The Bushman Brothers: A Story That Found Them
Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan—and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. What started as a mix of music, surfing, and a whole lot of improvising eventually brought the Bushman Brothers to where they are today.
Brian and Steve Kellner were born in South Africa, where their early days were split between the ocean, a skateboard, and a living room full of instruments. Music and sport were part of everyday life. Like many kids, they were nudged into classical piano lessons by well-meaning parents—thanks, Dad—but it didn’t take long for each to drift toward something that felt more like them: drums for Brian, guitar for Steve. In a twist of fate (or sibling curiosity), they eventually swapped instruments—and suddenly, the pieces started to fall into place.
A big shift came when the family moved to England. It was a culture shock, sure, but it also opened up a whole new world of musical opportunity. Before the move, Steve had already made a name for himself in the South African skateboarding scene—winning the country’s first championship—and both brothers quickly found success competing across the UK and Europe, culminating in multiple UK and European titles.
After school, they dove headfirst into music—joining local bands, playing gigs, and soaking up every experience they could. It wasn’t always smooth sailing. One early band started gaining serious attention from record labels, but at the last minute, only the vocalist got signed. Lesson learned: the music industry can be weird.
Steve stuck with it, picking up session work in UK and European studios. One gig turned into something bigger when he played for Robin Scott of M ("Pop Muzik" fame)—a connection that cracked the door open.
Meanwhile, Brian took a different path—heading to Hawaii in search of waves and inspiration. Between surfing the North Shore and jamming in local clubs, he found his rhythm. Then came a detour to Hossegor, France, where he linked up with legends like Maurice Cole, Tom Curren, and Kelly Slater—many of whom shared his love for music. For the next eight years, Brian split his time between Hawaii and France, chasing swells and making music.
Back in the UK, Steve was holding it down—recording four albums with Fischer-Z, playing live with legends like John Entwistle (The Who) and John Illsley (Dire Straits), and leading drum clinics across Europe for Sabian, Vic Firth, and Remo. Even with a packed schedule, there was always time for surf trips and jam sessions with Brian.
Eventually, their paths reconnected in a big way. After Brian was introduced to saxophonist Ron Aspery of Back Door, a new chapter began. That connection led them to EMI and their first serious collaboration: writing music for film, TV, and extreme sports. Their first project? A high-energy album for adrenaline-fueled sports footage. It snowballed from there. Over the years, they’ve written over 150 pieces for TV and film—including Malcolm in the Middle, Snakes on a Plane, and The Mighty Boosh.
But the story doesn’t stop there. Around the same time, they discovered a new obsession: kitesurfing. Back when gear was still experimental, they even designed boards for a few companies—eventually contributing ideas for a wild chase scene in the James Bond film Die Another Day. Yep, those were their ideas on screen. Steve even went on to compete on the world tour, ranking in the top ten worldwide for three years.
After years in studios, they craved something a bit more raw and real—live music, no filters. So they kept it simple: drums and guitar. Just the two of them. The chemistry was instant. Why hadn’t they done this sooner?
These days, between studio sessions, they gig up and down England’s south coast. They’ve recorded two albums as the Bushman Brothers—Tone Tonic, an instrumental journey, and Feels Like Hollywood, a collaboration with vocalist Paul Fulker.
Music, surf, travel, and a bit of unpredictability—that’s the Bushman Brothers story.