Redondo Beach firefighters’ band makes debut
by Garth Meyer
They were not listed for the day’s entertainment. Sea Shift and the Overtimers took the stage in Riviera Village at 10 a.m. last Saturday, before the schedule began at 11:30.
The mayor was there, a city councilman and a smattering of a crowd for a band made up of Redondo Beach firefighters. Time was short – they had 45 minutes to work with.
“This (next one) is a love song,” said drummer Morgan Peterson, in a sleeveless black Redondo Beach F.D. T-shirt, after singing a thunderous take on The Cars’ “Just What I Needed.”
Lead guitarist and frontman Ryan Hunt then began to wail on Radiohead’s “Creep.”
Word came from the audience of inquiries on how many of these guys were single. After applause from one number, a stage manager came up.
“You got 10 minutes left,” he said.
“Two songs,” said Peterson into his kit mic.
Originally from Santa Cruz, he joined the RBFD from CalFire five years ago.
“This is for Taylor Hawkins, that guy was the man. I hope we can do this justice.”
Peterson cracked his drumsticks and the four-man act kicked in to “Learn To Fly” by the Foo Fighters.
One song left, and mustached guitar player Brent West and veteran bassist Dave Smith began a motoring rhythm.
Frontman Hunt joined in and stepped to the microphone.
“I want to take shelter / from the poison rain…” he sang to the avenues with no name, only a letter.
The song soon concluded but for the lingering reverb of Hunt’s guitar. He stepped on a pedal and it was time to pack up their instruments and clear the way for the day’s scheduled entertainment.
Starting out
This was the first public performance for Sea Shift and the Overtimers, and second overall. They debuted in February at the annual RBFD retirement party at the Shade Hotel.
The band formed eight months ago. The idea to appear at the Village Summer Festival arose last week when West said at the station, “it would be cool to play the Riviera Summer Festival next year.”
“What about this year?” said another firefighter.
Phone calls were made, and an arrangement came together to create a slot before the Saturday lineup.
All four bandmembers are firefighter/paramedics. Hunt is an engineer (he drives fire trucks). Dave Smith, on bass, is a division chief, set to retire in September after a 30-year career with the Redondo Beach Fire Department. West, on rhythm guitar, Ryan and Smith all work out of Station One – at Broadway and Pearl.
Peterson is at Station Two in North Redondo. While drumming, he sings lead more often than not. He also plays saxophone, though it has not yet been incorporated into the band.
“Sea Shift” comes from “C Shift”, which three of the members work.
The band rents studio time in Hermosa Beach to practice on days off.
“We think it’s pretty cool we can get out there and represent the department,” said Hunt.
A guy they met while working at BeachLife in May volunteered to help them design a logo. He printed it on Peterson’s bass drum. The band is selling T-shirts to raise money to buy a P.A. system. Otherwise, financial imperatives are limited.
“I hate to get paid for this,” Hunt said.
“We’re really just doing it for fun,” said West.
“We’re already lucky enough to have a great job working for the city,” Hunt said.
What did they think of the 45-minute slot at 10 a.m.?
“I think we woke up people at the Chez Melange,” said Hunt. ER