THE end of an era comes for Surf Sluts, the York psychobilly surf rock band, at York's Little Festival of Live Music this weekend.

After 17 years of sparking up high-energy performances and recording songs about zombies, drink and surfing, they will play for the final time in the Music Marquee on Parliament Street at 8pm on Saturday.

Surf Sluts came together in the bleak winter of 1999 when their original bands, The Suicidal Flowers, God’s Little Monkeys and The Incinerators, all disbanded to pursue other projects.

"Regularly dubbed as the weirdest band in York, they have been entertaining audiences across the country with their unconventional and humorous approach to music ever since," says festival director Ellen Cole.

Not least, Surf Sluts are veterans of the York event, whose festival team regularly receives emails from existing and new fans praising the band and asking if they can come back year after year.

“It's going to be very strange next year without the Surf Sluts. I always thought we would be doing festivals together until we reached retirement age," says Ellen. "I will, however, always be thankful to them for giving our audiences something completely different. I've never seen a band like the Surf Sluts and I don’t think I will ever see another one like them.”

York Press:

Farewell to Surf Sluts after 17 years of nonsensical psychobilly songs. Picture:Mike Powell/Glossy Onions Photography

Surf Sluts have generated a large fanbase with their energetic, nonsensical rock'n'roll songs influenced by the sounds of the 1950s, '60s and '70s, and since 1999 they have released a series of EPs, introduced new members and performed many sell-out gigs at such venues as The Basement at City Screen, York.

Lead singer Fez says their July decision to break up was a tough one. "But we all felt it was the right time for the band to finally go to bed. It's fitting that our final show will be at York’s Little Festival of Live Music on Saturday, as it has been something we’ve been very lucky to play each year thanks to Ellen," he says. "We would really appreciate as many of you as possible to come along to our final gig for one last hurrah. It’s going to be an emotional day.”

Saturday's bill also features York blues, soul, pop and acoustic singer-songwriter Jess Gardham at 5pm; rising acoustic singer-songwriter Laura Kindelan, performing her own material and Ed Sheeran and Corinne Bailey Rea covers at 6pm, and high-energy North Lincolnshire folk six-piece Ramble Gamble at 7pm, before Surf Sluts' concluding hour from 8pm.

Admission is free and the Music Marquee is completely accessible for those with mobility problems. The festival takes place as a companion to the York Food and Drink Festival with music each day from 5pm to 9pm until Saturday. For more information, visit yorkfoodfestival.com; go to facebook.com/YorksLittleFestivalOfLiveMusic or follow @Live_Music_Fest on Twitter.

"During the festival, buckets will be available for donations from those who wish to give to our charity of the year, York Mind, which supports people with mental ill-health," says Ellen.