From SD CityBeat:
Originally formed as a trio in 1982 while still at Mar Vista High in Imperial Beach, the Trebels featured guitarist Xavier Anaya, bassist Oscar Barajas and John Chilson on drums. Like most high school rockers, they started covering bands like the Who and the Jam. The addition of Jay Wiseman-who happened by the garage where the band practiced-brought the group a dynamic front man and, more importantly, a sharper musical focus.
The band began playing in a style that today would be termed “roots R&B”-but back then was simply considered an excellent rock combo. For a short time, Chilson left the band and was replaced by Ralph “Chipper” Zamora. But by the time the Trebels started playing the party circuit-usually in I.B. at the legendary White House or at SDSU fraternity shindigs-Chilson was back on board. By the summer of 1983, the Trebels had become favorites at both school dances and teen clubs of the day, such as Headquarters in Pacific Beach, and Club Zu in Solana Beach.
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