Eddie Ugata, a vintage guitar collector and one of Japan’s foremost authorities on 1960s surf music, formed the El Caminos in 1994 out of the ashes of his previous band The L.S.D.s, who achieved popularity in the Kansai garage scene.
The El Caminos debut album “Knock’em Out” was released in 1995.
The band’s mission statement: “pursuing the sounds of 1960s surf music without limits” embodies their sound. The El Caminos started to receive attention from surf instrumental enthusiasts, not only in Japan but throughout the world.
Their second album, “Surfer’s Lounge” was released in June of 1996 and attracted attention from surf music fans overseas.
The El Caminos released a best album called “Reverb Explosion” in August of 1997 on the legendary DEL-FI Records, a label that has a very special place in the heart of Eddie. All 15 tracks were personally selected by label founder Bob Keane for a US release. The album stirred up a great response: the track “Sumo Wrestler” even reached the number one spot on the chart of a college radio station on the West Coast.
The El Caminos experienced several changes in membership over the years and continued their activities at a slow pace.
In 2005, the band released their third album “Beatrama”. In 2013, the band played their first show overseas at the Surf Guitar 101 Convention.