NEWS FLASH: the astounding adventures of MAL & THE LONGBOARDERS

Your all time favorite surf band are up to their old tricks again. Surfing, playing gigs and enjoying life. It's just as we suspected Agent 99…they have been busy lil' beavers. Quick let's zoom in to get a closer look at these very stoked surfing legends…

The boys are still hitting the H2o regularly. Enthusiastic and relaxed surfing sees each band member still enjoying the surfing lifestyle. The preferred break is still Wategoes at Byron Bay and it is a familiar site to see the boys drawing their lines on the walls or chatting the tide away out the back. They spend most of their time chatting rather than surfing - you can almost see the stoke dripping off them as they glide past grinning like kids who just visited the Willy Wonka factory. As Alison Aprhys says in her recent article on the band published in NZ's Slide mag "they treat surfing like their music. A great way to relax, have fun with mates and connect with themselves as individuals."

On Tuesday the boys are still rockin' late into the pm "rehearsing". One truly has to wonder what these boys get up to in that surf soaked shed out the back of Mal's house. The band really goes into a shared solitude when they gather in "Studio California"- it's just them, their instruments, and (don't forget) plenty of beer and bourbon (for Gaz) to reward all their 'hard work'-or so they say. As salty sounds are threaded through the air laughs and good times arise from the house like smoke drifting peacefully from a chimney. Junior still believes that rehearsals "are as much fun as any gig. The songs for the new album just seem to arise almost spontaneously, which constantly amazes and delights me."

And let me tell you, what these boys come up with after these rehearsals is nothing short of amazing. Their fourth album is presently being polished for release in mid 2006. Having purchased a space age recording system the boys get to record, experiment and work their own material. A new flavour with fresh sounds is being born through experimentation and this allows the boys to take their experience to the next level. I know that they are all very stoked with the demos and are keyed up for the release.
When listening to each of the 14 tracks you can clearly note the progression the band have made musically. Their sound has matured nicely for a bluesy-beach feel. My favorite tune is 'Under the Cover of Darkness'. A bluesy song salted with that surfing zest. This song was written by the boys whilst on a trip over in the Maldives. The new album will definitely delight old lovers and new converts to the band.

Even though Mal and the Longboarders have been working hard on the new album, their heads keep on popping up in the national media. The boys appeared in a very fine feature article in the New Zealand bombshell longboarding magazine 'Slide'. Written by Alison Aprhys the boys have graced 4 pages of this magazine with pictures, interviews and words all about the vibe that the boys contribute to the surfing world. Very impressive! Mal and the Longboarders also featured on the follow up to Greg McCarthy's hit surfing film 'Luminary' - 'Style'. Style is a great Aussie surf DVD exploring the lifestyles of 3 Byron Bay surfers, with a killer soundtrack. The boys mix it up with the best in the industry, including Beau Young, Xavier Rudd, Max Judo, Custom Kings and Will Conner.

The boys have got some big surf stomps lined up for next year. With 'blah blah blah' sponsoring air fares the band plan to make their debut in Western Australia, at the Whalebone Classic held in Perth. The Whalebone Classic attracts nearly 10,000 spectators from all corners of the surfing globe. They are stoked for this opportunity and all are eager to experience the surf, people and aloha the western state has to offer. They are also firing up to let the WA crew have a taste of a live feed of their house-rockin music. You go boys!!
The band are also planning on making regular appearances at East Coast surf comps including the Crescent Head Malibu Classic and Lennox Head Classic.
They still rock out like they are twenty and Gaz, being a true showman keeps everyone on their toes with the new addition to the band, a cordless microphone. Gaz frequently gets mobile and joins the people who are boppin' on the dance floor. Very entertaining. With all members getting natural highs on stage the band is pure DYNAMITE!!!

The boys are always looking spiffy and relaxed up on stage with their vibrant Okanui boardies and shirts. They are all still puffing with pride when they paddle out their 'Mal and the Longboarders model' surfboards that were generously donated by Big Al from O'Fish'l boards. And Sput and Kris from Byron Bay Longboards has made sure the boys have all the right surf gear and advice. This loyal sponsorship backing still amazes and delights the boys and all are grateful for the support the sponsors have shown, and continue to show.

The boys in action at Cresent Head

As usual if you would like to say g'day from your corner of the surfing universe drop Mal and the Longboarders an e-mail - go to the Contact section and get typing. Keep on surfing and be happy.

Who knows what these boys will get up to in the future?!! Tune in next time for the amazing adventures of Mal & the Longboarders.