The Belair Bandits
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The Belair Bandits

Huntington Beach, California, United States | SELF | AFM

Huntington Beach, California, United States | SELF | AFM
Band Rock Cover Band

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Belair Bandits Baked Goods Album"

http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/window/media/page/0,,2847292-5791643,00.html - Artist Direct


"The Ricky Lewis Band-"

Ricky Lewis may be best known as the long time virtuoso guitarist for surf music pioneers the Chantays (“Pipeline”) but those with more than a casual knowledge about Southern rock know him for his role in Bull, a group that was among Indie’s first success stories, touring with acts such as Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot during the late 70’s.

The sound featured on “Songs for the New Depression” (Ricky’s current CD) is closer to Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band than Lewis’ which is the result of his eclectic taste in music and his strong skills as a songwriter.

The Ricky Lewis Band has been playing select live shows (including opening for the legendary John Hammond and Billy Vera & the Beaters at the Coach House) as well as using its website and FM radio airplay (KLOS 95.5) to win new fans.

- The Orange County Register


Discography

Baked Goods - 2001
How We Spent Our Summer Vacations - 1991
Silver Summer - 1985
Belair Bandits EP - 1982
One Summer Night - 1981

Photos

Bio

Since 1980, The Belair Bandits have been pleasing audiences worldwide with their top-notch performances of Surf, Pop, Classic Rock, R&B, Country, and Blues hits. With smokin' guitar licks and non-stop burnin' energy, the Belair Bandits are California's Hottest surf and pop band!
Tour highlights include:

*Two visits to The Republic of China - performances in Bejiing, Shanghai, Guangzhou.

*Two tours as the backing group for the following artists:

David Ruffin of The Temptations (My Girl, Ain't Too Proud to Beg)
Sam Moore of Sam & Dave (Soul Man, Hold On I'm Comin')
Little Anthony (Tears on my Pillow, Hurts So Bad)
The Coasters (Charlie Brown, Poison Ivy)
The Drifters (Under the Boardwalk, On Broadway)
The Classics Four (Spooky, Traces)
The Flamingos (I Only Have Eyes For You)
The Dixie Cups (Chapel of Love)
The Shirelles (Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow)
The Diamonds (Little Darlin')
The Crests (Sixteen Candles)
Brenton Wood (Gimme Little Sign)

*Have performed with, or are currently on call with the following headliners:

Mike Love of the Beach Boys (Surfin' USA, California Girls)
Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean (Surf City, Little Old Lady/Pasadena)
Micky Dolenz of the Monkees (I'm a Believer, Last Train to Clarksville)

*Have played numerous corporate functions, special events, private parties, cruises, and fair and festival engagements across North America.

*The individual members of the Belair Bandits come together from very distinct geographical and musical backgrounds. This diversity of influences allows the group to excel in a wide range of musical styles, including classic rock, pop, blues, R&B, and even the "sunshine music" of the Beach Boys.

Ricky Lewis (guitar/vocals) hails from the South, and is one of the top call LA session players and vocalists for Classic Rock, Country and Blues projects. Ricky blends the guitar skills of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn, with the feel and style of country greats like Chet Atkins, while adding in a dash of Bruce Springsteen and Little Feat for good measure!

Bernie Rubio (drums/vocals) is a veteran player from the California Coast whose true love, other than surfing and boating, is performing live with his mates and feeling the energy from the audience, as well as the band.

Chris Farmer (bass/vocals), founding member of the Belair Bandits, originally hails from the Motown city of Detroit, Michigan. Since relocating to Los Angeles, his musical career has been rich with big name acts. Farmer was the bass player and vocalist for the legendary Beach Boys from 1995 - 2007, and was their musical director and vocal arranger since 1999. In the 90's, he was the musical director, bassist and vocalist for headliner groups Jan & Dean, Good Vibrations - a tribute to The Beach Boys, and Mike Love's California Beach Band. During the 1980's, his projects included musical director/bassist/ vocalist for Jack Wagner, helping propel his hit recording "All I Need" to the number 2 spot on the Billboard charts. Other 80's gigs included music supervisor and bassist for the "Legends of Doo-Wop" and "Cavalcade of Stars" shows, playing behind such greats as Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, David Ruffin of the Temptations, The Drifters, The Diamonds, Al Wilson, Brenton Wood, The Flamingos, and many others of 50's and 60's era. In between Belair Bandits performances, Chris performs with Timothy B. Schmit of the Supergroup the Eagles in support of Timothy's latest CD "Expando."

Long time Belair Bandits members Philip Bardowell (guitar/vocals) and Gary Griffin (keys/vocals) round out the line-up. Born on the island of Jamaica, Philip's unique vocal style is the anchor of the Belair Bandits R&B and classic rock repertoire. As with the other band members, versatility is also Bardowell's strength, as he has toured with such diverse artists as The Beach Boys and was the lead vocalist for Peter Criss and Ace Frehley of the super '70's group KISS.

Gary Griffin (keys/vocals) who hails from the Midwest, is the band's elder statesman as well as producer and recording engineer. His credits include such unique projects as touring with Jan & Dean, the Brian Wilson band, and The Beach Boys, to producing and recording comedians Harry Shearer and Steve Moris, Monkees lead vocalist Micky Dolenz, and Beach Boys lead vocalist Jeffrey Foskett.