The Lively Ones’ Act Still Holds Water

When the Lively Ones were riding the crest of the surf-rock explosion in the early to mid-’60s, guitarist Jim Masoner was known for his sometimes hyperkinetic stage antics. Jumping on amplifiers and hurling his shoulder into walls to help create outrageous guitar racket, Masoner would often discover that his jacket or pants needed mending following a typical sweaty show.

Understandably, the 1996 version of the band isn’t nearly as rambunctious as the aptly named Lively Ones of three decades past. If the older and wiser Masoner were to attempt some of those same stage stunts today, he might find more than his clothes in need of repair.

Yet it would be a mistake to call the veteran instrumental group over the hill. During the first of four 50-minute sets at the Sunset Pub in Sunset Beach on Friday night, the Lively Ones displayed the type of razor sharp musical chops that made the Orange County-bred group one of the leading surf bands of its day.

The quintet, which re-formed several years ago, isn’t quite the same unit, however, that recorded five albums during the heyday of Frankie and Annette. Steve Benton is new on bass, and the drum and rhythm guitar positions are also being manned by new players. But the spotlight remains on lead guitarist Masoner and saxophonist Joel Willenbring, also an original member. It was a pleasure hearing the two crack musicians swap melodic lines like genuine soul brothers.

Masoner is a true surf-guitar master. His twangy, percolating leads seemed to flow effortlessly. No matter how fast or intensely he played, there remained a sense of grace and fluidity to his fret work. Willenbring’s solos were suitably authoritative. But when Masoner’s guitar licks held center stage, the sax man often filled in the mid-ground with some sweet counter-melodies.

There was a pleasant informality surrounding the Lively Ones’ show. The Sunset Pub is an intimate restaurant and bar where patrons can listen to live music while dining on everything from burgers to Mexican pizzas. At times Willenbring wandered into the crowd to play via a cordless microphone. Indeed, matters were so relaxed that rhythm guitarist John Benton (Steve’s brother and also a member of the current version of the ‘60s surf band the Surfaris) didn’t arrive until near the end of the group’s first set.

John Benton made a noticeable difference as he helped bolster the group’s already sturdy rhythmic foundation. Fortunately, the Lively Ones waited until his arrival to play two of its best-known numbers, “Goofy Foot” and “Surf Rider.”

The latter song was featured in “Pulp Fiction,” the 1994 Quentin Tarantino film that helped renew interest in the band as well as surf rock in general. Earlier in the set, the Lively Ones whipped up a propulsive version of “Miserlou,” the now well-known Dick Dale rocker that was used as the theme song to “Pulp Fiction.”

Del-Fi Records recently reissued all of the Lively Ones’ early albums on CD and LP with new liner notes. The group is also featured on the just-released “Cowabunga!” Rhino Records’ box set that documents surf-rock history through four CDs and a detailed booklet.

* The Lively Ones perform about once a month at the Sunset Pub.