Biography
The Fender IV formed in the mid-1960s as the vehicle for cult guitar hero Randy Holden, whose subsequent psychedelic explorations would carry him through the Sons of Adam, the Other Half, and Blue Cheer. Primarily a surf outfit, the group cut two singles for Imperial during 1964 and 1965. On “Mar Gaya” and “Malibu Run,” Holden already displayed a restlessly imaginative approach that pushed beyond the usual boundaries of the surf style. The former track combined staccato picking with swampy reverb in the manner of Dick Dale, while the latter relied on scraping textures and echo to evoke the sea’s darker, unsettled qualities. Although surf’s commercial moment was fading, the band edged toward the British Invasion sound with “You Better Tell Me Now,” an odd yet appealing blend of Merseybeat and surf elements.
“Mar Gaya” later appeared on Rhino’s Guitar Player Presents Legends of Guitar: Surf, Vol. 1. Both sides of the Imperial singles, together with two previously unreleased Fender IV recordings, surface on the Captain Trip compilation Early Works ’64-’66, which also contains seven tracks by Holden’s next group, the Sons of Adam.
“Mar Gaya” later appeared on Rhino’s Guitar Player Presents Legends of Guitar: Surf, Vol. 1. Both sides of the Imperial singles, together with two previously unreleased Fender IV recordings, surface on the Captain Trip compilation Early Works ’64-’66, which also contains seven tracks by Holden’s next group, the Sons of Adam.