The Trashmen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Trashmen

The Trashmen were a rock and roll band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1962. The group's lineup was Tony Andreason on lead guitar and vocals, Dal Winslow on guitar and vocals, Steve Wahrer on drums and vocals, and Bob Reed on bass guitar. The group played surf rock which included many elements from garage rock.

[edit] "Surfin' Bird"

The Trashmen's major notable hit was 1963's "Surfin' Bird", which reached #4 on the Billboard charts in the latter part of that year. The song was a combination of two R&B hits by The Rivingtons, "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" and "The Bird's the Word". The earliest pressings of the single credit the Trashmen as composers, but following a threat from their legal counsel The Rivingtons were subsequently credited as composers. The track proved to be extremely catchy, sometimes referred to as an earworm. It was later covered by many artists, including the Ramones, The Cramps, Beach Boys, Pee-Wee Herman, and even the thrash band Sodom. It has been used in several movies and television shows (such as well-known scenes in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket and John Waters' Pink Flamingos). It is featured in the soundtrack in the game Battlefield Vietnam.

[edit] Later history

The Trashmen went on to have 5 other hit singles on the charts; they would be prolific enough to later release a 4-CD box set of their work.

The group disbanded in 1967 but reunited in the 1980s, they played together until the death of Steve Wahrer, who died of cancer in 1989. Tony's brother, Mark Andreason filled Steve's shoes as drummer. In 1999, The Trashmen played in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Las Vegas Grind to a full house. They are reuniting to play select gigs.