Trebels bassist Oscar Barajas provides a backgrounder, sounds and images for a band that took California by storm in the mid-’80s.
The first bass I bought was at Freedom Guitar in downtown San Diego, a Fender Precision copy. I couldn’t play a lick. Yet with time and a bit of practice, I became somewhat competent. What helped was some guitar chords and ditties I learned from my older brother Fernando.
Guitarist Xavier Anaya also picked up on the guitar and learned from his Tio Chato, an original Treble. The original Trebles were a popular outfit in Tijuana back in the ’60s and ’70s.
John Chilson was an instant pro at the drums the minute he picked up those sticks, a natural. Jay Wiseman fell in perfectly as singer and frontman.
The Trebels were born, a future of cops breaking up house parties because of our Maximum RnB; a wedding reception where we were bullied by the bride’s father (understandably so, looking back on it); a triumphant show at the White House in Imperial Beach; and thanks to our great friend Dan Holsenback, our most highly compensated gig — the graduation party for UC Davis Law School. Liz Pepin gave us our first big break by releasing our first single on Whaam Records. Liz helped us out a lot by introducing us to San Francisco, playing at Mod shows, the Mabuhay Gardens, and having us open for Chris Isaak at Slim’s.
We’re also grateful for Bart Mendoza, Manual Scan, and Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs for championing us. We had a residency at The Texas Teahouse in Ocean Beach, every Tuesday. There were shows with the Paladins at the Belly Up Tavern and SDSU’s Montezuma Hall.
We became a quintet for a period with the addition of Jim Davies on guitar, giving us a fuller sound. David Anderson also became our drummer for a period. Tony Suarez also stepped up and helped us out on drums for a time.
The Trebels play “IB Boulevard.” Listen now!
The Trebels play “Farmer John.” Listen now!
The Trebels play “Bring It Home to Jerome.” Listen now!
Our last show before we went our separate ways was opening up for Chuck Berry at the Bacchanal. (Editor’s note: Check out this SD Union writeup.) I can’t imagine a better sendoff for the Trebels — Chuck Berry was the pulse of the Trebels, his songs were always a part of our set.
We were ready and booked for a reunion show in San Diego last year but the pandemic hit. I hope as soon as things open up and the pandemic is behind us, the Trebels can re-book the show and rave up once again.
The Trebels! I’m remiss in having not thought of the band in years, and really glad that this personal history is made available. The telling of this tale brings up so many memories and associations, including The Answers membership crossovers, and the name Liz Pepin -- for whom Leighton Koizumi was merciless in teasing, when The Morlocks relocated to SF. Liz went on to become in charge of the archives for Bill Graham Presents -- from the earliest Fillmore Ballroom days onward.
I don’t know if this is the Whaaam-label disc that was mentioned, but Dave Doyle and Mark Neil of The Unknowns produced a single, who’s B-side -- That Girl -- could have come straight off of Pebbles Vol 6!
https://youtu.be/IuYYhYMR3bg
Would this entry be complete, without a Sceneroller link?
https://www.sceneroller.com/bands/trebels