Dan's Garage: August 2012

GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!!!!!!! I was putting this whole shebang together and came to the realization that this will be the seventy fifth edition of “In Dan’s Garage”!!!! When I started this humble blog I figured I’d get about fifty volumes in and then continue on by posting comps and things like that. But my collection of 45s has actually grown quite a bit in the past few years and it’s due to this blog which has renewed my interest in collecting records(which was dormant for a good 15 years) and acquiring cool hi-fi gear.

As I stated in my last post, getting this stuff and having it be near anywhere 100% is nearly impossible. I’ve gotten screwed on Ebay at least 4 times, but was fortunate enough to get ALL my money back. BEWARE OF EBAY!!!!!!!! These people that sell this stuff there have NO CLUE as to what they are dealing with. You know turntables??? You know those platters that the record spins on and those weights on the back of the tone arm??? Those babies are not fixed to the unit. They come off in transit, and the next thing you know the entire piece is DESTROYED! Most of these clowns scour garage sales or the VOA or Goodwill, find something for $5 and try to get big money from it. Unfortunately they don’t know their assholes from their elbows and they just plug the unit in, the lights come on and figure they can sell it as “excellent working condition”. Meanwhile, it needs a complete overhaul and what you end up with is a $100 doorstop. Hey does anyone out there sell (or know anyone that does) parts for vintage hi-fi gear????? I got this Onkyo TX-2500 Mk II receiver that is so cool. It weighs about 100 lbs. and has a nice brushed stainless steel faceplate but the tinted glass window is all shattered and broken. It got busted during the delivery (naturally), but I got it for so cheap it’s not worth the hassle of retuning, and besides, this thing sounds great and it’s freakin” loud!

Sorry. I had to let that rant out. It just pisses me off that people who are real ignorant try their best to take advantage of guys like me (and people like you), who will mostly give them the benefit of the doubt. I guess you live and you learn.

Thank yew, thank yew, thank yew! Gomer Pyle used to say. I say that to all of you folks who have given me a warm welcome back from my hiatus, your comments are very uplifting and definitely brighten my otherwise dreary day. I’m truly grateful and all that makes this little hobby of mine more fulfilling. All righty then! Now that we have that out of the way can we get on with this blockbuster edition of “In Dan’s Garage”??? OK then. (drum roll please…) Heeeeeere’s No. 75!

Strangers – Rockin’ Rebel / The Caterpillar Crawl (1959)

Not exactly a 60s track, but a great raunchy and wild instrumental nonetheless. Titan was a west coast label that had quite a few great instrumental groups on their roster.

Jay Daye & The Four Knights – It’s Too Late For That / (You’ll Always Be My) Only Girl (1965)

An unknown Ohio group released this two sider in 1965.

Druids – Girl Cant’ Take A Joke / I Can’t Leave You (1965)

One of the all time great “girl put down” songs with the truly genius line: “you dish it out but you just can’t take it”. What the hell??? You can’t take a joke?????? “I was only fooling” claims the lead singer as it’s followed by some cool jangly riffs. This one’s a real stunner in my opinion and while not a real rarity, it holds up well as one of the all time garage greats. The flip which is a nice Kinks rip off is great too. Tommy Kaye also produced The Fish ‘N Chips on Joy Records and wrote “Hey Little Bird” for the Barbarians.

Humane Society – Knock Knock (1966)

One of the all time, truly great garage/punk records. They were a rather obscure (aren’t they al???) west coast group that had one other release that I don’t think I’ve ever heard. This one side is more than enough for me.

Maltees Four – You / All Of The Time (1966)

Perfect example of a bunch of teenagers attempting to play some “meaningful folk rock”. Another stunningly great garage 45 from somewhere in California

Now – I Want / Like A Flying Bird (1967)

Formerly known as “The Ban”, a group that had a really nice 45 on Brent Records. They eventually moved north to San Francisco where they became The Tripsichord Music Box and then faded into oblivion. Fortunately they left us with this nice 45.

Bush – Now That I’m Wanting Her (1966)

Another west coast group, this time from San Bernardino. They had 3 great 45s on this label. “To Die Alone” can be heard on IDG #26.

Twinn Connexion – Sixth Avenue Stroll (1968)

Twin brothers from Helena, Montana that decided to have a go at the big time by moving to New York and giving it their best shot. They recorded an LP and released at least one single, this lively pop/psych gem.

Peanut Butter Conspiracy – It’s A Happening Thing / Twice Is Life (1967)

The first 45 they released on Columbia and one of their best, showcasing Barbara Robisons great vocals.

Fever Tree – Filigree And Shadow (1969)

Not from San Francisco, but actually from Houston, TX. This was the follow up to “San Francisco Girls” and has the same feel.

Back Alley – Soda Pop Man / When I Get Home (1968)

Here’s an interesting 45 by some guys who attended Cornell University in nearby Ithaca, NY. “Soda Pop Man” is a brilliant piece of British styled psyche. I and every other blogger who’s come across this thinks this would have made it on to any of The Beatles’ post “Sgt. Pepper” LPs. I agree. It’s that good. The other side (the actual ‘A’ side) on the other hand is typical of what a lot of east coast bands were doing at the time. Taking a hit or other well known song and giving it the Vanilla Fudge treatment which was quite popular at the time. Note the heavy use of a B-3 organ.

New Lime – The Gumdrop Trilogy (1968)

This song was released twice on this label with two different B sides. Unfortunately the flip to this release has an awful cover of Richie Valens’ “Donna”. Bleccch!

Fairchilds – Let Her Run / (I Couldn't Think About Livin' Without You) Thinkin' 'Bout Me (1968)

Nice bubblegum/pop from an obscure group I know nothing about, but it’s a safe bet they were a studio concoction.

Sugar Blues – What Gets You Going (1969)

Pretty good soulful pop/psyche from what is thought to be a group from Memphis although that’s not verified. It’s speculated that Alex Chilton may have been involved with this 45.

Electric Hand Band – Everything’s Gonna Be Allright (1970)

This group was actually The Bleus who released several 45s on Bell and Diamond records. Duane and Gregg Allman worked with these guys for a brief period, but they don’t appear on this record.

Consortium – Spending My Life Saying Goodbye / All The Love In The World (1968)