Info and History

Objectives

Our main goal is to play great surf rock music, have fun, meet all kinds of people, and change the world one song at a time!

Employment/Experience Summary

The Un-illustrated Autobiography of The Pyronauts performances:

Band History

The band started out at Colfax High School in the 10th grade. Fire Arm, the name back then, was formed in Room 403 sometime in the winter or spring. Paul and Leigh came up with Fire Arm, don't ask why (because no one knows), and asked Bob Butler and Gabe Pramuk to join to make a foursome. Gabe played bass, Leigh played the drums, and Bob and Paul tried to play guitar. As time went on the sound of Fire Arm transformed from grunge and noise to instrumental surf. With a new drummer, Chris Hine, one year after Fire Arm formed their name was changed to The Pyronauts. In The Pyronauts Paul and Bob grew to become actual guitar players and are the only original Pyronauts left. However, Leigh rejoined the band for a short stint, but he was not an original Pyronaut, he was an original Fire Arm. Sean Brown took over at bass guitar when Gabe moved to Santa Cruz for college. After 6 wonderful months with Sean, Tim Hunter stepped up to the challenge of filling Sean's spot when Sean went away for college. Drummer Jeremy O'Dell moved into Leigh's position when Leigh decided to move on to college at Humbolt State. The next departure from the band was bass player Tim. Brett Cole, a bass player for about 4 weeks, has taken over. Drummer Jeremy and The Pyronauts parted ways in June on 2002 and Leigh came back to the band once again filling in here and there until drummer Pan Smith took over. Pan spent over 2 fine years (longer than any other drummer) with the band and traveled to San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco many times with the group. PanMan recently moved his family to Montana! Good Luck Pan! Currently the band alternates between Ty Smith and Tim Stephenson on drums. Ty is a drum teacher and professional drumist/drumographer/drum-man. Tim also teaches drums and is studying Jazz at CSU Sacramento. Together Paul, Bob, Brett, and Ty/Tim make up the one of the hardest working bands in the Sacramento area: THE PYRONAUTS!

What's In A Name?

People often wonder how The Pyronauts got their name. Well, to make a long story short, "It was a dark and stormy night, and all of us were sitting around in the barn discussing names. I came up with pyro-nauts, combining 'pyro' (fire) and 'naut' (as in astronaut)." Pyronauts are explorers of fire. The music represents the clash between water and fire. Where there's surf, there's FIRE!

Education

The Pyromauts are a diverse group, of many many individuals!
Paul, currently teaches kids how to rock and roll in Lake of the Pines. He has a B.A. degree in Economics from Sacramento State and has AA degrees from Sierra College in Music, Business, Humanities, and Liberal Studies. He learned guitar through the Rob Bonner method and continues in the tradition of teaching. He drives the band van and plays lead guitar!
Bob works at Pacific Auto in Auburn and has a degree in "car-stuff" at Sierra College. Bob has been playing guitar for 6or 7 years now and enjoys giving that Pyronaut sound its "chunk." He's a collecter of cars, and he plays a mean guitar.
Brett has played bass guitar for 4 years and guitar for 7years. He has also taken lessons from Rob Bonner and attended several college level guitar courses. Brett is currently studying the art of being a magician, farmer, and pyrotechnic. He's only ever played in one other band, "Vegitable Sacrafice" They were huge in Loomis, Germany. In The Pyronauts he is know for his fluid dance moves and comical movements while playing bass.
Ty Smith actually earns his living by playing the drums... how cool is that? He performs with numerous groups including Sacramento blues favorites The Hucklebucks. Ty teaches drums at various locations and has also been known to pick up a Telecaster now and then.

Skills

The Sound:

The Pyronauts have become proficient in the sounds of Dick Dale and The Del Tones, The Surfaris, The Ventures, The Chantays, and Santo & Johnny as well as many others. They have also opened for Dick Dale(13 times), The Red Elvises (5 times), Gary Hoey (2 times), and Peter Tork (of the Monkees), and have shared the stage with members of The Belairs, The Chantays, Jan and Dean, and many more.

The Pyronauts use only the finest musical instruments. Fender guitars such as the Fender Jazz bass, the Fender Jazzmaster, and the Fender Jaguar. Fender amps are also a favorite.

Discography:

"A Surfin' X-mas" First CD. Recorded at Paul The Pyronaut's personal studio, "Crazy Man Studio" The CD has sold a whopping 100 copies!!!

"Surf or Die" The Pyronauts first full length album, and first professional studio recording was released in late July of 2001. SOLD OUT!

"A Surfin' Christmas," a revisited and revised "A Surfin' X-mas." Out in late October 2001 it is the perfect gift for the holidays.

"Surf Motel" was released on October 31st 2002. It's all original songs with the exception of Amazing Wave (Amazing Grace done surf style) and Hava-Nagila. SOLD OUT!

"Meet The Pyronauts" is a four song-interactive CD, with video and biographical information accessed through you computer! SOLD OUT!

"Live from the Pit" released July 3rd 2004, recorded in 2003 by Phil Dirt on "Surf's Up!" on KFJC radio. SOLD OUT!!

"Charlie Does Surf" a surf tribute to The Clash. Released December 2004. The Pyronauts perform their cover of London Calling.

The Continental Magazine number 11 and 12. Mike's Barracuda, Pie, and Iron Board.

Beyond The Sea compilation (2005): Funeral March of a Marionette.

"Surf and Destroy" NEW STUDIO ALBUM!! Released August 30th 2006.

Live at the Mystic Theatre featuring Dusty Watson is out now!

Check out CDBABY to purchase CDs!

Personal Interest

Paul The Pyronaut enjoys collecting guitars and rockin' in the free world.

Bob enjoys wrenching on cars and hanging with his kid Jacy.

The Brett Cole enjoys playing bass accross the land and working on his family's Christmas Tree farm.

Tim Stephenson is a crazy drumming fool.