In Dan's Garage...#30

Whoa. What a weekend. Thanks to some planning ahead, I was able to get this one out there today despite the fact I had a super crazy schedule this weekend. D.F.T.B. did a show last night at one of the local taverns, and we all got pretty inebriated. Afterward we did one of those things that we rarely ever do anymore. Go out to eat!!! There's a place down the street from the club that my wife and I like to go to quite often called Gitsi's, but at 2:30 AM, it's not exactly the safest place to be. Lot's of crazies frequent that joint after the bars close on Monroe Ave. here in Rochester. There are more bars per block on that street that anywhere else in the city, except for Alexander St. which is full of bars frequented by 20 somethings trying to get laid. So we decided to head to the "west side" (which is where I live by the way) to place called "Steve T's", an extremely popular place to eat. There's a story about Steve T's  but first let me begin by saying that Rochester has it's own "cuisine" much like Chicago has it's deep dish pizzas and New Yorkers have those nice steamed Sabrett and Nathans hot dogs on the street, Buffalo's got chicken wings, and the west coast has fish tacos, etc. Well here in Rochester we have these things called "white hots". They're basically knockwurst in a natural casing, and they are so delicious, and they absolutely have their "own thing going" so to speak, and white hots sit very well on top of what we in Rochester affectionately call a "Garbage Plate". The "plate" was invented at a local restaurant called "Nick Tahou's". The original Nicks is located in a pretty nasty part of the city, and on any given evening you would be confronted by various lowlifes, hookers, bums, crooks, muggers, you name it. This obviously did not deter local bar patrons as it was probably the busiest eatery in the city after 2:00 AM (they now close at 8:30 every evening). They then decided to open another location in Gates, a Rochester suburb. This was a great move because drunken suburbanites who were afraid to frequent the downtown location, could now ruin their digestive systems at the convenient Lyell Ave. location.  

 Back to the garbage plate... I'm not sure when it was invented, but it's one of the most popular "dishes" in Roch. Every hot dog joint has their version, and there are LOTS of hot dog joints in Rochester. It's a plate with a generous helping of macaroni salad and home fried potatoes. Then they take two grilled hots (white,traditional red,or cheeseburgers if you like) lay it on top of the mac salad and "patats", wipe 'em down with mustard, pour onions on top of everything, and then slather it in "hot sauce", a meaty concoction that is similar to chili, but where chili is a southwest style thing, "hot sauce" has a Greek flavor to it. Real spicy and tasty. Oh, yeah, I guess the Tahou family had some disagreement and Steve, one of the nephews who operated the suburban location decided to split and and since he was the owner/operator, he  named it "Steve T's Hots & Potatoes". For anyone out there who may travel through our humble city, I highly recommend Steve T's over Nicks. Nothing against Nick (who had passed on years ago), but Steve's hot sauce is way better. Much tastier and spicier. So my wife, my band mates, and I headed over for some late night grub. I'm paying dearly for this escapade today, but I still have it in me to get this blog out. So here it is friends....In Dan's Garage #30!

Boss Men - It's A Shame /  Take A Look (My Friend) (1964)

Dick Wagner was an extremely popular musician, songwriter, and producer from Flint, MI. The Boss-Men was his first group and as you can hear it's very British Invasion influenced. He would later form Dick Wagner and The Frosts who were a more transitional band, and then shortened the name to The Frost, who were a great hard rock style band. Wagner would later go on to play on the classic Lou Reed "Rock And Roll Animal" LP, and then join Alice Cooper in 1974.

Fairlanes - I'm Not The Kind Of Guy (That Gives Up Easy) / The Dagwood (1963)

Here's a nice example of what "pre-invasion" groups kind of sounded like. I don't know much about these guys, but I'm guessing they're from somewhere down south.

Seburg Spotlite Band -  Chicken Back (1965)

Here's another 45 that the Seeburg company issued to fill up their jukeboxes. What do you do when you want to cut costs??? Rename the song Hand Jive "Chicken Back"!!! This group is most likely the same as The Curiosities featured in #25

Two Halves - Golden Sands / But You Don't Want Me (196?)

A mystery duo from "parts unknown". Lots of invasion influence here....

Unit Four plus Two - Tell Somebody You Know / You've Never Been In Love Like This Before (1965)

This one here's the follow up to their big hit "Concrete & Clay".

Grand Prees - Heartbreak Hotel / Four Strong Winds (196?)

There were a few "Grand Prees" floating around during the sixties, including a do-wop group from Philadelphia. These guys may be from Florida, but I can't say for sure.

Pattens - Jump / You Should Know (1966)

This Chicago area group put out two 45 this being their second. "Jump" is basically a cover of the Toggery Five's "I'm Gonna Jump" from 1965 (that version is featured in #28). It looks like they were trying to avoid giving credits, because they shortened the name of the song, and instead of crediting it to Frank Renshaw, they credited "Ren Shawel"!!!!! This was produced by Mike Considine, the same guy who worked with the early Ides Of March.

Mickey Finn - Night Comes Down / This Sporting Life (1965)

Here's an awesome freakbeat nugget from a UK group that never quite made it big. Their claim to fame was the fact that Jimmy Page played on "Night Comes Down", the real winner here. The actual A side, "This Sporting Life" was later covered by Ian Whitcomb, and The Children whose insane version can be heard on #21. It should also be noted that "Night Comes Down" was written, and most likely produced by genius Shel Talmy.

Richard Kent Style - Go Go Children / No Matter What You Do (1966)

This 45 is MOD all the way! I can imagine throngs of well dressed mods in London, or Manchester where these guys were from, grooving on the dance floor to this one!

Road Runners - Do The Temptation / It's So Hard (1967)

As long as were grooving on some blue eyed soul, let's check out an obscure group from Wisconsin.

Sensations Of London - Look At My Baby / What A Wonderful Feeling (1966)

Apparently the only 45 issued by this UK group. It could be a Carter-Lewis studio thing...

Surprise Package - Out Of My Mind (1966)

A Pacific Northwest bunch that evolved from The Viceroys. Here's a sterling example of why Terry Melcher was perhaps one of the greatest producers of rock/pop music in the 60's. Brilliant.

Katz Kradle - Bad Case Of You / Bring It On Home (19??)

 I'm not certain, but this one's rumored to be collector/aficionado Erik Lindgren in disguise. Whatever. If it is, he's a total genius because he nails the 60s punk thing right on the head. If not, then this is one of the finest garage punkers out there.

Red Shepard & The Flock - She's A Grabber (1966)

I'm not sure who Red Shepard was, but he left us with this nutty 45 which features big production by Bob Crewe, the guy who gave us Mitch Ryder, The Four Seasons and...

Richard & The Young Lions - Nasty (1966)

Most fondly remembered for their hit "Open Up Your Door", "Nasty" was their second, and the fantastic "You Can Make It" their last. All three 45s have big production courtesy of Bob Crewe and crew. This one's not quite as "nasty" a tune as you might think, but it's great nonetheless.

Superfine Dandelion - People In The Streets (1967)

Great pop/psyche from a group out of Phoenix, AZ


Stained Glass - We Got A Long Way To Go (1967)

From San Jose, CA, these guys were one of those great groups who had so much commercial potential but never quite made it. They left us with 6 other 45s and two albums before riding off into the sunset....

Enjoy.

In Dan's Garage...#29

Happy Sunday friends! I hope everyone is enjoying the day, and I hope your week went well also. I acquired some rather interesting 45s this week, which I've included in this post. I'm sure you'll all enjoy them as much as I do. I'll just keep it brief today by thanking all who made comments and much needed corrections. Thank you once again! So without further adieu....#29.....

Bobby Russell & The Beagles - Roll Over Beethoven / Right Or Wrong (1965)

Spar Records was affiliated with Hit, and Modern Sound Records, all known for recreating hits by current artists. There were a bunch of house musicians who played on these 45s using names like The Jalopy Five, and The Chellows, among others. Bobby Russell was one of the more prolific artists to record on these labels. Perhaps Bobby was best known for writing some of the biggest, (and crappiest) hits of the 60's and 70's. He wrote "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" for Vicki Lawrence who he was married to at the time, and "Little Green Apples" for O.C. Smith. He's also responsible for the hideous and depressing "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro. Fortunately he left us with some pretty cool sides as we see here, including the insane "Freakout U.S.A." by The Communication Aggregation. If you see anything on these Hit/Spar labels, pick them up. They're usually pretty cheap, and not that bad. By the way, "Right Or Wrong" is an original which is pretty scarce on these records.

Fenways - Be Careful Little Girl (1964)

One of Pittsburgh's most popular acts, they backed the Vogues on the classic "Five O'clock World" while releasing a bunch of 45s on Bev-Mar and Co&Ce. Check out their Myspace here.

Alva Starr - Light Of A 1000 Years / Anna (1967)

From Baton Rouge, LA, he had at least one other 45 titled "Clock On The Wall" which is not the same as the Guess Who classic. You can hear that one on "Obscure 60's Garage Vol. 6".

Ray Columbus & The Invaders - She's Back Again (1965)

A very popular act out of New Zealand, Ray later moved to California and recorded the crazy "Kick Me" as Ray Columbus & The Art Collection. This one here is a real cool freakbeat number with real weird timing.

New Arrivals - Let's Get With It / Just Outside My Window (1967)

Real neato garage from a San Jose area band. I really dig the reedy Farfisa organ. It almost sounds like an accordion!!! Probably a promotional item from Macy's department stores trying to get people to guzzle as much "Uncola" as they possibly can!

St. George IV - Love Has No Place For A Clown / What'cha Doin' To Me (196?)

Both sides of this real moody 45 were written by Dale Hallcom, who from what I gather (and that wasn't much) was a studio bassist for Del-Fi records, and is also credited on some Everly Bros. recordings. Aside from that, this rather obscure 45 is pretty much a mystery to me.

Fabulous King Pins - For What It Worth / More Than I Do (196?)

Here's another incredibly obscure one from who knows where. This bunch tackles the Buffalo Springfield hit, and kind of spruces it up a bit. Cool!

Toads - Leaving It All Behind / Babe, While The Cold Wind Blows (1965)

 Here's another Gary Usher folk rock production from 1965, not unlike The Devons "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" featured in #27. He was also working with The Byrds at this time. Both sides are terrific.

Mysteries - Please Agree / I Find It's True Love (1967)

A real cool one reportedly from Orlando, FL. This one features a unique "warbly" guitar sound most likely done by plugging into a Leslie speaker cabinet, or possibly a very early use of the "UniVibe" pedal later made famous by guys like Jimi Hendrix and Robin Trower. There's a fuzz guitar running through the A side too!

Ellie Pop - Seventeen North Frederick / Can't Be Love (1968)

There isn't much known about this group, except they released this one 45 and an album. Fabulous power pop sounds.

Heads - Are You Lonely For Me Baby / You (1968)

Here's another head scratcher (no pun intended). Probably an east coast group, the A side was written by Bert Berns who wrote some of the best classics of the 60's as well as producing Them, and Lulu. George Goldner was a record company exec who was involved with such artists as Frankie Lymon, and The Sahngri Las. Aside from those notes, I can't tell you anything else. Perhaps they were a studio group???

One Eyed Jacks - Love / Sun So High (1967)

**sigh** Alas, another unknown 45. Fuzz, Acid, and Flowers claims that this was a Florida group that migrated to Champaign, IL., as there was a One Eyed Jacks that included future R.E.O. Speedwagon member Michael Murphy. I personally don't buy that, but hey, I've been wrong before. Great psychedelia here on both sides.

Savage Resurrection - Thing In 'E' / Fox Is Sick (1968)

Great heavy psyche from this west coast outfit. If you're into Blue Cheer, you'll love this one.

Dorians - Means And Ways / Help For My Waiting (1969)

These guys were from Windsor, ON in Canada just across the border from Detroit. Here's a very weird late 60's effort that's definitely soul influenced, but still has a lot of psyche tendencies to it.

Special Delivery - Gloria / Big Brown Eyes (197?)

Garage bands in the mid 70's????? Why not? This was recorded at 700 West Studios in New Palestine, IN, just outside of Indianapolis. The approximate date is uncertain, but the studio ran from 1972 to 1983. What we have here definitely sounds like a bunch of amateurs trying to tackle Them's "Gloria" with some rather inept results. Notice how the drummer kind of loses his place as the rest of the band chugs along. He does find his way back towards the end though. The other side is a nice folk rock type thing, I guess. That too has a real charm to it that was thought to be completely lost in that era when "progressive rock" ruled the airwaves. Bravo gentlemen! Wherever you may be today!

Enjoy!

Check out D.F.T.B.

While I was messing around with "widgets" this morning, I found this nice one that let's me embed stuff through box.net, a site I use to share files with my bandmates. Now I can share our music with you! Just click on the box.net thing to the right and you can either listen on your PC/Mac, or download too! Tell me what you think. We recorded this about three years ago, and we're planning on some new stuff to record very soon. Keep your eyes open!

In Dan's Garage...#28

Hey!!! You didn't think I was just going to leave you with a measly repost did you??? We work holidays here at Dan's Garage, because....well, because it's fun. So here it is...Dan's Garage #28!

Terry & The Flippers - Firing Line (1964)

Ya, I know the label says "Our Last Date", but it says that on the other side too. Another person asleep at the wheel while pressing this record. Anyway, these guys were from Lawrence, KS, and eventually became The Fabulous Flippers, one of the biggest bands in the midwest during 65-66. This is an early effort befor they hit the big time, and is a cool as hell frat rock tune that reminds me a lot like The Premiers.

Mad Mods - Warm And Tender Love (1966)

I'm a sucker for garage ballads, and this San Antonio, TX weeper doesn't disappoint. The flip is a fast moving instrumental which will be featured on my soon to be released instrumental edition.

Brian Stacy - I Tried (1965)

Not from Canada as I erroneously stated before this edit. This one is out of Memphis, TN.

Toggery Five - I'm Gonna Jump / Bye Bye Bird (1964)

This is one of several morbid garage tunes like "Black Winds" by Little John & the Monks, and "Give" by the Poore Boyes, wherein the singer relates a woeful tale of suicide or murder, or worse yet, murder suicide. Real genius stuff here. This was redone by The Pattens from Chicago a year or two later. The flip is a fantastic R&B raver.

Five Americans - Sympathy / Sound Of Love (1967)

I really like The Five Americans, even if their output was a little lightweight and poppy. I like pop music, especially when it's well crafted, and this scratchy two sider is a good example.

Palace Guard - A Girl You Can Depend On / If You Need Me (1965)

Near perfect example of a garage,pop, and folk rock blend. Great moody minor key chord changes, and fantastic vocals. This was Emmet Rhodes' before he went on to The Merry-Go-Round.

Grammy Fones - Now He's Here (1967)

Here's a mystery group doing that great garage pop thing with terrific vocal harmonies.

Lost - Maybe More Than You / Back Door Blues (1965)

One of Boston's best, right up there with The Remains. This is a perfect two sider and absolutely one of my all time favorite singles. While this isn't exactly killer crude punk, it's totally brilliant in all areas, and these guys should have been more famous.

Soul Survivors - Can't Stand To Be In Love With You / Look At Me (1965)

Another excellent two sider. These guys are one of several "Soul Survivors" from the sixties,and hail from Denver, CO. They're not the "Expressway To Your Heart"or "Shakin' With Linda" groups. Bass player  Bob Webber went on to join Sugarloaf.

49th Parallel - You Do Things / Laborer (1966)

Super cool two sider from Canada. These guys were from Calgary, Alberta and had quite a prolific run in the mid tow late sixties. This, their first is definitely my favorite, and is solid 60's punk.

Front Page News - Thoughts / You Better Behave (1967)

Yeah! A terrific slice of sixties psychedelia to say the least, with it's weird "fade in", and fuzzed out guitars. A true classic indeed. From Tulsa, OK.

Hysterical Society - Come With Me / I Know (1967)

Yet another great two sider. This neat garage punker comes from Amarillo, TX.

Kidds - Straighten Up And Fly Right / See What My Love Means (196?)

Don't know much here except that this great organ driven garage punker is from somewhere in Mississippi.

Kidds - You Were Wrong / Children In Love (196?)

Check it out, another "Kidds", this time from somewhere in Ontario, Canada I believe. This is an awesome example of real moody garage. Both sides are fantastic, and can someone out there tell me where I can find more of this stuff for 40 cents??????

Rain - E.S.P. / Outta My Life (1966)

This Brian Ross production is a ripoff of The Pretty Things' "L.S.D." on one side, an "I Can Only Give You Everything" on the flip. All that is forgotten when you hear what is, in my opinion, the finest drum solo ever on the A side.

Sticks & Stones - Try / Live To Be Free (1967)

Real good pop/psyche, most likely from Connecticut or N.Y.C. Paul Leka, who was from the Bridgeport area co-wrote the famous "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" for Steam, which became a huge hit in 1970. He also wrote Green Tambourine for the Lemon Pipers.

Lynx - Just A Friend / Woman Of My Dreams (1969)

I'm not sure if this is the same group from Tyler, TX that did the great "You Lie", but it was recorded just across the border in Clovis, NM at Norman Petty's studio. Great heavy psyche on both sides.

Enjoy.