The El Caminos

The El Caminos are a Japanese surf music band who were formed in the 1990s. They had an album that charted in the late 1990s.

The El Caminos
OriginKobe, Japan
GenresSurf music
Years active1994 to present
LabelsSexcite Records, Del-Fi, Green Cookie Records
Associated actsThe L.S.D.s.
Websitehttp://poison.kiss.ac
MembersEddie Ugata
Past membersEddie Ugata
Ritchi Kohda
Aki Mai
Bingo Matsumoto

Background

They have been described as a band that peruses the sounds of surf music from the 1960s without limits.[1] They were formed in Japan by Eddie Ugata of the L.S.D.s. Ugata who is said to be authority on 1960s surf music and vintage guitar collector formed The El Cominos in 1994 out of what remained of his previous group. They did quite well on the Kansai garage scene and debuted with Knock 'Em Out.[2] The group is made up of both male and female musicians.[3] Described as Japanese surf freaks, their surf guitar album, Reverb Explosion! was their first release in the US.[4][5] Fronted by Eddie Ugata on rhythm guitar, they were discovered by Bob Keene of Del-Fi Records.[6] As of 1997, they were only using Fender, Danelectro, and Vox guitars. The amps were Fender as well.[7] Their material has been described as mostly classic oldies with some originals thrown in. "Rolling Sushi" is one of them.[8] They had a #1 on a US college chart.[9]

Career

1990s

In 1996, they released their second album Surfer's Lounge, which managed to get the attention of overseas surf fans.[10] It was reported in the July 26, 1997 issue of Billboard that the El Cominos, Del-Fi's latest surf music catalogue addition were to have their Reverb Explosion! album released on the 5th the following month.[11] By August 29, the album had dropped from its position of 13 to 28 on the Gavin College chart.[12] By September 5, the album was down to 32.[13] In October, it was at #65 on the Top 75 Alternative Airplay chart.[14] It peaked at #12 on the CMJ Core Radio chart.[15]

2000s

In 2006 their album Beatrama was released on the Vivid Sound label.[16] In June, 2016, they played the Surfer Joe Summer Festival, appearing on the Tiki Stage.[17] Also that year, the compilation album, Complete Sexcite Works was released. It contained their albums, Knock ‘Em Out and Surfers Lounge, both released on the Sexcite Records label. It also included two bonus tracks.[18] Another album was released that year. This time on the Green Cookie Records label. The mostly instrumental album Behind the Surf was made up of unreleased recordings, and included five alternative versions. Among the songs were covers of "Gandy Dancer" by The Ventures, "Our Favorite Martian" by Bobby Fuller & the Fanatics, "Shock Wave" by Zorba & the Greeks, "Bikini Drag" by The Pyramids, and "Rebel Rouser" by Duane Eddy.[19] In August, 2017, they played at the Tiki Oasis festival, appearing on the Lanai Stage at the Grand Hanalei Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza.[20] Just prior to the festival they played at the Longboard Margarita Bar in Pacifica, CA with SF Bay surf group, The Mach IV which once included Hot Tuna drummer Shigemi Komiyama.[21]

Discography
Albums
Act Title Catalogue Year Notes #
The El Caminos Knock 'Em Out Sexcite Records ALCA-5044 1995
The El Caminos Surfers' Lounge Sexcite Records ALCA-5072 1996
The El Caminos Reverb Explosion! Del-Fi DFCD 71260 1997
The El Caminos Beatrama Del-Fi EFST-1006 2006
The El Caminos The Complete Sexcite Works Clinck Records CRCD5077 2013 Compilation
The El Caminos Behind The Surf Green Cookie Records GC054/SE004 2016

References
  1. 2017 Tiki Oasis Program, August 7, 2017 - Page 14 MUSIC & MAYHEM
  2. Brown Paper Tickets - The El Caminos (Japan), The Mach IV - Pre-TIKI OASIS Surf Party!
  3. Blue Suede News, Volumes 37-45 - Page 46 The El Caminos / Reverb Explosion!
  4. Audio, Volume 81, Issues 7-12 - Page 110
  5. Option, Page 100
  6. Audio, Volume 81, Issues 7-12 - Page 110
  7. Audio, November, 1997 - Page 110 The El Caminos
  8. Flipside, Number 118 May/June 1999 - Page 22 No Car Garage
  9. TEDxTokyo - Eddie Ugata, Pop Culture Expert and Musician
  10. Coastside Buzz, July 25, 2017 - The El Caminos (Japan), The Mach IV – Pre-TIKI OASIS Surf Party!
  11. Billboard, July 26, 1997 - Page 60 Independents
  12. Gavin, Issue 2170 August 29, 1997 - Page 23 Gavin College
  13. Gavin, Issue 2171 September 5, 1997 - Page 46 Gavin College
  14. CMJ New Music Monthly, October, 1997 - Page 71 top 75 alternative radio airplay
  15. CMJ New Music Report, September 8, 1997 - Page 9 CORE RADIO
  16. AllMusic - The El Caminos, Beatrama
  17. KFJC 89.7FM - Livorno surf festival day 1
    Friday 17 June 2016 9:29am to 4:20pm
  18. KFJC 89.7FM, 11/5/2016 - El Caminos, The – “Complete Sexcite Works” – (Columbia Publishing Ltd.) - Cousin Mary
  19. Boppin' Around, 29 december 2016 - OUT NOW! CD Recensies BEHIND THE SURF/ THE EL CAMINOS
  20. Tiki Oasis Presents Program & Schedule - Page 34 THURSDAY SCHEDULE
  21. Coastside Buzz, July 25, 2017 - The El Caminos (Japan), The Mach IV – Pre-TIKI OASIS Surf Party!
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