While many artists and musical styles have emerged from California, it’s likely that none is as synonymous with the sun, sea and sand as surf music. Filled with staccato guitar runs, thundering drums and pounding bass lines, the instrumental genre first made a splash in the early ’60s and has soundtracked the world’s vision of California culture ever since.
High-voltage songs with youthful energy such as “Walk Don’t Run” and “Pipeline” might not seem obvious choices for the “unplugged” treatment; however, it is a natural progression for guitarists Gil Orr and Paul Johnson of The Duo-tones. It helps that both musicians have played with legends of the original ’60s surf scene. Orr was a member of The Chantays, best known for the hit “Pipeline.” Meanwhile, Johnson was a member of The Belairs, penning their 1961 hit “Mr. Moto.” In the ensuing years, he has spent time in a number of highly revered groups, including The Galaxies, Davie Allan and The Arrows and, since 1990, The Surfaris of “Wipe Out” fame.
But Johnson’s main focus is currently The Duo-tones, who make an appearance at the La Jolla Brew House Saturday, March 24. Originally a strictly acoustic proposition, the Duo-tones have added electric guitar to the mix, enabling them to use more effects on a range of instrumental standards, ranging from Herb Alpert’s “The Lonely Bull” to Duane Eddy’s “Ramrod.”
Having spent the last four decades playing surf music, the attraction is obvious, Johnson said.
“Whatever message there is in the song is in the simplicity of the melody,” he explained. “It’s a pure and clean way to express yourself.”
Johnson, though, is incredulous at being considered one of the founding fathers of the movement. “I’ve grown to accept it,” he said with a laugh. “You have to understand that between 1965 and 1980, all of that was considered passé and there was very little interest. We didn’t have any inclination of what we had accomplished.”
The ’80s also saw a short-lived surf revival, and while that failed to attract much of a media spotlight, it set the wheels in motion for today’s surf renaissance. A recent tour of Europe opened Johnson’s eyes to surf music’s effect on a whole new generation.
“It was predominantly young kids in their 20s,” he stated. “They knew everything about the songs and the background information. It was amazing.”
Orr and Johnson are currently working on a third album, but there are plans for a stopgap disc of radio sessions to be released in the interim. In the meantime, Johnson is thrilled with what the duo has already accomplished. He cited The Duo-tones’ appearance the PBS series “A Prairie Home Companion” as a career high point because “it signified we had reached a certain level.” But Johnson’s first brush with fame is still the clear standout.
He has now been playing his hit song “Mr. Moto,” for more than four decades, and still enjoys every second of it.
“I feel a good song keeps growing and changing; it should be open to reinterpretation,” he said. “It’s incredible to think that I wrote something that has stood the test of time like this when I was just a teenager.”
The Duo-tones perform on Saturday, March 28, at 9 p.m., at La Jolla Brew House, 7536 Fay Ave. For more information, visit www.lajollabrewhouse.com.