3 Balls of Fire
Rock band from Austin, TX · formed 1987
3 Balls of Fire is a surf and instrumental guitar band formed in 1987 by guitarist Burnin' Mike Vernon. Based in Austin, Texas, and later Los Angeles, the group is known for its instrumental surf rock style and has backed artists such as Link Wray and members of The Ventures. The band has released multiple albums, including FirePower and Jet Set Guitars, and has been recognized with awards like the Austin Music Award for Best Instrumental Band.
Automated summary by BandSlate from the band's website and Last.fm.
- Shows on record
- 4
- Rooms played
- 4
- Cities
- 2
- Releases
- 10
- Last show
- Apr 1, 2007Trophy's
About
3 Balls of Fire is a band from Austin, TX, formed in 1987, tagged Surf, surf rock, Garage Rock by its sources. Shows on record run from 2007 to 2007, across 4 rooms in 2 cities.
- Chris Staples: member — MusicBrainz
- Mike Vernon: member — MusicBrainz
- 3 Balls of Fire has 5 release group(s) on MusicBrainz spanning 2000–2013 — MusicBrainz
- 3 Balls of Fire has 1986 listeners on Last.fm — 3 Balls of Fire on Last.fm
- 3 Balls Of Fire has released 10 recordings between 2004 and 2026 — 3 Balls Of Fire on Discogs
- Country (per TheAudioDB): Austin Texas — 3 Balls of Fire on TheAudioDB
The summary is assembled from the record fields and shows on this page; each fact listed names its source. See Sources & corrections for what each source supplied.
Shows
4 on record · SongkickShows per year
- 20074 shows
| Date | Venue | Billing | With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2007 | Trophy's · San FranciscoSupportwith Pollo Del Mar | Support | Pollo Del Mar |
| Mar 31, 2007 | Threadgill's · San FranciscoSupportwith Pollo Del Mar | Support | Pollo Del Mar |
| Mar 30, 2007 | Sam's Burger Joint · San AntonioSupportwith Pollo Del Mar | Support | Pollo Del Mar |
| Mar 29, 2007 | The Executive Surf Club · San FranciscoSupportwith Pollo Del Mar | Support | Pollo Del Mar |
Where they play
4 rooms in 2 citiesRooms played most
- Sam's Burger Joint · San Antonio1 show
- The Executive Surf Club · San Francisco1 show
- Threadgill's · San Francisco1 show
- Trophy's · San Francisco1 show
Cities played
- San Francisco3 shows
- San Antonio1 show
Live history
4 shows on record- Shows counted
- 4
- First on record
- Mar 2007
- Latest on record
- Apr 2007
Top rooms
- Trophy's, San Francisco · 1
- Threadgill's, San Francisco · 1
- Sam's Burger Joint, San Antonio · 1
- The Executive Surf Club, San Francisco · 1
Top cities
- San Francisco, CA · 3
- San Antonio, TX · 1
Often on the bill with: Pollo Del Mar
Counted from the shows BandSlate holds; missing shows are not counted.
Releases
10 releases, 2000–2026Guitar City
2026
Burnin' & Churnin'
2022
3 Balls Of Fire - Live! Featuring Nokie Edwards, George Tomsco & Jerry Cole
2022
Somewhere on the Deep Blue Pacific
2013 · Album
Jet Set Guitars
2008
Best of the Balls 1988-2000
2006 · Compilation
The Best Of The Balls 1988 - 1998
2006
Chrome & Water
2004 · Album
FirePower
2002 · Album
Friday Night at Ego's Lounge
2000 · Album
Lineup
- Chris Staples
- Mike Vernon
Airplay
Lineup history
8 members on record- Chris Staplestenure unknown
- Curly Joe Simpsontenure unknown
- Dusty Watsontenure unknown
- Jackie Newhousetenure unknown
- Mike Vernontenure unknown
- Nico Leophontetenure unknown
- Pierre Pelegrintenure unknown
- Vic Gerardtenure unknown
Years come from public music databases. Where none says a member left, the end is shown as unknown; it does not mean they are still in the band.
Members also play in: The M-Squad Hollywood Soundtrack Quintet (via Mike Vernon), The Showoffs (via Chris Staples), Two Hoots & A Holler (via Chris Staples)
Members' earlier bands: Perry Mason and the Defendants (via Mike Vernon), Stoned Catsup (via Mike Vernon)
Shares members with: Agent Orange (via Dusty Watson), Davie Allan & The Arrows (via Dusty Watson), Jon & The Nightriders (via Dusty Watson), Leroi Brothers (via Jackie Newhouse), Nashville Pussy (via Dusty Watson), Slacktone (via Dusty Watson), Stepmothers (via Dusty Watson), Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble (via Jackie Newhouse) and 10 more
Photos, art and posters
Sources & corrections
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| MusicBrainz | Artist facts |
| 3 Balls of Fire on Last.fm | Artist facts |
| 3 Balls Of Fire on Discogs | Artist facts |
| 3 Balls of Fire on TheAudioDB | Artist facts |
| KEXP | Airplay |
| Songkick | Show history |
| Spotify | Photos |
| TheAudioDB | Photos |
| Last.fm | Credited on the record; no item on this page cites it |
| Discogs | Credited on the record; no item on this page cites it |
This is a partial record of publicly documented activity. Missing shows, releases or members do not mean there are none. It does not confirm availability for booking.