The Dustaphonics

The Dustaphonics

The Dustaphonics are a London group active since 2008. Their sound brings together soul, garage rock, surf guitar, classic R&B, funk and punk attitude, moving between high-energy party songs, slower sleazy numbers and surf-guitar instrumentals.

The band is led by French-Spanish guitarist, producer and DJ Yvan Serrano, who also uses the name Healer Selecta. The line-up also includes San Franciscan soul singer Kay Elizabeth, British garage drummer Bruce Brand and bassist Michael Jablonka.

The project begins at Gizzard’s studio in London, when American cult filmmaker and actress Tura Satana asks Healer Selecta to create a soundtrack for a film. From that collaboration comes the Dustaphonics name, and Satana and Serrano write “Burlesque Queen”, which appears as a single on Dirty Water in 2010. A limited soundtrack CD appears on King A Ling and later goes out of print.

The Dustaphonics also receive praise from Jeff Dexter, who describes them as one of the best bands he has seen in England for years, and the band is said to be blessed by Bo Diddley. Their music is presented as drawing mainly on American vintage influences while still sounding distinctly London-based and English in attitude.