Rapid City, S.D. — Break out the boat shoes and grab a piña colada! Yachtley Crew is docking at The Monument, and they’re bringing a tidal wave of good vibes and smooth tunes with them.
Known as the “Titans of Soft Rock,” Yachtley Crew isn’t just a cover band, they’re a full-blown Yacht Rock Extravaganza. With matching nautical outfits and a high-energy stage presence, the Los Angeles-based band has been sailing across the country reintroducing audiences to the breezy hits of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
Amy Rose and Dean Taylor caught up with drummer and vocalist Sailor Hawkins (Rob Jones), who gave a behind-the-scenes peek into the band’s vibe, following, and rising popularity.
“It’s not really a tribute band,” Hawkins said. “We pay homage to the soft rock songbook from the ’70s and ’80s. It’s a sing-along, feel-good kind of show with lots of choreography, a little humor, and all the nostalgia.”
The group’s rotating setlist features everything from Toto’s Africa to Rupert Holmes’ Escape (The Piña Colada Song), and they’ve got more than 120 songs in their repertoire. That means each performance is just a little different, except for a few must-play hits.
“It’s like going to see U2. You expect Where the Streets Have No Name, right? Our crowd expects the staples too,” Hawkins explained.
Beyond covers, Yachtley Crew has dipped their toes into original waters. Their new single Lowdown, a reimagining of Boz Scaggs’ classic dropped the day of the interview and Seas The Night – to be released on August 29th, both released through Earache Records.
Hawkins, who compares the band’s energy to the Eagles and even KISS (“sometimes the drummer sings!”), said the crowds are getting younger thanks to TikTok and a surge of online interest in retro hits.
“My 18-year-old daughter found Break My Stride on TikTok and asked if I’d heard of it,” Hawkins laughed. “I said, ‘Honey, we play that in our set!’”
Despite the easygoing genre, the band’s fanbase is anything but mellow.
“Women are throwing bras and panties on stage,” Hawkins said with a laugh. “I tell people we’re your mom’s favorite boy band.”
So what separates Yacht Rock from the so-called “Dad Rock” label?
“Yacht Rock is sexy,” Hawkins joked. “I’ve started calling it MILF Rock. It’s not just about the music, it’s the mood. The fashion. The fun.”
As for who cracks first if the band were stranded on a real yacht with nothing but soft rock on repeat?
“That’s like asking me to choose a favorite child,” Hawkins said. “I love them all.”
Yachtley Crew performs at The Monument June 12th. Prepare to set sail on a night of nostalgia, satin, saxophones, and serious sing-alongs. Life’s a breeze when you’re rockin’ the yacht.
