The Mermen

The Mermen
Origin San Francisco, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Genres Rock, surf rock
Years active 1989–present
Labels Mesa Blue Moon (Atlantic), Kelptone Records
Associated acts The Shitones
Website www.mermen.net
Members Jim Thomas (rock musician)
Jennifer Burnes (producer/bassist/kissmyassrecords.com)
Allen Whitman (bassist)
Martyn Jones (musician)
Past members

Jennifer Burnes, 2000-present
Vince Littleton, 2000-2002
Prairie Prince, 1998-present (alt)
Randy Clark, 1999-2000

Mike Silverman, 1999-2000

The Mermen are an American rock band from San Francisco, California that formed in 1989.[1][2] They have since moved to Santa Cruz, California. The group's sound was originally rooted in surf and psychedelic rock music of the 1960s, although they have made "sincere attempts to get away from the surf music label"[3] and currently delve into many genres, mainly influenced by the band's founder, songwriter and guitarist Jim Thomas' modern melodic visions. The band's music is entirely instrumental and "does a good job of defying description".[3] In concert, the Mermen almost always performs as a trio: electric guitar, electric bass, and drums. They were featured in the soundtrack of the popular Sony PlayStation video game Road Rash 3D and have contributed music for films as well.

Their 2010 album, In God We Trust, was their first release in a decade and followed in December 2012 by their first full-length Christmas release, "Do You Hear What I Hear - A Very MERMEN Christmas".

Thomas also fronts The Shitones, an associated band that features some of the same personnel. While Mermen feature Thomas's original compositions almost exclusively, the Shitones are a cover band that emphasizes instrumental rock hits of the 1950s and '60s by the likes of Link Wray and The Ventures, along with instrumental versions of songs by Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and others.

Albums

References

  1. ↑ Roos, John (1996-05-02). "O.C. LIVE; Riding the Next Wage?; Mermen add a spacey guitar psychedelia and an aggressive, punkish tone to venerable surf music". Los Angeles Times (Orange County ed.). p. F2. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  2. ↑ "The Amazing California Health and Happiness Road Show" Pop Matters. Retrieved 2015-8-8.
  3. 1 2 McDonald, Steven. "Biography of Mermen". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 January 2011.

Live shows

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