King Pelican

Story and Photo’s by Joseph Martinez

What can I say about these Guy’s, other than “Surf up Dudes!” Opening up For Dick Dale, The originator of surfer music The King Pelican are a perfect fit. King Pelican will draw you right in playing the classic surfer tune from 60’s. Unfortunately I arrived late at Sam’s burger joint and only able to enjoy two songs play that night. The music was a joy to listen to and a made a vow that to find them. At the “Cove” here in San Antonio, I had that chance. An instrumental rock band, KP play Lots of the classics from the ventures to Johnny Rivers tunes. Are the KP a cover band? Well they do play the classics but, they have a large amount of original songs they love to play. Like cricket, or pelican stumble. It’s the little things that shine about the band. The great was the way both Ernest Hernandez III and Dennis Fallon played the guitars as if one.   Most bands I do story’s on there is a lead and a rhythm guitar.  This doesn’t apply to KP. Seamlessly both guitar players share the fun with the music, blending the lead and rhythm back and forth. Darren Kuper was playing a jazz drum set up and doing a superior job at it. I’m amazed when see a large drum kit and some guy smacking every single thing he can. Just like Ringo Starr. Darren make’s drumming looks simple. It’s far from that. He’s just dam good. Rolling the sticks, producing sounds that you would not believe could be done. Greg Norris was on Bass guitar.  Greg was played slow and easy, then fast and hard and all in between, never skipping a beat. Each of the band members  shows are highly skilled in their craft. I ask Ernest, Q: How did the band got together and when? A: Rather than playing poker on a Monday night. We would play surfer music. We started in 2007 and with its current line up since 2009. We just want to cut loose on stage and have fun playing.   Q: if you would give advice on a new or startup band what would you tell them? A: play every chance you got. Learn the basics then bring something different to the table. Just don’t mimic what you hear. Q: I see you do not use a song list. A: Just for tonight, here at the cove. We try out new materials play old songs that we don’t do too often. Most of the time we use a song list at the gigs. Q: What’s coming up for you guy’s A:  After tying up a few loose ends (art work ect…). We are introducing our new cd at Sam’s burger joint June 22. A new song “BOSS PELICAN” will be on it. Some of the songs that we play are sometime mistaken for classic from the sixties. That’s what we are looking for. That feeling of that an era that has pass by   Just like the #3 Dinners here in San Antonio. This south TEXAS band, The King Pelican has it. The Talent and desire to become the best band they can be. Rock on guys. www.king-pelican.com music@king-pelican.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/King-Pelican/150652407140 https://twitter.com/k_pelican

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