http://www.bikinibeach.co.uk/
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 he’d 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.
Finally, in 2006 the boys are ready to return to their roots. Eschewing the easy listening scene for a rawer, rockin' surf sound as exciting as those of the early 1950's 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'.
Contact The Bikini Beach Band on 020-8806 0890
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 he’d 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.
Finally, in 2006 the boys are ready to return to their roots. Eschewing the easy listening scene for a rawer, rockin' surf sound as exciting as those of the early 1950's 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'.
Contact The Bikini Beach Band on 020-8806 0890