The Trashmen: Biography

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• Discography
• Biography
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• The Pyramids
• The Count Five
• The Standells
• Shadows of Knight
• ? & the Mysterians
• Hombres
• The Chocolate Watchband

• The Kingsmen
• The Rivingtons
• Bo Diddley
• Bill Haley
• The Champs
• Chubby Checker
• Little Richard

• Barry & the Remains
• Scientists
• The Mummies
• The Untamed Youth
• Krontjong Devils
• The Stooges
• The Truth Rockets

• Dal Winslow
• Turner Wilson
• Brian Wilson
• J. Harris
• Al Frazier
• Larry LaPole
• Tony Andreason

Formed:

Jan 1, 1962 in Minneapolis, MN

Disbanded:

Jan 1, 1967

Genres:

60s Music, Rock 'N' Roll Oldies Music, Rock Music

Decades Active:

1960's|1980's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

A Minneapolis rock roll band, they evolved from Jim Thaxter the Travelers, recording one single under that name ("Sally Jo"/"Cyclone"). The group comprises Tony Andreason (lead guitar), Dan Winslow (guitar/ vocals), Bob Reed (bass), and Steve Wahrer (drums/vocals). Unfairly depicted as a novelty act, the Trashmen were in actuality a top-notch rock roll combo, enormously popular on the teen-club circuit, playing primarily surf music to a landlocked Minnesota audience. Drummer Steve Wahrer combined two songs by the Rivingtons ("The Bird's the Word" and "Pa Pa Ooh Mow Mow"), added freakish vocal effects and a pounding rhythm to the mix, and, by early 1964, the group was in the Top Ten nationwide with "Surfin' Bird." Though the group continued to release great follow-up singles and an excellent album, their moment in the sun had come and gone; they disbanded by late 1967/early 1968. They re-formed in the mid-'80s and continued to play locally until Wahrer's death. the Trashmen are revered by '60s collectors as one of the great American teen-band combos of all time, their lone hit exemplifying wild, unabashed rock roll at its most demented, bare-bones-basic, lone-E-chord finest.

- Cub Koda, All Music Guide