Butthole Surfers

Butthole Surfers are an American rock band, founded by lead vocalist Gibby Haynes and guitarist Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas, in 1981. Displaying a thick vein of black humor, th

Butthole Surfers are an American rock band, founded by lead vocalist Gibby Haynes and guitarist Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas, in 1981. Displaying a thick vein of black humor, they were one of the first bands to mix punk rock and psychedelia. They have further incorporated elements of heavy metal, noise rock, electronica, and other genres into their music, which makes extensive use of sound manipulation and, on their studio recordings, tape editing. The Surfers are also known for their once-chaotic live shows (see section) and their legendary appetite for recreational drugs, particularly psychedelics, which would in turn often influence their performances and albums.

The band has been through numerous personnel changes, but the core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey (born Jeffrey Coffey) has been together since 1983. Additionally, Teresa Nervosa (born Teresa Taylor) served as one of two drummers from 1983-1985 and 1986-1989. They have employed a variety of bass players, most notably Bill Jolly (1982-1984) and Jeff Pinkus (1986-1994).