"California" by SACRED HAZE (from "San Clemente Locals" surf movie)

CALIFORNIA by SACRED HAZE - usx9p1166028
From the archives of the SACRED HAZE collection, CALIFORNIA was written during the late 80’s, and recorded for one of the demo tapes released during that era. SACRED HAZE was a post-punk, psychedelic inspired rock band that created a wealth of material and played throughout Southern California between 1988 and 1989, featuring Rick Thornsly on bass guitar and vocals, David Driver on Drums & percussion, Carey Haze (Hayes) on guitar, and David Haze (Haycraft) on vocals and guitar. Original Demo Recording of California available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, or other online services.

These timeless lyrics and music were first written and performed by SACRED HAZE in 1988, and the song became an anthem for the concerned youth during the housing boom of the late 80’s taking place in Southern California, and particularly San Clemente at that time. The song starts with a memorable riff on Rick Thornsly’s bass and a simple, yet driving drum accompaniment by David Driver. From there, the masterful Carey Haze brings in one of his most signature intro leads ever written, performed, and recorded by the band, which definitely builds the momentum of the song to the lyrical entry of the first verse. The lyrics obviously represent an appreciation of nature, combined with a concern over the potential destruction of that nature, with their own take of a “protest” song.

The original video for “California” was produced by ERICSUM PRODUCTIONS, with the collaboration of Eric Van Thillo, Tex Westman, and SACRED HAZE. That video features footage of San Clemente during that era, including bulldozers developing the virgin hills, beach scenes, natural watersheds, trees, plants, animals, and even some political violence clips from the news thrown in for dramatic effect. Albeit primitive production quality, ERICSUM used creativity and innovative editing to make the perfect video, to capture not only the song and its message, but the spirit of SACRED HAZE at that time and place in history.

This segment from "San Clemente Locals" features two local San Clemente legends, Steve Ward and Jim Pinkerton, both good friends with members of Sacred Haze. Since the band was tightly woven with the local San Clemente surfing community, it was the perfect union of creative music and surfing cinematography, as featured in Jeff Neu's documentary, "San Clemente Locals". Jeff was also a personal friend of the band members and David Haze is featured surfing at Cottons Point in the closing credits of the movie, just as the south gate opens....

California (Lyrics)

The scattered sons of California
The children of the west
Our bliss is sand and sea and sky
The west is the best! (2)

Come and solve the mysteries
Beneath the tallest redwood trees
Deserts bloom and mountains peak
And all the rivers reach the sea
They all reach the sea!

In California

What will be left for the children when the hills are dead and bare?
Misused land gold memories and a future of despair
If you’re gonna sing for America my friend you better cry
I love California and I’m watching her die!

Still one thing I say to you
That if we try we’ll pull it through
We must teach our kids the language
Of the land that breathes the sky
We will get by

In California

Open up your eyes

To California

If you’re gonna sing for America my friend you better cry
I love California and I’m watching her die!

California: Lyrics by Rick Thornsly/David Haycraft; Music by Rick Thornsly/Carey Hayes/David Haycraft/David Driver.

Copyright DH Publishing (DHP)/ASCAP/ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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