Steve Wahrer played with the surfing group "The Trashmen" and was also a vocalist. He sang "Surfin' Bird", a hit song back in 1964.

The Trashmen formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1962 and have been described as "the premier landlocked Midwestern surf group of the '60s" along with "The Astronauts" (Colorado).

They took the name "The Trashmen" from a local hit at the time, “Trashmen Blues.” The song "Surfin' Bird" was taken by combing two hit songs by the Rivingtons: "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" and "The Bird's the Word".



The original lineup of the group featured guitarists Tony Andreason and Dal Winslow, Bob Reed (bass), and Steve Wahrer (drums and vocals).

The song "Surfin' Bird" has been coverded by several bands including The Ramones, The Cramps, Silverchair, The Psychotic Petunias, Equipe 84 (Italian band), and the thrash metal band Sodom. It has also been featured in several films, including Full Metal Jacket, Fred Claus, Pink Flamingos, Back to the Beach, and The Big Year.

This is Steve on American Bandstand singing "Surfin' Bird".