Turtle Tales - The Origin of Mach TurtleW hen people the world over think of California, the first thought that comes to mind is the beach and its lifestyle - the clothing, the language, and the sport that is most often associated with California.....surfing. And surfing has something that no other sport in the world has.....its own music! The instrumental music that had its origins in the late 50's and early 60's as the backdrop of countless surfing films, is heard today in innumerable commercials, film soundtracks and TV shows. And whenever Southern California is alluded to on a game show or Tv sequence, most likely you will hear surf music as the indigenous representation of the California Dream. Lately it seems that more than ever.... surf music is everywhere and back with a vengeance. It never really went away. It just existed in smaller pockets until a major resurgence, such as in the 80's with bands like JON & THE NIGHTRIDERS , the HALIBUTS and the INSECT SURFERS (all of whom are thriving today). In recent years, the wide popularity of the film Pulp Fiction brought with it the searing surf sounds of DICK DALE 's classic Miserlou, the LIVELY ONES ' Surfrider, the TORNADOES' Bustin' Surfboards and other recognizable surf gems. The soundtrack sold well and was in the Billboard Top 20 for weeks! There have been numerous articles on this renewed phenomenon, everywhere from the LA Times to making the cover story of Guitar Player magazine! Currently, there are hundreds of surf bands from California to Croatia. It is not unusual for me to add three bands a day to my ever growing surf and instro band list! And they're not just playing small clubs or luaus anymore. The well known Finnish band LAIKA & THE COSMONAUTS have been signed to Warner Bros., THE BLUE HAWAIIANS have just been signed by Interscope and toured nationally with BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY and those masked marvels LOS STRAITJACKETS opened for TOM PETTY on both his '96 and '99 tours. MACH TURTLE PRODUCTIONS was originally started as a computer graphics company in 1995 by Don Murray , original drummer for the 60's surf band, the CROSSFIRES (who later became world famous as the TURTLES in 1965) and who then spent 15 years with another world renown band, the SURFARIS (Wipe Out). Tragically, Don passed away in March of '96 and the benefit concert held in his honor known as A Surfer's Paradise, was the largest gathering of surf bands ever in one venue, featuring some of its most well known groups such as the CHANTAYS , the BEL AIRS, the TORNADOES, the LIVELY ONES, DAVIE ALLAN & the ARROWS, THOM STARR & the GALAXIES, and of course, the SURFARIS . Plus an amazing array of bands from surf's more recent wave, the INSECT SURFERS , the HALIBUTS , the ELIMINATORS, the SURF KINGS and the critically acclaimed MERMEN from San Francisco. It was the concert all others in the genre are judged by and I was tremendously honored. My richest resource and solace turned out to be this community of musicians and aficionados that Don left behind. I was immediately taken underwing by this very unique group of people. I wasn't a graphic artist but I knew I had to keep MACH TURTLE productive and not let it die with Don. Surf music had always been a major influence in his life. It was how he started out on his path as a musician and what he eventually returned to. It seemed only right that his legacy continue in the pursuit of which had given him so much joy and acclaim. MACH TURTLE PRODUCTIONS is now one of the only booking entities that specializes in surf music. Everything from the totally traditional "wet" reverb sound to the more progressive, almost psychedelic sound often called ocean music by surf purists. There are even more sub genres like space surf, spy surf and horror surf. For your venue or corporate party themes, there is a band to fill that niche. They are all unique and have something different to offer, but one thing is certain....this music will keep you smiling and dancing.... and it will always be around! 
Jamie Murray Home to Mach Turtle 
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