# The Centurians

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US musical group

The Centurians Also known as The Centurions (reunion spelling) Origin Costa Mesa, California, U.S. Genres Surf rock Years active Late 1950s–1960s 1990s–? Label Del-Fi Past members Dennis Rose Joe Dominic Ernie Furrow Jerry Dicks Pat Gagnebin Jeffrey Lear Ken Robison

**The Centurians** were an [instrumental](/source/Instrumental) [surf rock](/source/Surf_rock) band started by Dennis Rose from [Newport Beach, California](/source/Newport_Beach%2C_California). They were active in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Their music has been used in at least two films. They reformed as **The Centurions** in 1995 and released new material.

## Background

The group originated from [Costa Mesa, California](/source/Costa_Mesa%2C_California), they were a septet.[1]

In recent times, they are best known for their recording "Bullwinkle Part II", a dark and saxy surf tune from their album *Surfers' Pajama Party*. This song is featured in the 1994 film *[Pulp Fiction](/source/Pulp_Fiction)*[2] where it is used to highlight a scene.[3] It was also used in an episode of the TV show *[How I Met Your Mother](/source/How_I_Met_Your_Mother)* entitled "[Girls Versus Suits](/source/Girls_Versus_Suits)". Less well known is their cover of the classic song "Intoxica" a twangy and upbeat surf instrumental originally by [The Revels](/source/The_Revels), used in the 1972 film *[Pink Flamingos](/source/Pink_Flamingos)*.

## Career

### 1960s

In 1963, their line-up consisted of Pat Gagnebin, Ken Robinson, Dennis Rose, Joe Dominic, Dennis Kiklas, Ernie Furrow, and Jeff Lear.[4] When they released their album on [Del-Fi](/source/Del-Fi) records in 1963, its cover was identical (as well as catalog number) to [Bruce Johnston](/source/Bruce_Johnston)'s release, hence the title "*Surfers' Pajama Party*"[5] – which was not the name The Centurians had in mind. [*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Their name was changed from *The Centurions* to *The Centurians* sometime after 1967 for legal reasons.[6]

In 1966, some of the music they recorded, along with music by [Dave Meyers and the Surf Tones](/source/Dave_Myers_and_The_Surftones) and [The Sentinels](/source/The_Sentinals_(band)) was involved in legal action by Al Schlesinger against the [Del-Fi Records](/source/Del-Fi) label. Schlesinger was representing Anthony Music and its principal shareholder [Anthony Hilder](/source/Anthony_Hilder) in an action pursuing $122,000 over royalties not being paid as per an alleged agreement for the masters of albums and another album, *Battle of the Surf Bands*.[7]

### Later years

In June 1995 Dennis Rose reformed the group as "The Centurions" with Dennis Rose (guitar), David Jobes (drums), Charly Grey-Son (bass), Perris Alexander (keyboards), [Norman Knowles](/source/Norman_Knowles) (tenor sax) and Dennis Rehders (tenor and baritone sax). They recorded a new album called *Bullwinkle Part III* produced by Dennis Rose and Perris Alexander.[8] A review of the 1995 re-issue of *Bullwinkle Part II* by Alan Taylor, editor of UK magazine *[Pipeline Instrumental Review](/source/Pipeline_Instrumental_Review)*, stated that "The Centurions had more than one string to their bow. Their tough rhythm section, raunchy sax and deep resonant lead guitar had worked up a whole album's worth of instrumentals for [Bob Keane](/source/Bob_Keane)'s label. You can savour the band's sound on all twelve tracks and several stand out as genuinely classic surf performances".[9] In August 1995 the group performed a concert at *Pierfest* [10] in Huntington Beach.[11][12] In 2000, the band performed at the [Pipeline Instrumental Rock Convention](/source/Pipeline_Instrumental_Review) in [London](/source/London).[13]

## Legacy

The song "Bullwinkle Part II" was used in the 1994 film *[Pulp Fiction](/source/Pulp_Fiction)* and features on the [soundtrack album](/source/Pulp_Fiction_(soundtrack)).[9] The film's success led to the band's reunion. In 1999 "Bullwinkle Part II" was covered by [Elliot Easton](/source/Elliot_Easton)'s Tiki Gods on the Del-Fi tribute compilation "Delfonic Sounds Today!".

## Original members

List Name Role Notes # Dennis Rose guitar and bass Joe Dominic drums Ernie Furrow guitar and bass Jerry Dicks keyboard Pat Gagnebin sax and harmonica Jeffrey Lear bass [14] Ken Robison sax, flute and clarinet

## Discography

Film Act Title Label and catalogue no. Year Notes # The Centurians Surfers' Pajama Party (Recorded Live on the U.C.L.A. Campus) Del-Fi DFLP 1228 1963 [15][16] reissued in 1995 on CD as Bullwinkle Part II by The Centurions (Del-Fi CD 71250-2)[17] The Centurians a.o. Surf War - The Battle of the Surf Groups Shepherd Records – SLP 1300 1963 six tracks on a compilation The Centurions Bullwinkle Part III myspace online release 1995

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** *Becoming the Beach Boys, 1961–1963*, By James B. Murphy – [Page 283](https://books.google.com/books?id=iYneCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22The+Centurions%22Dennis+Rose%22&pg=PA283)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Surf Music and Seventies Soul: The Songs of 'Pulp Fiction'"](https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/pictures/surf-music-and-seventies-soul-the-songs-of-pulp-fiction-20140521/the-centurians-bullwinkle-part-ii-0794363). Rolling Stone magazine. Retrieved July 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Mtime.com](/source/Mtime.com), 2013-09-18 – [Log, black" music, refreshing surfing – "Pulp Fiction" music (日志 “黑色”音乐，爽快冲浪——《低俗小说》的音乐)](http://i.mtime.com/eskare/blog/7677563/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190220181605/http://i.mtime.com/eskare/blog/7677563/) 2019-02-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** *Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties*, Robert J. Dalley – [Page 50](https://books.google.com/books?id=z9EiAQAAIAAJ&q=%22The+Centurions%22Ernie+Furrow%22)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** *The Music Lover's Guide to Record Collecting*, By Dave Thompson – [-](https://books.google.com/books?id=GtGGDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22BRUCE+JOHNSTON%27S+SURFING+BAND%22&pg=PT444)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** *Surf & Hot Rod Music of the 60's: Collectors Quick Reference*, By R. Duane Cozzen – [Page 36 THE CENTURIONS](https://books.google.com/books?id=_25gCgAAQBAJ&dq=%22The+Centurions%22The+Centurians%22Surf&pg=PA36)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** *Billboard*, 26 Mar 1966 – [Page 4, Anthony Music Sues Del-Fi](https://books.google.com/books?id=5SgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Tony+Hilder+Billboard&pg=PA4)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** *[Surf Bands of the Sixties](/source/Surfin'_Guitars%3A_Instrumental_Surf_Bands_of_the_Sixties)* (Second Edition), by Robert J. Dalley – [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1560750421](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1560750421), 9781560750420 – [Page 53](https://books.google.com/books?id=z9EiAQAAIAAJ&q=Reforming)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PipelineMagCenturions_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PipelineMagCenturions_9-1) Taylor, Alan, ed. (1995). "The Centurions". *[Pipeline Instrumental Review](/source/Pipeline_Instrumental_Review)* (29): 42. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1470-8353](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1470-8353).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Surf City Foundation Festival (1995)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** The Centurions Surf Band, Myspace – [Photos](https://myspace.com/thecenturionssurfband/mixes/classic-the-centurions-album-395636/photo/123337028)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Perris Alexander – [Jul 4, 2016](https://plus.google.com/105834427811577742875/posts/CMc9MCtDudj)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Pipeline Convention 2000"](http://www.pipelinemag.co.uk/?page_id=376). *pipelinemag.co.uk*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240526213529/http://www.pipelinemag.co.uk/?page_id=376) from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Tales of Balboa (March 2005 / Vol 7 No 3)"](http://www.talesofbalboa.com/backissues2005/03-05.html). *talesofbalboa.com*. Retrieved May 30, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Worthpoint – [BRUCE JOHNSTON'S SURFING BAND: Surfers' Pajama Party LP](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bruce-johnstons-surfing-band-surfers-1788862583)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** *The Music Lover's Guide to Record Collecting*, By Dave Thompson – [-](https://books.google.com/books?id=GtGGDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22BRUCE+JOHNSTON%27S+SURFING+BAND%22&pg=PT444)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** *Blue Suede News*, Volumes 25–36 – [Page 130](https://books.google.com/books?id=h6c4AQAAIAAJ&q=Bullwinkle)

## External links

- [The Centurians (as The Centurions)](https://www.discogs.com/artist/424490) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Myspace: The Centurions](https://myspace.com/thecenturionssurfband/)

- ["Bullwinkle, Pt. II"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2aYcC5JedQ) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF 2 National Czech Republic 2 Artists MusicBrainz

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