In Dan's Garage...#45

Wow. When I started this blog back in January of 2009, I thought I would just share a few tapes and records, and offer a little bit of insight and opinion on the subject of “obscure” music from the 60s and a few of those sounds that crept it's way into the 70s. Now I've posted 45 volumes of this Dan's Garage thing as well as the Obscure 60s series and I don't see an end in the very near future, although I've slowed down somewhat due to other pressing issues like home improvements, work, football, baseball, etc. All in all it's a great hobby because I finally get my say on this subject, I get to turn people on to cool sounds, and I've gotten back into the record collecting thing which I kind of ignored for about 20 years. Once again I'd like to thank the folks out there who post comments and add valuable info on these groups featured here. You are all very important contributors and your input is invaluable. Also, please check out the other blogs listed on this page. Some come and go (unfortunately), but everything there is top notch stuff in the coolness dept. and I rate them all very highly. Enough said. Let's get down to business….

The Spats - Gator Tails And Monkey Ribs / The Roach (1964)

The Spats were a seven piece group from California who released a bunch of 45s and an LP in the 60s including the classic"She Done Moved", and "Tell Ya All About It Baby". This, their first, is a real frat rock/R&B style two sider. The top is kinda like "Louie Louie" and the flip is a great cover of Gene & Wendell's "The Roach".

Penetrators - Coming Home Baby / Guitar Boogie (196?)

A real obscure lo-fi instrumental/garage band possibly from Pennsylvania. Nice surfy number on the A side and a rework of "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" on the flip.

Look Outs - Roll Over Beethoven (1965)

Most likely the same as group as The Curiosities and The Seeburg Spotlite Band, here the Seeburg "house band" goes through a pretty decent version of the Chuck Berry classic.

Uncle 'Na Anteaters - I Wanna Be Happy / Lover Boy (1966)

An earlier effort from this Iowa City group. This one is real garagey and not quite as pop oriented as the one featured in IDG #44.

Mike Rabin & The Demons - Head Over Heels / I'm Leaving You (1965)

Superb R&B/Freakbeat single from Manchester, UK. Mike Rabin was reportedly also in the Toggery Five.

Sonics - The Witch / Keep A' Knock'in (1964)

 This one came up in my box and although it's been heard and comped time and time again, I just couldn't resist. It's soooo gooood!

Scoundrels - Come Home With Me / La Bola (1966)

 A moody one from a NYC based group. They had two other good 45s on ABC including the terrific "Up There"

Bobby Lile & The El Montes - (I'm Gonna) Breakaway / Man Of The World (1965)

 Although Bobby Lile's name comes up on some Patsy Cline credits and some teener 45s, I can't get any concrete info on this nice garage/pop single. 

Rockin' Rebellions - Don't Let Go / Anyway The Wind Blows (1967)

Great two sider from Birmingham, AL. The top side is a great Bo Diddley cover and on the flip they take a stab at Zappa's "Anyway The Wind Blows". GENIUS!

Cyrkle - Money To Burn (1966)

 The Cyrkle were famous not only for their hits "Red Rubber Ball" and "Turn Down Day", but for being the only American group managed by Brian Epstein. This, their third 45, shows that as well as playing light breezy pop tunes, they could play something a little tougher sounding.

lyme & cybelle - Follow Me (1966)

 Known as the starting place for legendary songwriter Warren Zevon and it shows too. This is a perfect piece of mid sixties folk rock.

Little Bits Of Sound - Girls Who Paint Designs / What Life's About (1967)

 A little known group from Long Island, but they left us with a very good two sider.

Fire, Rhythm, & Smoke - Fire And Rhythm / Sissies Place (19??)

 I did a search on this one and all I could come up with were links to smoke alarms. Apparently, "Sissies" must've been a real hot spot in downtown Nashville (no pun intended), but when I Googled the address, all that it shows is the convention center parking garage!!! The band on this 45 is OK, but the singer sounds kinda like Captain Beefheart on steroids. Judging from the label and the fact that it's a stereo 45, I'd say this is a very late 60s effort, or possibly even an early to mid 70s release.

Flying Machine - Maybe We've Been Loving Too Long (1969)

 An offshoot of Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, they had a big hit here in the US with "Smile A Little Smile For Me" of which this is the flip. A real nice psych/pop number and quite underrated in my ever so humble opinion.

Beau Allen - Give Me Your Love / What A Love Can Do (1970)

 Although this is from 1970, Beau and his band didn't lose that great mid sixties vibe on this 45. From Vidalia, GA, home of the finest and sweetest onions in the world.

Legendary Stardust Cowboy - Paralyzed / Who's Knocking At My Door (1969)

 Well, I just had to do it. I'm not sure if you can call this garage, or country for that matter, but I'd definitely call it demented. Play this when you want to chase Yes and Genesis fans out of your house. Play this in your car when you're on a really bad date. In fact just play it when you want to get rid of anyone undesirable. I understand T. Bone Burnette played drums on this.

Miki - When I Was 15 (1969)

 Let's finish with a great movin' freakbeat instrumental by the man who wrote "Take A Heart" by The Sorrows, Miki Dallon. This is very similar to the Sessions' "Let Me In".

Get it HERE