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BIOGRAPHY
If anyone could creep up and
offer you a glimpse into the void, it would most certainly be The
Vanduras. The enchanting melodies on their new album, In The
Dark combine the essence of surf-noir and spaghetti-western with a twist
of exotic schmaltz. Brace yourself, this is a darker beach party
where the Mai-Tai’s
are spiked with Vicodin and no ones really sure who’s good, bad or ugly. One
thing is for sure, while they examine the smoother side of yesteryear, The
Vanduras go for the jugular and create an instrumental album that is anything
but uneasy-listening
Style is vital to this production and much of it is inspired from the traditions
of Ennio Morricone, The Shadows, Chris Isaak and Martin Denny…but there’s
more going on here than Polynesian goes Hollywood. The Vanduras combine their
eclectic tastes producing sophisticated arrangements loaded with glassy narratives
and soothing steel guitar. They capture the sensitive relationship between
space and timbre, and create an atmosphere that can evoke the spirits and quiet
the mind.
 You may very well touch down on a Lost Beach, on a mysterious tropical isle,
as steel guitarist Gary Brandin rouses phantoms from his instrument with his
velvet touch. Brandin’s own musical intuition and raw talent keep him
in demand around town, providing Hawaiian-carnival jams for the cartoon Sponge
Bob Squarepants while also supplying ethereal textures for LA’s own The
Blue Hawaiians.
From the melancholy flavor of El Monte to the sublime interpretation of Wayne
Shanklin’s The Big Hurt. Each track produced and/or composed by Geoffrey
Brandin is a soundtrack for cerebral cinema straight from the Jungian underground.
But this blue cowboy takes us beyond the rodeo and uses his guitar strings
to lasso our hearts.
Incidentally, Geoffrey is the son of Gary and has performed with his father
off and on, since he was a Troubled Teen. Until now, their musical paths have
not crossed on this level. Together they are The Vanduras and possess a special
magic. So take that sentimental journey, turn out the lights and enjoy In the
Dark.
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REVIEWS "In the Dark" Somewhere between surf and space is a
point of sonic delight. That's where The Vanduras (Geoffrey and Gary Brandin)
make their music. Geoffrey Brandin plays guitar in the classic surf style and
covers the percussion and keyboard parts. But for us steelers, Gary Brandin
is the real star here. He's also one of the most often heard steel players
in the world right now, thanks to his work with The Blue Hawaiians and the
hit cartoon series "Spongebob Squarepants".
The CD is a mellow mix of surf, Hawaiian, spaghetti western and space music,
all done in hi-fi so lush you'll want to go out and buy new stereo equipment!
Gary's tone is often reminiscent of Jerry Byrd's best records. Geoffrey's big
guitar sound reminds me of Billy Strange. They wrote 11 of the CD's 13 instrumentals,
and none are throwaways. This relaxing CD is destined to become one of my all-time
favorites.
Read the Reverb
Central Review.
Read the All
Music Guide Review.
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