Here are some of my random thoughts and words about obscure and in-demand ’60s garage and psychedelic singles over the years. All of the original blog posts on my old website have since been deleted so no label scans or picture sleeves are available. Instead, I’ve used photos of The Jaybirds.
44. THE MAKERS – Here Comes Trouble EP (Estrus ES744) 1993
Crude three track EP from Spokane, Washington band The Makers. Every bit as rabid and badly recorded as some of those original North West 60s bands. They sure look the part on the cover with their neat white jackets, black jeans and beatle boots.
It must have been a sight when they turned up for gigs in the 1965 Pontiac hearse (pictured)
The Estrus label on the 45 proclaims ’Estrus High Fidelity’. The music on the disc is anything but ’high fidelity’…it’s lo-fi garage rock and roll, Back From The Grave style. I’m sure that’s what they were aiming for anyway.
The highlight for me is the track ’Nobody Gonna Break My Soul’…it’s a perfect ’66 style punker.
tracks on EP:
I Can’t Stand It
The Mantis
Nobody Gonna Break My Soul
(10/04/08)
45. THE LEATHER NUN – Desolation Ave EP (Wire Records WRMS 007) 1985
Here’s another instance where I only own one record by a band. I’ve never even heard anything else by Swedish band The Leather Nun.
I did go to one of their gigs in 1986 but can’t remember a thing. Mustn’t have been that impressed.
I plucked this 12” EP from the shelves today and remembered why I probably paid to go and see them. ’Son Of A Good Family’ is great punk rock. It’s a mix in equal measure of The Stooges with The Ramones but with a half spoken half sung Lou Reed vocal delivery.
The Leather Nun named themselves after a London stripper and once shocked their audience by showing a porno movie at a concert. They didn’t do this at the gig I went to otherwise I would have remembered!
songs on EP:
On The Road
Son Of A Good Family
Desolation Avenue (full length version)
(09/04/08)
46. THE MINDERS – ’Right As Rain’ / ’Up And Away’ (Earworm 38) Sept 1999
I’ve got a few 45s by The Minders, I’ve even bought ’Hooray For Tuesday’ LP but don’t know a great deal about them other than they hail from Portland, Oregon.
’Right As Rain’ is my favourite Minders song simply because of the use of the Echoplex.
(09/04/08)
47. REDD KROSS – ’Mess Around’ (Way 6066 CD single) 1997
Long time going band from Los Angeles or are they? I’ve not read anything about them since the album ’Show World’ in 1997. This was a single lifted from that fine album which is full of modern day rock songs played with bags of melody and pop hooks.
(08/04/08)
48. THE REVOLVING PAINT DREAM – ‘Flowers In The Sky’ / ’In The Afternoon’ (Creation 002) Feb 1984
I can still remember buying this record from a shop in Sunderland. I probably bought it during the week it was released, which according to information from an online source was 25th February 1984.
Only 1000 were produced and is rare and sought after. It featured Andrew Innes who went onto Primal Scream, Christine Wanless and the Jasmine Minks’ Dave Musker on keyboards.
The wraparound picture sleeve was printed by Bobby Gillespie also later to be in Primal Scream and the sleeves were folded by Alan McGhee himself as was typical of all the first twenty ’Creation’ 7” releases.
’Flowers In The Sky’ is a frenzy of guitar feedback and distortion. It’s certainly psychedelic and this sound was ahead of it’s time especially in England. The Rain Parade and The Dream Syndicate were experimenting with this kind of psych in USA around about the same time I suppose but I’d heard nothing like it in my country.
The grass is green in the fields for you
The grass is green in the fields
Its red and green, its orange and blue
The grasses are there for you (cause I love you)
The flip ’In The Afternoon’ is more of the same trippy psychedelia. It could almost be an extension of the top side but this time the vocals are female.
One for the shoegazers…..
(08/04/08)
49. THE CLIENTELE – ‘(I Want You) More Than Ever’ / ‘6 A.M. Morningside’ (Elefant Records ER-217) Dec 1999
Whilst I take my leave from the 60s for the next couple of months I’m gonna post fifty 45s that were released after 1975 that I recommend.
I’ve got good taste and an ear for coolness so fear not my regular readers this ain’t gonna be the ’end’ of Renaissance Fair, more of a journey into the unknown (maybe).
In at number 49 is this marvellous record by English band The Clientele. It’s the only record or CD I own by them (not sure why I’ve not investigated further??)
Anyway I was in one of the local record shops in Newcastle and bought this as a new release back in 2000. Not that I knew what to expect or anything, I just took a liking for the cover….
(I Want You) More Than Ever is a very fresh sounding melancholic pop tune that brings those special Curt Boettcher songs to mind. This has a lovely melody, really beautiful.
The flip ’6 a.m. Morningside’ is just as good, perhaps even more mournful. It comes across like a mix of ’Sunday Morning’ (Velvets) with 1968 period Donovan.
The Clientele sound 60s and they probably don’t even mean to.
(07/04/08)
50. THE KLIEK – ’Sandra’ / ’House Of Stone’ (Twang! Records TS 130662) 1992
I’m not sure if these scary cats wearing those even scarier clothes would entice the random record buyer into purchasing this 45.
Just look at how that top hat tries to evade the blokes head sitting centre. The last time I saw a top hat that small it was racing around a monopoly board.
Fortunately I knew all about The Kliek. They just happened to be the best Dutch beat group since the 60s. ’Sandra’ is a beat punk offering and at 2:19 is a short blast of coolness. It was written by singer Robert Muter, who would later form his new band Kek ’66 after the demise of The Kliek.
The flip ’House Of Stone’ is a cover of The Grass Roots garage punker from 1966. Couldn’t possibly compete with the original but it’s a pleasant blast. Almost note for note interpretation. Could have done with more fuzz though.
(07/04/08)
THE BARRACUDAS – ’I Can’t Pretend’ / ‘The K.G.B. (Made A Man Out Of Me)’ (Zonophone Z17) 1981
Outstanding double sided garage rock inspired 45 by my all time faves The Barracudas. The top side is the Robin Wills original ’I Can’t Pretend’. It’s only vaguely 60s though. It has the appealing commercial hooks of prime time ’66 but this has a more 70s punk attitude.
’The K.G.B. (Made A Man Out Of Me)’ is just as cool with a killer punk beat and a very nice guitar break. I really dig Nicky Turner’s drumming on this track.
This song was not part of the ’Drop Out With The Barracudas’ LP released on Voxx Records in 1982 so maybe many of you won’t have heard it before.
The Barracudas skirted with UK chart fame with ’Summer Fun’, even appearing on TOTP. I finally saw this TV action a few years ago and was astonished how bad Jeremy Gluck was.
He must have took a few too many lines of speed in the ’Green’ room or something that evening?
Line-up:
Jeremy Gluck (vocals)
Nicky Turner (drums)
Robin Wills (guitar)
David Buckley (bass)
’The K.G.B. (Made A Man Out Of Me)’ was recorded at Manchester Square Studios.
’I Can’t Pretend’ was recorded at Rockfield Studios.
(31/08/07)
KNAVE – ’Bachelor’ / ’Candy’ (Detour Records DR037) 1996
’Bachelor’ is a storming hammond mod floor filler but ’Candy’ is a disappointment. I think the pic cover is excellent.
The modsters threads are hanging nicely on the wall above his bed, there are nude pictures on the wall as well as a band shot of The Who and records and dirty plates litter the floor. ha ha ha ….
Here’s what the cover liners said about the band….
From the depths of London we’ve seen many a great young band, but after listening to this 45 rpm gem, you can write the majority of ’em off.
Recorded at London’s legendary Toe-Rag Studios, you know exactly what yer gonna get. Great hammond fuelled, 60s influenced, lyrically brilliant, in yer face wonderment.
Jon-Paul Harper is renowned for his excellence with a pen and is pretty good on the ’ol guitar too. The one and only Trevor French has a voice that any budding young vocalist would die for, taking you back to the days when Steve Marriott packed the Palladium.
With the bass talent of Steve Duffield, alongside Paul Newman’s crazy hammond antics and the retiring young Stephen Mason thrashing that kit, they travel the world in their well known and much loved ambulance. Knave are the band to keep your eyes on…..
There’s nothing like self promotion but the production by future White Stripes Producer Liam Watson is good, very good!!!
(30/08/07)
The MOURNING AFTER – ’She Means Nothing To Me’ / ’Day Tripper’ (Detour Records 072) 1999
This was The Mourning After’s third and final release on the Detour label. In fact it has proved to be their final ever 45 which is a shame because I think they finally got a sound down on vinyl that does them justice.
So many of their previous releases have been hampered by ’modern’ production. I’m something of a purist and modern production doesn’t do much for me at all.
Still, The Mourning After were never a purist band. Hell, they very rarely did any cover versions live. Chris Blackburn always had enough crypt kickers of his own. And that my friends is where The Mourning After were ahead of the game in some respects. The original line up really rocked in the live domain.
’She Means Nothing To Me’ starts off with pumping bass lines before rockin’ into the some cool guitar and organ. I also dig the background female vocals that really add a sinister touch. Listen out for the killer guitar break. This may also be Chris’ strongest ever lead vocal.
The flip is a version of The Beatles tune ’Day Tripper’ and is the only cover they’ve released on record.. This time around it’s Fee’s chance to shine. I really dig her vocals. It’s a shame this was the first and last time they were used.
Nice to see them still using a Mourning After logo I designed for them way back in the 80s. This was meant for the drum kit but it looks good revolving around my turntable at 45 r.p.m.
For anyone interested, The Mourning After are playing with The Frank Gannon Trio at a night of garage, surf, trash rockabilly & sleaze at the Town Mill, Mansfield on easter Sunday night.Matt, Worksop (2009)
(30/08/07)
THE JAYBIRDS – ’Save My Soul’ / ’King Lonely The Blue’ / ’Shake’ / ’Baby I Need’ (Animal Records S040) 1996
Perennial favourites at Expo67 HQ are of course The Jaybirds. On this obscure and now hard to find EP on Animal Records, the Austrian purists take some freakbeat pills and turn in four classy scorchin’ snarlers.
’Save My Soul’ originally by The Wimple Winch is a note perfect rendition, almost identical to the original with the slow build up before cruising into thunderous freakbeat punk, closing with some cool fuzzy wah wah.
A Tim Rose cover ’King Lonely The Blue’ is next up and is again firmly centred around prime ’66 mod/beat. It’s a very purist approach.
These guys certainly know how to get ’that’ sound. Nice soulful vocals struggle to be heard over the throbbing bass and fuzzy punk guitars.
The second side of the EP starts with a cover of the often covered ’Shake’. This is a song I’ve never had much feelings for. Just too souly for me.
Fortunately The Jaybirds turn it into a rave-up and come off sounding like The Sorrows.
’Baby I Need’ once again flicks on the freakbeat switch. I’ve got no clue if this is an original or not. If anyone knows for sure let me know….thanks
The Jaybirds recorded these four tracks at EKM Studio, Vienna in November 1996 and according to the sleeve notes the songs were live favourites and the band decided to record them soon after the release of their acclaimed LP ’Going Our Own Ways’.
hi there, this record was recorded in 96/97 during the recording sessions for our second lp, but it was released in the end of 99. the song ”baby i need” is an original of the british freakbeat band ”the kingpins” from 66.cheers patrick ”jaybird” nagl
(28/08/07)
30. The GREEN TELESCOPE – ’Face In A Crowd’ / ’Thoughts Of A Madman’ (Wump Records BIF 4811) 1986
This was the second and last 45 by Edinburgh’s Green Telescope. After this record they would change their name to The Thanes Of Cawdor then shorten that to The Thanes.
I love this 45. Both sides are killer. ’Face In A Crowd’ written by Lenny Helsing is a frantic beat punker complete with caveman screams, reedy organ and a nice touch of maracas. To me this sounds more like Dutch punk as opposed to American garage. It’s a great song whatever the influence!
The other side is a cover of the 1967 no hit wonder by The Nomads. Yes they had the balls to tackle (pun intended) ’Thoughts Of A Madman’. Not only that but in my opinion it is far better than the original.
Lenny won’t thank me for this or agree but his 60s garage punk vocals are amazing. Hold on to your hat when the fuzz kicks in at 1 minute 20 seconds….
Both songs were recorded at Roslin Glen Studios.
Lenny Helsing recently contacted me with the line-ups of The Green Telescope when recording the 45s reviewed.
The line up for the Wump release was as follows:
Lenny Helsing (lead vocals/fuzz guitar/maracas)
Bruce Lyall (organ)
Alan McLean (bass)
Mal Kergan (drums)
Reader comments:
I played with The Nomads that originally recorded ”Thoughts Of A Madman”. I also co-wrote the song. I am interested in obtaining a copy of The Green Telescopes version.
I already have a version by an Australian band (The Philistines). I also understand that a band in New York (U.S.A.) recorded a version of the song but I don’t know the name of the band.
I tried contacting lenny via facebook but to no avail, unfortunately. I loved the green telescope 45s in the 80s and still play them regularly, plus the tunes they recorded for the otherwise-lame ’waking dream’ comp.
And also remember them recording a superb session for andy kershaw’s radio 1 show, which included a great version of ’square root of two’ by the nightwalkers. i think a green telescope retrospective is long overdue. i may start hassling re-vola and sundazed et al to give it a go.
(28/08/07)
THE CRIMSON SHADOWS – ’It’s Cold’ / ’I Want You To Leave Me’ / ’Night Of The Maniacs’ (Mystery Scene EP) 1987
Snotty teen punks from Sweden who were short lived, released a couple of records, drank beer, played a handful of gigs then fell out before splitting for good.
The tracks on this EP were never released when they were around. The recordings were made at Siljans Studio on the 13th and 14th September 1985, apart from the throwaway ’Night Of The Maniacs’ which was recorded in Peter Maniette’s kitchen.
’It’s Cold’ written by Mans Mansson is the gem here. It’s a very sloppy punker full of bum notes and with some good garage vocals from Jens Lindberg. It really stands out. Could possibly have been a ’proper’ 45 had they stayed around long enough.
line-up:
Henrik Orrje (harmonica and tambourine)
Peter Maniette (farfisa and vox)
Mans Mansson (guitar and vocals)
Johan Maniette (drums)
Jens Lindberg (bass and vocals)
(28/08/07)
The NUTHINS – ‘Girl Has Gone’ (Larsen Recordz FZ010) 1995
I’ve rescued this killer from a free CD given away with Larsen Fanzine No10. ’Girl Has Gone’ is a frantic folk punker with magical 12 string jangle and farfisa organ. The bass and the jangle try and out do each other. Both fighting for prominence.
I remember telling Mojo Mills years ago via a letter (pre email days) that The Nuthins should have released this as a single.
He advised me that he did regret not using it. Sadly The Nuthins are no more but the good news is that ’Girl Has Gone’ lights up my eyes every time I play it.
I’m gonna review another guitar/organ pounder by The Nuthins at a later date.
(28/08/07)
The MOCK TURTLES – ‘Time Between’ (Imaginary Records LP 004) 1989
Here’s a classic cover version of The Byrds song ’Time Between’. This cut was part of the mostly great collection put together by Imaginary Records of modern day bands paying their respect to the greatest ever American 60s band.
I can’t say I dig The Mock Turtles (I don’t own any of their records nor have felt the need to do so. They were part of the English indie scene in the late 80s early 90s that did nothing for me) however, they certainly did a crackin’ interpretation of this Chris Hillman tune.
They turn the song into a 12 string jangle fest without any hint of the country rock Hillman’s original has. Midway through the coolness they strangely throw in a few lines from ’Why’ but it works!
The vocals are pretty good also. This is easily my favourite track on this LP.
(28/08/07)
LOS COVERS – ’I Try’ / ’Can’t Stop This Feelin’ / ’Nothing to Say’ (Thunder Pussy 007) 1995
Spanish mod band Los Covers appear to have a fixation with their English heroes The Small Faces and The Spencer Davis Group in equal measure.
I can take or leave ’Can’t Stop This Feelin’ and ’I Try’ which are a little bit too souly for my tastes but ’Nothing To Say’ fits my criteria nicely.
This one sounds much more R&B but retains that element of soul ala Small Faces. It’s also got a swirling organ sound that I know plenty of people dig!
line-up
Xoel Lopez (guitar and vocals)
Nacho Mora (bass)
Marcos Collantes (drums)
Patricia Keina (organ)
Recorded and mixed at Odds Studios, Gijon on 29th October 1995.
Produced by Felix Dominquez
Reader comment:
The covers mutated in Elephant Band, singer and bass player was in the new band. They edited two records, i posted the first …For a Cold Days in our blog http://18rodas.blogspot.com/
(27/08/07)
The FROSTED FLAYKES – ’Waste Your Time’ / ’Rockin’ Rhythm’ (Midnight Records 4507) 1984
Ensconced in my favourite Midnight Records picture sleeve (not hard because they were usually rubbish) is this crudely recorded double sided garage 45 by New York band The Frosted Flaykes.
Both songs in fairness are virtually the same. One has vocals the other is an instrumental.
But both have that raw 60s trashy style that I don’t normally go for but they win me over with the cover which is Grrrrreat!! as Tony The Tiger would say.
’Rockin’ Rhythm’ is a fuzz blast and I dig the fuzzzz.
The line-up on The Frosted Flaykes only 45 were:
Jordan Tarlow (guitar and pan?…told you it was primitive)
Mike Chandler (harmonica)
Fast Freddie (drums)
Joe (bass)
Jordan Tarlow later played with The Outta Place, The Morlocks and the late 80s line up of The Fuzztones.
Mike Chandler co-wrote some songs for the Fuzztones and later became lead singer of The Raunch Hands.
Reader comment:
I remember buying this one, at Midnight itself, I believe. I used to use ”Rockin’ Rhythm” for promos for my radio show as an undergrad in the mid-80s.
These days Chandler’s back in NYC and singing (and playing harmonica) with the VERY cool Chandler & the Chasers, as well as shaking the maraccas (and vocalizing on a couple songs) with Edison Rocket Train (led by Raunch Hands’ drummer Mike ”Sharky” Edison).
(25/08/07)
The LYRES – ’Boston’ / ’Shake It Some More’ (Norton Records 45-020) 1993
I’m not the biggest Lyres fan around and have only maybe got about half of their recorded output but I dig this 45 a lot.
’Boston’ is of course the Gene Clark demo song that The Byrds overlooked for their debut album. Here, The Lyres strip it back to the bones (not that there was much ’flesh’ on the original) and create a garage rocker.
It’s certainly a basic plod but I think it works well because it has a primal beat, heavy bass lines and the mono man’s Vox Continental organ (which is a cool sound).
Mid way through ’Boston’ the band decide to play ’Dirty Water’ by The Standells (ha ha ha) it’s like two great songs for the price of one and all about their home town of Boston.
’Shake It Some More’ is another garage rock tune and I’m sure I’ve heard it done by some other band.
The writer credit is ’Sheridan’ and it could be an original by Dutch Beat band The Jay Jays. I’ll do a bit research and confirm later?
Also the band on the cover is obviously not The Lyres. Can anyone confirm who these country looking hicks were on the picture sleeve? The bass player looks like one of those scary inbreeds from 70s film Deliverance.
line-up:
Jack Hickey (guitar)
Jim Janota (drums)
Rick Coraccio (bass)
Jeff Conolly (vocals, keyboards and tambourine)
Reader comment:
Definitely one of my favorite Lyres’ singles from after Jeff moved back to Boston in 1990.
I’ll never forget that first show after he came back from San Diego… It was at the Rat in mid-November of ’90 and I drove a couple friends up from NYC. The place was jammed. Supposedly a bigger crowd than they’d ever had.
(24/08/07)
THE JAYBIRDS – ’Hold On I’m Coming’ / ’Just a Loser’ / It’s Too Late’ / ’You Don’t Have To Tell Me’ (Ilsa Records 69007) 1996
Here’s the second of my Jaybirds reviews. I wrote about one of their killer 45s months ago. Locate it in one of the monthly archives.
This cool set of Austrian mods are purist all the way. Just take a look at the cover, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s fabulous.
There are four tracks on this EP, two covers and two originals from Bernhard Gold. The Jaybirds really come good on both covers. ’Hold On I’m Coming’ first done by Sam and Dave and written by David Porter sets the scene and that scene is mod soul and the kind I can listen to.
’Just A Loser’ has always been a personal favourite. First done by John Smith and the New Sound (I think). Their version was a ’biggish’ hit in most parts of Europe in 1968 but it did nothing in their native England.
If the first side of the EP had a soul vibe going on, the second has a purist R&B approach. I dig this so much and I’m sure you will too. ’You Don’t Have To Tell Me’ pays a massive debt to The Sorrows with the same punk R&B as my mid 60s heroes.
All songs were recorded at the famous TOE-RAG studio in London in May 1995.
line-up:
Bernhard Gold (vocals and harp)
Norbert Payr (lead guitar)
Markus Zochling (bass)
Patrick Nagl (rhythm guitar)
Thomas Schmitzberger (drums)
hi, this one was recorded during one night in londons toe rag studios during a small tour in 95.patrick ”jaybird” nagl
(22/08/07)
LOS IMPOSIBLES – ’Judy’ EP (Animal Records 021) 1995
Here’s a very cool four track EP by Madrid band Los Imposibles. During the 90s Spain had a massive amount of neo 60s bands each covering their chosen path such as mod, garage and psychedelia. Los Imposibles fit into a mod pop category.
’Judy’ is a band original and is a pleasant enough pop song but for me it just sets up the next track which happens to be one of my favourite Traffic songs ’Paper Sun’. Fortunately, they are able to carry the cover version off with some neat sitar sounding guitar and swirling organ.
The second side of the EP offers up ’Groovin’ & Movin’, a groovy mod instrumental with funky hammond organ and some brass. I would have preferred killer fuzz guitar solos, but I suppose this will do.
’Peppermint Frappe’ is another mod tune following the same template as the previous track. You could be mistaken for thinking this was some tune from a 60s soundtrack.
Los Imposibles released more records after this in a more Beatles vein.
line-up:
Paco Poza (vocals, guitar, organ)
Javier Palomo (bass)
Gonzalo Lagarto (drums)
All tracks recorded at the Green Drum Studio, Madrid in December 1994.
(19/08/07)
