Move over, Beach Boys. There's a new group of surfing brothers on the music scene. But unlike their predecessor, which glamorized the Southern California surf scene, this band has a serious mission: increasing awareness about health care.
The group is made up of five chiropractors. Hence the band's name, the Adjustors. Four of them are brothers. Two of them - Joe and Bill DeMoss - practice chiropractic medicine in Newport Beach. The bluesy rock band will have its first major public debut next week in Santa Ana as part of "The Grassroots Chiropractic Revival". The band hopes to spread a holistic message about health care that bandmates say is lacking these days. "The body heals itself, and all healing comes from above" said Matt DeMoss, who plays drums. "Everybody's taking too much drugs and don't have enough faith in [their] bodies."

The DeMoss brothers, who also include Dan, grew up in Orange and started surfing and playing music when they were teenagers. "We always played together but always had other [musical] things going on too", said Joe, 35, who plays guitar. Oldest brother Bill, 44 - who also plays guitar - was the first to become a chiropractor. He gravitated to the field because of his interest in health and nutrition. His three younger brothers were ultimately drawn to the same calling, creating one of the most well-adjusted families in Orange County.

"Just being around it and seeing what it does to people, how could you not want to do it?" asked Matt, 32. While various members of the family have played together, the Adjustors coalesced about six months ago, with the addition of Irvine chiropractor Jon Nichols, 41, on bass.

The five chiropractors chose music as their medium because of its freedom of expression. "It's kind of a form that's really uncensored," Bill said. "I feel a lot of things in health care are predicated on what the medical community wants you to believe. My ultimate goal is to do some videos to bring out greater health awareness because a lot of people have blinders on."

The distinct personalities of the individual Adjustors complement each other, band members say. Joe is laid back. Bill is the "crazy" one. Matt is the focused one who holds the group together. Jon is mellow but likes to play loud. And Dan, the lead vocalist, is described as having "an awesome voice and a big heart," the other members say. The band members are part of the Dead Chiropractic Society, a group modeled after the Dead Poets Society, from the movie of the same name.

"We used to get together and read old chiropractic philosophy because that's what a lot of chiropractors don't have," Bill said. "If you don't have that, you're probably not as busy." Some of their song titles include "A Lot of People Are Dying," which focuses on misconceptions about health care, and "La Vaccina," which means the Vaccine in Spanish.

The Adjustors boast only about seven polished songs, but a CD is in the works. "It's definitely going to happen," Matt said.

Deirdre Newman
DAILY PILOT

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