NYC-based quartet The Vandelles mingle leather jacket psychedelia, surf guitar, 50s pop and reverb-soaked rock. Their upcoming release Del Black Aloha tops LMC’s most-wanted list of 2009. The band recently rapped about their origins, the new record, and their favorite pieces of vintage gear.

LMC | Where do the surf influences come from? Ever tried the sport?

TV | Well, due to an accident while swimming in the sea, we met the surfer Moondoggy. We were fascinated with his sport surfing and started to hang out with his clique. Although they made fun of us at first, they taught us to surf. Soon we were accepted and given the nickname “Gidget.”

LMC | Tell us a bit about the new album. Will it be for sale at Psych Fest 2?

TV | We are having a limited edition pressing of the new album that should be available at Psych Fest. It will definitely be available for our in-store at End of and Ear, and also all of our shows during SXSW. Anyone that is on our mailing list will have the opportunity to get a copy, so if you’re not going to be in Austin don’t fret! Just join our mailing list!

LMC | What bands new and old have inspired the “Wave of Sound” The Vandelles bring to our ears?

TV | The Beach Boys, Shangri-las, Jesus and Mary Chain side projects, and two words: Phil. Spector.

LMC | Who is the album being released with?

TV | My mama told me, you gotta shop around…

LMC | How did the band come together?

TV | Originally we all met at Rutgers while going to school. It’s hard to find people who have similar taste in music, so we were lucky find each other via local basement shows. At a show in Boston a couple years ago we played with Christo’s band Sanguine Drone. After the show, he led us to an IHOP, and we knew it was meant to be. When Dave left to travel and Sanguine Drone broke up, it seemed natural that Christo would join the band.

LMC | The band uses lots if vintage equipment. What is your favorite piece of equipment or what was the best find?

TV | For Honey’s birthday, we found her a sweet Ludwig Superphonic snare from the early 60s. It’s the same model as used by the Beach Boys when recording their early singles. Jason plays an early 60s Univox. Dave used a Mosrite Celebrity on the record. Christo uses a Space Echo from the 70s. Lisha’s bass is really nice, and every year it becomes more vintage.

LMC | Who does your projections?

TV | Dave put the projections together using old film footage. Recently, Christo has been working on some new projections for the new songs.

LMC | Are any of the band members involved, you know, romantically?

TV | Yes, back when we used to be called Fleetwood Mac.

LMC | What is the songwriting process like for the Vandelles?

TV | There’s no “I” in “team”. Jason had written most of the early material, like “Lovely Weather.” Now we are building off of that, writing together as a group and we are really excited about the direction that is taking, with songs like “Bad Volcano.”

Check out the exclusive LMC video of The Vandelles performing “Bad Volcano” live at Psych Fest II on Friday, March 13th 2009!

thevandelles.com | myspace.com/thevandelles