and Brad recorded an EP of Christmas songs titled “Happy Birthday to the Big Kahuna” by overdubbing all parts between the two members.
With the desire to play live shows Brad Yates had recruited former Wanderers bassist Aaron Kreke and Corey Lake (The Drubins, Hoosier Daggers) to play drums. The crew started playing surf standards from The Ventures, Dick Dale and Los Straitjackets plus a handful of originals, one of which was a recreation of the Drubin’s song “Don’t Surf on My Turf.” Through the next year the group played various shows opening for local rock, punk, country and psychobilly acts. These shows are often referred to internally as the “party” shows since the crowds were extremely rowdy, caused high amounts of alcohol consumption and usually led to the destruction of personal items. The Halloween of 2007 showed true artist roots when the band took on the name Spookaholics dressed in Misfits attire and covered surf versions of early Misfits songs with guest singer Brad Vanderzee. Shortly after the new year of 2008, the band went on a hiatus due to schedule conflicts.
In 2010 the band regrouped to play a special Christmas holiday beer exchange with revitalized enthusiasm. From this performance the group started working hard on new songs. After a steady year and a half of shows featuring numerous originals, The Surfaholics decided it was time to memorialize their written material and went into the studio Spring of 2012 to record their full length album “Hang Eleven.” The Surfaholics plan release of their album the fall of 2012.