Photo by Paige Turner

Dennis Diken loaded up his woodie, caught a Central New Jersey wave and rode it all the way to the second annual A CALIFORNIA SAGA’s East Coast BEACH BOYS CONVENTION Sunday, Sept. 7, 1997, at the Quality Inn in Somerset, N.J.

Dennis was special guest drummer for the "No-Bull Surfers," a New Jersey duo (Pete Di Bella and Craig Janos) who specialize in performing rare and obscure Beach Boys tunes. The duo performed at the October 1996 debut convention sponsored by SAGA, a Beach Boys/Surf Rock fanzine published by Rick Colville and Chuck Hagee.

After Dennis pulled his drum kit out of a station wagon and set it up on stage, the "No-Bull Surfers" began their first set with the opening chords of "California Girls," (the tune that begins most Beach Boys concerts), but then cut into "Let Us Go On This Way," from the 1977 "Beach Boys Love You" album - which is really only known among the most diehard Brian Wilson fans.

The trio then segued into "Honkin' Down The Highway," another nugget from "Love You." From there, they kicked into the early classic "Good To My Baby," as Craig and Pete provided a perfect harmonious vocal blend to Dennis’ steady backbeat. "Wake The World" and "Please Let Me Wonder" were among the tunes that followed before Dennis picked up sleigh bells and the started off "Dance, Dance, Dance."

The trio then threw it open to audience requests. Fielding various suggestions from the audience, the three would quickly discuss just what bizarre Beached tunes they really could pull off at a moment’s notice. In between a few inside jokes, loving pokes at the Beach Boys themselves and a few of Dennis’ rimshots, they played the mid-’70s’ "She’s Got Rhythm," "Transcendental Meditation" from -- when else? - the late ‘60s and the gorgeous "Somewhere Near Japan" from the 1989 throwaway LP "Still Cruisin’."

"Disney Girls," from the Beach Boys’ 1970 underrated classic "Sunflower" capped the first one-hour set.

After a short break, the trio returned with the convention’s special guest, Jeffrey Foskett, a former lead guitarist for the Beach Boys from 1981-1990. Although Foskett has since become a successful solo act in Japan, this was his first solo live performance.

The foursome began with another "SUNFLOWER" tune, "This Whole World." Jeff’s solo work was spotlighted with "I Miss You," "Go, Go, Mario!" and "Thru My Window." Once again returning to "SUNFLOWER," Jeff’s vocals and guitar blended perfectly with Craig and Pete on "Add Some Music To Your Day."

Granting a request of convention organizer Rick, Jeff performed the Roy Orbison classic "Crying," and Dennis provided the perfect subtle percussion, which caressed Jeff’s soaring vocals. OK, so this tune doesn’t have ANYTHING to do with surf rock or the beach, but it was the perfect showcase for Jeff’s vocal talents.

And with little more notice than, "let’s do ‘Crying’ for Rick, boys," Craig, Pete and Dennis fell perfectly in line with him. While Craig and Pete perform surf tunes professionally along the East Coast, Dennis was heard to exclaim later than he hadn’t performed some of these tunes since 1967! Dennis must REALLY know his Beach Boys tunes because he literally didn’t miss a beat, from the hits-we-all-know on "ENDLESS SUMMER," to those "what-song-is-THIS?" requests the boys good naturedly tackled. Dennis also showcased his ability behind the skins, tossing in some neat fills and a short solo. And we all know Beach Boys tune sound best with a drummer named Dennis!

"In My Room" also captured the unique blend of the three vocalists. "Maryann," from one of Jeff’s solo works, and the rarely performed "All This Is That," (from the 1974 release "Carl & The Passions - So Tough) capped the second set.

Don Zirilli, of the surf-rock legends Papa Doo Run Run, joined the boys for the final set, which had the feel of a present-day Beach Boys concert and was chock-full of hits. "California Girls," "Wouldn’t It Be Nice," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Help Me, Rhonda" and "Good Vibrations" sent the 150 attendees home happy and humming, but just not with a pesky sunburn.