Splashback

Splashback was formed in 1993 and evolved from initially playing traditional instrumental surf music into producing fresh original tunes and unique arrangements of classics. The individual musicians as true performers bring together different styles from their musical backgrounds to focus on this particular genre, and the result is loosely dubbed contemporary vintage. Dana Vincent starts out the lineup for Splashback on guitar. Dana Vincent began playing guitar seriously in the early '60s, when surf music was in its infancy. Starting off by learning songs by the Ventures and Shadows, he played in his first band while in Pakistan courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. Despite later excursions into the world of hard rock and folk rock, Vincent retained his love for instrumental surf music, particularly the guitar dominant tunes with heavy doses of reverb and tremelo. After several years of watching his Stratocaster collect dust, he decided it was now or never, forming Splashback in March 1993. Although initially conceived as a traditional instrumental surf band, the sound of the band has evolved into a more modern sound, bringing the influences of many different types of rock music together to focus on a particular genre. Bill Epps is on second guitar for Splashback. He got his first guitar in 1960 when groups like the Ventures, Fireballs, and Duane Eddy were on the charts and on the radio. In 1961, a new style of rock & roll instrumental began to emerge which the kids were calling surf music. Epps got his first taste of this music when he went to see Dick Dale and the Del-tones at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. After that show, he was hooked. He began taking guitar lessons by going to watch the players in the many local surf bands that began springing up around Southern California. Epps' first band, the Vara-Tones, was active during the height of that first wave of surf music through 1963 to 1965. He has played in many bands since then, but his style always reflects the influence of that incredible phenomenon that came to be known as surf music. Bob McInturff on bass guitar, joined Splashback in April 1993. His bass influences came from bands of the late '60s and early '70s. His style is a mix of rock & roll, blues, R&B, and of course, instrumental surf. McInturff has played in various Top 40, country rock, R&B, and original rock bands over a 20 plus year span. Splashback's music allows McInturff to mix the different styles from his background, with the '60s surf guitar sound to lend the songs a stand out quality which is unique, driving, and modern. Steve Kish who rounds out the group on drums, nicknamed "Thumper" by band members, has been playing music since grade school. His parents bought his first drum set when he was in the sixth grade. He took private lessons in both junior high and high school. While in high school, he was involved with the school's marching, symphonic, and jazz bands. Kish started playing guitar in his junior year and bass guitar in his senior year of high school, thus being considered a very versatile musician. Having played in many varied bands in the past, Kish is happy playing instrumental surf with Splashback, combining his talents with those of the other members to put out quality sounding music. Splashback has performed live on KFRC, KYA, and KFJC radio. The band has also been featured on local television and is always on the look out for new opportunities to get in front of the public eye.