The Torpedoes: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name        = The Torpedoes
| name        = The Torpedoes
| image        = The Torpedoes on Bay TV Morning Show, KRON.png
| image        = Torpedoes Good for the Country inner cover.jpg
| caption      = The Torpedoes on [[Wikipedia:KRON-TV|KRON-TV]] in 1998. From left: Brian Pool, Brandon Watson, and Jason Brown.
| caption      = The Torpedoes on the liner notes of ''Good for the Country'' (1996). From left: Brian Pool, Brandon Watson, and Jason Brown.
| alt          = Three men playing instruments on a television studio stage: Brian Pool on electric guitar, Brandon Watson on drums, and Jason Brown on bass guitar. The drum kit has the band's logo on it.
| alt          = A grayscale photograph of three men playing instruments: Brian Pool on electric guitar, Brandon Watson on drums, and Jason Brown on bass guitar. The band's logo is in the bottom right corner.
| origin      = [[Wikipedia:Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale, California]], U.S.
| origin      = [[Wikipedia:Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale, California]], U.S.
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Wikipedia:Surf music|Surf]]|[[Wikipedia:Rockabilly|rockabilly]]|[[Wikipedia:Instrumental rock|instrumental rock]]}}
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Wikipedia:Surf music|Surf]]|[[Wikipedia:Rockabilly|rockabilly]]|[[Wikipedia:Instrumental rock|instrumental rock]]}}
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}}
}}


'''The Torpedoes''' were an American [[Wikipedia:Instrumental rock|instrumental rock]] band from the [[Wikipedia:San Francisco Bay Area|San Francisco Bay Area]]. The band primarily consisted of guitarist Brian "The Big B" Pool, bassist Jason Brown, and drummer Brandon Watson. This line-up recorded their two albums, ''Good for the Country'' (1996) and ''Lucky You'' (1999). They are best remembered today for their music used in ''[[LEGO Island]]''.
'''The Torpedoes''' were an American [[Wikipedia:Instrumental rock|instrumental]] [[Wikipedia:Surf music|surf rock]] band formed in [[Wikipedia:Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale, California]] in 1994. The band primarily consisted of guitarist Brian "The Big B" Pool, bassist Jason Brown, and drummer Brandon Watson. The trio performed in the [[Wikipedia:San Francisco Bay Area|San Francisco Bay Area]], and in 1998 toured around the [[Wikipedia:Midwestern United States|Midwestern United States]]. They released two albums, ''Good for the Country'' (1996) and ''Lucky You'' (1999), through their own Resurgent Records label. Brown left the band in early 1999, shortly before their second album released, and was replaced by Justin "Jake" Walsh. In 2000 Brown returned to the band, but died several months later; after briefly continuing with a different bassist, the band broke up in 2001.
 
The 1997 video game ''[[LEGO Island]]'' features five instrumentals by the Torpedoes: four tracks from their first album and one original composition. These tracks are used in the beach area, the jukebox, and in L.E.G.O. Radio. The Torpedoes have become best-remembered for their appearance in the game's soundtrack.


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[[File:The Torpedoes band logo.png|thumb|left|The band's logo, designed by Ferenc Dobronyi |alt=A cartoon of a torpedo with a shark-like face flying around a ring with "The Torpedoes – High Intensity Surf" written on it]]
[[File:The Torpedoes band logo.png|thumb|left|The band's logo, designed by Ferenc Dobronyi |alt=A cartoon of a torpedo with a shark-like face flying around a ring with "The Torpedoes – High Intensity Surf" written on it]]


The Torpedoes were formed by guitarist Brian Pool in [[Wikipedia:Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale, California]] in 1994.<ref name="Underhill"/> Jason Brown was the band's original bassist;<ref name="Torpedoes news"/> drummer Brandon Watson joined in 1995. The group's musical influences included [[Wikipedia:Dick Dale|Dick Dale]], [[Wikipedia:Junior Brown|Junior Brown]], [[Wikipedia:The Ventures|the Ventures]], and [[Wikipedia:AC/DC|AC/DC]]. The Torpedoes initially played at local clubs and events in the San Francisco Bay Area during the [[Wikipedia:Surf music#Influence and revival|surf rock revival]] of the 1990s. After Watson joined, the band recorded their debut album, ''Good for the Country'', which released the following year on May 3, 1996.<ref name="Underhill"/><ref name="Torpedoes index1"/> The band's official website launched on the same day,<ref name="Torpedoes base past"/> created and managed by the album's co-producer Ron Maeder.<ref name="Torpedoes base home"/><ref name="RR001 notes"/> On September 4, 1996, the Torpedoes performed music and were interviewed on ''[[Wikipedia:BayTV|BayTV Morning]]'' on the [[Wikipedia:cable news|cable news]] channel BayTV.<ref name="Torpedoes base past"/>
The Torpedoes were formed by guitarist Brian Pool in [[Wikipedia:Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale, California]] in 1994.<ref name="Underhill"/> Jason Brown was the band's original bassist;<ref name="Torpedoes news"/> drummer Brandon Watson joined in 1995. The group's musical influences included [[Wikipedia:Dick Dale|Dick Dale]], [[Wikipedia:Junior Brown|Junior Brown]], [[Wikipedia:The Ventures|the Ventures]], and [[Wikipedia:AC/DC|AC/DC]]. The Torpedoes initially played at local clubs and events in the San Francisco Bay Area during the "third wave" [[Wikipedia:Surf music#Influence and revival|surf rock revival]] of the 1990s. After Watson joined, the band started work on recording a [[Wikipedia:studio album|studio album]]. Their initial recordings featured a slower and more deliberate sound;<ref name="Dirt review San Jose"/> they later switched to a more speed-focused direction and recorded their debut album, ''Good for the Country''. The album released the following year on May 3, 1996;<ref name="Underhill"/><ref name="Torpedoes index1"/> the band's official website launched on the same day,<ref name="Torpedoes base past"/> created and managed by the album's co-producer Ron Maeder.<ref name="Torpedoes base home"/><ref name="RR001 notes"/> On September 4, 1996, the Torpedoes performed music and were interviewed on the [[Wikipedia:cable news|cable news]] program ''[[Wikipedia:BayTV|BayTV Morning]]''.<ref name="Torpedoes base past"/>


[[File:JukeBox art Torpedos.png|thumb|Cover art for "Manta Ray" used in the jukebox in ''LEGO Island''; the band's name is misspelled here as "Torpedos"]]
[[File:JukeBox art Torpedos.png|thumb|Cover art for "Manta Ray" in the jukebox in ''LEGO Island''; the band's name is misspelled here as "Torpedos" |alt=Artwork of four LEGO minifigures surfing on musical instruments]]


The Torpedoes were one of the musical groups interested in contributing music to the video game ''[[LEGO Island]]'' during its development. [[Mindscape]] initially suggested that the band contribute an original song for use in the game's beach area; other suggestions for beach music included "[[Wikipedia:Catch a Wave|Catch a Wave]]" by [[Wikipedia:The Beach Boys|the Beach Boys]] and Dick Dale's recordings of "[[Wikipedia:Misirlou|Misirlou]]" and "[[Wikipedia:Pipeline (instrumental)|Pipeline]]".<ref name="Mindscape talent"/> The Torpedoes created the instrumental track "Lucky You", which ''LEGO Island'' used in-game as one of the L.E.G.O. Radio tunes.<ref name="Island credits music"/> Brian Pool later stated that "Lucky You" had been inspired by his ex-wife, who had a new life and was "all set" while he was a "{{sic|poor ass}} guitar guy".<ref name="Pool YT Lucky"/> ''LEGO Island'' also used four tracks from ''Good for the Country'': "Manta Ray", which is used as one of the six jukebox songs;<ref name="Island credits music"/> "Interplanetary", which plays in the main beach area; "Torpedoe", which plays while building the Jet-Ski; and "Tarantula", which plays during the Jet-Ski race.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/><ref name="RTL CD"/> Two other tracks from their album were sampled in music composed for the game by Michael Blakeman: "Spanish Main" in the Information Center music and "The Naked Spur" in the helicopter chase music.<ref name="Island OST desc YT"/> According to Brandon Watson, music by the Torpedoes was also planned to appear in the [[LEGO Technic]] [[Search Sub]] CD-ROM.<ref name="RTL CD"/>
The Torpedoes were one of the musical groups interested in contributing music to the video game ''[[LEGO Island]]'' during its development. [[Mindscape]] initially suggested that the band contribute an original song for use in the game's beach area; other suggestions for beach music included "[[Wikipedia:Catch a Wave|Catch a Wave]]" by [[Wikipedia:The Beach Boys|the Beach Boys]] and Dick Dale's recordings of "[[Wikipedia:Misirlou|Misirlou]]" and "[[Wikipedia:Pipeline (instrumental)|Pipeline]]".<ref name="Mindscape talent"/> The Torpedoes created the instrumental track "Lucky You", which ''LEGO Island'' used in-game as one of the L.E.G.O. Radio tunes.<ref name="Island credits music"/> Brian Pool later stated that "Lucky You" had been inspired by his ex-wife, who had a new life and was "all set" while he was a "{{sic|poor ass}} guitar guy".<ref name="Pool YT Lucky"/> ''LEGO Island'' also used four tracks from ''Good for the Country'': "Manta Ray", which is used as one of the six jukebox songs;<ref name="Island credits music"/> "Interplanetary", which plays in the main beach area; "Torpedoe", which plays (at a faster tempo and edited to loop) while building the Jet-Ski; and "Tarantula", which plays during the Jet-Ski race.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/><ref name="RTL CD"/> According to a [[rec.toys.lego]] post by Brandon Watson, music by the band was also planned to appear in the [[LEGO Technic]] [[Search Sub]] CD-ROM, though he was unsure at the time if any of the four licensed tracks had been used in either project.<ref name="RTL CD"/>


{{external media
[[File:The Torpedoes on Bay TV Morning Show, KRON.png|thumb|left|The Torpedoes on [[Wikipedia:KRON-TV|KRON-TV]] in 1998 (from left: Pool, Watson, Brown) |alt=Three men playing rock instruments on a television studio stage]]
| float  = left
 
| width  = 225px
In June 1998 the band completed their Midwest Massacre tour, during which they traveled five thousand miles through cities including [[Wikipedia:Iowa City, Iowa|Iowa City]], [[Wikipedia:Davenport, Iowa|Davenport]], and [[Wikipedia:Clinton, Iowa|Clinton]] in [[Wikipedia:Iowa|Iowa]], [[Wikipedia:Reno, Nevada|Reno, Nevada]], and [[Wikipedia:Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]]. On July 17 the band appeared on ''BayTV Morning'' a second time. In August 1998 the Torpedoes recorded their second album, ''Lucky You'', titled after the track originally used in ''LEGO Island''. On October 14, 1998, the band launched a new website at ''www.TheTorpedoes.com'', now managed by Brandon Watson.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/>
| audio1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC_4ZTgns6U "Lucky You" (1997 version)] by the Torpedoes (via YouTube)
 
}}
[[File:The Torpedoes at Sierra Nevada Pizza in Incline Village.JPG|thumb|The Torpedoes performing in [[Wikipedia:Incline Village, Nevada|Incline Village, Nevada]] in June 1999 (from left: Walsh, Watson, Pool) |alt=Three men playing rock instruments on stage at a pizzeria]]


In June 1998 the band completed their Midwest Massacre tour, during which they traveled five thousand miles through cities including [[Wikipedia:Iowa City, Iowa|Iowa City]], [[Wikipedia:Davenport, Iowa|Davenport]], and [[Wikipedia:Clinton, Iowa|Clinton]] in [[Wikipedia:Iowa|Iowa]], [[Wikipedia:Reno, Nevada|Reno, Nevada]], and [[Wikipedia:Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]].<ref name="Torpedoes news"/> In August 1998 the Torpedoes recorded their second album, ''Lucky You'', titled after the track originally used in ''LEGO Island''. Jason Brown left the band on January 20, 1999. Justin Walsh joined as their new bass player on January 27. The album ''Lucky You'' released on March 30, 1999. The Torpedoes were selected as the featured artist of the day on [[Wikipedia:MP3.com|MP3.com]] the next day on March 31, 1999.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/> The ''Lucky You'' track "Big Sky" (released oonline under its former name "Big Blue") was MP3.com's featured country song on April 12, 1999.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/>
Jason Brown left the Torpedoes on January 20, 1999. A week later on January 27, the band recruited bassist Justin Walsh from [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles|Los Angeles]] as Brown's replacement. The album ''Lucky You'' released on March 30, 1999. The Torpedoes were selected as the featured artist of the day on [[Wikipedia:MP3.com|MP3.com]] the next day on March 31, 1999.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/> The ''Lucky You'' track "Big Sky" (released online under its former name "Big Blue") was MP3.com's featured country song on April 12, 1999.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/><ref name="Underhill"/> The band also had two DAM CDs{{efn|Digital Automatic Music CDs ("DAM CDs") were sold by MP3.com using music uploaded by artists registered on the website. DAM CDs contained music both in [[Wikipedia:Compact Disc Digital Audio|Compact Disc Digital Audio]] (or "''Red Book'' audio") format and as [[Wikipedia:MP3|MP3]] files.<ref name="Frankel"/>}} for sale on MP3.com, ''MK-48'' and ''Flooding the Tubes''.<ref name="MP3 Torpedoes"/> In [[Wikipedia:Rod Underhill|Rod Underhill's]] book ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3'', the band stated that MP3.com had given them the opportunity to be heard by thousands of people online who might have never discovered them otherwise.<ref name="Underhill"/>


Jason Brown returned to the band on March 1, 2000. However, Brown died three months later on June 5, 2000.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/><ref name="Torpedoes Jason"/> The band later continued playing with new bassist Sebastian.<ref name="Torpedoes dates 2001"/><ref name="Torpedoes oak"/> The Torpedoes played their final show at [[commons:Category:Longshoremen's Hall, San Francisco|Longshoremen’s Hall]] in [[Wikipedia:San Francisco|San Francisco]] on March 24, 2001.<ref name="Torpedoes schedule"/> <!--Following the band's breakup, Pool sent Phil Dirt a copy of ''San Jose '95'', a short collection of studio tracks recorded in 1995 before ''Good for the Country''.--><ref name="Dirt review San Jose"/>
Jason Brown returned to the band on March 1, 2000. However, Brown died three months later on June 5, 2000.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/><ref name="Torpedoes Jason"/> The band later continued playing with a new bassist named Sebastian.<ref name="Torpedoes dates 2001"/><ref name="Torpedoes oak"/> The Torpedoes played their final show at [[commons:Category:Longshoremen's Hall, San Francisco|Longshoremen’s Hall]] in [[Wikipedia:San Francisco|San Francisco]] on March 24, 2001.<ref name="Torpedoes schedule"/> Following the band's breakup, Brian Pool moved to Davenport, Iowa,<ref name="Dirt links"/> where he started recording solo guitar [[Wikipedia:Demo (music)|demos]].<ref name="Dirt review Pool Ax"/><ref name="Dirt review Pool ST"/> Brandon Watson later joined the band No Exit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gospelcats.com/no-exit/ |title=No Exit |website=Gospelcats |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205075542/https://www.gospelcats.com/no-exit/ |archive-date=2025-02-05 |url-status=live}}</ref>


== Albums ==
== Discography ==
=== ''Good for the Country'' ===
=== ''Good for the Country'' ===
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name       = {{yesitalic|Good for the Country}}
| name         = {{yesitalic|Good for the Country}}
| italic_title = no
| italic_title = no
| type       = Studio
| type         = Studio
| artist     = The Torpedoes
| artist       = The Torpedoes
| cover     = Torpedoes Good for the Country album cover.jpg
| cover       = Torpedoes Good for the Country album cover.jpg
| alt       = A photograph of USS Asheville (SSN-758) on sea trials in June 1991. Above the photograph are the words "The Torpedoes" and below it "Good for the Country".
| alt         = A photograph of USS Asheville (SSN-758) on sea trials in June 1991. Above the photograph are the words "The Torpedoes" and below it "Good for the Country".
| released   = {{start date|1996|5|3}}
| released     = {{start date|1996|5|3}}
| recorded   = 1995
| recorded     = 1995
| studio     = Train Wreck Studios<ref name="RR001 notes"/>
| studio       = Trainwreck Studios ([[Wikipedia:Mountain View, California|Mountain View, California]])<ref name="RR001 notes"/><!--Written as "Train Wreck Studios" in the album - assuming it means the Mountain View studio unless there's evidence otherwise-->
| genre     = {{hlist|Surf|[[Wikipedia:Skate punk|skate punk]]<ref name="Dirt review Country"/>|instrumental rock}}
| genre       = {{hlist|Surf|[[Wikipedia:Skate punk|skate punk]]<ref name="Dirt review Country"/>|instrumental rock}}
| length     = 32:23
| length       = 32:23
| label     = Resurgent Records
| label       = Resurgent Records
| producer   = Brian Pool, Ron Maeder
| producer     = Brian Pool, Ron Maeder
}}
}}


''Good for the Country'' is the debut album by the Torpedoes. It was recorded in 1995 and released on May 3, 1996.<ref name="Torpedoes index1"/><ref name="Torpedoes base past"/> The album contains seventeen instrumental tracks; an eighteenth track, "Shorebreak", was originally planned for inclusion but was cut from the released album.<ref name="Dirt review Country"/> The album's cover art was designed by Ferenc Dobronyi from the band Pollo Del Mar.<ref name="Torpedoes base reviews"/><ref name="Torpedoes base home"/> ''Good for the Country'' features elements of [[Wikipedia:Skate punk|skate punk]] and inspiration from [[Wikipedia:Spy film|spy film]] [[Wikipedia:Film score|scores]]; the latter is most obvious in the album's only [[Wikipedia:Cover version|cover]] track, "A Man Alone" from the 1965 spy film ''[[Wikipedia:The Ipcress File (film)|The Ipcress File]]''.<ref name="Dirt review Country"/> "Midnight Surfer" is dedicated to [[Wikipedia:Mark Foo|Mark Foo]], a professional [[Wikipedia:Surfing|surfer]] who died in a surfing accident at [[Wikipedia:Mavericks, California|Mavericks]] in [[Wikipedia:Half Moon Bay, California|Half Moon Bay]] in December 1994.<ref name="Martin Foo"/> The tracks "Manta Ray", "Interplanetary", "Torpedoe", and "Tarantula" were later used in the 1997 video game ''[[LEGO Island]]''.
''Good for the Country'' is the debut album by the Torpedoes. It was recorded in 1995 and released on May 3, 1996.<ref name="Torpedoes index1"/><ref name="Torpedoes base past"/> The album contains seventeen instrumental tracks; an eighteenth track, "Shorebreak", was apparently planned for inclusion but was cut from the released album.<ref name="Dirt review Country"/> The album's cover art was designed by Ferenc Dobronyi from the band Pollo Del Mar.<ref name="Torpedoes base reviews"/><ref name="Torpedoes base home"/> ''Good for the Country'' features elements of [[Wikipedia:Skate punk|skate punk]] and inspiration from [[Wikipedia:Spy film|spy film]] [[Wikipedia:Film score|scores]]; the latter is most obvious in the album's only [[Wikipedia:Cover version|cover]] track, "A Man Alone" from the 1965 spy film ''[[Wikipedia:The Ipcress File (film)|The Ipcress File]]''.<ref name="Dirt review Country"/> The tracks "Manta Ray", "Interplanetary", "Torpedoe", and "Tarantula" were featured in ''LEGO Island''.


==== Track listing ====
==== Track listing ====
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| total_length = 32:23
| total_length = 32:23
| all_writing = Brian Pool, except where noted.


| all_writing  = Brian Pool, except where noted.
| title1 = Manta Ray
| all_lyrics  =
| length1 = 0:57
| all_music    =  


| title1      = Manta Ray
| title2 = The Hornet
| length1      = 0:57
| length2 = 1:42


| title2      = The Hornet
| title3 = Interplanetary
| length2      = 1:42
| length3 = 2:07


| title3      = Interplanetary
| title4 = Spanish Main
| length3      = 2:07
| length4 = 2:36


| title4      = Spanish Main
| title5 = Nebula 33-7
| length4      = 2:36
| length5 = 2:11


| title5      = Nebula 33-7
| title6 = Green Light
| length5      = 2:11
| length6 = 2:20


| title6      = Green Light
| title7 = Half-Pipe
| length6      = 2:20
| length7 = 1:10


| title7      = Half-Pipe
| title8 = The Mummy
| length7      = 1:10
| length8 = 1:46


| title8      = The Mummy
| title9 = Midnight Surfer (Ode to [[Wikipedia:Mark Foo|Mark Foo]])
| length8      = 1:46
| length9 = 2:27


| title9      = Midnight Surfer (Ode to [[Wikipedia:Mark Foo|Mark Foo]])
| title10 = Gyro-scopic Control
| length9      = 2:27
| length10 = 1:43


| title10      = Gyro-scopic Control
| title11 = Theme from ''[[Wikipedia:The Ipcress File (film)|The Ipcress File]]'' (A Man Alone)
| length10    = 1:43
| length11 = 2:19
| writer11 = [[Wikipedia:John Barry (composer)|John Barry]]


| title11      = Theme From ''[[Wikipedia:The Ipcress File (film)|The Ipcress File]]'' (A Man Alone)
| title12 = Secret Agent In Berlin
| length11    = 2:19
| length12 = 1:39
| writer11    = [[Wikipedia:John Barry (composer)|John Barry]]


| title12      = Secret Agent in Berlin
| title13 = The Naked Spur
| length12    = 1:39
| length13 = 2:38


| title13      = The Naked Spur
| title14 = Stockyard-250
| length13    = 2:38
| length14 = 1:23


| title14      = Stockyard-250
| title15 = Torpedoe
| length14    = 1:23
| length15 = 1:51


| title15      = Torpedoe
| title16 = Tarantula
| length15    = 1:51
| length16 = 1:04


| title16      = Tarantula
| title17 = The Snake
| length16    = 1:04
| length17 = 2:29
}}


| title17      = The Snake
==== Personnel ====
| length17    = 2:29
{{col-begin}}
}}
{{col-2}}
'''The Torpedoes'''
* Brian Pool – guitar, production
* Jason Brown – bass
* Brandon Watson – drums
{{col-2}}
'''Production'''
* Ron Maeder – production
* David Hayden – [[Wikipedia:Audio engineering|engineering]]
* Ferenc Dobronyi – [[Wikipedia:Graphic design|graphic design]]
* Phil Dirt – sleeve notes
{{col-end}}


=== ''Lucky You'' ===
=== ''Lucky You'' ===
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name       = {{yesitalic|Lucky You}}
| name         = {{yesitalic|Lucky You}}
| italic_title = no
| italic_title = no
| type       = Studio
| type         = Studio
| artist     = The Torpedoes
| artist       = The Torpedoes
| cover     = Torpedoes Lucky You album cover.jpg
| cover       = Torpedoes Lucky You album cover.jpg
| alt       = A grayscale photograph of a woman with a lipstick kiss and "XOXOXO" on it, and "The Torpedoes ~ Lucky You" written above it.
| alt         = A grayscale photograph of a woman with a lipstick kiss and "XOXOXO" on it, and "The Torpedoes ~ Lucky You" written above it.
| released   = {{start date|1999|3|30}}
| released     = {{start date|1999|3|30}}
| recorded   = August 11–21, 1998
| recorded     = August 11–21, 1998
| studio     = House of Faith<ref name="RR002 notes"/>
| studio       = House of Faith ([[Wikipedia:Palo Alto, California|Palo Alto, California]])<ref name="RR002 notes"/>
| genre     = {{hlist|Surf|[[Wikipedia:Hot rod rock|hot rod rock]]|[[Wikipedia:Country rock|country rock]]<ref name="Dirt review Lucky"/>|instrumental rock}}
| genre       = {{hlist|Surf|[[Wikipedia:Hot rod rock|hot rod rock]]|[[Wikipedia:Country rock|country rock]]<ref name="Dirt review Lucky"/>|instrumental rock}}
| length     = 29:13
| length       = 29:13
| label     = Resurgent Records
| label       = Resurgent Records
| producer   = Brian Pool
| producer     = Brian Pool
}}
}}


''Lucky You'' is the second studio album by the Torpedoes, released on March 30, 1999. Recording took place between August 11 and August 21, 1998.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/><ref name="Torpedoes boot"/> The album features thirteen tracks, including the band's only released vocal track,<ref name="Dirt review Lucky"/> a cover of [[Wikipedia:Billy Zoom|Billy Zoom's]] "Bad Boy" performed by Pool.<ref name="Zoom"/><ref name="Torpedoes press"/> Compared to their first album, ''Lucky You'' has more focus on arrangement and technique, and features more [[Wikipedia:Country rock|country rock]] elements. The title track is an updated arrangement of "Lucky You" from ''LEGO Island'', featuring two guitar parts and a [[Wikipedia:Lead instrument|lead]] [[Wikipedia:Keyboard instrument|keyboard]]. The album also features an updated version of "Green Light" from ''Good for the Country''. The tracks "Big Sky", "Fishin'", and "Davenport" were originally titled "Big Blue", "Fishin' With My Boy", and "Acoustic" respectively.<ref name="Dirt review Lucky"/><ref name="Torpedoes boot"/> During recording the band uploaded a "bootleg" of four unmastered tracks from the album's [[Wikipedia:Digital Audio Tape|DAT]] on their website, as well as an unreleased track, "SideSaddle".<ref name="Torpedoes boot"/>  
''Lucky You'' is the second studio album by the Torpedoes, released on March 30, 1999. Recording took place between August 11 and August 21, 1998.<ref name="Torpedoes news"/><ref name="Torpedoes boot"/> The album features thirteen tracks, including the band's only released vocal track,<ref name="Dirt review Lucky"/> a cover of [[Wikipedia:Billy Zoom|Billy Zoom's]] "Bad Boy" performed by Pool.<ref name="Zoom"/><ref name="Torpedoes press"/> Compared to their first album, ''Lucky You'' has more focus on arrangement and technique, and features more [[Wikipedia:Country rock|country rock]] elements. The title track is an updated arrangement of "Lucky You" from ''LEGO Island'', featuring two guitar parts and a [[Wikipedia:Lead instrument|lead]] [[Wikipedia:Keyboard instrument|keyboard]]; the album also features an updated version of "Green Light" from ''Good for the Country''. The tracks "Big Sky", "Fishin'", and "Davenport" were originally titled "Big Blue", "Fishin' With My Boy", and "Acoustic" respectively.<ref name="Dirt review Lucky"/><ref name="Torpedoes boot"/> Following the first two days of recording, the band uploaded a "bootleg" of four unmastered tracks from the album's [[Wikipedia:Digital Audio Tape|DAT cassette]] on their website (alongside an exclusive unfinished track, "SideSaddle").<ref name="Torpedoes boot"/>  


==== Track listing ====
==== Track listing ====
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| total_length = 29:13
| total_length = 29:13
| all_writing = Brian Pool, except where noted.
| title1 = Lucky You
| length1 = 1:55


| all_writing  = Brian Pool, except where noted.
| title2 = Green Light
| all_lyrics  =
| length2 = 2:20
| all_music    =  


| title1      = Lucky You
| title3 = Bad Boy
| length1      = 1:55
| length3 = 2:11
| writer3 = [[Wikipedia:Billy Zoom|Billy Zoom]]


| title2      = Green Light
| title4 = Manhattan Skyline
| length2      = 2:20
| length4 = 2:37


| title3      = Bad Boy
| title5 = Batwing
| length3      = 2:11
| length5 = 2:23
| writer3      = [[Wikipedia:Billy Zoom|Billy Zoom]]


| title4      = Manhattan Skyline
| title6 = No Trace
| length4      = 2:37
| length6 = 2:42


| title5      = Batwing
| title7 = The Gunfighter
| length5      = 2:23
| length7 = 1:45


| title6      = No Trace
| title8 = American Heartbreak
| length6      = 2:42
| length8 = 2:35


| title7      = The Gunfighter
| title9 = Big Sky
| length7      = 1:45
| length9 = 2:14


| title8      = American Heartbreak
| title10 = Fishin'
| length8      = 2:35
| length10 = 1:41


| title9      = Big Sky
| title11 = Lickety-Split
| length9      = 2:14
| length11 = 1:39


| title10      = Fishin'
| title12 = Night of the Hot Rods
| length10    = 1:41
| length12 = 2:56


| title11      = Lickety-Split
| title13 = Davenport
| length11    = 1:39
| length13 = 2:16
}}


| title12      = Night of the Hot Rods
==== Personnel ====
| length12    = 2:56
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''The Torpedoes'''
* Brian Pool – guitar, vocals, production
* Jason Brown – bass
* Brandon Watson – drums
{{col-2}}
'''Production'''
* Bart Thurber – recording, mixing
* Olde West, Inc. – manufacturing
{{col-end}}


| title13      = Davenport
== Notes ==
| length13    = 2:16
{{notelist}}
}}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<!-- most dates for Phil Dirt reviews were obtained by using wget on the oldest archived urls, usually from when the site was at surfin.spies.com/~reverb instead of reverbcentral.com-->
<ref name="Dirt links">{{cite web |url=http://www.reverbcentral.com/links/country.htm |title=Surfbands By Country |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205053119/http://www.reverbcentral.com/links/country.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |quote=Davenport – Brian Pool}}.</ref>
<ref name="Dirt review Country">{{cite web |last=Dirt |first=Phil |date=May 15, 1996 |title=The Torpedoes - Good For The Country |url=https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes0659.html |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126233146/https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes0659.html |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025}}</ref>
<ref name="Dirt review Country">{{cite web |last=Dirt |first=Phil |date=May 15, 1996 |title=The Torpedoes - Good For The Country |url=https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes0659.html |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126233146/https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes0659.html |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025}}</ref>


<ref name="Dirt review Lucky">{{cite web |last=Dirt |first=Phil |date=1999 |title=The Torpedoes - Lucky You |url=https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes2326.html |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129014912/https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes2326.html |archive-date=January 29, 2025 |access-date=January 29, 2025}}</ref>
<ref name="Dirt review Lucky">{{cite web |last=Dirt |first=Phil |date=May 3, 1999 |title=The Torpedoes - Lucky You |url=https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes2326.html |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129014912/https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes2326.html |archive-date=January 29, 2025 |access-date=January 29, 2025}}</ref>


<ref name="Dirt review San Jose">{{cite web |last=Dirt |first=Phil |date=June 3, 2002 |title=The Torpedoes -San Jose '95  |url=https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes3779.html |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122203201/http://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes3779.html |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025}} Date obtained from [https://web.archive.org/web/20020601000000*/http://surfin.spies.com/~reverb/reviews/t/torpedoes3779.html original URL] using [[Wikipedia:wget|wget]].</ref>
<ref name="Dirt review Pool Ax">{{cite web |last=Dirt |first=Phil |date=2002 |title=Brian Pool - Big B's New Ax |url=https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/p/pool3343.html |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205063517/https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/p/pool3343.html |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025}}.</ref>


<ref name="Island credits music">{{cite video game |title=[[LEGO Island]] |developer=[[Mindscape]] |date=September 26, 1997 |platform=Windows |scene=Credits |language=English |quote=Torpedoes – Surf Sounds / Jetski – "Mantaray" (Juke Box song) – L.E.G.O. Radio tune}}</ref>
<ref name="Dirt review Pool ST">{{cite web |last=Dirt |first=Phil |date=2002 |title=Brian Pool - S/T |url=https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/p/pool3795.html |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205063648/https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/p/pool3795.html |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025}}.</ref>
 
<ref name="Dirt review San Jose">{{cite web |last=Dirt |first=Phil |date=June 3, 2002 |title=The Torpedoes - San Jose '95 |url=https://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes3779.html |website=Reverb Central |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122203201/http://www.reverbcentral.com/reviews/t/torpedoes3779.html |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025}}.</ref>


<ref name="Island OST desc YT">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApVupMNbxGE |title=LEGO Island soundtrack |date=March 5, 2017 |type=YouTube video description |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217210037/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApVupMNbxGE |archive-date=17 December 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=28 January 2025 |quote= Information Center - by Michael Blakeman – samples "Spanish Main" by The Torpedoes ... Helicopter Chase - by Michael Blakeman – samples "The Naked Spur" by The Torpedoes}}</ref>
<ref name="Frankel">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/mp3powerwithwina00fran/page/73/mode/2up?view=theater |title=MP3 Power! with Winamp |first1=Justin |last1=Frankel |first2=Dave |last2=Greely |first3=Ben |last3=Sawyer |publisher=Muska & Lipman Publishing |location=[[Wikipedia:Cincinnati|Cincinnati]], Ohio |isbn=0-9662889-3-9 |pp=73, 221}}</ref>


<ref name="Martin Foo">{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituaries--mark-foo-1567665.html |last=Martin |first=Andy |date=12 January 1995 |title=Obituaries: Mark Foo |newspaper=[[Wikipedia:The Independent|The Independent]] |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622093344/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituaries--mark-foo-1567665.html |archive-date=22 June 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Island credits music">{{cite video game |title=[[LEGO Island]] |developer=[[Mindscape]] |date=September 26, 1997 |platform=Windows |scene=Credits |language=English |quote=Torpedoes – Surf Sounds / Jetski – "Mantaray" (Juke Box song) – L.E.G.O. Radio tune}}</ref>


<ref name="Mindscape talent">{{cite web |author=[[Mindscape]] |year=1996 |title=Adventures on LEGO Island Music/Voice/Talent |url=https://archive.org/download/LEGOIsland-leak-20220114/LEGO%20Island.rar/LEGO%20Island%2FMusicVoiceTalent%2FScan_0.png |type=Internal document}}</ref>
<ref name="Mindscape talent">{{cite web |author=[[Mindscape]] |year=1996 |title=Adventures on LEGO Island Music/Voice/Talent |url=https://archive.org/download/LEGOIsland-leak-20220114/LEGO%20Island.rar/LEGO%20Island%2FMusicVoiceTalent%2FScan_0.png |type=Internal document}}</ref>
<ref name="MP3 Torpedoes">{{cite web |url=http://artists.mp3s.com:80/artists/12/the_torpedoes.html |title=The Torpedoes |website=MP3.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991129023138/http://artists.mp3s.com:80/artists/12/the_torpedoes.html |archive-date=1999-11-29}}</ref>


<ref name="Pool YT Lucky">{{cite web |last=Pool |first=Brian |year=2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUznTjy7Ods&lc=Uggwv4N7Pdw8K3gCoAEC.8-U-8eJN_gL95faiBCYn76 |title=hey the inspiration was that my ex-wife had a new life and I was a poor ass guitar guy, so lucky-you meant gee I guess your all set...lucky you. |type=comment on [[Wikipedia:YouTube|YouTube]] video " The Torpedoes - Lucky You .aka. Radio Tune #2 (1997 - Original - Simulated STEREO Mix - LEGO Island)" by Henry Johnson's Sounds Of Yesterday |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://archive.today/EWgkR |archive-date=29 January 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=29 January 2025}} Off-site copy of the comment available [https://web.archive.org/web/20250129021252/https://ringtailraider.neocities.org/WikiArchives/BrianPool-Lucky-YT here].</ref>
<ref name="Pool YT Lucky">{{cite web |last=Pool |first=Brian |year=2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUznTjy7Ods&lc=Uggwv4N7Pdw8K3gCoAEC.8-U-8eJN_gL95faiBCYn76 |title=hey the inspiration was that my ex-wife had a new life and I was a poor ass guitar guy, so lucky-you meant gee I guess your all set...lucky you. |type=comment on [[Wikipedia:YouTube|YouTube]] video " The Torpedoes - Lucky You .aka. Radio Tune #2 (1997 - Original - Simulated STEREO Mix - LEGO Island)" by Henry Johnson's Sounds Of Yesterday |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://archive.today/EWgkR |archive-date=29 January 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=29 January 2025}} Off-site copy of the comment available [https://web.archive.org/web/20250129021252/https://ringtailraider.neocities.org/WikiArchives/BrianPool-Lucky-YT here].</ref>
Line 223: Line 258:
<ref name="Torpedoes index1">{{cite web |last=Watson |first=Brandon |date=June 2000 |title=The Torpedoes Gig Site - Instrumental Rock Music! |url=http://www.thetorpedoes.com/index1.html |website=The Torpedoes Official Web Site |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122193821/http://www.thetorpedoes.com/index1.html |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 22, 2025}}</ref>
<ref name="Torpedoes index1">{{cite web |last=Watson |first=Brandon |date=June 2000 |title=The Torpedoes Gig Site - Instrumental Rock Music! |url=http://www.thetorpedoes.com/index1.html |website=The Torpedoes Official Web Site |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122193821/http://www.thetorpedoes.com/index1.html |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 22, 2025}}</ref>


<ref name="Torpedoes Jason">{{cite web |last=Watson |first=Brandon |date=2000 |title=The Torpedoes Gig Site - Instrumental Rock Music! |url=http://www.thetorpedoes.com/index1.html |website=The Torpedoes Official Web Site |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000608134442/http://www.thetorpedoes.com:80/ |archive-date=June 8, 2000 |quote=It is with tremendous sadness that Brian and myself must announce to our friends, family and fans the heartbreaking loss of a beautiful boy who will never be forgotten. Jason Brown our friend, our partner lost his life this week. We will miss his spark and the love of life he brought to our hearts, lives and the band.}}</ref>
<ref name="Torpedoes Jason">{{cite web |last=Watson |first=Brandon |date=2000 |title=The Torpedoes Gig Site - Instrumental Rock Music! |url=http://www.thetorpedoes.com/index1.html |website=The Torpedoes Official Web Site |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000608134442/http://www.thetorpedoes.com:80/ |archive-date=June 8, 2000 |quote=Jason Brown our friend, our partner lost his life this week. We will miss his spark and the love of life he brought to our hearts, lives and the band.}}</ref>


<ref name="Torpedoes news">{{cite web |last=Pool |first=Brian |date=2000 |title=Latest News |url=http://www.thetorpedoes.com/news.html |website=The Torpedoes Official Web Site |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122203815/http://www.thetorpedoes.com/news.html |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 22, 2025}}</ref>
<ref name="Torpedoes news">{{cite web |last=Pool |first=Brian |date=2000 |title=Latest News |url=http://www.thetorpedoes.com/news.html |website=The Torpedoes Official Web Site |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122203815/http://www.thetorpedoes.com/news.html |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 22, 2025}}</ref>
Line 235: Line 270:
<ref name="Underhill">{{cite book |last1=Underhill |first1=Rod |last2=Gertler |first2=Nat |author-link1=Wikipedia:Rod Underhill |author-link2=Wikipedia:Nat Gertler |title=MP3: Música en Internet |trans-title=MP3: Music on the Internet |lang=es |translator-first=Ricardo |translator-last=de la Barrera Ugalde |date=2000 |location=[[Wikipedia:Naucalpan|Naucalpan de Juárez]], [[Wikipedia:State of Mexico|Mexico]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Pearson Education|Pearson Educatión]] |pages=251-252 |ISBN=968-444-462-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/mp3musicaeninter0000unde/page/251/mode/2up?view=theater}}  Translated from {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IIc-AQAAIAAJ |title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3: Music on the Internet |ISBN=0-7897-2036-1}}</ref> <!--replace this if IA ever scans an English copy-->
<ref name="Underhill">{{cite book |last1=Underhill |first1=Rod |last2=Gertler |first2=Nat |author-link1=Wikipedia:Rod Underhill |author-link2=Wikipedia:Nat Gertler |title=MP3: Música en Internet |trans-title=MP3: Music on the Internet |lang=es |translator-first=Ricardo |translator-last=de la Barrera Ugalde |date=2000 |location=[[Wikipedia:Naucalpan|Naucalpan de Juárez]], [[Wikipedia:State of Mexico|Mexico]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Pearson Education|Pearson Educatión]] |pages=251-252 |ISBN=968-444-462-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/mp3musicaeninter0000unde/page/251/mode/2up?view=theater}}  Translated from {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IIc-AQAAIAAJ |title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3: Music on the Internet |ISBN=0-7897-2036-1}}</ref> <!--replace this if IA ever scans an English copy-->


<ref name="Zoom">{{cite web |url=https://rockabillyrules.com/lyrics/145/billy-zoom-band-bad-boy |title=Bad Boy |author=Billy Zoom Band |year=1976 |website=Rockabilly Rules |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127095014/https://rockabillyrules.com/lyrics/145/billy-zoom-band-bad-boy |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Zoom">{{cite web |url=https://rockabillyrules.com/lyrics/145/billy-zoom-band-bad-boy |title=Bad Boy |website=Rockabilly Rules |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127095014/https://rockabillyrules.com/lyrics/145/billy-zoom-band-bad-boy |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.thetorpedoes.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.thetorpedoes.com/ Official website]
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/410736-The-Torpedoes-2 The Torpeodes] at [[Wikipedia:Discogs|Discogs]]
{{LEGO Island}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Torpedoes, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Torpedoes, The}}

Latest revision as of 02:31, 9 April 2025

The Torpedoes
A grayscale photograph of three men playing instruments: Brian Pool on electric guitar, Brandon Watson on drums, and Jason Brown on bass guitar. The band's logo is in the bottom right corner.
The Torpedoes on the liner notes of Good for the Country (1996). From left: Brian Pool, Brandon Watson, and Jason Brown.
Background information
OriginSunnyvale, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1994–2001
LabelsResurgent Records
Past members
  • Brian Pool
  • Jason Brown
  • Brandon Watson
  • Justin Walsh
Websitethetorpedoes.com

The Torpedoes were an American instrumental surf rock band formed in Sunnyvale, California in 1994. The band primarily consisted of guitarist Brian "The Big B" Pool, bassist Jason Brown, and drummer Brandon Watson. The trio performed in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in 1998 toured around the Midwestern United States. They released two albums, Good for the Country (1996) and Lucky You (1999), through their own Resurgent Records label. Brown left the band in early 1999, shortly before their second album released, and was replaced by Justin "Jake" Walsh. In 2000 Brown returned to the band, but died several months later; after briefly continuing with a different bassist, the band broke up in 2001.

The 1997 video game LEGO Island features five instrumentals by the Torpedoes: four tracks from their first album and one original composition. These tracks are used in the beach area, the jukebox, and in L.E.G.O. Radio. The Torpedoes have become best-remembered for their appearance in the game's soundtrack.

History

A cartoon of a torpedo with a shark-like face flying around a ring with "The Torpedoes – High Intensity Surf" written on it
The band's logo, designed by Ferenc Dobronyi

The Torpedoes were formed by guitarist Brian Pool in Sunnyvale, California in 1994.[1] Jason Brown was the band's original bassist;[2] drummer Brandon Watson joined in 1995. The group's musical influences included Dick Dale, Junior Brown, the Ventures, and AC/DC. The Torpedoes initially played at local clubs and events in the San Francisco Bay Area during the "third wave" surf rock revival of the 1990s. After Watson joined, the band started work on recording a studio album. Their initial recordings featured a slower and more deliberate sound;[3] they later switched to a more speed-focused direction and recorded their debut album, Good for the Country. The album released the following year on May 3, 1996;[1][4] the band's official website launched on the same day,[5] created and managed by the album's co-producer Ron Maeder.[6][7] On September 4, 1996, the Torpedoes performed music and were interviewed on the cable news program BayTV Morning.[5]

Artwork of four LEGO minifigures surfing on musical instruments
Cover art for "Manta Ray" in the jukebox in LEGO Island; the band's name is misspelled here as "Torpedos"

The Torpedoes were one of the musical groups interested in contributing music to the video game LEGO Island during its development. Mindscape initially suggested that the band contribute an original song for use in the game's beach area; other suggestions for beach music included "Catch a Wave" by the Beach Boys and Dick Dale's recordings of "Misirlou" and "Pipeline".[8] The Torpedoes created the instrumental track "Lucky You", which LEGO Island used in-game as one of the L.E.G.O. Radio tunes.[9] Brian Pool later stated that "Lucky You" had been inspired by his ex-wife, who had a new life and was "all set" while he was a "poor ass [sic] guitar guy".[10] LEGO Island also used four tracks from Good for the Country: "Manta Ray", which is used as one of the six jukebox songs;[9] "Interplanetary", which plays in the main beach area; "Torpedoe", which plays (at a faster tempo and edited to loop) while building the Jet-Ski; and "Tarantula", which plays during the Jet-Ski race.[2][11] According to a rec.toys.lego post by Brandon Watson, music by the band was also planned to appear in the LEGO Technic Search Sub CD-ROM, though he was unsure at the time if any of the four licensed tracks had been used in either project.[11]

Three men playing rock instruments on a television studio stage
The Torpedoes on KRON-TV in 1998 (from left: Pool, Watson, Brown)

In June 1998 the band completed their Midwest Massacre tour, during which they traveled five thousand miles through cities including Iowa City, Davenport, and Clinton in Iowa, Reno, Nevada, and Salt Lake City, Utah. On July 17 the band appeared on BayTV Morning a second time. In August 1998 the Torpedoes recorded their second album, Lucky You, titled after the track originally used in LEGO Island. On October 14, 1998, the band launched a new website at www.TheTorpedoes.com, now managed by Brandon Watson.[2]

Three men playing rock instruments on stage at a pizzeria
The Torpedoes performing in Incline Village, Nevada in June 1999 (from left: Walsh, Watson, Pool)

Jason Brown left the Torpedoes on January 20, 1999. A week later on January 27, the band recruited bassist Justin Walsh from Los Angeles as Brown's replacement. The album Lucky You released on March 30, 1999. The Torpedoes were selected as the featured artist of the day on MP3.com the next day on March 31, 1999.[2] The Lucky You track "Big Sky" (released online under its former name "Big Blue") was MP3.com's featured country song on April 12, 1999.[2][1] The band also had two DAM CDs[note 1] for sale on MP3.com, MK-48 and Flooding the Tubes.[13] In Rod Underhill's book The Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3, the band stated that MP3.com had given them the opportunity to be heard by thousands of people online who might have never discovered them otherwise.[1]

Jason Brown returned to the band on March 1, 2000. However, Brown died three months later on June 5, 2000.[2][14] The band later continued playing with a new bassist named Sebastian.[15][16] The Torpedoes played their final show at Longshoremen’s Hall in San Francisco on March 24, 2001.[17] Following the band's breakup, Brian Pool moved to Davenport, Iowa,[18] where he started recording solo guitar demos.[19][20] Brandon Watson later joined the band No Exit.[21]

Discography

Good for the Country

Good for the Country
A photograph of USS Asheville (SSN-758) on sea trials in June 1991. Above the photograph are the words "The Torpedoes" and below it "Good for the Country".
Studio album by
The Torpedoes
ReleasedMay 3, 1996 (1996-05-03)
Recorded1995
StudioTrainwreck Studios (Mountain View, California)[7]
Genre
Length32:23
LabelResurgent Records
ProducerBrian Pool, Ron Maeder

Good for the Country is the debut album by the Torpedoes. It was recorded in 1995 and released on May 3, 1996.[4][5] The album contains seventeen instrumental tracks; an eighteenth track, "Shorebreak", was apparently planned for inclusion but was cut from the released album.[22] The album's cover art was designed by Ferenc Dobronyi from the band Pollo Del Mar.[23][6] Good for the Country features elements of skate punk and inspiration from spy film scores; the latter is most obvious in the album's only cover track, "A Man Alone" from the 1965 spy film The Ipcress File.[22] The tracks "Manta Ray", "Interplanetary", "Torpedoe", and "Tarantula" were featured in LEGO Island.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Brian Pool, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Manta Ray" 0:57
2."The Hornet" 1:42
3."Interplanetary" 2:07
4."Spanish Main" 2:36
5."Nebula 33-7" 2:11
6."Green Light" 2:20
7."Half-Pipe" 1:10
8."The Mummy" 1:46
9."Midnight Surfer (Ode to Mark Foo)" 2:27
10."Gyro-scopic Control" 1:43
11."Theme from The Ipcress File (A Man Alone)"John Barry2:19
12."Secret Agent In Berlin" 1:39
13."The Naked Spur" 2:38
14."Stockyard-250" 1:23
15."Torpedoe" 1:51
16."Tarantula" 1:04
17."The Snake" 2:29
Total length:32:23

Personnel

Lucky You

Lucky You
A grayscale photograph of a woman with a lipstick kiss and "XOXOXO" on it, and "The Torpedoes ~ Lucky You" written above it.
Studio album by
The Torpedoes
ReleasedMarch 30, 1999 (1999-03-30)
RecordedAugust 11–21, 1998
StudioHouse of Faith (Palo Alto, California)[24]
Genre
Length29:13
LabelResurgent Records
ProducerBrian Pool

Lucky You is the second studio album by the Torpedoes, released on March 30, 1999. Recording took place between August 11 and August 21, 1998.[2][26] The album features thirteen tracks, including the band's only released vocal track,[25] a cover of Billy Zoom's "Bad Boy" performed by Pool.[27][28] Compared to their first album, Lucky You has more focus on arrangement and technique, and features more country rock elements. The title track is an updated arrangement of "Lucky You" from LEGO Island, featuring two guitar parts and a lead keyboard; the album also features an updated version of "Green Light" from Good for the Country. The tracks "Big Sky", "Fishin'", and "Davenport" were originally titled "Big Blue", "Fishin' With My Boy", and "Acoustic" respectively.[25][26] Following the first two days of recording, the band uploaded a "bootleg" of four unmastered tracks from the album's DAT cassette on their website (alongside an exclusive unfinished track, "SideSaddle").[26]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Brian Pool, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lucky You" 1:55
2."Green Light" 2:20
3."Bad Boy"Billy Zoom2:11
4."Manhattan Skyline" 2:37
5."Batwing" 2:23
6."No Trace" 2:42
7."The Gunfighter" 1:45
8."American Heartbreak" 2:35
9."Big Sky" 2:14
10."Fishin'" 1:41
11."Lickety-Split" 1:39
12."Night of the Hot Rods" 2:56
13."Davenport" 2:16
Total length:29:13

Personnel

Notes

  1. ↑ Digital Automatic Music CDs ("DAM CDs") were sold by MP3.com using music uploaded by artists registered on the website. DAM CDs contained music both in Compact Disc Digital Audio (or "Red Book audio") format and as MP3 files.[12]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Underhill, Rod; Gertler, Nat (2000). MP3: Música en Internet [MP3: Music on the Internet] (in español). Translated by de la Barrera Ugalde, Ricardo. Naucalpan de Juárez, Mexico: Pearson Educatión. pp. 251–252. ISBN 968-444-462-1. Translated from The Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3: Music on the Internet. ISBN 0-7897-2036-1.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Pool, Brian (2000). "Latest News". The Torpedoes Official Web Site. Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  3. ↑ Dirt, Phil (June 3, 2002). "The Torpedoes - San Jose '95". Reverb Central. Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025..
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Watson, Brandon (June 2000). "The Torpedoes Gig Site - Instrumental Rock Music!". The Torpedoes Official Web Site. Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Maeder, Ron (May 2, 1997) [May 3, 1996]. "Show Dates". The Torpedoes home page. Archived from the original on June 13, 1998.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Maeder, Ron (February 11, 1997). "The Torpedoes – Present their debut CD – Good for the Country". The Torpedoes home page. Archived from the original on June 13, 1998.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Pool, Brian; Dirt, Phil (May 3, 1996). Good for the Country (CD liner notes). San Francisco: Resurgent Records. RR001.
  8. ↑ Mindscape (1996). "Adventures on LEGO Island Music/Voice/Talent" (Internal document).
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mindscape (September 26, 1997). LEGO Island (Windows). Scene: Credits. Torpedoes – Surf Sounds / Jetski – "Mantaray" (Juke Box song) – L.E.G.O. Radio tune
  10. ↑ Pool, Brian (2014). "hey the inspiration was that my ex-wife had a new life and I was a poor ass guitar guy, so lucky-you meant gee I guess your all set...lucky you" (comment on YouTube video " The Torpedoes - Lucky You .aka. Radio Tune #2 (1997 - Original - Simulated STEREO Mix - LEGO Island)" by Henry Johnson's Sounds Of Yesterday). Archived from the original on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025 – via YouTube. Off-site copy of the comment available here.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Brandon Watson (August 9, 1997). "cd-roms?". Newsgroup: rec.toys.lego. Usenet: [email protected]. Archived from the original on January 31, 2025.
  12. ↑ Frankel, Justin; Greely, Dave; Sawyer, Ben. MP3 Power! with Winamp. Cincinnati, Ohio: Muska & Lipman Publishing. pp. 73, 221. ISBN 0-9662889-3-9.
  13. ↑ "The Torpedoes". MP3.com. Archived from the original on 1999-11-29.
  14. ↑ Watson, Brandon (2000). "The Torpedoes Gig Site - Instrumental Rock Music!". The Torpedoes Official Web Site. Archived from the original on June 8, 2000. Jason Brown our friend, our partner lost his life this week. We will miss his spark and the love of life he brought to our hearts, lives and the band.
  15. ↑ Watson, Brandon (January 13, 2001). "The Torpedoes Show Dates". The Torpedoes Official Web Site. Archived from the original on February 5, 2001.
  16. ↑ "A pic from our show in Oakland Ca". The Torpedoes Official Web Site. 2001. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025.
  17. ↑ Watson, Brandon (March 22, 2001). "The Torpedoes Live Show Schedule". The Torpedoes Official Web Site. Archived from the original on April 12, 2001.
  18. ↑ Dirt, Phil (2002). "Brian Pool - Big B's New Ax". Reverb Central. Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025..
  19. ↑ Dirt, Phil (2002). "Brian Pool - S/T". Reverb Central. Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025..
  20. ↑ "No Exit". Gospelcats. Archived from the original on 2025-02-05.
  21. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Dirt, Phil (May 15, 1996). "The Torpedoes - Good For The Country". Reverb Central. Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  22. ↑ "The Torpedoes – Reviews". The Torpedoes home page. 1997. Archived from the original on June 13, 1998.
  23. ↑ Pool, Brian; Dirt, Phil (March 30, 1999). Lucky You (CD liner notes). San Francisco: Resurgent Records. RR002.
  24. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Dirt, Phil (May 3, 1999). "The Torpedoes - Lucky You". Reverb Central. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  25. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 "The Torpedoes Bootleg Page". The Torpedoes Official Web Site. 1998. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Bad Boy". Rockabilly Rules. Archived from the original on January 27, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Press". The Torpedoes Official Web Site. 2000. Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.

External links

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