Originally founded at the 11th hour to fill a cancelled gig at the University of California Santa Cruz, the group quickly emerged as an underground favorite, famed for their mystery-kitsch image (Lone Ranger masks were de rigeur) and carefully choreographed stage act; the debut Phantom Surfers LP 18 Deadly Ones followed on Norton Records in 1991 amidst a flurry of 7"s, and in the years to follow, the band remained frighteningly prolific, issuing albums and singles on over a dozen different labels (including discs with guitar legends Dick Dale and Davie Allan). In time, Seelig left the group to join the Hi-Fives and was replaced by drummer Russell Quan; in the wake of The Great Surf Crash of '97, Bartlett also handed in his resignation, with Maz Kattuah assuming his guitar duties. 2000's XXX Party featured contributions from comedy legends Rudy Ray "Dolomite" Moore and Clarence "Blowfly" Reid. ~ Jason Ankeny