While many artists and musical styles have emerged from California, it’s likely that none is held to be 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.
With their high-voltage, youthful energy, songs such as “Walk Don’t Run” and “Pipeline” might not seem to be obvious choices for the “unplugged” treatment. Indeed, an acoustic guitar duo might seem to be light years from both the sound and spirit of surf music.
However, as played by guitarists Gil Orr and Paul Johnson under the name The Duo-tones, it seems like a natural progression. It helps that both musicians in the duo have played with legends of the original ’60s surf scene. Orr has been a member of The Chantays, best known for their 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 & 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 on 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 most of the last four decades playing surf music, for Johnson the attraction is obvious.
“It’s a fact that 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.”
There is renewed interest in surf music once again, but Johnson is a little 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 [inkling] 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 toward releasing 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 highpoint because “it signified we had reached a certain level.” But Johnson’s first brush with fame is still the clear standout.
“I can still remember being a kid, getting ready for school, listening to the radio in 1961,” he said. “And the record was played. That’s a special moment.”
Johnson has been playing his hit song “Mr. Moto,” for more than four decades, and still enjoys every second of it. He continually reinvents the tune, as circumstance dictates.
“I feel a good song keeps growing and changing; it should be open to reinterpretation,” he commented.
It’s noteworthy that he has recorded the song himself several dozen times over the years.
“I’ll never get tired of playing it,” 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 24, 9 p.m., at La Jolla Brew House, 7536 Fay Ave. Tickets are $10-$12.
For more information, visit www.lajollabrewhouse.com.
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