GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!!!! I thought I’d never get this edition of Dan’s Garage out, but after nearly two months of holidays, shopping and to top it off bad weather, I found a little time to spin a few discs and get this baby going. I really hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and holiday season in general. Now that 2013 is upon us I wish all the best to my friends and followers out there. I really didn’t get much in the way of material goods for Christmas this year, but happiness and smiling faces surely made up for it, and besides, I really do prefer the giving part than the receiving part. I did get one awesome gift from my lovely wife Red, a “leg lamp” ala “A Christmas Story”. Here’s a picture of the “major award” in my front living room window.…

There were actually cars stopping in front of my house to get a good look at it. What a hoot. We also had a Christmas soiree in my “man cave'” where friends and neighbors got totally inebriated and made fools of themselves. In other words, a typical Christmas party.

Before I continue with this post, I’d just like to thank everyone out there who left kind and thoughtful comments. They really make this blog worthwhile. I’d also like to add a comment about links that are no longer useful. I am up to 81 posts on this blog and that’s just the “Dan’s Garage” posts. Before MF melted down, I had re-upped EVERYTHING and it was quite a chore. Now I have to do it all over with Zippyshare and there is no guarantee they will hold. I’m looking for an alternative. It seems that if I encrypt things well enough MF won’t catch on. I’ll keep trying that route, but if you’re looking for files, please be patient. I’ll get to them as fast as I can and to be perfectly honest, I’m not exactly Speedy Gonzalez.

There’s a guy out there and I believe he’s from The Netherlands, although I could be wrong, who has been taking my comps and posting them on his site. I’m somewhat flattered that people are sharing this, I guess, I mean, there are folks out there who take the mp3s and label scans from this blog and use them on on their own blogs and websites and on YouTube as well, and I really don’t have much of a problem with that. I use material from other sites as well (and I thank all for letting me do so), but this guy is going as far as changing the “covers” I made for the comps. That’s bullshit. While I am guilty of having downloaded files from this bloggers site in the past, (full disclosure here) it would have been nice if he just informed me of his intentions. I also understand you have to PAY to get the files. That’s extra total bullshit. My advice to all, is to just shun this blogger and never visit his site (http://rollhotrodroll.blogspot.fr).

Enough of that stuff. I know it’s been a while and you’ve been anxiously awaiting this next post which I hope you’ll enjoy. God bless all of you. Have a beautiful happy warm Holiday, and best wishes to you on the upcoming New Year. See you in 2013!!!!!!!

Peck’s Bad Boys – Crazy World / Cloud 76 (1966)


Tough, pounding two sided punker from The Bronx (that’s in NYC). I’d go into greater detail, but you can get the whole story by clicking this link HERE

Mae West w/ Somebody’s Chyldren – Shakin' All Over / If You Gotta Go (1966)

Here we go again with the legendary Mae West “vocalizing” through a few 60s classics. This time we get a great version of Johnny Kidd’s signature tune, and I love the way she sings “Shakin’ All Ovuh”! The flip is a sort of freaked out version of Dylan’s “If You Gotta Go” All in all, not a bad effort from an aging Hollywood star. If only we could have gotten W.C. Fields to sing a few with her……..

Dick Whittington’s Cats – In The Midnight Hour / I Still Find You (In My Heart) (1966)

Originally known as “Richie & The Fortunes”, the “Cats” were from Cleveland and backed “Bocky” from Bocky & The Visions quite often. Here they lay down a hard nosed version of Wilson Pickett’s hit backed with a typical Cleveland garage/greaser/do wop number.

Noblemen 4 – Hang It In Your Ear / I Hear Raindrops (1967)

A Pittsburgh area band who had one other release. Great “frat rock” on the A side and a pretty good moody garage ballad on the B. You can read more about them HERE. Hard to believe this 45 is from 1967.

Roemans – Don’t / Miserlou (1965)

A group from Florida who backed Tommy Roe (hence the name “Roemans”) on several tours including one that went to the UK. They released several 45s without Roe and this, their second, is a mixed bag. The A side is typical British Invasion whilst the B side is a wild insane version of Dick Dale’s “Miserlou”

Guilloteens – For My Own / Don’t Let The Rain Get You Down (1966)

Best known as Elvis Presley’s favorite band, The Guilloteens were in fact a pretty good act. They had 45s on HBR and Columbia and continued performing till 1967 when they broke up.

Joey Paige – Gone Back To Tennessee (1964)

I wish I knew more about this guy. All I could come up with was that he was involved with the Everly Bros., went to England and hooked up with the Stones somehow, came back to the US and released a few 45 one of which was supposedly produced by Bill Wyman. This isn’t the one, but it’s a pretty good rocker nonetheless.

Stuarts – Just A Little Bit More / Bringing It Home (1966)

A Feldman, Goldstein, Gottehrer production that’s rumored to be the Strangeloves in disguise, kinda like “The Sheep”. Could be, because it sounds an awful lot like The Strangeloves only a bit nastier.

New Colony Six – At The Rivers Edge / I Lie Awake (1965)

Before the New Colony Six became Chicago’s masters of wimp rock, they put out several great 45s including this, their second, which is emphasized by a driving Bo Diddley beat. The B side is no slouch either.

Bridge – I Don’t Think I’ll Call You / When You’re Gone (1966)

Different from the Connecticut group, this bunch was from Mississippi, and had this one superb moody two sider.

Anglo Saxton – You Better Leave Me Alone / Ruby (1967)

Although this came out on a Michigan label initially (it was re-released on Tower) it reportedly was a big regional hit in Nashville. “You Better Leave Me Alone” is a great sleazy slow tempo punk rocker with snotty vocals, but what gets me is their treatment of “Ruby”, the Kenny Rogers hit. They slow the whole thing down and add this folk rock element to it that makes it rather unique. Way better that the hit IMHO.

Oliver’s Heavenly Nest – Hey Bird / She And My Shadow (1969)

I just had to throw in this nice slice of pop/psyche into the mix. Don’t know  much about this group. They may be from the New York area but I can’t say for sure……..

Ark – Poverty Train / Daily Reminder (1967)

Another absolutely superb psychedelic 45 by a very obscure group from…..well I’m not sure where, but rumor has it they’re from Northern California. I’ve read comparisons to Clear Light but I think these guys are in their own little world. “Daily Reminder” is fantastic and “Poverty Train” is a great cover of a Laura Nyro tune. This one’s a real gem.

Equals – Lonely Rita / Softly Softly (1968)

I love these guys! One of the few “integrated” bands of the 60s, they had a big hit with “Baby Come Back”, but they also had a whole bunch of other songs under their belt, most of them great freakbeat numbers. This two sider is a perfect example.

NRBQ – Stomp / I Don’t Know Myself (1968)

One of the most beloved “indie” bands of all time. This was NRBQ’s first release when they were known as a “Quintet”.

Get it here

Greetings friends and followers! I hope everyone’s New Year is going well so far. Mine is rather dreary right now with the bitter cold weather and all, and the fact that my beloved New York Giants missed the NFL playoffs this year and I have to watch teams that they either beat the crap out of (San Francisco), or got beat up by (Baltimore), slug it out in what is the biggest sporting event of the season (here in the good ol’ USA that is…). Someone at work got real excited that Beyoncé was the half time show. I wonder if she’s going to lip-sync or not???? Maybe she’ll trip on stage like Madonna did last year (or was that the year before???) Personally I could give a shit about half time shows. Most, or rather all of them suck ass, even if the acts are decent guys like The Who or Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. I think they ought to have Paul Revere & The Raiders do it sometime, even if he is a Las Vegas schmuck now,at least he’d be better than Beyoncé lip-syncing her bullshit. Does she even really sing??? If it didn’t say BEYONCE in front of it, would you actually know it’s her????? Seriously, I can’t tell the difference. I don’t want to sound like an old fogy but who the hell is “Nickelback” and what do they really sound like???? As my good friend Chuck Irving would say… “they’re a generic alternative rock band” and that is what we have today my friends. “generic music”. It’s really sad. Us “older” Rock & Roll fans have slogged through some of the worst commercial crap in the history of humanity, but think about it, were “The Partridge Family” as bad as everyone thinks they were??????? How about The Osmonds, all clean and Mormon like? I listen to that stuff nowadays and marvel at the craftiness of it all. Something lost in today’s music.

    I just did one of those stupid Facebook surveys that asked how many “influential” albums you had in your collection, and I was surprised (well I shouldn’t have been) how much CRAP there was in their “selection”. One of the offending “LPs” was “Dexy’s Midnight Runners” who’s “Come On Eileen” video was famous for the mere fact that they didn’t wear any underwear while filming it. Holy SHIT STAIN BATMAN!!!!!! When I got to that part of the survey I knew it was a pile of horse dung.

  But seriously folks. To say that music, in the “Rock & Roll” sense, is evolving is folly. Rock & Roll is not dead by any stretch, but it has run it’s course in my humble opinion. What is heard nowadays is some mish mash of influences stirred up in a commercial pot and sold like Duncan Hines cake mixes on a grocery shelf. Which one do like?? White or Fudge?? Eventually there will be young people who will truly carry the torch of Rock & Roll into the mainstream again, kind of the way that guys like Harry Connick Jr. carried Frank Sinatra’s torch into the new millennium of “pop stars”. It will happen. It always does

That is not to say that there are no GREAT Rock & Roll acts out there today. They are just “under the radar"and the savvy amongst us go looking for them instead of having them handed to us on a silver platter. It’s weird. We used to wait for the next big thing on the radio, and usually it would be something that was actually fresh, even if we weren’t “down with it”. Nowadays we just wait for people like Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber to go away. Justin Beiber or David Cassidy???? Think about it.

   OK! Enough of that rant. I want to thank everyone out there for supporting me during this “transition” period where the feds are really cracking down on internet piracy. I’ll say it again. Blogs like this are the least of their worries. Go fry some BIGGER fish please. I’m thinking people sharing Katy Perry’s newest is what you want to watch out for. To quote Adam Corrolla, she really does “look like she’s always thinking about something stupid” Now there’s a REAL talent folks!!!!!!! Sorry, I got off track again. Old links will be replaced in time. Don’t hold your breath, I will eventually replace them all, but it is VERY TIME CONSUMING. I wish there was a quicker way but there really isn’t.

I can’t believe there’s 82 volumes here!!! WOO HOO!!!! I always thought I’d be finished after 50, but I think I’ll be well over 100 by next year. I’m glad everyone is enjoying what I do here, and I just want to give a shout out to the locals who follow this blog . I know who you are. Come see me sometime at a gig and we’ll have a drink together. In the meantime enjoy the latest offering. Adios!

Thee Midnighters – Whittier Blvd. / Evil Love (1965)

East L.A’s finest rumble through two classics on one 45. Areeba Areeba!!!!

Bartholomew +3 – She’s Mine / You’re Not There (1965)

A rather obscure act from Montreal, Canada who had a few other 45s. Nice moody folk/rock offering here.

Fenians – Got A Feeling / Tonight’s The Night For Love (1965)

I gave my best shot at trying to find some info on this 45, but all I came up with was a website that led me to some horrific hacker’s site. YOW! Anyway…I can tell you that The Fenians were arranged and produced  by Tony Harris, who’s “Superman” is featured on IDG #9, so it’s quite possible that these two bands are the same.

Richie Dennis & The Group / Forever And A Day (1966)

Another dead end on this one also. Very moody folk/rock with some nice “group” vocals propping it up and a thumping bass as well.

Bachs Lunch You Go On / Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1966)

I’m not exactly sure who the Bach Lunch was, but this 45 was produced by Carole King and features a cover of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” as the A side and a wonderful pop/psyche number titled “You’ll Go On” as the flip, the featured song here. “You Go On” was apparently penned by Rick Philip and Dave Palmer who were members of The Myddle Class who also had a couple of classic 45s released on the same label so it may be possible that they were the backing band on this excellent 45.

Love Ins – Red Light, Green Light / Groove Me (1968)

Let’s jump to ‘68 where The Love Ins, most likely a “studio” group recorded this very nice bubblegumish 45.

Carpetbaggers – Let Yourself Go / Just A Friend (1966)

Another dead end *sigh*. Good “protest” rock that apparently was produced by novelty song king Ray Stevens. I wonder if this is actually him singing this…….

Joys Of Life – Descent / Good Times Are Over (1967)


Look at these guys. a bunch of nice clean Midwestern boys from Indiana who got a break by releasing a 45, and on a major label no less. “Good Times Are Over” is typical Midwestern R&B a-la “The Fabulous Flippers” and other groups from the same region, but what sets this 45 apart from the rest is the flipside “Descent” which is featured here. Holy crap, talk about a tale of two bands. While “Good Times” is generic blue eyed soul, “Descent” is about as nasty a garage/punker can be. The Lyrics say it all… “You say my ways they weren’t the same, you criticized my looks but baby I can’t seem to stop those evil actions. By lying and any other means you made me prince of public scenes” and it continues from there. A tale of a guy who’s girl is so nasty, he has to shame her…”Now I’m the king and you’re the pawn, I can see you looking on, jealous of my new love and my freedom”. It gets better, but I’m sure after a few spins you’ll get the picture. A masterpiece.

Pretty Things – Progress / Buzz The Jerk (1966)

The Pretties at their “soul” best. Real cool “mod” sounds here, and the horns really don’t mess up the A side at all.

Shady Days – Little Girl / That’s How Strong My Love Is (1967)

This actually is the Chicago band, The Revelles with a different moniker. “Little “Girl” is a lightweight folk rocker, whilst “That’s How Strong My Love Is” is a lightweight soul rocker. All kidding aside, this is a terrific two sider.

Just Rita – Tomorrow Is Another Day (1967)

A Chicago area singer who had quite a bit of media backing via Billboard ads, but it looks like she really flopped big time, as well as her label. This 45 is a cool sitar inspired psychedelic song. Do a Google search on her and find some interesting Billboard ads and articles.

Springfield Rifle – I’ll Be Standing There / Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1968)

A Pacific NW group who had a slew of 45 in the mid sixties including this Zombies inspired number and a very cool moody version of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”. Oops! I put two of these one here????? DOH!!!!

Company Front – I’m So Happy Now / Not Today (1968)

A Kentucky based pop group with awesome vocal harmonies, do justice to a Young Rascals tune.

Hamilton Streetcar – Confusion / It’s Your Own Come Down (1968)

Oh, so cool garage/psych from the guys who gave us “Invisible People”. This was their second 45 on LHI before they became a poppier band and released an album on Dot. These guys should have made it big and it’s a shame they didn’t.

Equals – Baby Come Back / Hold Me Closer (1968)

Yeah… I know this was a hit, but if all “hits” were this cool, the world would be a much better place.

Iota – R.I.P. / Sing For You (1969)

A band from El Paso Texas recorded this 45 somewhere around 1969 and was released the Memphis based M.O.C. label. Very good heavy psychedelic sounds.

Get it here.

   Greetings once again friends and followers! I got away with a minor computer crisis recently and thought that all the good stuff that was lying safe on my hard drive got wiped out, but I managed to retrieve it safely and now I can continue without a hitch. It looks like winter is finally over up here as I’ve witnessed one of the worst moths temperature wise in quite a while, so when the thermometer gets 10° above freezing (that’s Fahrenheit for those who aren’t here in the U.S.) it feels rather balmy and we start cheering for spring. As Gerry Roslie of the Sonics would say… WAAAAHOOOOO! Why is it so cold????? I don’t know, I guess I’m just plagued with living in a part of the hemisphere that kind of sucks weather-wise , but I’m sure some of you out there have it worse so I’ll shut up.
   Many of you out there have requested re-ups of past postings that got wiped out by Mediafire. I’m getting a lot of these so if I don’t answer you request verbally, don’t be offended. I just have to hash all of this out and re-up as I get requests, and even then I have to devote my time to something else. It took me weeks just to get my act together for this one, so please remember, patience is a virtue.
   Thanks once again for all the kind comments from ALL of you, they truly make my day and as the number of followers grows (over 200 now thank you!) the stack of new records grows with it and it looks like I’ll be doing this for a little while longer. I’m also trying to sharpen up my writing skills which kind of suck, but I hope you’ll all look past the inadequacies and enjoy the gist of what I’m doing here, it is my passion and keeps my blood flowing and eases all kinds of stress as well. Let’s spin a few 45s shall we????    

Shondels – Shake A Tail Feather / Don’t Put Me Down (1965)

A real raw stomper from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. A side is a great frat rock rendition of “Shake A Tail Feather” but the B side is a somewhat moody, yet up-tempo garage put down song.

Vogues – Humpty Dumpty (1966)

We all know the Vogues were the furthest thing from what us purists consider a “garage band”, but this fine Diddelyesque thumper is pretty good in my opinion. Most likely backed by Pittsburg pals The Fenways.

Aquamen – Line And Track / Tomorrow Is A Long Time (1966)

Most likely a group from somewhere in California, but I can’t find anything concrete so I’m merely guessing. A side is a great garagey stomper while on the B they tackle a Bob Dylan favorite that kind of plods along a bit slowly and it sounds like they’re reading the lyrics of a piece of paper on a music stand! Apparently this 45 is fetching huge bucks from “Northern Soul” collectors, but I don’t know why. It doesn’t sound anything like “soul” to me, but what the hell do I know?

Cat’s Meow – House Of Kicks / True True Lovin’ (1966)

Long thought to be a studio group, The Cat’s Meow were an actual band from Staten Island, NY. They eventually became The Beeds, who’s “Run To Her” is featured in IDG #84. Read more about them here at the fantabulous “Flower Bomb Songs” blog.

Jim Jones & The Chaunteys – Next Exit / One Fine Mice (1967)

Not sure of the date on this one, but I guessed 1967???? Oh well, in any case, The Chaunteys were an extremely prolific band out of Fort Worth, TX that released about a dozen 45s from the early to mid 60s including this organ drenched lite-psych flavored number. The flip is a goofy tribute to Mickey Mouse, but since they were a house band at a Disneyland teen club, I guess they were obligated to pay tribute to the Mickster and his legion of followers. Read an excellent interview with Jim Jones at the fine “60s Garage Bands” website.

Blue Beats – Extra Girl / She’s The One (1966)


Superb power pop from Danbury, CT. They had one other 45 on Columbia and eventually changed their name to “The No.1” and released another superb track “The Collector” (I’m presently trying to track down a copy as we speak). Check out an interview with guitarist Lance Drake here.

Link Wray & The Raymen – Hidden Charms / Ace Of Spades (1966)

Perhaps his most brutal 45 ever. Link goes all out here guitar AND vocal wise with thee definitive garage treatment of Willie Dixon’s “Hidden Charms”. “Ace Of Spades” is perhaps one of his finest instros as well.

Sessions – Let Me In (1965)

According to Colin Mason (who’s “Flower Bomb Songs” blog is perhaps one of the best and is far more astute than I in the area of band research) this 45 was released in the U.S. only, and predates the Sorrows’ version by about a year. He also reveals that along with Miki Dallon, this group had a young Ritchie Blackmore playing lead guitar and Nicky Hopkins pounding the keys. “Miki” would later rehash this riff on “When I Was 15” which can be heard on IDG #45.

Cavemen – A Small World / Whatever Will Be Will Be (1966)

Reportedly from New Jersey and NOT the garage rockers from Rochester, NY (my home town!!). Great organ driven garage on the A side and a decent rendition of “Que Sera Sera” on the flip. I still to this day don’t know why bands covered that one…….

Care Package – Vinegar Man / Mister Child (1966)

Excellent garage/folk on the A side here, with guy/gal vocals that were very typical for the era. The flip has a more sunshiny feel to it.

Los Bravos – I’m All Ears / You’ll Never Get The Chance Again (1967)

I don’t know what it is about Los Bravos that piques my interest in them. On the one hand, they kind of have an overproduced, bombastic, sort of… over-the-top sound, but lurking underneath is a pretty good beat group trying to get past the horn section that sometimes (well..usually) takes over their songs. “Black Is Black” is certainly one of my favorite songs and this follow up from ‘67 has the same formula.

London & The Bridges – Keep Him / I'll Probably Understand When I'm Older (1966)

Featured in IDG #83, this was the last of three releases from this Great Neck, NY band.

Boss Blues – Takin’ Life Easy / Could It Be True (1968)

These guys may have been from Massachusetts, but I can’t say for sure. Somewhere in New England would be a fair assumption though. Very good bubblegum sounds here.

Idle Race – Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree / My Father’s Son (1967)

One of the great British Beat/Freakbeat groups, The Idle race was the home to Jeff Lynne and had some involvement with Roy Wood as well. As we all know, Lynne went on to form ELO and involve himself with The Travelling Wilburys and Tom Petty.

Bill Wendry & The Boss Tweeds – Trying To Get To You / When He’s Gone (1969)

The second of three 45s issued by this Massachusetts based group. Although there’s a significant amount of horns on these songs, they’re pretty good with a powerful delivery. If you get a chance, check out “A Wristwatch Band”, a real weird moody psychedelic freak-out,  their finest moment.

GET IT HERE

Hi Y’all! With all the super duper crazy shit that’s been going on here in  the good ol’ USA these days, I thought it would be a nice change of pace to offer up some good “wholesome” entertainment for you. So please, turn off the evening news for a while and indulge in some cool sounds from the 60s and 70s. You deserve it.

Blue Beats – Born In Chicago / I Can’t Get Close (To Her At All) (1966)

We heard these guys in the last edition of IDG doing a nice garage/pop 2 sider. They stick to the same formula on the B side of this follow up, but try their hand at some gritty Yardbirds style blues on the top. The A side was written by Nick Gravenites who’s work was extensively covered by the likes of Janis Joplin, Mike Bloomfield, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Electric Flag, and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band who most famously covered “Born In Chicago”.

Saints – Out In The Street / Please Don’t Leave Me (1966)

Not to be confused with the Aussie punk legends, these guys were (or at least the label) was from suburban Chicago. Absolutely nothing is known about this band except for the location and the fact that they attempted a Who cover. The flip is a nice Invasion styled ballad which is somewhat crude and inept as well. In other words, a GREAT 45!

Tears – Weatherman / Read All About It (1966)

A fantastic Bay Area group that released one other 45 in 1968, but this one here is a standout, featuring way cool fuzz guitars and terrific vocals.

Agents – Gotta Help Me / Calling An Angel (1965)

A West Coast group that sounds like they cashed in on the Byrds hype at the time by aping “Mr. Tambourine Man”, turning it sideways a bit, and changing the subject matter to girls (naturally). Genius.

Beaten Path – Doctor Stone / Never Never (1966)

I’m not exactly sure if this is the same group from Reading, PA that delivered the awesome “Original Nothing People”, or if they are from Brooklyn, NY as some people claim, but either way this is an excellent version of the Leaves’ song. The label says that this was featured in the Warner Bros, film “The Cool Ones” (which I’ve yet to see by the way…) but The Leaves were the band that actually were featured in the flick, so it’s kind of like some “false advertising” if you will. In any case, I consider this to be the “superior” version. Only because I’ve heard it a gazillion times and it’s pretty much etched into my brain…..

Fantasmics – Wild One / Heaven Or Hell (1966)

A group from Manchester, NH that melded some Sir Douglas vibe with Bo Diddley. Nice combo.

Uptowners – She’s Mine / Down The Pike (196?)

Another take on “Willie & The Hand Jive”, this one from Fort Worth, TX. The flip is an early 60s style sax driven instro.

Liverpool Five – Cloudy / She’s (Got Plenty Of Love) (1967)

We all know the story on these guys. Here’s another example of how they could take a song and truly make it their own. “Cloudy” is schmaltz but you gotta admire the way they tackle it and turn it into something cool, and I do like Paul Simon and think this is one of his better songs. “She’s Got Plenty Of Love” was a song from The Peeps and they slow it down and turn it into a moody classic. Genius.

Harrison – Rejected Me / There’s Time (196?)

Another mystery group, this time from Minneapolis, MN. Not sure of the date either. It could possibly be from as late as 1970 but who knows for sure????? Excellent brooding garage with a prominent organ.

Act Of Creation – I’ve Just Seen You / Yesterday Noontime (1967)

Holy Cats!!!!! Talk about sheer psychedelic GENIUS!!!!!!! This 45 is among the best in my humble opinion (as far as psychedelic songs go) because it embodies everything great about what is “psych”. Fuzz guitar, a dreamy double tracked harmonized vocal, some weird percussion in the background. Ahhhhh…perfect. Especially the bridge and it’s exit. Everything about this 45 is FANTASTIC! Why these guys didn't get any fame is beyond me.

Trend – Shot On Sight / Boyfriends And Girlfriends (1966)

I’m not exactly sure of this group's history, but from what I gather, it’s an early effort of Mike Giles who at the time was in the “Trendsetters Limited” and eventually would go on to form “Giles,Giles & Fripp”, one of the great British psych bands that ended up as King Crimson.

Living Daylights – Live For Today / I’m Real (1967)

There’s an interesting story with the famous song that is on the A side of this 45. Although it’s most associated with The Grass Roots, who did an excellent version of it, it originally was written and recorded by The Rokes (I’ll get to that one in the future) with Italian lyrics entitled “Piangi Con Me’ or translated as “Cry With Me. The Living Daylights actually were the first to release this great song, (beating out the Rokes) but alas had no real luck with it. The Grass Roots took care of that issue just days after this was released in the USA.

Skapegoat – Good Times, Bad Times / Annabel Lee (196?)

Another mystery group, this time presumably from California, but I really can’t say for sure. They offer up a heavy rendition of the Stones’ “Good Times, Bad Times” on the A side and a cool heavy psych original on the flip.

GET IT HERE

Holy moly. It seems like a decade since I last did this, and it’s not for lack of wanting to do it, the time just seems to slip away from me faster as I grow older, you know what I mean????? I swear to God The Almighty that a week feels like a few hours these days. Sheesh. I’ve been nickel and diming this post for at least a month now, all while gathering up more 45s and pissing my lovely wife off as well while little piles of records appear out of nowhere, and cardboard mailers begin to stack up. On the bright side, all this background activity should keep this blog going for a good long time.

In case you haven’t noticed, quite a few of the old posts have been re-upped. This is a time consuming process, but I did find a nice uploading tool to get gobs of files up at once, yet it still takes some time for that process as well. I figure I’ll have them all taken care of by the end of the month (hopefully).

    One of the big reasons that my time is so precious these days is this steady gig I have with some friends called “The Imaginary Band”. We’re simply a commercial “Classic Rock” band, but we’re very good at what we do, and my Saturdays are pretty much booked till the end of the year which is great if you’re in a “working band”. This is the most work I’ve done as a musician in my entire life, and at 53 it feels great. Yeah…we play “old music, for old people” but most of us middle agers aren’t done rocking yet, especially me, and after languishing in Garage Rock bands for the past 35 years playing second fiddle to The Chesterfield Kings or worse yet being completely ignored altogether, it feels good to have people truly appreciate what I do, even though it the same old stuff you hear on FM radio. I do manage to slip in a few “nuggets” here & there like the Bubble Puppy’s “Hot Smoke & Sassafras. That always gets the folks scratching their heads a wee bit.
   Thanks again to all for kind words and comments, hopefully I’ll scrape up a little more time to make these posts more frequent, In the meantime enjoy this one……

Galaxies – The Raunchy Twist / San (1962)

Let’s start with a good old time early 60’s instrumental that sounds a lot like Duane Eddy. I’m not sure if this is the same group that was from Tacoma, WA, but it’s a possibility. These guys plow through a version of Bill Justis’ classic and put the “twist” tag on it so’s they could sell more records!

Tommy Kay Show – I Need Someone Now / Man Without A Name (196?)

I’m not exactly sure of the date that this was recorded, but it certainly sounds like an early 60s teen weeper backed with a moody instrumental. Embers records was a subsidiary of Cuca Records out of Sauk City, Wisconsin, famous for a few garage killers.

Strangers – Tell Me / Easy Livin’(1965)

I Can’t tell you a whole lot about this one except that it most likely is from California, and they do a pretty good cover of the Stones’ “Tell Me”. The flip is a pretty good instrumental although it definitely sounds like “filler”.

Cicadas – That’s What I Want / Hey Wha’ D’ya Say (1964)

Way cool version of this song that made the rounds in several groups including the Liverpool Five. This here is one of my favorites though, with it’s warbly guitars and excellent background vocals. The Cicadas were from Australia and had several other 45s that I’ve never had the pleasure to hear.

Shevelles - How Would You Like Me To Love You / I Could Conquer The World (1964)

A fine British group that had a few decent 45s released from ‘63 to ‘68, mostly in the R&B/Mod style. This one was a nice pop two sider produced by Don Charles who was somehow connected to the great Joe Meek.

Jesters Of Newport – Stormy / Where Have You Been All My Life (1966)

A true classic in every sense of the word. I guess they were from southern California and recorded this in the back of a record store or something, ‘cause it sure sounds like it! One of the true garage/punk greats!

Kitchen Cinq – Determination / You’ll Be Sorry Someday (1966)

One of the very first finds from “Fat Chuck’s” cache of 45s and to this day one of my favorites. Hailing from Amarillo, TX, they were originally called the “Y’alls” and had fuzzed out version of "The Beatles’ “Run For Your Life” on Ruff Records. They also recorded a decent LP and several other 45s.

Bob & Kit – You’ve Gotta Stop / Autumn Too Long (1966)

An extremely obscure 45 from a guy/girl combo from who the hell knows where?????? this reminds me a lot of lyme & cebelle, or perhaps the Gas Co. Really nice folk/rock/pop with a prominent 12 string guitar.

Kords – Boris The Spider / It’s All In My Mind (1967)

A previously unknown group, they are actually from Milton, FL (near Pensacola), and did quite a bit of touring in clubs, etc. around the southeast from 1967-72. Their story can be read by clicking here.

Rokes – Let’s Live For Today / I’ll Change My Papers (1967)

This here is the supposed “original” version of the song, and I only put that word in quotes because it was the Living Daylight (IDG #86) that released the FIRST version. This one came shortly after and achieved no more success than the Daylights, although the Italian version “Piangi Con Me” was huge in Italy as were many other Rokes releases in that country. The Grass Roots got a hold of this great song and the rest is history……

Looking Glass – Kathy’s Dream / Migada Bus (1967)

A way cool psychedelic 45 by a band that I thought were the same guys that sang the very popular 70’s hit “Brandy”, but I can’t really confirm that. A truly tripped out two sider that covers all the psychedelic bases so to speak…..

Omen – Once Upon A Taste / Melancholy Moonlight Minded Dreamer (1967)

I remember scoring this one in Utica, NY for 10¢ along with the awesome “I Love You” by The Worlocks. Superb psychedelia with “eastern” influenced fuzz guitars wailing in the background and some dirge-like vocals. From Lake Mahopac, NY in the Catskills.

Thomas Edisun's Electric Light Bulb Band – Common Attitude / No One’s Been Here For Weeks (1967)

A group from Lafayette, LA (or somewhere in that area) that I can’t get enough info on to really make a definitive statement about them. I think they recorded an unreleased LP of great Beatle influenced stuff, but I don’t think it was ever issued. This one here is a great psychedelic two sider.

West Minist’r – My Life / Mr. Fingers (1968)

A group from Fort Dodge & Gowrie, Iowa that released a few excellent 45s in the late 60s and have been inducted into the Iowa Music Hall Of fame. This I believe was their last 45, an od two sider that really shows “two sides” to this great band. The A side being a flat out heavy rock number, and the B side being a rather whimsical, almost novelty psyche/pop tune.

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Hi y’all! Getting sick really has it’s ups and downs. On the down side, you generally feel like crap, cough and sneeze a lot, and are pretty tired most of the time. On the up-side, I get out of doing chores and have lots of spare time to get this blog going! YAY!!! The weather has been blazing hot these past few weeks and after a shaky June, summer finally feels like it’s here to stay for a bit and I do hope you’re enjoying yours! On a side note, I believe that all the bad links to the “In Dan’s Garage” posts have been converted and re-upped so download to your hearts content. I still have to work on the “Obscure 60 Garage” posts yet, but they’ll be up soon. As usual I’ve assembled a veritable potpourri of sounds here from Soul to Prog Rock so get ready for an eclectic hour or so of music. Have a great summer out there, keep in touch, and most of all ENJOY!

Tommy & The Rivieras – Detroit City / Messin’ With The Kid (1966)

Let’s kick things off with some real blue eyed soul from Connecticut. On the top side they sound a whole lot like Mitch Ryder, and on the B side they do a nice version of Messin’ With The Kid, complete with a “Satisfaction” riff thrown in for good measure!

Keith Dennis – Almost Grown / Lawdy Miss Clawdy (1965)

I’m not sure who Keith Dennis is, but I can tell you that it was originally released on Ibis records, and was arranged by Jimmy Messina as well.He was involved with at least one other on that label. Nice covers of two great rock & roll standards.

Trolls – They Don’t Know / There Was A Time (1966)

The Trolls from Chicago were an interesting band as they mixed very nice pop vocals with some pretty slick guitar work.

Turtles – Guide For The Married Man (1967)

I came across this one in the box and included it because it’s one of my favorite songs and movies as well, featuring Walter Matthau and a very young Robert Morse who can be seen these days on TV’s best show “Mad Men”.

Steve Carpenter – You’re Putting Me On / Something Good Is Gonna Happen (1967)

Interesting 45 from a virtually unknown singer.

Children Of Paradise – Hey! You Got Something / What Am I Doing Here (1966)

A bunch of New York City folkies including Happy and Artie Traum as well as Eric Kaz who wrote this. Apparently this was the only “rock” effort by any of these guys. “Note: There is no malfunction with my turntable in regards to “Where Am I”. The song oddly slows down and speeds up on the record. Maybe the guy that mastered it was falling asleep and was leaning on the tape machine??????

Keith Allison – Action, Action, Action / Glitter And Gold (1966)

Texas born Keith Allison was a very talented guy who sang this theme from the afternoon TV show “Where The Action Is”  back in the mid 60’s. He was most likely backed up by good pals Paul Revere & The Raiders whom he eventually joined and made many recordings with. The B side of this is a stunning version of Glitter And Gold.

Roman Rebellion – Every Groovy Day / The Weather’s Getting Bold (1967)

Some nice Italian-American boys from the New York City area. They had another very similar sounding 45 on Mr. G records, and that’s all I know.

Thorinshield – Life Is A Dream / The Best Of It (1967)

This L.A. trio serves up some dreamy folk tinged psychedelia on both sides of this 45. They had an LP which I hear is rather good.

Willie Hobbs & The Dirte Four – Gloria (1969)

Willie Hobbs was a black soul singer not unlike Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, but this rendition of Them’s “Gloria” deserves inclusion here because it’s so freakin’ good. Although it gets the “deep soul” treatment from Mr. Hobbs, it retains a garage-like quality because of it’s sparse instrumentation.

Fountain Of Youth – Liza Jane / Witness People (1969)

A group that hailed from the great state of Texas, they released four 45’s all excellent. The B side “Witness People” is a standout track though, and is a heavy psyche classic. I read somewhere once that they were the “test” group for Monkees songs, but I think that was just a rumor.

Gandalf – Golden Earrings / Never Too Far (1969)

When I bought this 45 from Fat Chuck’s stash, I was strictly looking for “killers”, but even then I knew this psych masterpiece was a winner. Supposedly from NY, they recorded one LP and this masterpiece of a single came out of it.

Rugbys – You, I / Stay With Me (1969)

A Louisville, KY group that recorded an LP and released several 45s as well. This ne is a great example of “heavy psyche”. One of the first 45s I ever bought.

Bulldog – Man Of Constant Sorrow / Inner Spring (1971)

An Australian “Prog-Rock” group that released this one very obscure 45.

Wigwam – Call Me On Your Telephone / Wishful Thinker (1970)

A Finnish Prog-Rock group that featured Englishman Jim Pembroke on lead vocals. This 45 was taken from their second LP “Tombstone Valentine” (with help from Michael Lloyd, the guy who gave us The Cattanooga Cats. Go figure….) which was produced by legend Kim Fowley. Apparently he thought they were going to be the next Beatles and took a chance. Although they didn’t succeed in that endeavor, they left us with some excellent psychedelic rock.

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   Greetings friends and followers! You know, summer has been fairly decent this year, although we’ve had what I consider an abundance of rain, but it hasn’t been a complete washout. We had a massive heat wave in July (well for these parts anyway), and now were settling into a very comfortable weather pattern. Great for sitting on the patio and smoking fine stogies, drinking fine beer, and sipping fine whiskey or wine, so here are 28 “nuggets” so to speak, that are finely suited for such activities. You could actually rename this series, “Music To Enjoy The Finer Things In Life By”, or “Music To Grill By”, or whatever your favorite activity is at the moment. It all works.
   As usual I’ve compiled whatever ends up in my hands at the moment, and I came across a few 45s that were posted as a comp titled “60s Uncovered”. That was my first foray into digital conversion of 45s and the results were OK at best. Some of those 45sw have been re-converted and have been added to this comp. I think the results are a definite improvement. So please, enjoy your summer afternoon or evening digging what I’ve put forth here, and have fun wherever you are!

Boys Next Door – There Is No Greater Sin / I Could See Me Dancing With You (1965)

An Indiana based group that were originally known as the Four Wheels. They melded solid Beach Boys style harmonies with a folk rock flair as evidenced in “There Is No Greater Sin” quite possibly one the finest examples of songwriting in this genre ever. I really think it’s that good. Excellent arrangement and perfect harmonies. Oh yeah, the Beach Boys tribute on the flip is no slouch either.

Strange Loves – I’m On Fire / Love, Love (1964)

We all know the Strangeloves from great classics like “I Want Candy” and “Night Time”, but before they had those essential hits, they released this Jerry Lee Lewis rip-off backed with a solid teen rocker.

Twilighters – Shake A Tail Feather / Road To Fortune (1966)

These guys were from Cleveland and have no relationship to the group from Plattsburgh, NY.

Adlibs – Neighbor Neighbor / Lovely Ladies (1965)

A tough sounding mystery group from the U.K. gives this R&B classic a good workout.

Wild Things – I’ll Taste Your Lips / Summer’s Gone (1967)

A great moody folk rocker by another group from Cleveland, OH. They also released the great A.C.I.D. (Another Colored Ink Drawing).

Romans – He Don’t Love You / I Just Had To Fall In Love (With You) (1966)

The Little Rock, AK group that released the very cool “You Do Something To Me” (IDG# 42), switches over to a funky soul sound on the A side of this sophomore effort. The B side is a decent moody ballad.

Leaves – Too Many People / Girl From The East (1966)

One of the great bands from LA in the mid-sixties. They were the first to cut a version of Hey Joe! and theirs is considered by many to be THE definitive version. Founding member and bass player Jim Pons would go on to join The Turtles and later play with The Mothers.

Cole & The Embers – Hey Girl / Love Won’t Hurt You (1967)

Here’s a truly great 45 (IMHO) by a band from Kirkwood, MO. The A side is a great mover with some nifty Hammond B-3 sounds and the flip is a cool moody number. You can read more about these guys here.

Human Instinct – Death Of The Seaside (1968)

The Human Instinct are from New Zealand and have been active in some way since they formed in 1966. “Death Of The Seaside” was the flip of "A Day in My Mind's Mind" which was released by Deram in the UK, but this promotional U.S. issue has the same song on both sides. I’ve never seen a copy with “A Day” on it, so it may have never been released here. They went on to release a classic hard psych LP titled “Stoned Guitar” and continue playing to this day.

Catfish Knight & The Blue Express – Web Of Trouble / See Saw (1968)

I’m not sure who Catfish Knight was but this record followed up “Deathwise”, a crazed, fuzzed out psychedelic tune that’ll get featured in a future post. This one here is a moody laid back song backed with some blue eyed soul.

Elation Fields – Light Side Table (1968)

Nice, light pop/psyche with a prominent 12 string guitar produced by Dick Wagner. They were from the Flint, MI area and probably were pals with the likes of Terry Knight & The Pack.

Pawnee Drive – Ride / Break My Mind (1969)

Fast moving bubblegum from what I would assume to be a studio group. This was also released on Bell 791 as River Deep with a different flip.

Racket Squad – The Loser (1968)

Formerly known as The Fenways, these guys released two LPs that were hit and miss. This 45s A side is pretty good and features some slick special effects on the organ and guitar as well.

Shy Guys -  Rockin' Pneumonia And The Booga Loo Flu /  You Are My Sunshine (1967)

A group from the LaCrosse, WI area tackle Huey ’Piano’ Smith’s classic with a cool prominent Farfisa organ driving the whole thing, as well as some horns. The flip is a take on the standard we all know so well.

Rich Dodson – Stone Blind (1972)

I included this latecomer because I think it’s a pretty good tune that fits in nicely with what we do here at Dan’s Garage Central. Rich Dodson had somewhat of a hit in Canada(his home country I might add)  with “Julia Get Up” the flip side of this record, but he is probably best known for writing the AM rock hit from 1971 “Sweet City Woman”, a huge hit for his band The Stampeders.

Wizard – Come Away / A Familiar Story (1970)

This was the sole 45 released by this Montreal based trio.

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Holy smokes! It feels like forever since I last did this. Did everyone have a good summer? Mine was pretty busy, and I wish I had a lot more leisure time to do fun things like get this blog out more frequently! The best thing about the end of the summer is that the NFL starts up, and Major League Baseball is winding down towards the playoffs and eventually the World Series in October. It doesn’t look too good for the Yankees this year, too many injuries, poor pitching, and that debacle with A-Rod (I personally can’t get rid of this guy soon enough) makes for a lousy season, although I’m quite surprised they did better than expected. As for my beloved New York Giants, they started their NFL season with a sloppy performance in a game which they could have won. Oh well.
  I really can’t believe that I’ve gotten up to 90posts so far and there’s a whole bunch more to come! I’m very grateful to the 200+ friends that have signed on through Google to follow this blog, and as Gomer Pyle would say…"thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! and SHAZAM! we’ve gotten over 350,000 hits on this baby! Keep those mice clicking!
  As usual, I’ve gathered up a nice little potpourri of sounds here that range from straight up garage, to whimsical psyche. I hope everyone enjoys it. Thanks again for all the kind words and keep the comments coming. It’s a great ego boost!

Clefs Of Lavender Hill – Stop! Get A Ticket / First Tell My Why (1965)

The first 45 released by these Miami, FL legends, and arguably their best, although they had excellent output throughout their short career. They recorded an album that Date records never released. Those assholes.

Me And Dem Guys – Black Cloud / Come On Little Sweetheart (1965)

From Jackson, MI (not Grand Rapids), these guys had a very complicated existence recording for several labels including this one, which was named after a chain of clubs that they were booked at in Michigan. Both sides of this 45 are great frat-garage/rock. If you want to read an in-depth story of the band click HERE.

“You Know Who” Group – Roses Are Red My Love / Playboy (1965)

Ahhhh….here we go again with the “You Know Who” group, as if to say that they were The Beatles or something in disguise. What a hoot! Four guys in Lone Ranger masks yeah, yeah, yeahing, and Ooooohing all over their records trying to fool impressionable young teens hungry for “Liverpool” like sounds into thinking it was The Fab 4 incognito. The genius behind all of this was a savvy guy named Bob Gallo (a nice Italian boy), a producer engineer, and entrepreneur who’s credited with either producing or engineering some of Rock And Roll’s greatest hits including The Crest’s “Sixteen Candles”, & Wilbert Harrison’s “Kansas City”.

Countdowns – Skies Will Be Happy To See You / She Works All Night (1967)

A rather obscure bunch from Holyoke, MA gives us a lightweight, yet solid two sider from 1967.

Pretty Things – Honey I Need / I Can Never Say (1965)

Oh so very cool 45 by The Pretties, and in my opinion their BEST. Yeah….better than Rosalyn, LSD, or, Come See Me. It’s the understated nature of it all, with the 12 string acoustic guitars backed by that pounding rhythm section. Truly great.

Seeds – Try To Understand (1966)

The Seeds are a real chore to try to figure out in regards to their output on GNP Crescendo. “Pushin’ Too Hard” was released twice with different B sides and this example is from the second release. Sky delivers the familiar “Oohhh”s on this one like he did on “Can’t Seem To Make You Mine”.

Syndicate Of Sound – Rumors / The Upper Hand (1966)

The Syndicate’s follow up to the awesome “Little Girl”. I really like this one better than “Little Girl”, although the B side is kind of non the blue eyed soul side.

Avengers – Everyone’s Gonna Wonder / Take My Hand (1967)

I remember when I bought this 45. I was at a record show in Albany, NY at the Sheraton Hotel and it was a rather huge affair because there was a featured appearance by Peter Tork of The Monkees and Bobby Hart (of Boyce And Hart of course) and it was months before the big hyped up Monkees reunion of the 80s. All I remember was that they did a short performance and Tork sang “Shades Of Gray”, and I don’t know what the hell Hart did. I got some stuff autographed and I don’t want to say that Tork was a dick, but he seemed a little fed up with the Monkees thing only wanting to sign TWO items. I guess I don’t blame him. There were a lot of what I call “Star Trek” types with junk like Monkees cards and lunch boxes, et,al. Anyway thanks Pete. Oh yeah..the record show. I’m plowing through mounds of 45s and come across this one and said HOLY SHIT THE AVENGERS! thinking it was the “Be A Caveman” guys.Well…I was wrong. I guess this group was out of Wellington in New Zealand and weren’t exactly a group of garage punkers, but a pop band. I HATED this 45 for the longest time thinking I got sandbagged, but after a while it grew on me. Very finely crafted pop from the mid 60s.

Coloring Book – Smokestack Lightning / You Make Me Feel Good (1966)

Slow, tense version of the Howlin’ Wolf classic with an eerie 12 string guitar and harmonica in the distant background. The flip gets the same treatment. From California.

Distortions – Behind My Wall / A Love That Loves You (1966)

This is what we here in these parts call “meaningful folk rock”. The A side sort of reminds me of “I Am A Rock” lyrically. Very pretentious but with a naïve quality that I like. From Birmingham, AL

Fountain Of Youth – Day Don’t Come / Sunshine On A Cold Morning (1968)

Superb pop/garage/psyche by a band from Texas. All their other releases are worth seeking out. “Witness People” is featured on IDG #88.

Grains Of Sand – Nice Girl / Drop Down Sometime (1967)

Yup, the same guys that did “That’s When Happiness Began” on Valiant Records. This one’s not quite as aggressive though, yet it has a “Lovin’ Spoonful” quality to it.

Truth – I Can / A Day Like Today (1968)

Supposedly a group out of Chicago, but I really can’t say for sure. Excellent organ driven psyche.

Thorinsheild – Lonely Mountain Again (1968)

Another offering from this LA psyche trio. Also featured in IDG #88

Window Frame – You Have The Choice / Before And After (196?)

Geez…try doing a search on these guys. All I get are links to home improvement projects. Anyone out there got any info on this decent psyche 45 from Michigan??????

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I haven’t got much to say today, mainly because an extremely NASTY virus infected my computer (courtesy of my loveable son) and has put me in a foul mood. But I did get it fixed so’s I can get this here post out. So please, enjoy this day’s offerings, and keep smiling!

Bobby Kent & The Kentones – Don’t Go’way / Summertime Is Through (1959)

Let’s start off with an early rocker from the Salem, MA area. A side is a great mover and the B is typical teen heartthrob fare. Booby Kent’s real name was Bob Kassiotis and was apparently from Lynn, Ma.

Johnny & The Jays – Baby Do / Lugene (1960)

I can’t say I know the complete history of this particular rocker, but it was also recorded by Jackie Lee Cochran and was never released except for the acetate making a couple of appearances on various comps. A nice up-tempo rocker backed by another teen crooner.

Chartbusters – Why / Stop The Music (1964)

The second 45 by these D.C. legends, and they follow up “She’s The One” with another Invasion styled doozy. The flip was written by Big Al Dowling who they backed up as the Poe Kats back in the 50’s.

Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas – Bad To Me / Little Children (1964)

OK, I know this is not garage or psyche or anything related (well I stand corrected, they were a “beat” group), and yeah, it’s a common 45, but this was in the stack and I played it and…you know what??? I’ve heard countless CDs over the years proclaiming superior sound, and re-mastered this, and digitally enhanced that, and the whole argument that digital music is better than pure analog music (e.g. VINYL), and that you don’t have to deal with pops and scratches and BLAH BLAH BLAH. Well I’m here to say…FUCK CDS!!!!!!!!!. I hate those fucking things. You know what happens when a CD gets scratched?? IT’S FUCKED! You can’t play the goddamned thing anymore and it skips even worse than a piece of scratched vinyl does. Plus the sound is usually horrendous. It’s all tinny and there’s a general ice pick to the ear quality about it. Ever hear a copy of “Please Please Me” by the Beatles on VJ Records in pure mono? It’s glorious. Even with the pops and scratches, which is why I included this here 45 in this post. I played it and it just sounds so good in all it’s monophonic glory. Scratches and all. Sorry for the vulgarities, but I had to get that off my chest……..whew! Oh, yeah, Billy J. was from Liverpool (actually nearby Bootle) and a pal of the above mentioned Beatles. He was rather successful for a bit, but couldn’t keep up with the changes that the late 60s brought about. His handful of hits are excellent IMHO.

Fenways – Humpty Dumpty (1964)

Pittsburgh’s Fenways are probably best known for backing up the Vogues who also recorded a version of this tune probably using The Fenways as a backing band for that one as well. This “solo” effort, if you will, is different from the Vogues track.

Leaves – Hey Joe / Funny Little World (1965)

Released twice by Mira records, this is the second and more famous version of the song.There is a bit of debate as to which version is better, but I think both are great. The fist one might be a bit “garagier” than the second as it lacks the prominent fuzz guitar of the second.

Leaves – Get Out Of My Life Woman (1966)

Another one by the Leaves, this time something a little more soul influenced. I swear I have a version of this same 45 in one of my boxes that is a different mix with some atrocious horns tacked on to it.

Vejtables – I Still Love You / Anything (1965)

The Vejtables were one of the finest acts to come out of the Bay Area in the mid sixties before the Haight/Ashbury hype became prominent. They, along with other folk rock groups like The Beau Brummels and We Five created a unique sound that was somewhat different than their SoCal counterparts in LA. Both sides of this 45 are great and it’s too bad they never got the exposure they deserved. Drummer Jan Errico would eventually quit and join The Mojo Men who had a minor hit with Stephen Stills’ “Sit Down I Think I Love You”.

Combenashuns – What’cha Gonna Do? / Hey! Uncle Sam (1966)

All I know about this somewhat lo-fi 45 is that they were from Bethlehem, PA. Anyone out there know more????

Life – Snake Bite / One O'clock Noon Time (1967)

A group that was based in Auburn, AL, they formed in college and travelled up to Memphis and recorded this neat two sider at Hi studios. I could tell you more, but if you click HERE, It’ll take you to a very nice blog that’ll give you tons more info than I can offer.

Happy Return – To Give Your Lovin’ / I Thought I Loved Her (1969)

I found a little bit of info on this group from St. Louis. The band members consisted of Steve Noack (vocals, lead guitar), Tom Noack (rhythm guitar), Jim Cunningham (organ), Jimmy Albright (bass), and Rich Carroll (drums). Apparently Norman Petty was involved in this affair as it shows up on a website of Norman Petty Productions. Nice fuzzed out heaviness on the A side with a much softer B side.

Movers – Leave Me Loose / Birmingham (1969)

Another hard edged 45 from ‘69. Pretty good for something that came out so late in the decade. From New Port Richey, FL.

End – Shades Of Orange / Loving, Sacred Loving (1968)

Long thought to be The Rolling Stones incognito because of Bill Wyman’s involvement, it appeared on many bootleg LPs before people finally realized they were in fact NOT the Stones. Their debut 45 which is more ‘mod’ than psyche can be found on IDG# 25.

Genesis – Angeline / Suzanne (1969)

I’ll just politely point out that this is not the British super group, but an entirely different crew from the USA. They recorded an LP which was a mixed bag of pop and psyche, but this heavy number really stands out.

Hype – Waiting For The Man / White Light, White Heat (1970)

Well, this 45 appeared in my stack and I wasn't sure whether to include it or not. For those who are unaware, The Hype was a band that was formed by David Bowie in 1970, and were sort of a bridge between Space Oddity and Hunky Dory, although you can hear what was to become the basis for Ziggy Stardust on both sides, which are covers of two famous Velvet Underground songs. Band members were Mick Ronson [guitar], Tony Visconti [bass] and John Cambridge [drums] as well as Bowie who played rhythm and sang vocals (naturally). The Hype never really had many performances except for a few appearances on the BBC which is where these recordings were most likely taken from. This 45 is obviously some sort of a bootleg and I’m including it here more for historical value, although I must say they’re both excellent performances and don’t really seem too out of place. I thought this was some kind of super rarity, but it turns out it really doesn’t fetch very much $$$ on the market.

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The Mighty Hannibal – Jerkin’ The Dog (1965)

This is definitely NOT a garage or even psyche 45, but what a lot of people consider “Northern Soul”, a genre that’s getting a lot of attention these days from collectors, and one that is fetching huge bucks for what are considered “rare” records. Personally, I don’t get it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of soul music and R&B, although I don’t collect those types of records, but many of these pieces are commanding prices way in excess of $1000, well above and beyond their garage “counterparts”.
  I love this 45 though because it not only has tremendous soul mojo, but also evokes somewhat of a garage feel as well, with it’s very sparse instrumentation (no horns), and the general groove of the song. If there ever was a “crossover” record, this would be it.

Roy Head & The Traits – Apple Of My Eye / I Pass The Day (1965)

Meanwhile, back in San Antonio, TX, white guys like Roy Head were singing “blue eyed soul” songs like this ace 45, his follow up to “Treat Her Right”

Captain Zoom – Long Tall Texan / I Really Want You (1965)

From what I gather, these guys were not from Texas, although they do an excellent mimicking of The Sir Douglas Quintet, but were from Richmond, CA, the Bay Area, and had at least two other 45s on A&M. Ironically, KBOP is a radio station from the Dallas, TX area.

Gants – Road Runner / My Baby Don’t Care (1965)

The Gants were from Greenwood, Mississippi and unlike other groups from the deep south, they emulated the British Invasion as well as anyone in the USA. They especially had a great knack for doing excellent cover songs as well as a few superb originals like “My Baby Don’t Care”, the flip of this classic two sider.

Teddy & The Pandas – Bye Bye, Out The Window / Once Upon A Time (1966)

A very popular group from Boston that had several 45s and an LP on Tower records.

Wild Ones – Come On Back (1966)


These are the guys who did the original version of “Wild Thing”, in a style reminiscent of Bob Dylan as opposed to the hard rockin’ version made famous by The Troggs. This was their second to last 45 which was oddly released on the Sears label (as in Sears-Roebuck) and was most likely some kind of promotional item sold through the department store.

Court Jesters – It’s All Right / Dance For Me (1967)

Danny Jordan and Tommy Wynn were both members of The Detergents whose “Leader Of The Laundromat” was a hit in 1964. They went on to do other projects but in between they recorded two 45s as The Court Jesters for Roulette. This is one of them. Not bad really, but definitely more pop than garage.

Hysterics – Won’t Get Far / That’s All She Wrote / Why Should You Treat Me This Way / Everything’s There (1966)


I generally don’t post reissues on my blog, mainly because I prefer to show off my “original” pieces, but sometimes (only twice) I cheat and replace the vinyl tracks with digital copies, mainly because the original has so much surface noise that it totally distracts from the song, or in this case, a reissue that is actually quite rare and includes an entire body of work by one of history’s best garage bands. I remember the first time I heard “Won’t Get Far” (on Boulders Vol. 1) and thinking that the singer had a real problem with his girlfriend, and was definitely letting his aggression loose in the studio. Real genius stuff here. The Hysterics were from Southern California, and released two gems, both included on this reissue EP which apparently is pretty hard to get these days.

Kinetic Energy – Suzie Q / Margaret Ann (1969)

These guys were from Houghton located on the upper peninsula of Michigan very close to Wisconsin and Canada. They released one 45 on the Minneapolis based label Studio City as simply “The Kinetics”. They later augmented their name and released this real heavy take on the Dale Hawkins classic with a flip side that reminds me of Procol Harum.

Los Rockin’ Devils – Mi Carcachita / Azucar, Azucar (1970)

Los Rockin’ Devils were a band from Tijuana, Mexico that had an extremely prolific career recording records for a Mexican audience hungry for American Rock & Roll. They specialized in covering the hits of the day and singing them in Spanish, and had an exceptionally raw delivery as evidenced on these two covers. One a Stones hit and the other a rather amusing rendition of the Archies’ biggest hit!

North Atlantic Invasion Force – Black On White / The Orange Patch (1968)

An excellent group from Connecticut that had several other 45s.

Challengers – Hear My Message / I Wanna Hold You (1970)

A decent group from Milwaukee, WI that also released the legendary “Take A Ride On The Jefferson Airplane” 45 on Night Owl records.

Rush Hour -  Before I Die / Set Me Free (1969)

A Chicago group that takes the Vanilla Fudge formula and applies it to an outstanding flanged out original, and a cover of The Kinks’ “Set Me Free”

Syndicate Of Sound – Brown Paper Bag / Reverb Beat (1970)

Best known for their huge 1966 hit and garage anthem “Little Girl”, The Syndicate Of Sound had several somewhat unsuccessful follow-ups including this one released early in 1970. This is actually a pretty good record, and some have said that they were trying to catch the same feel as fellow Bay Area legends CCR.

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I’ve been rather busy lately (as usual) and have slowly been packing away at this post for the last month, but I figure since I have all my leaves raked up (well..most of them anyway) and the snow blower at the ready, and a turkey in the oven, and nothing to do for the next few hours, I thought I’d at least start this post. We got a nice blast of snow here yesterday and it kinda feels more like January around here than late November, but I suspect that things will moderate somewhat over the next week or so. Anyway…I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. I figure I’ll have at least one more post before Christmas, hopefully two or three, but as you dig into turkey, potatoes, pie, etc… enjoy this latest offering!

Adam Faith & The Roulettes – It’s All Right (1964)

Adam Faith was a huge teen star in Britain and had a number of hits, mostly in the pop style. When Beatlemania hit he sort of had to catch up with the times and hired The Roulettes to back him up on this classic beat raver.

Bill & Will – Goin’ To The River / Let Me Tell You Baby (1964)

A group from Albany, GA had this one release on Chicago’s Checker label. Real crude Blues/R&B sounds that are at least a year ahead of their time.

Gary & The Night lights – Sweet Little Sixteen / Take Me Back (1965)

A while back I swore this was the last Seeburg 45 I had left in my collection to post. I WAS WRONG! This another one by Gary & The Nightlights who would later morph into The American Breed and had a huge hit with “Bend Me, Shape Me” as well as a great version of “Mindrocker” Not sure if there’s any more of these jukebox 45s left so I'm making no promises this time.

Sandals – 6 Pac / Theme From Endless Summer (1964)

Late 60’s surf sounds from the same guys who recorded the fantastic “Tell Us Dylan”.

Pacers – You Got Me Bugged / Sassy Sue (1964)

An interesting 45 because these same two songs were featured on an LP by a phony group called The Buggs that released an LP called “Beetle Beat” under completely different titles.

Illusions – The World Outside / I Don’t Believe It (1965)

One of many Illusions lurking around during the 60s. I was going to save this one for a “pop” post but I figured I’d mix things up with this mélange of surf and soul. Probably one of the “Beach Music” groups from the south east.

Nashville Teens – Find My Way Back Home / Devil In Law (1965)

So as I was perusing through this “handful” of 45s I discovered that five of them were on either London Records, or one of their subsidiaries. I love that label!!!!!! Whether it’s the blue “stock” label (lots of Stones 45s on that on in my collection) or that bright swirly orange thing that graces some of the finest records ever to be released in the 60s. London certainly had quite few cool labels under their distribution including Deram, Seville, Coliseum, Chapter One, Hi, M.O.C., and literally dozens of others. Here’s a sampling of a few starting with the Nashville Teens, a fantastic group that never really got it’s due outside of their colossal hit “Tobacco Road”. Much of their output was really good R&B or their unique interpretation of folk/blues.

Moody Blues – And My Baby’s Gone / From The Bottom Of My Heart (1966)

One of the last to feature Denny Laine before he left and the Justin Hayward/John Lodge era began (which I love by the way...)

Ragamuffins – Parade Of Uncertainty / Hate To See A Good Thing Have To Go (1967)

A group from Greenwich Village that released two 45s on Seville, both fantastic folk/rock efforts.

Truth – Sueno / Old Ma Brown (1967)

A British freak beat group tackles a really good Rascals tune.

Us Too – I’ll Leave You Crying / The Girl With The Golden Hair (1967)

A Cincinnati group that recorded two versions of this A side, this one being the latter. You can read an in depth story of Us Too right HERE.

Layng Martine Jr. – Surabian Lament / Pick All The Flowers That You Can (1967)

We featured Layng in IDG #14 doing a somewhat fuzzy teen pop number. This time he goes raga with a cool eastern influenced psych/pop two sider. Layng continued on after this with a very successful career writing song in Nashville.

Whispers –Knowin’ / My Long And Sleepless Night  (1967)

Good two sider of psych/pop on the A side and a very subdued yet tense garage tune on the B that has no electric guitars in in it. Produced by Warren Schatz who also worked on many projects in the 60s and 70s including Richie Dean’s fantastic “Time” on Tower.

Danish Lost & Found – The First Cut Is The Deepest (1969)

A group from Copenhagen takes on the often covered Cat Stevens song and while it’s not as intense as The Koobas’ version, it’s pretty good. A helluva lot better than Cheryl Crow………..

Blue Cheer – West Coast Child Of Sunshine / When It All Gets Old (1969)

Let’s end this Thanksgiving feast with one of the last 45s to be issued by Blue Cheer on Philips records. By now Leigh Stephens had left the band as was replaced by Burns Kellog on keyboards and Randy Holden on guitar, and with Stephens went the ultra heavy proto-metal sound that defined their first two LPs. This 45 is a complete departure from that with a much more mainstream psych/rock sound.

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Wow. It feels like an eternity since I last posted, and actually it has been. This winter totally sucks this year. I guess there’s this “polar vortex” thing that has a bump in it and it’s sending down the most frigid air I’ve experienced in quite some time. Yeah, I live in a crummy part of the universe as far as winters go, but this one is beyond the pale. When the temperature gets to 20°F (that’s --6.66667°C) and it feels like a heat wave, you know you’ve got problems.
  I hope everyone had a pleasant Holiday and New Year, I know I did, although I was quite busy and it seemed like I had very little time to work on this post. In fact, I’ve been picking away at this one since early December! Fortunately I have accumulated a wad of vacation time from work and now II ‘m using it to my (and your) benefit so on this warm (32°F) day I’ve decided to finish this and get back in the groove so to speak. I just wish I could get this thing out more often. Record buying has been rather slow lately as some of my disposable income is being re-directed towards beefing up my little home studio in my basement, but have no fear, I’m well stocked for future posts!
    On a personal note, the band that I was working with regularly broke up last October, and I’m not heartbroken in the least. Drama sucks and I’m glad I no longer have to deal with it. My longtime pals and band mates “The True Believers” are presently working on an album project which I’m recording in my aforementioned basement studio. It’ll mostly be covers but we’re thinking about recruiting some local artists to contribute original songs since we’re all very cruddy songwriters.
Thanks again to all the folks out there who left kind and mostly informative comments. To all of you I give you a thumbs up and NUMBER 94!!!!!!!!!!

Johnny Stark w the Four Winds - Rockin' Billy (1957)

I usually don’t do “rockabilly” in this blog, but this one came up and it is a fine rocker at that. Apparently Johnny hailed from Englewood, NJ and had one other 45 on this same label. FYI… WVBU is Bucknell University’s radio station.

Dick Dale & His Deltones – The Scavenger / Wild Ideas (1963)

Give it up for good ol’ Dick as he basically sets aside his guitar for a couple of vocal numbers.

Anglo-Americans – The Music Never Stops / Are You Ready For This? (1966)

A real groovy 45 presumably from the west coast with some cool jangly guitars, fake British accents, references to James Bond, and a hilarious Dylan cop on the B side.

Ivan& The Sabers – Just Let Her Go / It’s Not Like You (1964)

A popular Ohio group from Centerville, that eventually relocated to Cincinnati, shifted their lineup somewhat, teamed up with some ex members of Tony And The Bandits, and eventually became the Lemon Pipers who’s “Green Tambourine” would be a huge bubblegum hit.

Jaybees – I’m A Loner / Do You Think I’m In Love (1966)

From Montreal, they were originally known as J.B. & The Playboys but changed their name simply to “The Jaybees” so as not to get confused with Gary Lewis’ band. They started doing Beatles covers but evolved into an original act, moved to Toronto and released this frantic raver in 1966.

Limeys – That’s What I Want / Somebody Help Me (1965)

It’s tough to get a read on this act. I’m not sure if they’re from the US or Canada, but my guess would be that they were a studio group cashing in on the British Invasion. They had one other 45 which was more up-tempo than this cover of the classic “That’s What I Want”, one of my favorite songs ever.

Sir Douglas Quintet – The Tracker / Blue Norther (1965)

Continuing with their perfect blend of garage/punk and Tex-Mex, the follow up to “She’s About A Mover” does not disappoint. I could listen to these same two riffs all night. Gimme a pair of maracas……

Rationals – Respect / Feelin’ Lost (1966)

The Rationals were one of Michigan’s greatest bands and most prolific as well. They had a long career that extended into the 90s and this was one of their first 45s. A combination of solid R&B and British Invasion sounds.

Thyme – Love To Love / Very Last Day (1967)

Another A² act from Ann Arbor, these guys took a different approach and covered a Neil Diamond tune on the A side and covered “Peter, Paul, & Mary” on the B side with excellent results. Genius

Uncalled For – Do Like Me / Get Out Of The Way (1966)

A bona fide classic. These guys have been mistakenly thought to have been from Detroit, or Youngstown, OH, but are actually from Tennessee. One of the greatest garage 45s ever.

Clique – Gotta Get Away / Love Ain’t Easy (1967)

A 45 that kind of gets away from “collectors”. I see many references to their great cover o the 13th Floor Elevators’ “Splash 1”, and “Superman” but this one escapes many lists. In my opinion their best 45.

Peter & The Rabits – Someone I’ve Got My Eyes Upon / Bless You Little Girl (1967)

Not much info on this classic except for the fact that the publishing company is titled “Tennessee Music”. Perhaps they were from Nashville or thereabouts??? In any case what we have here is a great folk/rock inspired song on the A side with a Beach Boys styled number on the B.

October Country – My Girlfriend Is A Witch / I Just Don’t Know (1968)

Michael Lloyd was a very busy guy in the mid to late sixties and well after that, producing, arranging and writing songs for such acts as The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, A.B. Shky, The Fire Escape and numerous others including October Country which is featured here. The funny story about this song is that is was later done by cartoon act The Cattanooga Cats, a Saturday morning kids show!

? & The Mysterians - Turn Around Baby (Don't Ever Look Back) / Ain’t It A Shame (1969)

You gotta hand to these guys. They really never changed their formula (except for one or two 45s in the 70s) and continue giving us that tried and true “96 Tears” sound to this day. On this one they don’t stray too far and give us a brilliant two sider that is overlooked by many collectors.

Crow – Cottage Cheese (1970)

A hard rock group from Minneapolis who’s “Evil Woman Don’t Play Games With Me)” was most notably covered by Black Sabbath on their first LP. This was their follow up, an interesting tune with lots of cool guitar and bass breaks. This must have been a regional hit around these parts because copies can be easily found.

Maxx – 200 Years (1969)

Let’s end this affair with some wild fuzzed out heavy psychedelia from Detroit.

GET IT HERE

   Hi Y’all! I was going to get this one out last Sunday, but the lingering effects of a particularly NASTY flu left be bedridden for a few days. Then I had to go back to work and schlepp mail for the rest of the week, and now I’m back to my desk punching away at this here blog! I’ve got some more interesting cuts for you all to enjoy and a good bit of it is post 1960’s but still fits in well with my overall theme so I hope you like it.
  Anyone out there ever seen that show “American Pickers”???? If you haven't, it’s a “reality” show where these two annoying yuppies go around in a really expensive van “searching” for junk and antiques from pack rats across the country so they can turn around and sell them to other really rich yuppies for an obscene profit. We all know that they have people that scope this shit out in advance and the show is definitely scripted, and I love it when they get all flustered and upset because the old codger that lives in the shack next to his pile of junk will not sell them a rusty old piece of shit for some insane offer. But I digress. Point is, wouldn’t it be great if there was a show like that about record collectors????? I mean, I could lease myself a nice van, and travel across the country stopping at record stores, garage sales, antique shops, etc. scoping out fine pieces of vinyl. They could have segments where I haggle with the store owner for a M- copy of The Vistas’ “Moon Relay”, or stumble across an old warehouse that’s been storing a defunct radio station’s records for the last 30 years and they tell me I can have the shit for free, but I have to haul it away myself…….Ooops, I’m sorry, I was just daydreaming. That would would be fun though wouldn’t it? In the meantime I’m just going to enjoy what I’ve got here and keep picking away at the dregs here locally. Oh, and writing this blog as well. Enjoy.

Mickey Dolenz – Don’t Do It (1967)

Somewhere between Mickey Dolenz’ career as a child actor and his stint with the Monkees, 1965 to be exact, he recorded this 45 for Challenge records that was left unissued until 1967 when he had established himself as the front man for TV’s most famous “pre-fab” rock group. The result was this rather cool pounder.

Miki Dallon – Do You Call That Love / Apple Pie (1965)

Miki Dallon is perhaps most famous for writing the freakbeat classic “Take A Heart”, but he also released several 45s, the insane “I’ll Give You Love”, and this neat two sider.

Moody Blues – Everyday / You Don’t (1965)

Ahhhh, there’s that beautiful swirly orange label again!!! This 45 was one of several follow-ups to the Moodie’s huge hit “Go Now” that never quite caught on even though I think both sides of this record are better songs.

Minitmen – Smokin’ In The Boys Room / Rollin’ In Money (1965)

Not much is known about this 45 except for the fact that it was written and produced  by Doug Morris, the same genius behind The Barbarians who incidentally also recorded at Allegro Sound Studios. Ironically, Morris would produce a different “Smokin’ In The Boys Room” in 1973 which was a huge hit for Brownsville Station.

Vacant Lot – I Blew It / When Things Go Wrong (1967)

Rumor has it that this bunch was from Clifton, NJ. The A side is a quirky up-tempo number whilst the B side is a great moody garage ballad.

Woolies – Who Do You Love / Hey Girl (1966)

A group from Lansing, MI, this was their second 45 and first for Dunhill which became something of a regional hit in 1966. They would continue on through the seventies but never quite achieved the success they had with this one.

Lords – Death Bells At Dawn / Light Rain (1966)

Wow. Here’s a 45 that defines “moody”. Talk about depressing, there’s few that reach down to this level. Apparently New Jersey was the home to this group of malcontents and this is their only known release. I got lucky when I found this one as it included one of their business cards in the sleeve as well!

Spats – She Done Moved (1966)

I like the Spats a lot, even though some of their output was “novelty” type stuff. This is an example of how they could lay down perfect garage/punk and is a true classic as well.

Nightcrawlers – Basket Of Flowers / Washboard (1966)

Genius folk/rock follow-up to “Little Black Egg” and perhaps their best 45

Renaissance - The Name Of The Game Is Love / That Someone Isn’t Me (1966)

Here’s another one that’s tough to get a grip on. My guess would be that these guys were from the Chicago area, but I could be way off. In any case this group delivers with a rockin’ garage two sider.

Soul Inc. – Love Me When I’m Down / I Belong To Nobody (1968)

These guys were a busy bunch from Louisville, KY and recorded several 45s for local labels before Counterpart records from Cincinnati released this in 1968 and was then picked up by Laurie for national distribution. Oh so cool thumper with a heavy edge to it. The B side is a very good moody ballad in stark contrast to the top side.

Little Boy Blues – It’s Only You / Is Love (1968)

The Little Boy Blues were originally a blues influenced garage band from Chicago that issued the classic “Great Train Robbery” (as featured on Highs In The Mid Sixties Vol. 4) and had an excellent version of “I Can Only Give You Everything” as well as several other great cuts. By 1968 though, they had morphed into a, shall we say’ more “eclectic” act and released an LP on Fontana that was a mixed bag of lite and heavy psychedelia. This two sider is an example of what are considered the two best cuts.

Früt – Prison Of Love / Send Me Down (1971)

Originally known as “Früt Of The Loom”, they first released the utterly fantastic “One Hand In The Darkness” (a 45 that I had won in an auction about 30 years ago and was unable to pay for leaving me a deadbeat in “Goldmine” terms, and I’m still trying to get my hands on a copy to this day) and then came out with this 45 about 3 or 4 years later. An excellent rocker on the A side with a do-woppish ballad on the B.

Five Man Electrical Band - Absolutely Right / (You And I) Butterfly (1971)

Sure we all know these guys right? Their big claim to fame was perhaps one of the most annoying songs in the history of rock music “Signs”, a sanctimonious piece of crap that rubbed me the wrong way the very first time I ever heard it. This 45 though, contains two rather well crafted pop/rock songs with very good harmonies and some nice guitar work. From Canada, this group was originally known as the Staccatos who had a bunch of successful records before they changed their name.

Wicked Truth – Take A Chance / Rock No More (1973)

This 45 was long thought to be a late sixties effort, but I did some research and it is indeed from 1973, or at least that was when this was pressed. I’d say ‘73 would be very accurate given the style and delivery. Very heavy handed with lots of Hammond organ. I don’t know anything about this band except that they recorded this at Edgewater Acres in Alexandria, PA. Edgewater Acres was a sort of hotel/resort in Pennsylvania very close to State College, the home of Penn State. It was run by a couple named Ted and Ruth Reinhart who did a long running weekly country and western radio show from the studio in the hotel where this group presumably recorded this 45. “Teru” was an amalgam of Ted and Ruth’s first names obviously, and they also released their own LPs on the label as well. Unfortunately for Ted, he was embroiled in some kind of sex scandal involving underage girls and taking them across state lines and was eventually caught by the FBI and convicted and is presently doing time for it. Yikes. Sorry to end this post on such a bad note, but it is a true story. The record’s not bad though. I particularly dig the crazy organ work on the B side.

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Ray Kannon & The Corals – Muleskinner Twist / Please Don’t Leave Me (1962)

Here’s a goodie from Wisconsin courtesy of Ray Kannon & his Corals of which I know nothing except that that Ray was trying to cash in on the twist craze by changing a few words to The Fendermen’s version of Jimmie Rogers’ Muleskinner Blues. Great stuff.

Fabulous Quiet Five – Red Hot Scrambler-Go / I Understand (1964)

Known simply as “The Quiet Five” in England, this is a great up-tempo version of a song originally done by a group called “The Captivations” was picked up by the tiny Casa Grande label out of Woburn, MA. Real good surf vocals here and the flip is a cover of Freddie & The Dreamers’ “I Understand”.

Yo Yos – I Can’t Forget You / Leaning On You (1966)

Garage/Soul featuring some hokey falsetto vocals but a cool reedy sounding Farfisa organ. Their other 45 “Gotta Find A New Love” (IDG #7) is really good as well. From Memphis, TN

Harry Deal & The Galaxies – Bad Girl / Three Pillows In My Room (1966)

Big figures in the ”Beach Music” scene, Harry Deal & The Galaxies waxed many records including this very lightweight “garagey” number for Jubilee records in 1966.

Keith Everett - Conscientious Objector / Don’t You Know (1966)

Most people really hate this 45 because they consider it to be “right wing propaganda”. Well, if you ask me it’s no more propaganda than Barry McGuire’s “Eve Of Destruction”. To me this 45 is pretty funny and I just see it as good old Keith letting off some All American steam. There were several of these types of songs in the mid 60’s which I see not as “propaganda” per-se, but more of a backlash against the anti-war sentiment which was brewing at the time. Good examples are “Dawn Of Correction” by The Spokesmen and “Hey Prophet” by The Patriots.

Shillings – Children And Flowers / Lying And Trying (1966)

The Shillings from Allentown, PA had about four 45s of which I think this is the best. A side is a cover of a Critters song which was written by Jackie DeShannon and the B side is really good folk/rock.

Unit 4+2 – Sorrow And Pain (1964)

Seems like a post never goes by without one of these pretty orange swirly items from London Records! This was actually released prior to their big hit “Concrete And Clay” in the UK and in the US. I really like these guys and wish I could get my hands on a copy of their US LP.

Liverpool Set - Must I Tell You (I Love You) / Miss You So (1965)

A Canadian group that had at least two other 45s in the same British Invasion style.

Creatures – String Along /The Night Is Warm (1966)

I previously could not find any info on this group but a really nice website about Irish bands had tons of info and pics on these guys who I personally consider to be one of the best acts to come out of Ireland or anywhere else for that matter. Why these guys could not have been a bigger deal is a mystery to me.

Brian Arthur - What Can You Do With A Broken Heart / I’d Like To Know (1966)

Here’s a really great “big production” folk rock 45 that was co-written by Tommy Kaye, the guy who also wrote The Barbarian’s epic “Hey Little Bird”. He most likely co-produced this as well with a guy simply known as “Szymczyk”. Could this be an early effort by the famous producer?????

Bay Ridge – I Can’t Get Her Out Of My Mind / Backtrack (1968)

A fantastic garage/soul two sider by a group from Brooklyn, NY.

Chevrons – Mine Forever More / In The Depths Of My Soul (1967)

A great 45 that really strikes a nerve with me. I don’t know why, but the A side of this has just the right combination of vocal harmonies and excellent backup by the band. They were from Omaha, NE and were quite popular in their day.

Poor – My Mind Goes High / Knowing You, Loving You (1967)

A group from Colorado that featured a young Randy Meisner on bass before he joined The Eagles.

Giant Jellybean Copout – Awake In A Dream / Look At The Girls (1967)

Another brilliant 45 that I think is superb in every way. Psych/Pop aficionados will love this one with it’s “Good Vibrations” vibe only trippier!. Apparently this crew was actually The Critters in disguise.

Catfish – Goin’ Down Slow / Jump In The River (1970)

Let’s end this party with some infectious boogie rock from Detroit, MI.

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Arondies – Class Of ‘69 / All My Love (1964)

From Pittsburgh, they were once thought to be The Fantastic Dee Jays. Originally released simply as “‘69” but you know why they changed it.

Playboys – The Scramble / The Cat Walk (1965)

A couple of raunchy instrumentals from California. Probably the LA area.

“You Know Who” Group – Don’t Play It (No More) / Run (I Wanna Be Free) (1965)

The third 45 from this “mystery” group.

Sparkles – No Friend Of Mine / First Forget (1966)

Bone crunching classic garage/punk from these Texas legends.

Mystics – Didn’t We Have A Good Time / Now And For Always (1966)

Another Texas group delivers some nice up-tempo garage. Also released on Dot Records.

Bogis Chimes – I Think You’ll Find / Please Don't Forget (1967)

These guys had a 45 on the same label as “The Road Runners”. Blue eyed soul from Wisconsin.

Changin’ Times – How Is The Air Up There / Young And Innocent Girl (1966)

Fuzzed out punker recorded by a group that mainly focused on folk-rock sounds. Outstanding.

First Crow To The Moon – Spend Your Life / The Sun Lights Up The Shadows Of Your Mind (1967)

Found this for 25¢ way back in the day. Slightly warped but great anyway.

Cryin’ Inside / Sometimes You Just Can’t Win (1968)

More legends from Texas!

Impacts – Don’t You Dare / Green Green Field (1966)

One of my all time favorite 45s from the Pacific NW.

Catfish Knight & The Blue Express – Deathwise / I Can’t Keep From Cryin’ (1968)

Utterly demented fuzzed out psyche from a bunch whose origin eludes me at the moment…….

City Zu – Eeny Meeny / Too Much, Too Soon, Too Fast (1969)

Good two sider from another Pacific NW group who still play to this day.

Troggs – Hip Hip Hooray / Say Darlin’ (1968)

Always tough sounding, The Troggs never lose it even when they’re singing fluff like “Hip Hip Hooray”.

Rupert’s People – Reflections Of Charles Brown / Hold On (1967)

This “Whiter Shade Of Pale” rip-off was allegedly recorded and released Procol Harum had their huge hit. Who ripped off who????? B side is fantastic.

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Great googly moogly! I thought I’d never get back to another post given this extremely busy month or so I’ve had. Aside from the usual family type stuff that I have to tend to, the bulk of my spare time has been recording and mixing the new True Believers project and I’ve been working diligently trying to make each track sound great. What we did was recorded pretty much everything on our set list as well as several original contributions from local musician pals (we solicited them because we are such lousy songwriters), and possibly some original songs from our old bands that never really got their due, and when all is said and done we should have enough material for two, possibly three CDs. The first will most likely be a bunch of our favorites as we’re still putting a lot of “finishing touches” on the original material which were “blank canvases” if you will and I’m trying to come up with ideas that aren’t too clichéd. The entire project is being recorded, mixed and mastered in my humble little DIY studio here in the man cave just inches away from where I write this very blog, thus the major distraction. I did manage to find a bit of time this weekend to finally hammer out this edition as I head towards Volume 100 which I thought I’d never see. In fact, I may have enough cool records here to produce another 50 of these which certainly will keep me occupied for a few more years. As I did with the last post, I’ll keep the commentary brief as to get the whole shebang out by today, so please, enjoy the weekend, and Happy Fathers Day to all you Dads out there. This one’s for you.

Princetons Five – Roll Over Beethoven / Passing By (1964)

A Michigan group who I think were also known as simply “The Princetons” and released several 45s on Colpix, Wand, and Philips. All good.

Mousers – I Know (About My Baby) (1964)

Not sure who these guys were, but they must’ve been a bunch of greasers given the schmaltzy do-wop flip.

Spartans – I Won’t Be Taken / Who Told The Lie (1965)

Cool garagey sounds from a virtually unknown band.

Conlon & The Crawlers – You’re Comin’ On / I Won’t Tell (1966)

Chuck Conlon’s group after he left the Nightcrawlers. A side is great with lots of fuzz and a kind of sleazy delivery. The B side is sort of a re-make of “Little Black Egg”.

Middle Window – Treasure Land / Let My Heart Heal (196?)

Another virtually unknown act. Judging by the label this may be from Chicago or somewhere close by.

One Way Street – Yard Dog / Girls, Girls (1966)

Blue eyed soul from Louisiana.

Flying Machine – I’ll Find You Anyway / Flying On The Ground (1967)

Decent garage/pop from Wisconsin. B side is a slow, mellow version of Neil Young’s Buffalo Springfield nugget.

Astronauts – Main Street / In My Car (1966)

1966 finds this great surf band changing up it’s sound with the times in an effort to keep up with what sounds like some “Pet Sounds” influences. Real good IMHO.

New Colony Six – Love You So Much / Let Me Love You (1966)

Great effort before they became a “soft rock” act.

Barry Lee Show – I Don’t Want To Love You /  Over And Over (1967)

A British group doing a nice mod cover of the Everlys

Reed Williams – I’m Free / There’s A Girl (196?)

A real obscure crooner from Houston.

Paraphernalia – It Came Out Of The Sky / Quicksand (1970)

Madison, WI group tackles CCR and The Youngbloods.

Wazoo – Hey Girl I’m In Love With You / Don’t Give Your Love To Anyone (1969)

Cleveland group delivers some lite pop/psych. Former members of Bocky & The Visions here.

Chayns – You / Let Yourself Go (1971)

Last 45 released by this San Antonio band. A side has that Vanilla Fudge thing going while the B definitely leans into the 70s.

Aum – Aum / Little Brown Hen (1969)

Heavy, religious inspired A side with a hard bluesy B. These guys were very popular on the late 60s Bay Area scene.

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Ahhh, summer is finally upon us and with it comes the beauty of warm weather, nicely trimmed lawns, swimming pools, etc. Welcome all to another edition of “In Dan’s Garage”, this one being #99!!!!! HOLY CATS!!!! The weather has been a little steamy as of late and I’ve found myself cooling off in my man cave which is about 10° cooler than the rest of the house and since I’m down here quite often, I usually spend the time spinning 45s! As usual I have a little bit of this and that here, you know…some garagey sounds, some early R&R, sunshine pop, psychedelia, and even a country rocker to boot! I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to do for #100, but I might do something special, or I might just stay the course and do my usual bit. Whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll all enjoy listening to it as much as I loved putting it together. So mix yourself a nice cool cocktail, sit back, relax, and enjoy In Dan’s Garage…#99.

Little Caesar & The Consuls – (My Girl) Sloopy / Poison Ivy (1965)

A very popular Canadian group from Toronto that had several hits including this slow loopy cover of the McCoy’s “Hang On Sloopy”. “The Band” and Hawks member Robbie Robertson was in an early lineup of this group.

Jimmy Barbee – Cause I Love You (196?)

We featured ol’ Jimmy back in IDG #71 and we couldn’t find any info on him then. I’m sorry to say that we’re still at a dead end, but at least we can enjoy this crude, Jerry Lee Lewis styled rocker from what I would presume is the mid-sixties???

Ultra Mates – The Huckle-Buck / Pitter Patter (1964)

I can’t say for sure when this was released. I’ve seen ‘62, ‘64, and ‘65 but judging from the sound, I’m gonna go with ‘64. This group of gals were actually Phil Spector stalwarts The Blossoms backed by an ace studio combo. A side is a decent up-tempo number but the B side is a killer, haunting almost psychedelic tune. Very cool indeed.

Aches ‘N Pains – Again And Again (1966)


The Aches “N Pains were a group from the Plattsburgh, NY area that were previously known around those parts as The Thunderbolts. They recorded this do-woppish ditty in 1966 long after the the vocal group greaser sound had gone out of style with the obvious exception of The Four Seasons whom I would assume they’re trying to copy here. Not bad though.

Sages – I’m Not Going To Cry / In The Beginning (1966)

A terrific folk/rock influenced 45 from the UK that was apparently only released in the US (???). Sucks for those in Britain because this is a really good record. Three members of The Sages went on to form Vanity Fare and had a huge hit with “Hitchin’ A Ride”.

Clefs Of Lavender Hill – One More Time / So I’ll Try (1966)

In my opinion THE BEST 45 released by this Miami, FL quartet. It amazes me that this band never got it’s due back in the 60s because this particular 45 is genius. Great riffs and harmonies abound here with a “British Invasion” flair.

George Washington & The Cherry Bombs – Brother Ward / Don’t You Just Know It (1965)

Great lo-fi goodness delivered in typical Pacific NW fashion.

Nooney Rickett – Bye Bye Love / In The Swim (1965)

Nooney and his combo put out here with a frantic version of the Everly’s biggest hit. Nooney’s group was featured in the mid 60s academy award winning film “Pajama Party”.

Good Feelins – I’m Captured / End Of A Love (1966)

A San Bernardino, CA area group that had the unbelievably cool “I’m Shattered” which came out on Boulders Vol. 3 back in the old days. This 45 which was first released on the Rock-It label is a nice bouncy Invasion styled two sider.

Wild Life – This Is What I Was Made For (1966)

I can’t find much info on this big production folk/rock ballad, which is a nice rendition of a Sloan / Barri song that was originally done by The Grass Roots on their first LP. My guess is that this is an LA or New York studio group.

Cops “N Robbers – It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue / I Found Out (1966)

We featured these guys in IDG #84 doing “There’s Got To Be A Reason” on Parrot Records, but this time they mellow down a wee bit with Dylan’s often covered “Baby Blue” and a slow moody flip.

Human Beinz – Every Time Woman (1968)

The “Beinz” never did equal the success they had with “Nobody But Me”, yet they did record some really good sides (some pretty bad ones as well) and this is one. Great fuzz guitar on this one.

Chosen Few – Synthetic Man / Last Man Alive (1967)

I really had to think twice about posting this one. Bagpipes really annoy the hell out of me, ESPECIALLY when they’re used in the context of Rock & Roll, or Pop music (sorry, no offense to any Scottish readers out there), but this record is so wacked out I had to include it anyway. The Chosen Few were most likely a studio group concocted by Dick Torst the writer of both these songs as well as the legendary “Asian Chrome”, another psychedelic gem that was featured on Boulders Vol. 7.

Impact Express – Fly With Me / A Little Love (1968)

The last of five 45s this Pacific NW group released. They originally were known simply as The Impacts, but added the “Express” to it and switched over to a more pop/psych oriented style. The intro to “Fly With Me” sounds reminiscent of The Monkees “Daydream Believer”

Nova’s Nine – Pain (1968)

I try to be very choosy when it comes to “horn” rock or bands that feature horns in general, and a lot of what is considered “Beach Music” kind of falls into that category, not that that’s a bad thing, it’s just not my cup of tea. I dig a blasting sax, but when things get a bit too brassy and start veering into Blood, Sweat, & Tears or Chicago territory, that when I start to back away. This 45 is an exception mainly because of the real garagey vocals, the cheezy Farfisa organ in the background, and the fuzzy guitar as well. This bunch was from Statesville, NC and amazingly this somewhat obscure regional hit was covered by at least two other bands that I know of.

Phaetons – Leave It To Me / You’d Better Come Home (1968)

This Long Island group released three 45s on Warner Bros. as well as an accompanying LP. Real nice folk/psych with great 12 string guitars.

Sounds Of Modification – Darkness Fills My Lonely Heart / Carry On Carole (1969)

Although some have criticized this group for sucking badly, I think tis record is pretty good. Both sides are great pop/psych with excellent backing vocals and some decent guitar work. This has Bob Gallo’s name written all over it, and some of you may remember him as the guy who created The “You Know Who” Group. For all we know, the same guys might be playing on this 45!

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