Los Venturas started out in 1998 as “Harley and The Revtones”. Playing mostly 60s double-picked instro-tunes they aimed to conquer the Belgian surf scene. The same month they did their first gig, 2 demo-tracks were recorded under the supervising eye of John Blair (!). Sadly these tracks have never been released on CD or vinyl.
By the end of 1999 Los Venturas was formed after a bassist-switch and a change of name, as “Harley and The Revtones” would wrongly be associated with the motorcycle-brand. The new name had to sound fresh, warm, ad-venturous and exotic.
Meanwhile they had found their own sound and started making own compositions. In 2001 they released their first 4-track vinyl-only EP “Sharkfest”. A classic in neo-surf.
For their full-album “Aloha Summer”, Los Venturas wanted to reach that classic 60s surf-sound. In early 2003 they went on a trip to London to record in Liam Watson’s famous Toe Rag Studio.
Thanks to the brilliant songwriting skills of Thomas Molineaux, “Aloha Summer” had a strong follower, “Surfers Brew” (2006), an album that mixes ska, surf and a touch of reggae. Mention that all band-members were composing for this album which explains the diversity in styles.
Today they provide a mix of surf, ska, funk, rock-steady, soul, groove, reggae, rai and indierock. The 4-track EP “Besame Mucho” (2007) is the best example of what an instrumental band is capable of. With groovy hot tracks like Theme from P.O.R.N., Met de Vespa op de baan and Rai Uno they will easily blow your mind.
Touring in Italy, England, Switzerland, Holland, Luxemburg, Germany, France, Austria, Greece, the Czech Republic they sure have marked their spot in the European instrumental scene. Los Venturas have shared the stage with The Surfaris, The Trashmen, Slacktone, Jon and The Nightriders, Leighton Koizumi (The Morlocks), De Heideroosjes, Bee Dee Kay and The Roller Coaster and many many more.
Currently they’ve finished the recordings of a new full LP in Pete Curry’s “Powow Fun Room”, Los Angeles. The LP will contain 8 originals and 3 covers and is called “Kaleydoskop”, referring to the variety of styles and sounds in the songs.