Wheeland Brothers showcase their style of Surf Rock at the Tiki Bar Feb. 11
At this year’s OC Music Award’s (OCMA), the Wheeland Brothers will be competing for Best Live Band as well as Best Surf band. Their showcase on Tues, Feb. 11 at the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa inspires the question, ‘what better place to catch this mellow surf band then in the element of the Tiki Bar?’
The Wheeland Brothers are a four piece Beach Rock band from Southern California. In May 2012, they released their first album along with a music video for their first single “Sand in My Sheets.” In July 2013, their second album “Muchos Mahalos” was released along with the music video for their single “Lovin’ on Time.” The Wheeland Brothers have been hard at work with their music and are making their presence in Orange County.
The Wheeland Brothers share their love of beach, waves and good vibes in their music. They have a summertime feel that’s had not to love being in the warm sector of Southern California. Their sound knows how to make you relax and kick back as you’re sitting on the beach enjoying the soothing acoustic sounds of their music.
OC Concert Guide sat down with Nate “Frogg” Wheeland to see if he could give us the inside on any good Mexican joints in the area.
OCCG: How was the band selected to play this year’s OCMA’s?
NW: I’d like to think it was the music… but maybe it was our superb sense of style. Trav performs barefoot in swim trunks most of the time and we do happen to be up for “Best Surf.” Coincidence?
OCCG: You guys are up for Best Surf at this year’s OCMA’s, whom do you see as your biggest competition?
NW: Today the term “Surf Band” is as broad as surf culture itself. You’ve got your short board shredders, your longboard soul surfers, your big wave adrenaline junkies, your wannabe kooks, your big kahunas, your grooms… it makes it difficult to really compare the various styles. All we have in common is music, surfing, and Orange County. Maybe the bands should settle “who’s the best” out in the water.
OCCG: Which brother came up with the idea that you were going to start a band?
NW: For years we kept saying “oo yeah, eventually we’ll record an album and start a band once we (blah blah blah insert excuses here)”. It wasn’t until a backpacking trip to Kalalau on the island of Kauai in 2010, that we both made the decision to “take the plunge” so to speak. We were so inspired by the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and the all the interesting adventure seekers we met along our journey, that we realized there was no better time than now. Glad we finally went for it.
OCCG: Was there any other musical influence in the family?
NW: When we were growing up our dad listened to a lot of cheesy surf music from the Warehouse discount bin. That got us aware of music artists who made music inspired by the surf lifestyle, such as the Surfaris, Honk, Beach Boys, Cecilio & Kapono, etc. Our dad is also a master story teller and got us in touch with the power of words. Every camping trip he ever took us on was bound to involve an elaborately concocted campfire story based on the surrounding area and local characters. Words are an important part of our music. Lyrics and songwriting bring it all together. Our mom was and still is a worship leader in the church choir. She would sing constantly around the house like a high pitched song bird. Once we began spreading our own vocal wings, she was there naturally to guide and nurture us.
OCCG: Who is in charge of writing material for the band? Or is it a collaborative effort?
NW: Trav and I both write the songs. To us it’s obvious who wrote what but we do tend to influence each other so our styles cross over. In the past, Trav has written the more serious rock inspired stuff. He tends to be more political and deep with his lyrics. My writing style tends to be a little more reggae (and sometimes hip hop) with a lighthearted vibe.
OCCG: Does anyone in the band have any formal music training?
NW: I played in jazz band back in high school. Took a few music history classes in college. Before that we both played clarinet and sax in the Jr. High advanced band. For the most part we’ve just picked it up along the way and taught ourselves.
OCCG: If you could write one song with any musician who would it be? What would the song be about?
NW: If I could write a song with any musician, I’d have to go with Jack Johnson. I love the way he uses melody and lyrics to create a deep yet fun mellow sound. Everything he does sounds so effortlessly amazing. As far as what it would be about… hmmm I guess it just depends on my mood that day. Burritos?
OCCG: If you could perform a huge concert anywhere in the world where would it be?
NW: Somewhere on a tropical beach.
OCCG: Will you be playing any ukulele lullaby’s for us at the show?
NW: We don’t have our set list written out yet but we will probably perform “Sand in My Sheets”. Rhythmically it is very ukulele driven. There are three awesome hula dancers we call the “Teenie Wahines” who perform that song with us occasionally. Great dance—lots of aloha.
OCCG: Where can we stop to get the best Mexican food in town?
NW: This is a toughie! That’s like asking me what my favorite song is– how can I pick just one?! Places I’ve been hooked on over the years in OC include La Tienditas/Cafe Del Sol & Pedro’s Tacos in San Clemente, Bear Flag & Chronic Tacos in Newport Beach, Tuesday street fair burritos & Fiesta Grill in Huntington Beach, and Albertaco’s & A’s in Mission Viejo. Post-surf session burritos always taste the best.