The Beat Farmers
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | San Diego, California , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
The Beat Farmers emerged as a rock ensemble from San Diego, California, in August 1983. They cultivated a devoted fan base throughout the early 1990s, continuing until the passing of their drummer and occasional lead vocalist, Country Dick Montana. Their sound is an amalgamation of jangle pop, roots rock, hard-edged Americana, country rock, rockabilly, and swamp rock. According to the San Diego Reader, their style combines elements reminiscent of Bo Diddley, CCR, Joe South, and the Yardbirds infused with unrefined vigor. As of 2024, Jerry Raney, Joey Harris, Joel Kmak, and Rollie Love remain active, performing across San Diego and the Southwestern United States.
Formation
The inception of The Beat Farmers dates back to 1983 when drummer Country Dick Montana, previously part of San Diego outfits The Penetrators and The Crawdaddys, joined forces with Jerry Raney, a singer and guitarist known for his work with The Shames and the 1970s psychedelic group Glory. The lineup was completed by singer-guitarist Bernard "Buddy Blue" Seigal and bassist Rolle Love, both formerly members of the local rockabilly band The Rockin' Roulettes. The band frequently performed near San Diego State University and gained regional recognition by winning the 1984 San Diego Battle of the Bands, which expanded their influence throughout Southern California.
Prior to forming The Beat Farmers, Country Dick Montana led a precursor band named Country Dick & the Snuggle Bunnies. This group included prominent San Diego musicians who later played significant roles in shaping both The Beat Farmers and the neo-traditional country/cowpunk movements. Its members were McLain (drums/vocals), Richard Banke (known as Skid Roper, mandolin/washboard/vocals), Robin Jackson (guitar/vocals), Paul Kamanski (guitar/vocals), Joey Harris (guitar/vocals), and Nino Del Pesco (bass/vocals).
Eventually, Joey Harris took over Buddy Blue’s position in The Beat Farmers; Paul Kamanski contributed as a songwriter; Richard Banke collaborated with artist Mojo Nixon; and Nino Del Pesco went on to establish The Lonesome Strangers and Snake Farm alongside other notable musicians.
History
The band entered into a one-time record deal with Rhino Records in 1984. Their first album, Tales of the New West, came out in January 1985 and was produced by Steve Berlin, known for his work with Blasters and Los Lobos. This debut included covers such as Bruce Springsteen's "Reason to Believe" and featured their most recognized song, "Happy Boy," which gained nationwide attention through the Doctor Demento radio program and various FM stations, notably San Diego's KGB-FM and Pittsburgh's WDVE.
In 1985, the group recorded a six-track EP titled Glad 'N' Greasy for Demon Records in the UK. This project was co-produced by Graham Parker and Bob Andrews, and showcased collaborations with musicians like Dave Alvin and Nick Lowe. Following this, their UK tour received positive reviews, with Melody Maker drawing parallels to The Beatles.
After rigorous touring by 1986, the band secured a seven-album contract with Curb Records. However, dissatisfaction with the label led to founding member Buddy Blue’s departure. Their first release under the major label, Van Go, produced by Craig Leon, included performances from both Blue and newcomer Joey Harris, who had previously worked with John Stewart among others.
The 1987 album The Pursuit of Happiness was launched through Curb/MCA. Its single "Make It Last" briefly penetrated country radio but was soon dropped due to the album’s rock style. Songs like "Hideaway" were featured on the soundtrack of Major League, while "Big Big Man" appeared in The Garbage Pail Kids Movie. The 1989 release Poor & Famous contained "King of Sleaze," a track co-written by Montana and Mojo Nixon. That same year, Montana and Harris collaborated with Nixon and Alvin on the lounge music side project Pleasure Barons. The band ended 1989 with a three-night engagement at San Diego’s Bacchannal nightclub; these shows were later issued as Loud and Plowed and . . . LIVE!! in 1990.
In 1991, Montana received treatment for thyroid cancer. The band made an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman on June 14 of that year.
Growing unhappy with their contract, the band left Curb Records in 1993 and began recording Viking Lullabys in Vancouver. Released in August 1994 through Austin-based Sector 2, this album marked a new independent chapter for the group. In 1995, Curb/MCA released an unauthorized compilation titled The Best of the Beat Farmers. That same year saw the release of Manifold, their second album on Sector 2, which introduced Paul Kamanski on vocals and guitar.
Death of Country Dick Montana
On November 8, 1995, Country Dick Montana suffered a fatal heart attack while performing "The Girl I Almost Married" at the Longhorn Saloon in Whistler, British Columbia. The remaining members disbanded three days following his passing.
In 1996, Bar None Records issued Montana’s solo album posthumously, titled The Devil Lied to Me. The record featured contributions from members of the Farmers along with artists such as Katy Moffatt, Rosie Flores, Mojo Nixon, and Dave Alvin.
Post-Country Dick Era Activities
In 2002, Rhino Records undertook a digital remastering and reissued the initial CD version of Glad n' Greasy, labeled as "The Lost Beat Farmers Recording," alongside an expanded edition of Tales of the New West.
Following this period, the surviving band members established several new musical projects, including Raney-Blue (featuring Jerry Raney and Buddy Blue), Powerthud (Jerry Raney with Joey Harris), The Joey Show (Joey Harris), Joey Harris and The Mentals, The Flying Putos (Jerry Raney, Buddy Blue, and Rolle Love), as well as The Farmers (Jerry Raney, Rolle Love, and Buddy Blue).
On April 2, 2006, Buddy Blue passed away from a heart attack at his residence in La Mesa, California, at the age of 48. That same year witnessed the release of The Beat Farmers Live at the Spring Valley Inn, 1983 through Clarence Records.
Starting in January 2010, the Beat Farmers have hosted an annual Hootenanny event at the Belly Up Tavern located in Solana Beach, California. These gatherings feature performances by Jerry Raney, Joey Harris, Rollie Love, and drummer Joel Kmak, alongside their respective bands and guest musicians such as Dave Alvin and Mojo Nixon. The event serves as a tribute to Country Dick Montana and Buddy Blue.
On February 26, 2022, the Beat Farmers appeared on the Outlaw Country Cruise, delivering additional sets and participating in a jam session with the Warner Hodges Band. They are also slated to perform on the West Coast Outlaw Country Cruise later in 2022.
Band Lineup
- Country Dick Montana (Dan McLain) – drums, guitar, vocals (1983–1995)
- Jerry Raney – guitar, vocals (1983–1995)
- Rolle Dexter Love – bass (1983–1995)
- Buddy Blue (Bernard Seigal) – guitar, vocals, drums (1983–1986)
- Joey Harris – guitar, vocals (1986–1995)
Selected Discography
All releases are U.S. unless otherwise specified
Albums
- Tales of the New West (Rhino / 1985); also distributed in Canada (Rhino) and England (Demon)
- Tales of the New West - Deluxe Edition (Rhino Handmade / 2004)
- Van Go (Curb / 1986); additionally available in Germany, Netherlands, France (Curb), England (MCA), Belgium (Ariloa Benelux); re-released by Curb in 1991
- The Pursuit of Happiness (Curb / 1987); also issued in Germany, Europe, Scandinavia (Curb), Canada (MCA)
- Poor & Famous (Curb / 1989); released additionally in Scandinavia (Sonet), Canada (MCA-Curb)
- Viking Lullabys (Sector 2 / 1994)
- Manifold (Sector 2 / 1995)
Singles and EPs
- Bigger Stones / Lonesome Hound (Rhino RNOR 021 / 1985)
- Bigger Stones / Goldmine (Demon 1031 / 1985) England exclusive
- Glad 'N' Greasy (Rhino / 1986), also issued in England via Demon Records; reissued in 2000 by Edsel Records
- Riverside / Riverside (Curb L33-17127 / 1986) Promotional 12-inch
- Riverside / Powderfinger (Curb INT 112.731 / 1986) Germany exclusive
- Powderfinger / Big Ugly Wheels (MCA 1067 / 1986) England exclusive
- Powderfinger / Big Ugly Wheels, Gun Sale at the Church (MCAT 1067 / 1986) 12" England exclusive
- Riverside / Deceiver, Powderfinger (Curb INT 112.731 / 1986) Germany exclusive 12"
- Dark Light / Dark Light (Curb L33-17356 / 1987) Promotional 12”
- Key To The World / Key To The World, Make It Last (Curb L33-17457 / 1987) Promotional 12”
- Make It Last / Make It Last (MCA-53115 / 1987) Promotional blue vinyl
- Hollywood Hills / Hollywood Hills (Curb L33-17041 / 1987) Promotional 12”
- Hollywood Hills / Ridin' (Curb INT 112.733 / 1987) Germany exclusive
- Hollywood Hills / Ridin', Dark Light (Curb INT 112.733 / 1987) Germany exclusive with various vinyl colors
- The Girl I Almost Married / The Girl I Almost Married (Curb L33-17906 / 1989) Promotional 12”
Promotional Samplers
- Gutter Ball, Vol. I (self-released, 1987) ten-track cassette sold at live performances
- Beat Farmers Sampler (Curb, 1991) promotional eight-track cassette with custom packaging
Soundtrack Contributions
- Rad (Curb, 1986): features "Riverside"
- Garbage Pail Kids (Curb, 1987): includes "Key To The World" and "Big Big Man"
- Teen Wolf Too (Curb, 1987): contains "Deceiver"
- Major League (Curb, 1989): features "Hideaway"
Live Recordings and Compilations
- Loud and Plowed and . . . LIVE!! (Curb, 1990), also released in Europe via Warner Strategic Marketing
- Best of the Beat Farmers (Curb, 1995)
- Live at the Spring Valley Inn, 1983 (Clarence, 2003)
- Heading North 53 N° 8° E: Live In Bremen (MIG Music, 2016)
- Live From London (The Store For Music Ltd., 2016)
Appearances
- Between 1984 and 1998, numerous regional and promotional compilation albums showcased prominent tracks such as Lost Weekend, You Lost a Gold Mine, Reason To Believe, Powderfinger, and Happy Boy, released by labels including Rhino, Demon Records, MCA, and BMG.
- The band's music also appeared in niche releases like complimentary British music magazines and compilations from local radio stations.
- Their songs reached international audiences across markets including the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Australasia.
Media occurrences of music
- The track Happy Boy receives regular airplay on Pittsburgh’s WDVE every Friday at 3 PM ET, as well as on WRKI-FM in Brookfield, Connecticut at 5 PM ET on Fridays.
- Film placements include Happy Boy featured in *Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd* (2003) and *Pecker* (1998); Riverside appearing in *Rad* (1986) and a Budweiser radio commercial with a Montana narration; Hideaway used in *Major League* (1989); both Big Big Man and Key to the World in *The Garbage Pail Kids Movie*; and Deceiver included in *Teen Wolf Too.*
- Tracks such as Baby's Liquored Up, Gettin' Drunk, and Big Ugly Wheels were incorporated into video games like *Redneck Rampage* and television series including *Booker*, a spin-off of *21 Jump Street*.
- At Alaska Goldpanners baseball games, Happy Boy is traditionally played during the seventh-inning stretch.