For a few years, beginning in 1994, The Exotics were the Milwaukee band to see on a Saturday night. The quartet, comprising members of other local bands, dished up tiki-torch surf sounds worthy of a Venice Beach luau, before their other commitments began to pull them in all different directions.

Luckily, they left behind an album, "Go Go Guitars" (Tiki Tone) -- along with a 45 and a handful of appearances on compilations -- as a reminder of their theme-y greatness.

However, like us, the members of The Exotics -- guitarists Brandt Love and Paul Wall, drummer Donny Nelson and bassist John Ziegler -- are a little nostalgic and have reformed for their first show in five years. Just in time for Christmas, The Exotics will play with The Bent Sceptors at Mad Planet, 533 E. Center St., on Saturday, Dec. 4. DJ Flavor Dav will also spin that night.

In anticipation of the big event, we trapped guitarist Paul Wall and demanded he answer some questions.

OMC: Why the five-year break?

PW: It took us that long to learn the entire Ventures back catalog, including their hit, "Theme from Airport 1975."

OMC: Has everyone been chomping at the bit to get back together?

PW: "Chomping at the bit" isn't even telling half the story.

OMC: Now that you're back, will you revive that impressive itinerary of gigs The Exotics always seemed to have?

PW: If we have anything to say about it "no." If our manager, Ron Schneider has anything to say about it "yes."

OMC: What about a new record?

PW: Already written, chum. Ha ha -- no, not at all. But we have talked about going on and periodically doing shows. Not really sure if that involves recording. I definitely have a backlog of surf tunes.

OMC: Everyone else is in at least one other band, right? Does that make it hard to find time for The Exotics?

PW: Jon and Don are in the Nelsonics, a real cool new soul surf combo with a great new 45 out called "Dousman Street." Jon is back with the fab Uptown Savages, and I rock it with Trolley and The Nice Outfit, two competing garage-y pop groups. So the answer is "yes."

OMC: How did you know that by the time December rolls around, a little surf music is exactly what the doctor ordered?

PW: Don Nelson has sort of a sixth sense brought on by the inhalation of All-State scooter fumes.