Honk: Five Summer Stories

Five Summer Stories

Honk: Five Summer Stories

Five Summer Stories by HONK (1972) – Craig has been a member of the 6-piece California rock band “HONK” since 1972. “Five Summer Stories” is a surfing movie sound track which became an overnight sensation in California, Australia, & especially in Hawaii, where “Pipeline Sequence” hit #1 on the singles charts. The “Five Summer Stories” CD is still in demand today. “HONK” has toured nationally with “The Beach Boys” and other top artists & still sells out at the Coach House  twice a year.

Tracks

Creation
Blue of Your Backdrop
Brad and David’s Theme
High in the Middle
Hum Drums
Bear’s Country
Made My Statement (Love You Baby)
Don’t Let Your Good-bye Stand
Lopez
Blue of Your Backdrop
Tunnel of Love
Pipeline Sequence

37 thoughts on “Honk: Five Summer Stories”

        1. Hi David, We’re glad you enjoy our music. We’re not aware of any published sources for sheet music to HONK’s recordings. Can you be more specific as to what instrument you play and which song you want to learn?

          Like

          Reply

    1. Thanks, Lisa. i’m glad the music has meaning for you and appreciate you taking the time to let us know. When we gathered at Steve Wood’s studio to produce the “Renewed Hope” CD in January of 2009, the magic HONK chemistry was still there, as it also seems to be (for both the musicians AND the audience) at our annual reunion concerts. For me, this is a miracle. Same 6 people, 30 years, same magic, new energy.

      Like

      Reply

  4. Hey Craig! After all these years, the 5 Summer Stories album is still one of my all-time favorites. I was a teenage surf chick when the movie came out. Perfect timing.
    Would really like to get the lyrics for “Made My Statement”. Can’t find it anywhere, and the Criterion site doesn’t work if you can’t log in.
    Thanks for any help with this. Glad to know you’re still playing. Rock on!!
    Aloha from the Big Island. 🙂 J

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Joan, Most of the lyrics are recognizable, as Steve, Beth, and Richard have always had pretty good ennunciation, even way back then. You are right, though, in any blues like that, some lyrics inevitably get swallowed, such as “As fires brew” Your guess is as good as mine!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Hi Craig
        I can’t believe I missed your Coach House show. How do I make sure I get a notice for the next time Honk plays?
        Kind regards,
        Cliff

        Like

        Reply

        1. Hi Cliff,
          We actually did 3 concerts this year; 2 at the Coach House (in June and August) and at Newport Harbor High School in celebration of the school’s 90th anniversary. (I attended NHHS all 4 years there, while Richard, Steve, and Tris attended 1 year each.)
          Greg McGillvery is hoping to tour with “Five Summer Stories” and Honk to celebrate the film’s 50-year anniversary in 2022. Stay tuned, and i’ll try to remember to send you a heads up if and when plans materialize.
          Thanks for getting in touch.
          craig buhler, (sax with Honk)

          Like

          Reply

  5. Hi Craig,
    Loved your stuff since ~’75 when I was in high school in Encinitas, where you guys were very poular with the surf crowd, and nerds like me. Looking forward to seeing y’all at the Coach House in July. Keep rockin’!

    Like

    Reply

  6. Moved to San Diego in 1974. Worked at legendary Tower Records, played this album nonstop and if one song symbolized where I was, this was it. “High in the Middle” still sounds as good as the first time I heard it. What a great tune.

    Like

    Reply

  7. Craig, I have just been floored by the quality of your sax plaing so sweet, and yet all the right icing on the cake! i am sorry that i won’t be able to see you play at the coach house June 2nd, i have to work and cannot get the time off! Doubly bummed because my brother will be opening for you and HONK! Yes, Tommy is the keyboard part of our family i’m Guitar and Harmonica! i will see you guys someday have fun! Hal Bellone

    Like

    Reply

  8. Favorite album since way back in the day. Don’t know if this site still being monitored? If so, I live in Arizona and have asked my young piano playing daughter to learn “Blue of Your Backdrop” for my funeral someday. Any chance you know where to find the sheet music? Have been looking for years. Teenage son tried to play it by ear a few years ago when he was taking piano, but gave up.
    Peace, Mark
    p.s. Would also love to know if/when y’all will ever be performing together again. Maybe I could make a road trip out of it?

    Like

    Reply

  9. Wow! Awesome that you replied. Hmmm? Only a 6 hour drive (each way). I could try to convince my teenage son to come with me. He’s not a concert person (a bit noise sensitive and an introvert when it comes to crowds), but he might do it for his deal old dad? Have you played this concert venue (Coach House) before? If so, what did you think? I read some really terrible reviews about the place and it makes me skeptical about driving all that way. Also, if I can convince my son to come with me, any chance we could meet you and the band? He might find that pretty cool. I know I would! Peace, Mark

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Mark,
      As you may recall, The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach was HONK’s home base throughout the ’70’s & early ’80’s. We were thrilled to perform there, as “The Bear” had hosted legendary concerts by many of our favorite musicians. We were sad when the wrecking ball put an end to its 50-year legacy. For the past 25 years, The Coach House has been our home base. We even recorded a live CD there. We bring the wonderful Ken Hobson ( http://TriskelionProAudio.com ) to mix sound for us, and I have not heard any complaints about our shows. Bring ear plugs for your son for sure, as it is loud. Bring this note with you to get your back stage pass. We would love to meet you. Sincerely, craig buhler, HONK

      Like

      Reply

      1. Hi Craig. Do you or anyone know how I can get a couple of tickets to the show if we don’t want to eat dinner there? The Coach House website isn’t all too user friendly when it comes to info on tickets.
        Peace, Mark

        Like

        Reply

  10. Hi Mark,
    My brothers band “Gunboat Kings” opened for Honk as well as numerous other big name bands there and also headlined there! I have had the great joy of seeing these guys and again traveling south to see them open for Marshall Tucker band! It is a great place to see them, and it is Honk’s home venue! If you have a chance to see them GO! Hal- acousticmusic2000@yahoo.com

    Like

    Reply

  11. I can’t believe I never caught you guys at the Golden Bear (grew up in the same town too!), though I wasn’t allowed in that seedy (awesome) establishment while I lived at home. Some of the GB acts I remember (if I’m remembering correctly) were Dave Mason, incognito/acoustical David Crosby, the Ramones, Plimsouls, Steve Martin, Oingo Boingo. Off the stage, that was a pretty questionable place! I knew a lot of stuff that happened there “back in the day.” But hated to see it shut down. About the only thing left downtown is the Sugar Shack. Love surf music (Honk, the Ventures, Dick Dale, the Chantays, etc.). It never grows old, even when we do.

    Like

    Reply

  12. Hi Craig. Still trying to make it happen for this Friday night. My teenage son just bowed out. A bit disappointing, but that’s the way it goes. Trying to determine if it’s appropriate to bring a 12-year old to a roadhouse or not. Just figured out you were a worship leader in Washington state. Praise God!
    Peace in Christ, Mark

    Like

    Reply

    1. Yes, Mark, I have been Worship Leader here in Sequim for 9 years. Before that, was Worship Director at Vineyard Christian Fellowship (VCF) Seattle. In fact, HONK played on my newest worship CD.

      Like

      Reply

  13. Looks like I’m going to drive out after all, but solo. Oh well, my son doesn’t know what he’s missing! Excited to meet y’all with the backstage pass you sent. Is before or after better for you?
    Peace in Christ, Mark

    Like

    Reply

    1. HI Mark, It was great to meet you in person. I hope the concert was worth the drive. We certainly did enjoy it, and we really appreciated that you would go to all of that trouble to drive from Phoenix to San Juan Capistrano to see HONK.

      Like

      Reply

  14. Thanks everyone from Honk. You made my trip out to California to see y’all play memorable. I did not know what to expect, having never seen the band in person. You far exceeded the expectations I didn’t have! What incredibly musicianship. Loved both the old ‘5 Summer Stories’ stuff and all the stuff I’d never heard before. And thank you, again, Craig for allowing me backstage to meet each of you individually. Fantastic people. I can see now why it’s still worth it for you to reunion. One other side note, I ended up staying over night at an old friend’s house in San Juan Capistrano, as it was too late to drive back immediately. Turns out she knew exactly who you were too (to my surprise) and we reminisced about the old vinyl. If you’re ever in the mood to hear some inspirational and amazing vocals, check out Renee Bondi (http://www.reneebondi.com/). Peace to you all, Mark

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks for coming, Mark, and also for your kind words. i’m forwarding your letter to the rest of the band. The San Marino High School alumnae also seemed to have a great time. Several told me of fond high school memories of seeing Honk in the ’70’s. What makes it great for me is that we can both satisfy the desire for nostalgia while also creating music that is contemporary, fresh, and relevant to all of our lives today.

      Like

      Reply

  15. Hi Craig. Thanks for all your hard work and beautiful music. I am born & raised Honolulu 1961. I’m sitting right now at Ala Moana bowls and thinking about Jerry and da gang back in the day and listening to you and Richard’s stuff. Thank you. I was diggin on the profound Backdrop lyrics and wondering about the part;

    “Be your own saving grace
    Tip your hat, take your place
    Shine on
    It’s your piece of mind
    GRASP ALL YOU CAN
    Keep all you can find”

    Mr. Stekol is a great songwriter, and as sax-man,
    the band is named after you. Love your music.
    Mahalo,
    Stig

    Like

    Reply

  16. This is a random request, but does anyone know how I can locate the lyrics to Made My Statement? I have an old letter my boyfriend at the time wrote and he included that song; he was killed after he mailed the letter. It would mean a lot to me. Thank you.

    Like

    Reply

      1. Thank you very much. I’ve kept that letter for so many years and whenever I look through a small box of my most prized bits of the past, I always pause to read his letter. It’s just so hard, even now, to hear Made My Statement and that’s why I’d like the lyrics…I’d like to read the lyrics when I read his letter. It’s amazing how music holds the happiest and saddest moments of one’s life. Again, I’m so grateful for your help.

        Like

        Reply

Leave a comment