Surf Trio
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Eugene, Oregon , United States |
| Products | Surf rock music |
The Surf Trio emerged as a surf rock ensemble originating from Eugene, Oregon in 1984.
Lineup
The band was initially formed by Ron Kleim (guitar/vocals), Pete Weinberger (guitar/vocals), Dave Meyers (bass), and Aaron Temple (drums). Shortly after their debut 1985 E.P. released through Moxie Records, Jeff Martin took over bass duties from Meyers. In August 1988, Terrence Kerrigan, formerly of the Bo Diddley Headhunters, replaced Temple on drums and remained until June 1989. Following this period, Kerrigan, Martin, Weinberger, along with Joel Barnett (of Miracle Workers/Bo Diddley Headhunters) and Richard Spaugh (associated with Drivetrain/Dimension 7), collaborated to create the Wicked Ones.
During the band's revival in the mid to late 1990s, drumming responsibilities alternated between Tim Erickson and Chuck Thompson. Additional contributions on drums and various instruments for affiliated projects such as ClockWatchers and Electric Flies came from Steve Frothingham, Michael Miller, and Jayson Breeton.
Style
The Surf Trio's musical output predominantly consisted of original compositions that fused instrumental surf music with elements of 1960s garage rock, pop-punk, and punk rock inspired by the Ramones. Alongside contemporaries like the Miracle Workers, Dead Moon, Girl Trouble, and Mono Men, they played a significant role in shaping the Pacific Northwest’s garage rock revival during the mid to late 1980s.
Releases
Their discography spans multiple independent labels such as Voxx, Moxie Records, September Gurls, BloodRed Records and Discs, Get Hip, and Pin-Up.
Venues
Surf Trio held performances at notable venues throughout the Northwest including Satyricon, The Blue Gallery, Pine Street Theatre, Starry Night, The Off-Ramp, and W.O.W. Hall. Their live shows extended across cities like Bellingham, Seattle, Portland, Salem, and Eugene. They shared bills with bands such as Stray Cats, the Young Fresh Fellows, and Lyres. The group embarked on tours in Germany in both 1994 and 1997. Additionally, they played three concerts in California: one at Greg Shaw's Cavern Club in Los Angeles during the production of their Voxx LP Almost Summer, and two shows at The Purple Onion in San Francisco.
Continuing to perform within Northwest club circuits, they recorded their final album titled Forbidden Sounds in 1999.
Interregnum
After Aaron Temple’s departure in 1988—he remains a resident of Eugene—the band members pursued other musical ventures including Marble Orchard, the Wicked Ones, the Peppermint Gearshift, A Few Chairs, and the Romaines prior to reuniting in 1994. In 1990, Terrence Kerrigan auditioned for a drumming position with a Los Angeles-based incarnation of the Fuzztones following his exit from the Wicked Ones.
Discography
- The Surf Trio - 7-inch EP, Moxie Records, 1985
- Almost Summer - LP, Voxx Records, 1986
- Safari in a Living Graveyard - LP, Moxie Records, 1989
- "Strychnine" featured on Here AIN'T The Sonics-Tribute Album - LP, Estrus/PopLlama, 1989
- Safari in a Living Graveyard - LP released by Star Records (Canada), 1989; reissued on CD by Blood Red Vinyl & Discs in 1996
- The Surf Trio Unreleased - Moxie Records, 1991
- The Surf Trio - Compilation album by September Gurls Records, 1992
- Surf Trio/Marble Orchard/Wicked Ones Double 7-inch - September Gurls Records, 1993
- Shook Outta Shape - LP/CD via September Gurls Records, 1994
- Steamer/Another Girl, Another Planet - 7-inch single on Pin-Up Records, 1994
- Locked Into Surf Vol. 2 compilation - LP/CD distributed by Alopecia Records, 1994
- Curse of the Surf Trio - LP/CD under Pin-Up Records, 1995
- Hang 10/Mile Zero - 7-inch release from Blood Red Vinyl, 1995
- King of Cool/Salt Bath - 7-inch single issued by Roto Records in 1996
- Splitsville split CD with Psychotic Youth - Wolverine/Pin-Up Records collaboration from 1996
- Surf Trio/Boss Martians split 7-inch record released by Blood Red Vinyl in 1998
- "Back to My Cave" included on Blood Red Battle Royal compilation Blood Red Vinyl LP/CD from 1998
- "Forbidden Sounds" - LP/CD produced by Dionysus Records/Blood Red Vinyl in 1999
- "Wildcat" featured on Takin' out the Trash: A Tribute to the Trashmen compilation by Double Crown Records in 1999