Wipe Out! — the Surfaris' Story

WIPE OUT! — THE SURFARIS’ STORY... Back in the fall of 1962, this band of teenagers got together in a modest recording studio in Cucamonga, California, to record a song called “Surfer Joe,” which was based on a dream their drummer had. The B-side, “Wipe Out,” was composed on the spot and recorded in less than an hour. They pressed up 500 copies to sell at school, to raise money to buy guitar amps; but by August of 1963, “Wipe Out” had become a million seller, reaching #2 on the Billboard magazine chart. “Surfer Joe” reached #62, and their later follow-up, “Point Panic,” reached #49. They went on to tour internationally and they recorded numerous singles and albums (most of which are still available at Amazon.com and at 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. Some of the original members got together in the ‘70s to do a few reunion performances; they decided to continue in earnest after playing at Disneyland in 1981, where they attracted 5000 people per show. Later that year they recorded a live album, Surf Party! They appeared on a special episode of The New Gidget Show, which featured them in a vignette about an imaginary new Surfaris hit called “Bred to Shred”. During the ‘80s, the band evolved through various personnel changes, with original members Pash and Fuller teamed with former Turtles’ drummer Don Murray comprising the solid nucleus. The lineup that firmed up by 1996 remained unchanged until 2005 (when Jim Pash passed away). Throughout the ‘90s and beyond, this band played all over America to large crowds at high profile venues, often in shows with Jan & Dean, the Kingsmen, and many other stars from the early era. In the process, they brought the authentic surf sound to many thousands of fans, both old and new. They also made a number of network TV appearances, including the Vicki Lawrence Show and the syndicated Public Television special, At The Drive-In (hosted by Fabian). Also in the ‘90s: the Surfaris were inducted into the Surf Music Walk of Fame at Euro Disneyland (France) and at Hollywood’s Rock Walk; Guitar World Magazine voted “Wipe Out” one of the ten all- time most influential songs on rock guitarists. And the Book of Rock Record Lists cited “Wipe Out” as the No.1 all time surf hit (instrumental or vocal). They now appear in the Encyclopedia Britannica (as “…the Surfaris, whose “Wipe Out” featured the most identifiable drum solo in rock history”) and in the Encarta Encyclopedia 2001 edition (with a sound file of “Wipe Out” identified as a prime example of California surf music of the ‘60s. In 2001 the Wall Street Journal ran a front-page story about a plethora of “pretenders” who have falsely claimed to have been involved with the Surfaris. “Wipe Out” has probably appeared in more movies and TV commercials than probably any other tune in recent decades (including the films Flashdance and Meet the Parents, among many others. In recognition of the many fans who have played “Wipe Out” on car dashboards, school desks and Pringle cans, the Surfaris will often invite members of the audience to play it on stage with the band! “Wipe Out” is, truly, an icon—a piece of American musical treasure—and the Surfaris continue to delight in the genuine thrill it brings to their audiences every time they play it! Visit the Surfaris online at: www.surfariswipeout.com Available albums by the Surfaris: Wipe Out: the Best of the Surfaris (Varese Sarabande) Surfaris Stomp (Varese Sarabande) Surf Party! (GNP Crescendo) Surfers Rule/Gone With The Wave (Beat Goes On Records) Basic Tracks (Got It Records) — recorded in ’03. Street Party (Guitar Heaven) — ’05 live recording .

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