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Growing up in Santa Cruz, California was a laid back experience for The Expendables; surf, skate, party and play music. Since 1997 The Expendables have staked their claim in the California surf rock genre. Blending Reggae, Punk Rock, and 80s style dueling guitar solos has made The Expendables turn heads for years.
Meet the band: Geoff Weers (Guitars and Vocals), Adam Patterson (Drums and Vocals), Raul Bianchi (Lead Guitar) and Ryan DeMars (Bass). Their first release in 2000 No Time To Worry became an instant summer time classic with songs like the dub reggae “Right Time” and their punk rock favorite “Fire Starter”. The band followed up with the release of Open Container in 2001 yielding such songs as the dance friendly “24/7” and iTunes classic “Drift Away”. As the band began to gain respect and recognition regionally, they decided to record their third full-length album, Getting’ Filthy, which included fan favorites and live staples, “Bowl For Two” and “Sacrifice”.
While touring and supporting their album, Getting’ Filthy, The Expendables would share the stage with Slightly Stoopid and catch the attention of founders and front men Kyle McDonald and Miles Doughty. “The Expendables are the best thing to happen to metal since the 80's, the rise of hair metal dub,” comments Stoopid’s guitarist Doughty. In 2007 Slightly Stoopid formed their own independent label, Stoopid Records, and signed The Expendables for the label’s first non-Stoopid release, which was The Expendables self-titled. Released in September 2007, the album received rave reviews fueled by instant classics like rhythm heavy ode to Santa Cruz nightlife, “Down Down Down,” the dueling guitar melodic rock favorite, “War Cry,” and the party anthem, “Let Loose”.
The band continued supporting the album with hundreds of shows over the next two years, gaining fans around the world, and respect from the bands that influenced them. Early 2009 saw The Expendables in the busiest times of their career. Within a few short months The Expendables hit the road with NOFX, Less Than Jake, Pennywise, Pepper, and also found time to fly to Guam for a massive two-night stand in May. In case that was not enough, The Expendables were honored to join 311 on their Summer Unity amphitheater tour, rocking huge stages, opening new doors, and taking the band to a new level.
Despite relentless touring, the band decided idle time was not an option after the conclusion of their tour with 311. The Expendables went straight in to the studio to begin recording their next record. Paul Leary (producer of Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Pepper, Supersuckers and many others) would man the helm at Big Fish Studios in Encinitas, CA during their August recording session. The sessions proved successful, and the band laid down 7 solid tracks as a basis for their forthcoming release.
The future for the band looks bright, and there are many doors to knock down. In November The Expendables will go back to Big Fish Recording studios, this time with punk rock guitarist El Heffe of NOFX fame at the controls. Look for The Expendables on tour in early 2010, rocking towns across the country with their unique blend of reggae and metal. Their highly anticipated 5th album will be released next spring, and will no doubt be a fan favorite, and a stepping stone in the rising success of these down to earth boys from a little surf town called Santa Cruz.
