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It was more like "Baywatch Seattle" with overcast skies, onshore winds, and chilly drizzle in Waikiki than "Baywatch Hawaii," which yesterday filmed the last episode of a 22-show second season. ‘Baywatch’ cast
rocks in the rainBy Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin"Rescue Me," airing March 2001, has head lifeguard Sean Monroe (played by Jason Brooks) considering leaving the lifeguard unit for Australia to start over.
Meanwhile, Brande Roderick (who plays Leigh) is planning to marry Sam, who is throwing a party that yesterday had transformed the Diamond Head end of the old heliport fronting the Hilton Hawaiian Village into bachelor party central, featuring the real life and too-good-to-be-true Baltimore-based band SR-71.
The RCA recording group makes its Hawaii debut at 8:30 tonight at the Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St. in Kakaako. If the band's talent in its "Baywatch" scene and at a VIP party yesterday is an indication, the club performance is something not to be missed.
SR-71 taking off
SR-71, a band whose popularity is rising rapidly following the release of its album "Now You See Inside," was the bright spot in an otherwise dreary day of filming. Even been-there, done-that crew and cast -- including "Baywatch Hawaii" stars Michael Bergin (J.D.), Stacy Kamano (Kekoa), and Jason Momoa (Jason), took notice of the Baltimore-based band. Momoa danced to several of the band's songs during the VIP party.
SR-71 is lead singer and guitarist Mitch Allan; Jeff Reid, bass and vocals; Dan Garvin, drums and vocals; and Mark Beauchemin, guitar and vocals.This is not a garage band, but a well-polished quartet that incites an audience to move. Allan mixes a unique voice with amiable banter to connect with the audience when singing the band's second single, "Politically Correct," which will be released Tuesday, election day.
The band was called Honor Among Thieves when it was created by Allan in 1994. The tag SR-71, the name of the fastest airplane ever built, was created in 1995. The SR-71 aircraft's nickname is blackbird -- a song by the Beatles, the group's major influence.
Frank South, "Baywatch Hawaii" co-executive producer, said the show worked several months to get the band to Hawaii.
"We got very lucky because during this time SR-71 has become a very hot band," South said.
"We're grateful the band was able to fit in with the show's storyline."
'Baywatch,' the CD
This year, "Baywatch" has primarily used Hawaii bands to provide the show's background music. Kauai-born Glenn Medeiros is the show's musical coordinator.The production company in February will release a CD with 22 original songs composed and performed by Hawaii artists and recorded in Hawaii. The working title is "Baywatch Hawaii Season 2," South said.
Recording for the CD began three weeks ago and will be finished by Dec. 1. Groups and musicians included B.E.T., FIJI, Soul Free, Natural Vibrations, Amy Hanaiali'i, Willie K, and Kealii Reichel.
This season's "Baywatch Hawaii" theme song -- "I Want To Be The One" -- was written by Fiji and Medeiros.
Three's a charm?
The syndicated program's second season is scheduled to end Nov. 14 following nearly six months of filming.The show's executives expect to hear by next month whether the program will return for a third season. Ratings in foreign markets are gaining strength and the show has contracted syndication in numerous U.S. markets, making the Hawaii staff optimistic.
If "Baywatch Hawaii" returns, filming will begin in February.
In concert tonight
Who: SR-71, with The Sticklers
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