The Centurians were an instrumental surf rock band started by Dennis Rose from Newport Beach, California. They were active in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Their music has been used in at least two films. They reformed as The Centurions in 1995 and released new material.

Background The group originated from Costa Mesa, California, they were a septet.Becoming the Beach Boys, 1961–1963, By James B. Murphy – Page 283

In recent times, they are best known for their recording "Bullwinkle Part II", a dark and saxy surf tune from their album Surfers' Pajama Party. This song is featured in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction where it is used to highlight a scene.Mtime.com, 2013-09-18 – Log, black" music, refreshing surfing – "Pulp Fiction" music (日志 “黑色”音乐，爽快冲浪——《低俗小说》的音乐) It was also used in an episode of the TV show How I Met Your Mother entitled "Girls Versus Suits". Less well known is their cover of the classic song "Intoxica" a twangy and upbeat surf instrumental originally by The Revels, used in the 1972 film Pink Flamingos.

Career 1960s In 1963, their line-up consisted of Pat Gagnebin, Ken Robinson, Dennis Rose, Joe Dominic, Dennis Kiklas, Ernie Furrow, and Jeff Lear.Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties, Robert J. Dalley – Page 50 When they released their album on Del-Fi records in 1963, its cover was identical (as well as catalog number) to Bruce Johnston's release, hence the title "Surfers' Pajama Party"The Music Lover's Guide to Record Collecting, By Dave Thompson – - – which was not the name The Centurians had in mind. Their name was changed from The Centurions to The Centurians sometime after 1967 for legal reasons.Surf & Hot Rod Music of the 60's: Collectors Quick Reference, By R. Duane Cozzen – Page 36 THE CENTURIONS

In 1966, some of the music they recorded, along with music by Dave Meyers and the Surf Tones and The Sentinels was involved in legal action by Al Schlesinger against the Del-Fi Records label. Schlesinger was representing Anthony Music and its principal shareholder Anthony Hilder in an action pursuing $122,000 over royalties not being paid as per an alleged agreement for the masters of albums and another album, Battle of the Surf Bands.Billboard, 26 Mar 1966 – Page 4, Anthony Music Sues Del-Fi

Later years In June 1995 Dennis Rose reformed the group as "The Centurions" with Dennis Rose (guitar), David Jobes (drums), Charly Grey-Son (bass), Perris Alexander (keyboards), Norman Knowles (tenor sax) and Dennis Rehders (tenor and baritone sax). They recorded a new album called Bullwinkle Part III produced by Dennis Rose and Perris Alexander.Surf Bands of the Sixties (Second Edition), by Robert J. Dalley – , 9781560750420 – Page 53 A review of the 1995 re-issue of Bullwinkle Part II by Alan Taylor, editor of UK magazine Pipeline Instrumental Review, stated that "The Centurions had more than one string to their bow. Their tough rhythm section, raunchy sax and deep resonant lead guitar had worked up a whole album's worth of instrumentals for Bob Keane's label. You can savour the band's sound on all twelve tracks and several stand out as genuinely classic surf performances". In August 1995 the group performed a concert at Pierfest Surf City Foundation Festival (1995) in Huntington Beach.The Centurions Surf Band, Myspace – PhotosPerris Alexander – Jul 4, 2016

Legacy The song "Bullwinkle Part II" was used in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction and features on the soundtrack album. The film's success led to the band's reunion. In 1999 "Bullwinkle Part II" was covered by Elliot Easton's Tiki Gods on the Del-Fi tribute compilation "Delfonic Sounds Today!".

Original members + List Name Role Notes # Dennis Rose guitar and bass Joe Dominic drums Ernie Furrow guitar and bass Jerry Dicks keyboard Pat Gagnebin sax and harmonica Jeffrey Lear bass Ken Robison sax, flute and clarinet

Discography + Film Act Title Label and catalogue no. Year Notes # The Centurians Surfers' Pajama Party(Recorded Live on the U.C.L.A. Campus) Del-Fi DFLP 1228 1963 Worthpoint – BRUCE JOHNSTON'S SURFING BAND: Surfers' Pajama Party LPThe Music Lover's Guide to Record Collecting, By Dave Thompson – - reissued in 1995 on CD as Bullwinkle Part II by The Centurions (Del-Fi CD 71250-2)Blue Suede News, Volumes 25–36 – Page 130 The Centurians a.o. Surf War - The Battle of the Surf Groups Shepherd Records – SLP 1300 1963 six tracks on a compilation The Centurions Bullwinkle Part III myspace online release 1995

References

External links

Myspace: The Centurions