The Tarantulas (Randy J. And The Tarantulas)
Encyclopedia
The Tarantulas are a surf guitar band. Formed in 1995 in Orlando, Florida
, the primary members and founders are Randy J
(also known as a film composer) on guitar
and drum
mer Chris Valentino.
In the early 1990s, guitarist Randy J was mainly performing as a solo guitarist at local coffee houses and bars in Orlando. More and more frequently, Chris Valentino, who was already gaining a reputation as an experienced percussionist and jazz drummer, would sit in on drums and the two musicians would improvise on instrumentals for an entire set.
, Link Wray
, Dick Dale
, and The Ventures
. The two musicians found a bassist
, Loran Lea, to round out the band, and the trio began performing as The Tarantulas.
In 1998, Ken Baugh joined The Tarantulas on bass. Ken was already known as a surf guitarist with his own band, the Ten Penny Heroes. The band continued performing shows at the House of Blues in Orlando, opening shows for the legendary Link Wray, and performing shows with The Friends of Dean Martinez and Dick Dale.
The trio released "Monster Wave 100 Feet High" in 1999 followed by "Bandidos De Rojos" in 2000, "The Tarantulas Greatest Hits..or...The Big Sellout" in 2004, and "Don't Murder Anyone...Listen to the Lovebeats" in June 2006.
The 2 later recordings feature surf instrumentals as well as some vocal tracks. They also feature drummer Eddy Barattini, vocalist Kelly Cole, and early Tarantula tracks from the original lineup in the mid-90's.
The band is currently located in Arizona
and is currently working on film projects, recording a new album, and performing live shows.
The Tarantulas is a registered trademark through the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, the primary members and founders are Randy J
Randy J
Randy J is the guitarist and founder of the surf indie pop band The Tarantulas. Born in Orlando, Florida, Randy J moved to Los Angeles in 1987 and shortly thereafter began composing music for film trailers and TV spots...
(also known as a film composer) on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
mer Chris Valentino.
In the early 1990s, guitarist Randy J was mainly performing as a solo guitarist at local coffee houses and bars in Orlando. More and more frequently, Chris Valentino, who was already gaining a reputation as an experienced percussionist and jazz drummer, would sit in on drums and the two musicians would improvise on instrumentals for an entire set.
Early history
The experimental elements of the music gradually became a backdrop for pure traditional surf guitar melodies in the style of The Lively OnesThe Lively Ones
The Lively Ones were an American instrumental surf rock band active in Southern California in the 1960s. They played live mostly in California and Arizona. They recorded for Del-Fi records with production from Bob Keane...
, Link Wray
Link Wray
Fred Lincoln "Link" Wray Jr was an American rock and roll guitarist, songwriter and occasional singer....
, Dick Dale
Dick Dale
Dick Dale is an American surf rock guitarist, known as The King of the Surf Guitar. He experimented with reverberation and made use of custom made Fender amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier.-Early life:Dale was born in South Boston, Massachusetts and lived in nearby...
, and The Ventures
The Ventures
The Ventures is an American instrumental rock band formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington. Founded by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, the group in its various incarnations has had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. With over 100 million records sold, the group is the best-selling...
. The two musicians found a bassist
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Loran Lea, to round out the band, and the trio began performing as The Tarantulas.
In 1998, Ken Baugh joined The Tarantulas on bass. Ken was already known as a surf guitarist with his own band, the Ten Penny Heroes. The band continued performing shows at the House of Blues in Orlando, opening shows for the legendary Link Wray, and performing shows with The Friends of Dean Martinez and Dick Dale.
The trio released "Monster Wave 100 Feet High" in 1999 followed by "Bandidos De Rojos" in 2000, "The Tarantulas Greatest Hits..or...The Big Sellout" in 2004, and "Don't Murder Anyone...Listen to the Lovebeats" in June 2006.
The 2 later recordings feature surf instrumentals as well as some vocal tracks. They also feature drummer Eddy Barattini, vocalist Kelly Cole, and early Tarantula tracks from the original lineup in the mid-90's.
The band is currently located in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and is currently working on film projects, recording a new album, and performing live shows.
The Tarantulas is a registered trademark through the United States Patent and Trademark Office.