Album Notes

The release of this album is a Christmas present for all true believers in the power of surf rock, and marks the return to the recording studio of the legendary Malibooz! "Malibu Kind Of Christmas," Malibooz' first original Christmas surf music since the 60s, was received with stellar reviews.



Surf Rock

Formed in 1964 by John Zambetti and his high school friend, Walter Egan, The Malibooz has a unique history as an "indie" group -- beginning with their self-released EP, the single "Goin' to Malibu," and a New York World's Fair performance while Zambetti and Egan were still in high school. The team continued to collaborate on projects over the years -- including the Walter Egan Band (known for Egan's hit 1978 single, "Magnet and Steel" -- recently heard on the Boogie Nights soundtrack) and the Johnny Z Band (which released Bring Back the Night on Cypress Records in 1987). John Zambetti and Walter Egan co-produced The Malibooz's first CD release, Malibooz Rule! in 1981, followed by A Malibu Kind of Christmas (1992). [Scott Monahan, who continues to play keyboards for the group, also played with the classic rock band Spirit (another Indiespace artist at http://indiespace.com/spirit)]. The Malibooz's 1999 release, Living Water (The Surfer's Mass), combines two classic forms -- the guitar-based, harmonically-rich genre of surf music and the complicated structure of the traditional mass.

As the heart and soul of the band, John Zambetti and Walter Egan are celebrating 30 years of making music together with this CD. THE MALIBOOZ were born in the halcyon days of surf rock and from the beginning set a course somewhere between the Beach Boys and the Ventures, blending the gnarly gnashing thrash of their Fender guitars with ethereal dreamy vocal harmonies and soaring falsettos. They delighted an international audience in two performances at the New York World's Fair. Later in college, the band caught on in Washington, D.C. while attending Georgetown University. It was a special and turbulent time-- they were classmates with a well-known sax player, President Bill Clinton. Before releasing the record they called "what would be the best Beach Boys album since Surf's Up, if the Beach Boys had recorded it," (MALIBOOZ RULE!), Walt made five albums for Columbia Records and had a "million seller" with his recording, "Magnet &Steel." The Johnny Z Band released a solo album on Cypress/Polygram records that yielded the single "Bring Back the Night." Now based in Malibu, California, THE MALIBOOZ are back with a lineup including Walter Egan and John Zambetti on guitars and lead vocals; Scott Monahan on keyboards and vocals; David Chamberlain on bass and Teddy Zambetti on drums.