Past the Isles of the great Moki, beyond the volcanoes of Baka Baca, lies a land so overwhelming that it had to be measured by giant people with devices made from trees and bits of prawn... but that's another story. This particular Island housed a people raised on the foundation of song and the luxury of time. An Island named for it's amphibious and bat like people... AQUABANIA! Life could not be too good on the island, from churro baking contests to calypso camp, the inhabitants of the island enjoyed each day with renewed vigor. Until the day when things changed. A strange and evil force descended on the island and life would never be the same. Pushed to the brink of disaster, 8(or sometimes 9) men escaped impending doom. In a hallowed out log these 8 (or 9) men made their way to the highest waterfall and dropped into the raging sea. Drifting aimlessly for days, they washed up on a sandy beach owned by a fantastically insane scientist know only as "The Professor". Pulling them from their wooded tomb, he laid them on the sand and having pity on them he took them under his care. Later, they explained their story and looked up into his bespectacled eyes for pity. Learning of their peril, he decided to help them fight their cause by giving them the only gift he was capable of, the power of insanity. Through the use of the Professor's scientifically altered convenience store foods, these 8 (or 9) men gained powers well beyond that of ordinary Aquabanians. They became the "AquaBuds"... then the "AquaBoys"... then finally, just "Mel and Friends". But later the truth was revealed to them! -- THEY WERE THE AQUABATS"! With their new found abilities they set out on a rigorous course of training. Everyday the Professor would give them their morning corn dog and they set out to the water for surf and energy enhancing sun activities. Later in the day a nourishing churro would give them the power they needed to withstand even a quick brick to the forehead. In the evening they played music (which the professor secretly combined with his own Hypno-mind-controlling wave patterns). This would help them gain the unwilling loyalty of those who would dare to listen! By gaining such a following the Professor knew they (and he) could gain power over the evil forces that led them so far from home. Armed with radioactive rash guards and anti-negativity helmets these 8(or 9) Aquabats had set out to "CONQUER THE WORLD"!!!
"When I was just three years old, I remembered watching the Aquabats play at (what I thought then was the greatest showplace on earth) the Dunes in Vegas. Since then they have moved to bigger and bigger venues, including; The Morris Day Festival, The Hands Across the AM PM Mini-Mart (to benefit all the people who are starving for oil and oil related products) and all manner of clubs and recreation halls. But until this album(the very one you now hold in your hands at this very minute) was conceived, I never thought I would see this side of a band like this. The soft side, the sensitive side, the caring side. From Rod's intricate but touching rhythyms to Christian's thoughtful and provoking lyrics, from Chad's hard hitting balladry to Ben's cascading but questioning leads, this band has got the forward thinking shyness that a band in this business needs to reach the type of people that are always 'on the go!' So sit back, spin this disc and repeat after me, 'I told you so...!'"
- Dr. Jackson Hornblatt (physicist and music lover)
Pick up your "The Return" Rashguard here!"
