Gentleman Surfer is a Sacramento experimental/progressive rock band, repeatedly described as a local act, known for a largely instrumental, technically intricate sound spanning math rock, jazz fusion and prog.[1][2] By 2016 the group was a four-piece that had been "touring and playing locally for many years."[2] According to their Bandcamp biography, the band was born in 2006.[3]
At a glance
- Local Sacramento band; called "local progressive rock band" and a "Sacramento Experimental Rock Quartet."[1][2]
- Founded 2006 in Sacramento, CA.[3]
- 2016 lineup: Jon Bafus, Drew Walker, Barry McDaniel and Zack Bissell.[2]
- Mostly instrumental sound blending math rock, jazz fusion and experimental/prog.[1][2]
- Albums covered by Submerge: Gold Man (2015) and Reanimate Ore (2016).[1][2]
- Submerge ran a feature story on the band in early 2013.[2]
Origin and local status
Gentleman Surfer is consistently identified as a Sacramento band. Submerge called them a "local progressive rock band" and "the rad local band Gentleman Surfer," and described their 2016 album as the work of a "Sacramento Experimental Rock Quartet" whose "sound is unlike anything else out of Sacramento."[4][1][2] These explicit hometown cues make their local status unambiguous. Their Bandcamp biography confirms they were born in 2006 and hail from Sacramento, CA.[3]
Members
As of the 2016 Reanimate Ore release, the band was a four-piece made up of Jon Bafus, Drew Walker, Barry McDaniel and Zack Bissell.[2] Submerge characterized them as technically skilled musicians who "can start and stop together on a dime."[2]
The Gold Man (2015) album lineup was Jon Bafus (drums, vocals, additional keys), Zack Bissell (keyboards, vocals), Barry McDaniel (guitar, vocals, additional bass), and Drew Walker (bass, vocals).[5] For Hard Pass (2018), Blake Armstrong replaced Drew Walker on bass.[6]
Member Drew Walker is active across the local scene: he served as the sound engineer who recorded the Sac Go Home Fest live compilation and runs his own project DoofyDoo.[4] After the 2017 death of longtime Harlow's soundman John Carlson, Walker, credited as a member of Gentleman Surfer, said Carlson had mentored the band, listened to their music and offered advice.[7]
Sound
The band's music is described as mostly instrumental, "explosive and disjointed, yet very, very danceable," and "excellent music to freak out to."[2] Coverage emphasizes extended jams, unpredictable but seamless time-signature changes and unusual tones from guitars and keys, with reference points drawn to prog acts such as Primus, Rush, Yes and Mars Volta.[1] Submerge grouped them among Sacramento's notable "weird" groups alongside Tera Melos, Instagon, Pregnant and Appetite.[1]
Releases
- BLALKS (2013) — released February 22, 2013. Recorded in August 2012 by Eric Ruud and mastered by Rob Jackson at Cave Dweller Audio. Guest drummer Teddy Briggs played drums on the track "Won Too."[8]
- Gold Man (2015) — described as one of the best "weird" records out of Sacramento in a while, with the closing track "Easy But Knot."[1] Recorded by Blake Armstrong, Ira Skinner, and Gentleman Surfer in Sacramento, CA across 2014–2015; mixed by Blake Armstrong; mastered by Eric Ruud.[5]
- Reanimate Ore (2016) — a nine-track instrumental album on which Submerge said the band played "tighter than ever."[2]
- Hard Pass (2018) — the fourth full-length album by Gentleman Surfer, released October 5, 2018 on Geomancy Records.[6] Recorded by Patrick Hills at Earthtone Recording Company in Sacramento, CA in October 2017 and mastered May 2018. Issued as a limited 12" vinyl (100 copies) and limited cassette (100 copies).[6]
- Point Bag EP (2019) — originally recorded as an exclusive offering for the band's 2019 Japan tour and initially released as a limited 50-disc Japan-only CD titled nihon ni iru tomodachi (meaning "friends in Japan"). Later remixed and released globally.[3]
Notable shows
- Jan. 21, 2012 — performed at the Verge Center for the Arts "Verge Ahead" success party alongside Ganglians, Fine Steps, MOM, Christine Shields, DJ Scott Soriano and DJ Hailey.[9]
- July 24, 2015 — Gold Man album release show at Hideaway Bar and Grill, performing the album in its entirety, with an opening set from Buff Clout and DJ sets by band members.[1]
- Nov. 12, 2016 — Reanimate Ore release show at The Red Museum in Sacramento, with locals Battle Hag and Oakland's Inner Ear Brigade.[2]
- 2019 — Japan tour, during which the band released the limited CD nihon ni iru tomodachi.[3]
Scene relationships
Gentleman Surfer is woven into Sacramento's experimental music community: they shared the Verge Center for the Arts party bill with Ganglians and others,[9] and member Drew Walker's compilation work tied the band to the Witch Room venue and a broad roster of local acts.[4] The band also had a connection to Harlow's soundman John Carlson, whom Walker credited as a mentor.[7]