The Tommys - Groove Based Surf Rock ...by Robert Lastdrager

The Tommys: Groove Based Surf Rock

The Tommys relaxing between sets.
L-R: Laurie, Lastdrager, Lickliter.

...by Robert Lastdrager

Formed in 1996, The Tommys have been entertaining punters in some of Melbourne and Sydney’s more salubrious watering holes with their own blend of groove based surf rock.

     Jonathan “Ike” Lickliter - Bass and Vocals: After performing in and recording with Brisbane post-punk trio The End, Jonathan played in the first line up of Died Pretty as well as Sydney psychobilly outfit Dobbs & The Ludebakers.

     Oliver Laurie - Guitar and Vocals: After playing with seminal Melbourne surf band The Beach Nuts, Oliver has appeared in Melbourne bands The Exotics, Speedway and Shonkytonk.

     Rob “Viva” Lastdrager - Drums and Vocals: Rob has recorded and toured the USA and Europe with The Stiff Kittens as well as playing and recording with Melbourne’s country rockers The T- Bones.

     In 2000 Fryup Records released The Tommys’ first album “Grow Fins”. The band have also released a number of tracks on compilations world wide including “Surforama”- Pink Flamingo Records, Australia, “Whole Lotta Shakin” – Garage-Pop Records, USA, and “Yeah It’s Supposed To Sound Like That” – Colchester Recordings, UK.

     More recently, Tommys tracks have appeared on surf video productions in the US and Australia, and on soundtracks for Skateboard, Hot Rod and Street Car DVD’s. Their latest release, “Chastity Melts”, is a late night zombie pick-up chant, recorded live amidst the banter, smoke and bravado of a late Saturday night at The Old Bar in Fitzroy, Melbourne in 2003.

     The Tommys stand united in the belief that less is a helluva lot more, and the trio look forward to introducing their surf slackobilly sounds to surf music and rock’n’roll devotees far and wide.