Surf Knights/Dream Machine As a result of our interview with Tommy George of The Surf Knights/Dream Machine, we were contacted by bassist and songwriter Dean Cook.  Cook wanted to clarify some of the information we had printed: "The original Surf Knights were Richard Wyatt (vocals); Tommy George (rhythm guitar); Gaston Robau (lead guitar); Dean Cook (bass guitar); and Paul Torres (drums). After a year or so Paul Torres left the band and was replaced by Steve Hibbler and later when we became The Dream Machine by James Morton. All three of them were very good drummers and each had a very distinct style which influenced our sound. Dickie Malone replaced Gaston Robau on lead guitar when Gaston went off to college at Berkley School of Music in Boston. Gaston and Tommy were the best musicians in the Surf Knights by far." Not wanting to let such an opportunity pass by, we asked Cook some questions pertaining to his time in the band.  For more information on Dean Cook, visit his website. The Dream Machine, L-R: Gaston Robau (lead guitar), Richard Wyatt (vocals), Dean Cook (bass), Mamie Van Doren (actress), Tommy George (rhythm guitar) and Paul Torres (drums). An Interview With Dean Cook 60sgaragebands.com: Apparently your father owned the Tiki Club as well as the Surf/Tiki label. What was his musical background? Dean Cook (DC): The Tiki Teen Club was opened to accommodate the band. My dad felt that we needed a "home base." It was located in Kemah, Texas and we played there at least once a month or more. My dad's musical background was that he played lap steel for Bob Wills and The Pillsbury Dough Boys in the late '30s in and around Dallas, Texas. He taught me to play guitar. 60s: How active was your father in promoting The Surf Knights and later Dream Machine? DC: My dad spent thousands of dollars and many many hours on the phone promoting The Surf Knights as did Tommy's dad. Tommy's dad, Tom Sr., was our road manager and made sure we behaved ourselves when traveling. 60s: Did other bands record for the Surf and Tiki labels? Did your dad manage other groups? DC: No other bands recorded on the Tiki label but my dad did try managing several other bands. However, it never seemed to work out for some reason.  60s:  Was your father's career an inspiration at all for your musical endeavors? DC: My dad was an inspiration to me in every way--not just in music. Like Tommy's dad, he was a veteran of World War II and a really great individual. 60s: Tommy stated that you wrote most of the Surf Knights and Dream Machine's songs. How prolific a writer were you at the time? DC: It is true.  I either wrote or co-wrote all the songs that The Surf Knights recorded. 'Broken Hearts' and 'You Lied' I wrote by myself. 'In The Summer' was written with Gaston Robau, and Tommy and I wrote 'Midnight Surf.' My songwriting was inspired by John Lennon & Paul McCartney. I was then and still am an avid fan of The Beatles. I saw then at Sam Houston Coliseum in 1965 and I was a "goner." I still love them. My songwriting was born out of the necessity of the band needing original material. I still write today by the way. I have written nearly 100 songs over the years. 60s: Once known as The Dream Machine and signed to Decca, an outside songwriter provided the song 'Houdini' for the group to record.  What was your reaction to recording a song that you didn't write? DC: I thought 'Houdini' was a great song and loved recording it. It was written by a man named Stan Hardin. Stan Hardin was a brother of Tim Hardin, the folk artist. 60s: Did you write any songs that The Surf Knights/Dream Machine didn't record? DC: I did write a song in the studio called, 'Stains of Love' and it was recorded but never released. 60s: Which of your recorded songs is your favorite? DC: If I have to pick a favorite song that we recorded of mine, I would have to say, 'Broken Hearts'...although 'In The Summer' was a favorite, too, as it had more creative flavor.