In Dan’s Garage…#57

YAY! I finally got around to another post! Sorry for neglecting this blog for the past few months, but I’ve been so busy, and I must say, the weather here (oh God here he goes complaining about the weather again…) totally sucks! It’s April already and we’re still getting snow, and the sun hasn’t shone much either so I’m in this tired funk where I feel like I’m drained every day. Okay, enough whining. This crop of 45s are things that have been in my collection for a long time. Some of my all time favorites. I hope you dig all of ‘em.

Easybeats – Gonna Have A Good Time (1969) One of the last 45s issued by this fantastic group which brought us the great “Friday On My Mind”. This one got covered by several other groups including The Jamie Lyons Group and The Clingers. Both featured here on I.D.G.

(The Original) Sonics – Bama Lama Bama Loo / Dirty Old Man (1975) Not exactly from ‘75. This was taken from the 1966 sessions which produced “You Got Your Head On Backwards”, etc. but apparently was released in ‘75 most likely to coincide with a reunion or another reissue of their material. As usual, the gang wails.

Chaps – Forget Me / Tell Me (1966) Originally thought to be from Texas, this band of geniuses were from Pine Bluff, AR and genius they are. Superbly crafted invasion pop from way down south. These songs are near perfect….

Fenways – I’m A Mover (1966) This Pittsburgh band backed the Vogues on their classic “Five O'clock World”, and this 45 in particular had future Jefferson Airplane member Joey Covington playing drums. Kind of a cross between “I’ve Been Everywhere” and “The Wanderer”, with hints of “La Bamba” and “Louie Louie”, it has a funky, unique wah guitar driving the whole thing. It almost sounds like the “Talkbox” that Peter Frampton and Joe Walsh made so famous in the 70’s.

Sir Douglas Quintet – Bacon Fat / The Rains Came (1965) A slight departure from the usual Tex-Mex formula on the A side of this one, Sir Doug and the boys do André Williams’ classic “Bacon Fat (erroneously credited to King Records bigwig Sid Nathan). The B side gets back to pure Sir Doug with lots of country flavor mixed in. One of their best 45s.

Young Ones – Sour Grapes / Man Of Mystery (1965) A group of youngsters from the NYC area who apparently played the World’s Fair, got discovered by Columbia Records, worked with producer John Simon (who handled such “greats” as Blood Sweat & Tears) and released this gem of a 45. Both sides are superb instrumentals and show maturity far beyond the ages of this young group.

Friedles – I Lost Her / I’m So Glad (1966) Wicked cool garage sounds from a band of brothers out of south New Jersey. This was a second, “louder” release originally put out on Scope Records.

Tino & The Revlons – I’m Coming Home / Lazy Mary Memphis (1966) A group of nice Italian boys from Michigan who did a lot of work here in Upstate New York, especially the Albany / Troy area. The A side of this is great garage but the B side is a goofy garage take on “Che La Luna”, a traditional Italian song done to the beat of Chuck Berry’s Memphis by way of Johnny Rivers. Bizarre.

Princetons – Georgianna / Killer Joe (1965) Originally known as The Princeton Five, they shortened their name, and did this nice fratty version of The Critters’ “Georgianna” backed with a tame version of “Killer Joe”. Very popular in the Chicago area.

Vestells – Won’t You Tell Me / Please Walk Away (1966) These guys were from Stroudsburg, PA and cut this one killer 45 that could be described as a perfect “garage/punk” record although the flip is a mellow garage ballad.

Unrelated Segment – Story Of My Life / It’s Unfair (1966) One of the best Detroit groups, they had three 45 and this was their first. “It’s Unfair” would later be featured as the flip to “Cry,Cry,Cry”.

Striders – There’s A Storm Comin’ / Am I On Your Mind (1967) Another one of Lindy Blaskey’s productions out of Albuquerque, NM. This is a great take on a Standells tune.

Bohemian Vendetta – Enough / Half The Time (1967) One of the all time garage greats. If there was a “Garage Hall Of Fame” this tune would get first ballot honors.They were from Long Island and were originally known as the Rustics. Guitarist Nick Manzi also played with Faine Jade. A bona fide classic, and the flip “Half The Time” is pretty good too!

Stillroven – Hey Joe / Sunny Day (1967) From the Minneapolis area, here’s one of the finest versions of this song. I think “Hey Joe” is second only to “Louie Louie” in covers department.

Undertakers – Love So Dear (1968) Fantastic garage/psyche from Orlando, FL. Obviously these guys didn’t want to get busted singing the praises of ACID, so they, like many bands of the era, disguised their song with a “nice” title like “Love So Dear”.

Ramrods – Mary Mary / Flowers In My Mind (1967) Originally known as the “Rockin’ Ramrods” who’s “She Lied” is another “first ballot” hall of fame punker. They evolved into a pretty good psychedelic act as evidenced by this freaky 45. They later changed their name to “Puff” and had a decent LP released on MGM Records in 1969.

Get it all here…….