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BAND BIOGRAPHY

RAM-BUNK-SHUSH, named after a song by The Ventures, was formed in July 2005. The members are Butch Aharonian, lead guitar, John Chrisman, rhythm guitar, Roger Runjavac, bass and Mike Williams, drums and percussion. More information on each of the members is contained in the individual biographies below.

The seeds of RAM-BUNK-SHUSH germinated in the summer of 2003 when Butch and John, who were classmates and acquaintances at San Marcos High School in the late 1960's were reunited while surfing at UCSB's Campus Point. Both had recently returned to surfing after many years and quickly became close friends and surf partners. One evening while visiting for dinner, Butch noticed several guitars laying around John's house and mentioned that he used to play. That was all it took! Within a few weeks, Butch had an electric guitar and he and John were resurrecting their rusty chops. Almost immediately the two realized their mutual love and appreciation of instrumental surf music from the early 1960's. This was the music they heard back in "the day"; the music that formed the soundtrack for the California surf scene in which they, as young gremmies, were avidly participating. Butch and John performed as "Tides", a guitar duo, at several parties and events and really had no plans for expanding the lineup. Then in June 2005, Roger brought a watch to Butch for repair and noticed the two Stratocasters sitting on their guitar stands. Roger showed up at John's house with his bass the next day and the duo immediately became a trio. Roger knew Mike and invited him to bring his drums and sit in. Roger and Mike quickly became enthused about the surf music that Butch and John were playing and, voila, RAM-BUNK-SHUSH was born.

RAM-BUNK-SHUSH loves to play surf music in the "classic" genre such as "Walk Don't Run", "Pipeline", "Baja", etc. but believes in interpreting, not copying, the original songs. Thus, within the framework of any given tune, one is likely to hear original riffs, modulations, added verses and/or bridges and unique introductions and endings. While the band also plays several songs that are not generally considered 'surf music", such as instrumental versions of "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" and "Lonely Bull," as well as an occasional Santana tune, the primary focus remains on the surf ditties of the '60's. RAM-BUNK-SHUSH strives to be Santa Barbara's Premier Surf Band.

INDIVIDUAL BIOGRAPHIES

Butch Aharonian (lead guitar) was born in the suburbs of Chicago, but his family moved to Santa Barbara before any permanent damage could occur. As a pre-teen, Butch was a child prodigy clarinetist who performed at concerts and recitals throughout the Santa Barbara area. As a teenager, he left the clarinet behind in favor of other pursuits such as surfing, cars, and raising hell, but his inherent musical talent remained intact. In his later teens, Butch took up the guitar although never seriously. For most of his adult life, including four years in the Air Force, he had a guitar sitting around. Butch returned to surfing in 2002 as a way to spend time with his son Michael. It was while surfing that he met up with John; and as they say the rest is history. Butch is a smooth, expressive and lyrical guitarist and takes great pride in his role as the main voice of RAM-BUNK-SHUSH. He lives in Goleta and enjoys surfing, watching "The Sopranos", working on his 1973 VW Bug, spending time with his adult children and the love of his life, his Fiesta Red Custom Shop '56 Relic Strat.

John Chrisman (rhythm guitar) came to Santa Barbara from the boondocks of Upstate New York at the age of 6 after his father, a Lompoc native, vowed to never again pick up a snow shovel. A product of local schools, SBCC and UCSB he has resided locally ever since except for military service and grad school. John started playing guitar at the age of 12 and spent his teens and early 20's playing in several local bands during the '60's and '70's. After not playing for years, he rediscovered the guitar in 2001, but never thought of doing more than noodling around by himself. All that changed in 2003 when he ran into Butch while surfing and they started playing together as a duo. John despises playing chords, so naturally he is the rhythm guitarist for RAM-BUNK-SHUSH. He lives in Goleta with 1 cockatiel, the remnants of a muscle car collection from a past life, 6 surfboards and a closet bursting with guitars.

Keith Taber (base) brings years of true musical talent to RAM-BUNK-SHUSH. Formally trained, Keith also plays in the classic rock band BUSHWOOD and the Doors tribute band KINGSNAKE. Keith brings over 35 years of musical background and experience. It is not clear if Keith found us, or we found him. It all started at the Creekside in Goleta one cold wet night. Like John, Keith has no shortage of of guitars in his arsenal to pick from. He has been known to pick up an acoustic and play some very nice classical guitar from time to time too. Keith lives and works in Goleta when not playing.

Mike Williams (drums and percussion) is a transplant to Santa Barbara from Orange County where he grew up in the back hills of the Irvine Ranch. He plays on an original Rogers XP8 five piece drum set with a Dynasonic snare that he purchased when he was 16, now with a custom Vintage Logos front base head. For more than 30 years, Mike has carted this set about. Like most drummers, he has played on and off, a lesson here and there and a lot of one-night jams about town. When he was approached by Roger to play with RAM-BUNK-SHUSH, the drums were set up in the playroom for practice by his stepdaughter's band, Tenth of Always. Mike recalls that he would sit in from time to time, but was not ready for the rigors of real structured practice. Mike strives to recreate the classic snare sounds of the genre. It sounds easy, but can be most frustrating. "It is all about practice, practice and more practice." Mike now lives in the back hills of Santa Barbara, preferring the trees to the ocean, having never surfed a day in his life.