NEW ALBUM! 'Sour Cream for the Soul' Out 8th September
Distributed by CargoClick this link or go to www.bikinibeach.co.uk for free downloads
The BBB at Thames fest performing 'I bet you look good on the dance floor' with the Launderettas, Hula Honey and many Elvis':
More videos in our video section (see 'View My Videos' in the top box) or at www.bikinibeach.co.uk/docs/movies.htm
The
True Story of The Bikini Beach Band
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.
