The rock bands call us a surf band, the surf bands call us a rock band…..we are the HEAVIES!!! BIG drums-FAT bass-STINGING guitars…check us out and be overcome by a tsunami of sound! Christmas 1999: Jason and I were talking about music and got on the subject of surf-instro and both expressed interest in playing it. Three months later we started getting together at his place and learned about 15-20 songs with me playing rhythm and him on lead. We looked for about 18 months for a drummer and bass player with no luck. Jay knew Jim from some job sites they had worked at and asked him to play drums with us. The 3 of us started practicing regularly in the spring of ’02 in Jim’s parents’ garage while we kept looking for a bass player. Jim’s Dad thought the stuff we were playing sounded great and started learning the bass lines. We played our first “show” labor day weekend 2002 at a 3-band birthday party as a 4-piece. Two months later, his dad passed the bass duties on to Jim’s brother, who moved to California and soon the revolving door started. After 4 years and 7 different bass players we decided to become a 3 piece and Jay and I switch between bass and guitar during sets.

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.

A revival of the West Coast sounds from the ’50s and ’60s is happening right now in the Midwest! The Real Gone travels through space and time to rock the classic music of The Ventures, Dick Dale, The Shadows and many more. You’ll need a surfboard to ride the good vibrations of a live performance.

The musicians of The Real Gone are seasoned players with experience in a myriad of genres. Phil and Bret have been band mates for years. They have opened up for such artists as Clint Black, Drive-By-Truckers, Melvin Sparks, Fareed Haque, Caitlin Carey (Whiskeytown) & Thad Cocrell, Devil in a Woodpile, Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel, Reckless Kelly and more. Jeff ‘doc’ Bella has been a bass-for-hire for more than 20 years with all manner of musical acts, from jazz, rock, country and more. he has toured all over the United States & abroad to entertain audiences and has warmed the stage for Cracker and 10,000 Maniacs. The Real Gone’s approach to classic instrumentals leaves listeners goners for life … transported in time. We look forward to making your event a Real Goner.

The Real Gone is one of the few true surf rock bands in the area. The tones, beat, technique and attitude are of utmost importance when presenting this music. The Real Gone replicates the classic sounds of the era while bringing a youthful vigor so as not to be a parody or novelty act. Influences include: The Ventures, Link Wray, Dick Dale, The Shadows, The Sadies, Duane Eddy, The Ghastly Ones, Man Or Astro-Man … etc.

They barged into the room like they owned the place. They were fast, loud, and rude, with something vaguely seedy about them. The tall one*, quiet and brooding, took a seat at the back. The other two stood restlessly, like they couldn’t be bothered to slow down. The one on the left** was the loose cannon, making faces and fidgeting. The one on the right*** was intense, but with a sly smirk and a quick mouth. It was clear that they had been hired to start something. They were the Private Instigators, and they’re starting something soon.