GARAGE BAND MIMICS BRIT SOUND LOCAL FAB FOUR READY TO INVADE.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

PALMDALE - A new British Invasion may soon be taking over the Antelope Valley. That is, if a local sheriff's deputy, a school psychologist and two sound system engineers have anything to do with it.

Lancaster sheriff's Deputy Dan Burdick, school psychologist Rich Van Sol, and sound system engineers Andy Wycoff and Brett Butterfield have formed a `60s-era band trying to recapture the sounds of the British Invasion, focusing on the Beatles as their inspiration.

``We're not a Beatles band,'' Burdick said. ``We don't try to look like the Beatles, we just try to capture their sound. No wigs and mustaches - it's just the sound we're after.''

The band started more than a year and a half ago as The Neptunes with Burdick, Wycoff and Butterfield. Three months ago, they added Van Sol as the drummer, a move Burdick said just enhanced their sound, and changed their name to The Vinyls.

Besides Beatles tunes, they play songs from The Hollies and The Kinks as well as their own original compositions.

In performances, they use vintage equipment, including Elvis-era condenser microphones, vintage guitars and drum sets, and they are even ordering matching suits to get them that uniform `60s look.

The band has performed at several local events, including the Sheriff's Department-sponsored National Night Out in August and a Saturday concert at the Littlerock Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The band is scheduled to perform at the Quartz Hill Almond Festival and at the 2002 National Night Out in August.

Burdick and Wycoff met at their church and had performed together at various church-sponsored events. When Wycoff moved to Santa Clarita, the pair never really lost touch, but the jam sessions ended.

Then Wycoff met up with Butterfield at work and the two found they shared a similar interest in music.

Burdick received a call a short time later asking if he would be interested in forming a band. The first drummer didn't work out so they began searching and found Van Sol.

Because of family responsibilities and the distance they live from each other - Burdick is a Palmdale resident, Van Sol and Butterfield are from Ventura, and Wycoff lives in Santa Clarita - they don't get to practice as much as they would like, but they do spend as much as five hours together a week working on their sound.

The band has also turned Wycoff's garage into a sound studio.

``I know everybody thinks that when someone says they converted their garage into a sound studio, that means everyone brought over their amps and that's it,'' Burdick said. ``Keep in mind that these guys are professional sound system engineers.''

The sound of the music has already become contagious, at least in Burdick's household, with his 11-year-old daughter Robyn, one of five girls ages 2 to 11, beginning to learn Beatles songs on the guitar.

Burdick said his daughter is eager to follow in his musical footsteps.

The foursome say they are also looking forward to playing wherever they can, and can be booked for parties or any other upcoming events. To book them, call [phone].

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Photo:

The Vinyls, with their throwback British sound, are, from left, Brent Butterfield, Dan Burdick, Andy Wycoff and Rich Van Sol.