Astrosurf
| Frank Haney – Vocals, Guitar; Kathleen O’Neal – Vocals; David Grissom – Guitar; Neil Sharrow – Bass; Keith Cronin – Drums, P.K. Lavengood – Guitar; John Stith – Bass; Dale Johnson – Guitar; Rick Kinser – Bass | |
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| Hometown: Bloomington | |
| Astrosurf was the brainchild of Frank Haney, a Bloomington musician who had previously recorded under the name Frank Haney and the Farmers. This record has a distinct surf flavor a la Beach Boys and Jan & Dean, and the band makes fun of its non-beach location with the album title, but should not be confused with the surf guitar instrumental guitar sound. The album was recorded and released by Ribbon Rail, a prominent Bloomington studio and label in the 1980’s which has several releases to its credit. Bassist Neil Sharrow also played in the Qax Pistols, and is the son of noted classical musician and Indiana University professor Leonard Sharrow. Lisa Germano adds backing vocals to the album. | |
| Related Artists: Frank Haney and the Farmers, Qax Pistols, Leonard Sharrow, Last Safari, Rods and Cones | |
| Years Active: early 1980’s | |
| Discography | |
| Website | |
| YouTube | |
| Further Reading | |
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Frank Haney is also the son of a former IU School of Music professor, trombonist Lewis V. Haney.
Astrosurf began as a studio project, then became a performing band in 1981. About half the album is from the original studio sessions with Dale Johnson on guitar, bassists Rick Kinser and John Stith, and backing vocals by Judy Montgomery, Michael White and Ribbon Rail engineer Lenny Springer; the rest of the tracks have me on bass, David Grissom on guitar and Kathleen O’Neal on vocals. Long-time Haney associate Keith Cronin played drums on all tracks. After the album was released, P.K. Lavengood was added as a second lead guitarist. The full band was active until late 1981, when Haney moved to Chicago. Grissom and Lavengood then formed a new band with me on bass and Greg Vance on drums, calling it Last Safari. In 1983 we reunited with Haney on a double-billed one gig at Jake’s in Bloomington, with both Astrosurf and Last Safari. In late 1983, Last Safari morphed into the popular trio Rods and Cones, with Lavengood, Dave Merris and Russ Levitt, but that’s another story.
All of the former Astrosurf members should get individual MusicPedia listings:
Haney continues to make and release recordings in Chicago.
Grissom moved to Austin, Texas in 1983 and has played and toured with Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Dixie Chicks, Buddy Guy, the Allman Brothers Band and many others, as well as being a successful Nashville songwriter.
Lavengood has lived in New Jersey and played with John Eddie and others.
Cronin has played with Pat Travers, Clarence Clemons and numerous others.
Kathleen O’Neal is a professional singer and teacher.
Thanks for all the info, Neil. We’ll add to the listing where applicable, and include Last Safari in the near future. Re: individual listings for musicians, someday perhaps. We have our hands full just trying to do entries for artists with record releases. A long term project…