Background

The Beach Bastards are a surf-punk rock band formed in Liverpool (UK) in 1986.
Originally called the Hula Swamp, the name comes from the fact that they are widely considered to be a punk equivalent of the Beach Boys; a band from which they drew much inspiration.
Singer John Talbot (aka Rock Salmon) also claimed that he wanted the group to be the first act to be banned from Top Of The Pops because of the band name rather than the content of the songs (which are without exception completely innocuous)
Talbot formed the band with drummer Tony Dolman (Rock O'Vages) and bass guitarist Mike Kempton-Campbell, both of whom were already in local Liverpool bands (The Lawnmower and Heart of India respectively) John Talbot had already been in other cult bands including A Design For Living and The Flag, who found some success as a support band for the likes of Fad Gadget and Howard Devoto (among others).

The first Beach Bastards performance, featuring Talbot on Vocals and guitar, was performed as a one-off novelty in the cellar bar of the Everyman Theatre in Liverpools Hope St. As their popularity grew, Talbot reliquished guitar duties to Paul Parry (Rock Hard) and Campbell left the band to replaced by Chris Larsen (Rock E. Mountainway), formerly of John Peel favourites Blue Poland.
Larsen then moved to guitar leaving the bass spot to be filled by Steve Whittle (Rock Lobster) a former bandmate of Talbot in A Design For Living.

The band's "in-your-face" take on the surf music genre was a combination of four-part harmonies and chain-saw electric guitar, very much in the mould of The Ramones or early Clash.
Comparisons with these bands do not, however, give a true idea of the flavour of the Beach Bastards unique lo-fi sound. The best summing up of the Beach Bastard vibe was probably by John McCready in "The Face" who said:
<blockquote>
"An ice-cream wall of sound kicking sand in the face of a stagnant local scene, Liverpool's Beach Bastards are an expression of the British obsession with all things American. From Uncle Sam to the coke can, most of us chew the 100% pure beef pattie of US culture, but would you give these surf mutants in cheap bermuda shorts a lift in your little deuce coupe?
The album "Son of a Beach" capitalised on a cult status that lead to the circulation of bootleg tapes and even the appearance of fake Bastards claiming to be the real thing.
The Bastards themselves have stolen much from the book of Good Vibrations. "We have a lot in common with the Beach Boys, both band names begin with the letter B, one of us is mad and we live on the west coast."
Hero Joey Ramone has given his approval at a live show and Brian Wilson's T-shirt is apparently in the post.
With songs like "I Gotta Surfboard" (and I'm Gonna Use It), a highly developed sense of humour and their penchant for four-part harmonies set against raw noise, the Bastards biggest worry is that will be seen as seaside Sex-Pistols. John McCready (The Face Vol. 002 Issue No 16, Jan 1990)<ref>McCready J, R: "No Fakes These Guys Are Real Bastards", The Face, 02(16):106</ref>
</blockquote>

Performances

The band played many gigs under their own steam throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, but achieved most success in supporting other major acts of the day including Beats International and notably The Buzzcocks, when the Beach Bastards were the first band ever to play the Manchester Academy.

Recording

The band released only one album of songs, "SonofaBeach" (Probe Plus Records | Catalogue Number: DIST001) recorded by Phil Burns at StationHouse Studios and mastered by Kevin Metcalfe at Virgin TownHouse in the summer of 1989.
The recording attracted good reviews in the UK music press, but failed to chart, selling most copies in the United States. Radio-play was understandably limited, with the exception of John Peel who would feature tracks on his late night show for Radio 1.
In the States, the album also received rave reviews from the college radio network, but mainstream success was never likely because of the band name.
Until recently this recording was only available on vinyl, but has since been re-released as a special edition CD.

Current Activities

As of 2007 the band are still together, playing approximately once every 2 years. There is a follow-up album planned for the year 2009, to mark the 20th anniversary of the first album's release.
The band hope to achieve a record for the longest gap between first and second albums in the history of recording.
This project is already two thirds complete, and is likely to be released in the summer of 2009.

References

.