Satan's Pilgrims formed in 1992 during a series of house parties hosted by the members of the band, and were playing shows in their hometown of Portland, Oregon by 1993. Twisting their name from the 60's AIP film "Satan's Sadists" and donning their now familiar matching outfits complete with vampire capes, they became a real band.
The Pilgrims are one of the most influential surf instrumental bands around and while much of their sound has a definite Southern California influence, what sets them apart is the legacy of their Pacific Northwest rock 'n' roll ancestors: The Ventures, The Wailers, The Sonics and The Kingsmen.
This, along with three distinct guitarists and a relentless rhythm section, gives their live set a dazzling variety of dance party sounds to choose from, while maintaining their patented haunted sound. After years of touring, taking the band all over the U.S. and Europe (including a now legendary show in Slovenia), Satan's Pilgrims continued to develop the surf instrumental genre.
November 2000 marked the beginning of a hiatus, as drummer Ted Pilgrim moved from Portland to Memphis, TN to sweat, get autographs from all of his Soul and early Rock n' Roll heroes, and eat Bar-B-Q. Meanwhile, 6 Pilgrim offspring were birthed to various members.
After a few years of changing diapers, Musick Records announced that they wanted to release a retrospective culled from the Pilgrims’ original five albums. With renewed interest in the band sweeping the surf message boards on the internet, the Pilgrims decided that this occasion deserved some new material to keep their faithful fans from the 1990s as satisfied as possible. The band began writing songs again via the internet and got back together to record four new songs for "Plymouth Rock-The Best of Satan's Pilgrims". This double cd not only features fan favorites, but as a bonus, the second disc contains the new numbers mixed in with previously unreleased and rare cuts from the Pilgrims’ vault. Even more of a bonus was the fact that guitarist Bobby Pilgrim, who had amicably dropped out of the band in 1998, was ready to play again, returning the Pilgrims their trademark 3 guitar sound.
With the release of “Plymouth Rock-The Best of Satan's Pilgrims" in December of 2004, it turns out that the Pilgrims’ haunted brand of driving-guitar, dance-party music has endured into the 21st century. Without a single live appearance by the band since 2000, this album has gained more critical acclaim and worldwide notice for them than all of their original releases did during the surf-bombardment of the 1990s. The rest of the world is catching on to what only some knew ten years ago. That is, if you want a surfy, spooky, garage-stompin’ good time, put on Satan’s Pilgrims.
After 2005's and 2006's successful reunions, the Pilgrims are pleased to announce that they'll be doing it again in February of 2007 withe infamous Ghastly Ones!!!!!!. As in past years, fans are making the pilgrimage to the Northwest from all over the country, and beyond, to see Portland’s own caped crusaders of reverb, so catch 'em if you can!!
"These Oregon devils truly smoke like hellfire."
- Creative Loafing
"Contrary to what you see in MTV, the art of instrumental rock lives on today, in the hearts and guitar-toting souls of Satan’s Pilgrims."
- The Oregonian
"Satan’s Pilgrims are by far the top of the heap when it comes to the surf genre…they deserve your attention."
- Goldmine
Full-length releases:
"At Home With Satan's Pligrims" LP/CD Empty 1994
"Soul Pilgrim" LP/CD Estrus 1995
"Around The World With Satan's Pligrims" LP/CD Empty 1997
"Creature Feature" LP/CD Estrus 1998
"Satan's Pligrims" 180 gram vinyl LP/CD MuSick 1999
"Plymouth Rock-The Best of Satan's Pilgrims" Double CD MuSick 2004
