Biography
Los Angeles outfit the Bomboras ranked among the foremost and most influential acts tied to the 1990s surf rock revival while also standing out for their elaborate stage presence. Debuting on the 1995 album Savage Island, they went on to issue multiple standout records during that span, among them the 1997 effort It Came from Pier 13, before disbanding in 2000.
The group came together in 1994 when bassist Pam Moore, who already fronted a project bearing the Bomboras name, joined forces with organist Jake Cavaliere, guitarist Gregg Hunt, and drummer Dave Klein—three musicians previously active in the Finks under the banner Lord Hunt & His Missing Finks—plus guitarist Gina Brune. They adopted the moniker from a well-known surf instrumental by the Original Surfaris and fused an “intoxicating surf & garage combo” sound that drew on rapid, distorted 1960s instrumentals by the Deadly Ones, the Ventures, the Astronauts, and similar outfits, blending those influences with Tiki culture, hot rod imagery, and punk-driven energy. Their performances, frequently augmented by topless go-go dancers and marked by flamboyant antics, quickly turned legendary on the L.A. club circuit; the members routinely took the stage in Halloween masks, Borneo-headhunter garb, or glowing Day of the Dead skeleton costumes topped with oversized black-lit sombreros. Sets often concluded with the ritual burning of vintage equipment, and Cavaliere periodically spewed fire above the audience in the style of Gene Simmons. Local fire officials repeatedly tried to halt the shows or threatened fines against venue owners who permitted the pyrotechnics, though the band sometimes ignored their assurances and ignited the gear anyway.
After Moore and Brune departed, Andy Rasmussen took over on bass. Dionysus Records noticed the group, signed them, and put out several albums in the ensuing years. Their inaugural release, Savage Island, was tracked in two days on a $200 budget. The Burbank indie subsequently compiled a series of 7-inch singles into the 1996 collection Swingin’ Singles. Shane “Showman” Van Dyke stepped in for Rasmussen while Von Franco became the second guitarist; both Franco and his successor Johnny DeVilla appeared on the follow-up album It Came from Pier 13. The label also issued the 1996 10-inch EP Organ Grinder, later reissued on CD in 1998 with six additional live cuts captured at the storied Los Angeles venue Jabberjaw. The Bomboras contributed tracks to various-artists compilations, including a Ventures tribute and Del-Fi’s Surf Monsters: Past, Present & Future Surf Classics.
During summer 1997 the band signed with Rob Zombie’s freshly launched Zombie a Go-Go imprint, distributed through Geffen. They recorded Head Shrinkin’ Fun in a single week beginning in August 1997, yet the album did not reach stores until June 1998 because Universal’s acquisition of Geffen and other labels postponed its release. By 2000 the members chose to disband. Klein and Van Dyke devoted themselves fully to their long-running side project the Invisible Men, later recruiting guitarist Gregg Hunt, while Cavaliere started the Lords of Altamont. The Bomboras reunited for a New Year’s Eve show in 2007 and played Wild’O Fest in Mexico City in 2018.
The group came together in 1994 when bassist Pam Moore, who already fronted a project bearing the Bomboras name, joined forces with organist Jake Cavaliere, guitarist Gregg Hunt, and drummer Dave Klein—three musicians previously active in the Finks under the banner Lord Hunt & His Missing Finks—plus guitarist Gina Brune. They adopted the moniker from a well-known surf instrumental by the Original Surfaris and fused an “intoxicating surf & garage combo” sound that drew on rapid, distorted 1960s instrumentals by the Deadly Ones, the Ventures, the Astronauts, and similar outfits, blending those influences with Tiki culture, hot rod imagery, and punk-driven energy. Their performances, frequently augmented by topless go-go dancers and marked by flamboyant antics, quickly turned legendary on the L.A. club circuit; the members routinely took the stage in Halloween masks, Borneo-headhunter garb, or glowing Day of the Dead skeleton costumes topped with oversized black-lit sombreros. Sets often concluded with the ritual burning of vintage equipment, and Cavaliere periodically spewed fire above the audience in the style of Gene Simmons. Local fire officials repeatedly tried to halt the shows or threatened fines against venue owners who permitted the pyrotechnics, though the band sometimes ignored their assurances and ignited the gear anyway.
After Moore and Brune departed, Andy Rasmussen took over on bass. Dionysus Records noticed the group, signed them, and put out several albums in the ensuing years. Their inaugural release, Savage Island, was tracked in two days on a $200 budget. The Burbank indie subsequently compiled a series of 7-inch singles into the 1996 collection Swingin’ Singles. Shane “Showman” Van Dyke stepped in for Rasmussen while Von Franco became the second guitarist; both Franco and his successor Johnny DeVilla appeared on the follow-up album It Came from Pier 13. The label also issued the 1996 10-inch EP Organ Grinder, later reissued on CD in 1998 with six additional live cuts captured at the storied Los Angeles venue Jabberjaw. The Bomboras contributed tracks to various-artists compilations, including a Ventures tribute and Del-Fi’s Surf Monsters: Past, Present & Future Surf Classics.
During summer 1997 the band signed with Rob Zombie’s freshly launched Zombie a Go-Go imprint, distributed through Geffen. They recorded Head Shrinkin’ Fun in a single week beginning in August 1997, yet the album did not reach stores until June 1998 because Universal’s acquisition of Geffen and other labels postponed its release. By 2000 the members chose to disband. Klein and Van Dyke devoted themselves fully to their long-running side project the Invisible Men, later recruiting guitarist Gregg Hunt, while Cavaliere started the Lords of Altamont. The Bomboras reunited for a New Year’s Eve show in 2007 and played Wild’O Fest in Mexico City in 2018.
Albums
Songs From Beyond!
2023
The Return of The Up Up Sound
2021
Head Shrinkin' Fun
1998
Organ Grinder
1997
Swingin' Singles
1996
Savage Island!
1995
Singles
