Biography
The Electric Marmalade was formed in 1980 by, Robin (Rob) Reda on guitar and vocals, with brother, Chris (drums), friend, Andy Alexander (bass) and Riq Worsfold (guitar). Still in high school, they were little more than a garage band from the wrong side of the tracks.
Coming from, Temple City, a suburb of Los Angeles, they soon procured small gigs and volunteered to play at schools for teens with special needs.
They performed under various names including, Budget-Minded Cheapy, a name attributed to their marginal sound system and amplifiers. The quartet began playing high school dances and outdoor parties that attracted increasingly larger crowds.
A buzz started as young partiers, in bigger numbers were drawn to the events. “We’d play ‘til the cops showed up, –riot gear, helicopters. They’d shove us away from the mics or unplug our power,” Reda says.
A performance at a variety show at the 2000 seat, San Gabriel Civic Auditorium proved their crowd was ready to carry on the mayhem. Impressed by the excitement, film industry photographer, Bill La Chasse, offered to manage the band.
La Chasse booked the group at clubs on the Sunset strip including, The Whiskey and Gazzarri’s. The Ice House in Pasadena threatened to ban the group as the gigs usually ended with the police closing down the club, street fights outside and the band locked inside for safety.
In 1984, the group came to the attention of producer, Earle Mankey (Brian Wilson, Sparks, Concrete Blonde) who offered to produce a single. Signed to the small, Daisychain label, they released a single under the name, The Wail, with songs, “45 Degrees (I Love You),” b/w, “Midnight Eyes.”
Shortly after its release, legendary rock and roll D.J., Rodney Bingenhiemer picked up the disk and played it religiously on his show, “Rodney on the ROQ,” at 106.7, KROQ, FM. The single became a hit for the L.A. underground culture. The A side earned the spot of #8 most requested song for 1985 on Bingenhiemer’s show.
Alexander and Worsfold left the group as differences about the band’s direction grew. Bassist, James Barner was recruited. With the addition of a horn section, Mankey arranged to produce an EP, “Black and White,” which received airplay on, KROQ, KSPC, KPCC and various college radio stations.
Then, in 1994, a new lineup: Devin Thomas (Oingo Boingo, Wild Child) on Vox organ, John Sandage (son of astronomer, Alan Sandage) on bass and Alex Velocian (drums.) The new combo released two full-length albums, “The Sable Dawn Ignites,” (1995) and “Jaywalking in Our Sleep” (1999). They toured Southern California and also played events for CALTECH. “We kinda became the official CALTECH party band,” Reda says.
In 2008, the group completed a concept album, “Voyage through the Lava Lamp,” on the Zebra Valance label. With drummer, Dave Beyer, (Melissa Etheridge, Christopher Cross), the album explored new depths of psychedelia and gained listenership on the internet, expanding their fan base.
In 2015, filmmaker Barry Morrow (“Rain Man”) joined in, lending vocals for a new album. They recorded a version of the Disney classic, “Lavender Blue.” Newly added drummer, Bobby Breton (Netflix, ABC, Discovery Channel) also lent a hand. In 2019, the EM released, “Welcome to the Love-in,” which includes the Disney tune.
“Welcome to the Love-in,” explores new turf, rich with sounds effects and spoken word. Morrow’s vocal contributions, lend the album a kind of movie soundtrack feel.
Reda reports, “Love-in” is really a soundtrack for your own love-ins. If we can put anyone on a trip where they feel the vibes of 1969, then we’ve succeeded.
In 2020, Reda recruited his son, Mason (15). With own son onboard, Reda Senior decided to take the band in a new direction, releasing a single of, “Wipeout,” originally recorded by the Surfaris in 1962. “Our version is pretty true to the original hit,” Reda says. “Our idea was to use modern recording methods to give the song hi-fi clarity not possible in ’62.
This new surf sound was taken further with the 2021 release of their latest album to date, “Beach Party.” It includes “Wipeout” plus 9 original surf songs penned by Reda.
The Electric Marmalade was formed in 1980 by, Robin (Rob) Reda on guitar and vocals, with brother, Chris (drums), friend, Andy Alexander (bass) and Riq Worsfold (guitar). Still in high school, they were little more than a garage band from the wrong side of the tracks.
Coming from, Temple City, a suburb of Los Angeles, they soon procured small gigs and volunteered to play at schools for teens with special needs.
They performed under various names including, Budget-Minded Cheapy, a name attributed to their marginal sound system and amplifiers. The quartet began playing high school dances and outdoor parties that attracted increasingly larger crowds.
A buzz started as young partiers, in bigger numbers were drawn to the events. “We’d play ‘til the cops showed up, –riot gear, helicopters. They’d shove us away from the mics or unplug our power,” Reda says.
A performance at a variety show at the 2000 seat, San Gabriel Civic Auditorium proved their crowd was ready to carry on the mayhem. Impressed by the excitement, film industry photographer, Bill La Chasse, offered to manage the band.
La Chasse booked the group at clubs on the Sunset strip including, The Whiskey and Gazzarri’s. The Ice House in Pasadena threatened to ban the group as the gigs usually ended with the police closing down the club, street fights outside and the band locked inside for safety.
In 1984, the group came to the attention of producer, Earle Mankey (Brian Wilson, Sparks, Concrete Blonde) who offered to produce a single. Signed to the small, Daisychain label, they released a single under the name, The Wail, with songs, “45 Degrees (I Love You),” b/w, “Midnight Eyes.”
Shortly after its release, legendary rock and roll D.J., Rodney Bingenhiemer picked up the disk and played it religiously on his show, “Rodney on the ROQ,” at 106.7, KROQ, FM. The single became a hit for the L.A. underground culture. The A side earned the spot of #8 most requested song for 1985 on Bingenhiemer’s show.
Alexander and Worsfold left the group as differences about the band’s direction grew. Bassist, James Barner was recruited. With the addition of a horn section, Mankey arranged to produce an EP, “Black and White,” which received airplay on, KROQ, KSPC, KPCC and various college radio stations.
Then, in 1994, a new lineup: Devin Thomas (Oingo Boingo, Wild Child) on Vox organ, John Sandage (son of astronomer, Alan Sandage) on bass and Alex Velocian (drums.) The new combo released two full-length albums, “The Sable Dawn Ignites,” (1995) and “Jaywalking in Our Sleep” (1999). They toured Southern California and also played events for CALTECH. “We kinda became the official CALTECH party band,” Reda says.
In 2008, the group completed a concept album, “Voyage through the Lava Lamp,” on the Zebra Valance label. With drummer, Dave Beyer, (Melissa Etheridge, Christopher Cross), the album explored new depths of psychedelia and gained listener-ship on the internet, expanding their fan base.
In 2015, filmmaker Barry Morrow (“Rain Man”) joined in, lending vocals for a new album. They recorded a version of the Disney classic, “Lavender Blue.” Newly added drummer, Bobby Breton (Netflix, ABC, Discovery Channel) also lent a hand. In 2019, the EM released, “Welcome to the Love-in,” which includes the Disney tune.
“Welcome to the Love-in,” explores new turf, rich with sounds effects and spoken word. Morrow’s vocal contributions, lend the album a kind of movie soundtrack feel.
Reda reports, “Love-in” is really a soundtrack for your own love-ins. If we can put anyone on a trip where they feel the vibes of 1969, then we’ve succeeded.
In 2020, Reda recruited his son, Mason (15). With own son onboard, Reda Senior decided to take the band in a new direction, releasing a single of, “Wipeout,” originally recorded by the Surfaris in 1962. “Our version is pretty true to the original hit,” Reda says. “Our idea was to use modern recording methods to give the song hi-fi clarity not possible in ’62.
This new surf sound was taken further with the 2021 release of their latest album to date, “Beach Party.” It includes “Wipeout” plus 9 original surf songs penned by Reda.