The Faces (Regina)

Not to be confused with the British rock group, the Faces featured on the blog was an American band that released two records on the Regina label in 1965. The record highlighted today was group's first release. On the Face's follow up record they had more of  a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons sound.

What Is This Dream

Skier Jones

By Popular Demand (Unis)

By Popular Demand formed in 1966. Band members were Terry St George (Lead Guitar), Joel Gordon (Rhythm Guitar), Dave Bartos (Bass) and Jeff Kerekes (Drums). The group recorded two original songs which were released on the Unis record label in 1968. Later in 1969 the band would change the name of the group to The Velvet Crest and released several other 45's. The Buckeye Beat website has some good information about the Velvet Crest.

You Might Need Me

I want to write a song about you

The Tradewinds (Brandywine)

The Tradewinds released seven 45's from 1962 thru 1965. The bands members were Carmine Poppiti (Lead Vocals,  Cordovox), Walt Mateja (Sax), John Malatesta (Drums) and Dave Malatesta (Guitar). The record featured on the blog today was the first of two records that the group released in 1965. If you get the chance there is a cool video on Youtube worth checking out that has additional history and photo's of the Tradewinds .

Hey Little Girl

Gobi

The Edward Brothers (Christy)

If you like the teen sound from early 1960's I think you will enjoy this one by The Edwards Brothers. Their song "My Journey Home" is a nice dreamy lament with good vocal harmonies. The song on the flipside "Moonglow" is more popish. It was released in 1960.

                                                                                    My Journey Home

The Octives (Amway)

Very little is known about the Octives. This is the only record that I know that the group released. It came out on the Amway label in 1965. Both songs on the 45 are good. Unfortunately the recordings are what I consider low fi. I think if the record was better produced it had the possibility to do very well.

                                                                Laughing At Me

                                                                     Love

The Reactions (Golden R)

Unfortunately other than this 45 that the Reactions release 1968 there is little is known about the band. The group was very talented as you can tell from the recordings from the record. 

Please Come Back

I'm Losing You

Michael and Thomas (Peach)

Here's a record I was hoping those who follow the blog might be able to provide some info on. In 1965 Michael and Thomas released this nice 45 on the Peach label. Both songs "Foolish Girl" and "I can't get you off my mind" capture that cool sound from the 1960's. 

                                                                                        Foolish Girl

                                                                        I Can't Get You Off My Mind

Troy Onteare (Maxwell 56)

Troy Onteare (aka Don Teachout) was the owner of the Wheeling, West Virginia Maxwell 56 label. He played on each of the three 45's that were released on the label. In 1964 Troy released his first solo record. It contained the song "Marry the Money" which was very popular locally. Later in 1964 for his second 45 he recorded  a folky version of "The House Of The Rising Sun". The flipside of the record has the song "Crying Time" by Sara Jo and the Trovadors. In 1965 he played bass for the group called The Scarlets. It was very good record and was featured on the blog back in January, 2011.

                                                     House Of The Rising Sun

Four Of Us (Damon)

The Four Of Us released two 45's on the Damon record label. The record highlighted today was the band's first release. The 45 features the Mersey sounding "All The Way" which is an original song by the group. Sadly the label does not list the writer of the song. On the flipside the band does their version of "Midnight Hour"

                                                                  All The Way

                                                                Midnight Hour

Cayce (Racoon)

While out and about I came across this 45 by a group called Cayce on Racoon. I've never seen the record before. As you can see on the label it is from 1980 and both songs were written by Tracy Turner. It was pressed at Nashville Record Productions. Thinking it might be that fluffy pop country music which was really popular back in the late 1970's and 1980's,  I was hesitant on buying it. For the price, I said why not. When I got home and put the needle to the vinyl I was blown away. Man I was way off! Expecting fluffy pop country, I got Hair Metal. Both songs on the record are good. "Stop On A Dime" has a nice guitar solo followed by a drum solo and "Down and Deep" also has a really good guitar solo. I could not find any information about the group. I would appreciate if anyone could provide any photo's or other details about the band.

                                                           Stop On A Dime

                                                           Down And Deep

Gorillamen (Whiz)

As we all know Texas was home to many very good garage bands in the 1960's. Some of these groups like the 13 Floor Elevators and Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs  went on to achieve national success. Most others though, faded away into obscurity. Over the years numerous compilation albums have tried to remember these groups and to show how talented they were. Today on the Blog I would like to highlight one of those obscure groups called The Gorillamen out of Houston, Texas. The band released a couple of really nice 45 singles on the Whiz record label in the Mid- 1960's. Let me know what you think. 

                                                                                      Folly Molly

                                                                                     Pretty Picture

                                                Left Wing Cosmic Man Called John

                                                                                 Try Try Me Once

Whiz - MR1002     Gorillamen    November, 1965

Whiz - MR1003    Billy Easley and the Gorillamen    June, 1966

Brandy (Mark)

Little is known about Brandy. I read that the group might be from Buffalo, New York. The label shows that the record was released in 1974.  "Tell Her I Love You" and "Life Is" are outstanding. If someone might have information about the band it would be appreciated.

                                                                               Tell Her I Love You

                                                                                               Life Is

The Gremlins (Dimension)

In June 1966 The Gremlins released this really nice 45. The Group is thought to be from the Springfield, Virginia area. Both songs on the record were written by Mark Buckingham. "California Sounds" has a catchy Jan and Dean or the Beach Boys surf sound. "Tale For The Sea" is a dreamy lament ballad. Nice record!

California Sounds

Tale For The Sea

Friday and the Weekends (Dynamic Sound)

Friday and the Weekends were from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In late 1967 the group released their only 45. Other groups such as The Invasion and The Young Savages also released 45's on the Dynamic Sound label.

                                                                                            I Need Her

                                                                                            You Baby

The Renegades (Rich)

In 1966 the Renegades released their one and only record. It was a good one. Randy Lowden wrote both songs on the 45. As you can see from the label scans, Rich Records was located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Back in the 1960's several local artists released 45's on the Rich label. It is believed that the Renegades were from Oklahoma City area. If anyone can provide more info about the band would be great.

                                                                                            I Don't Know

                                                                                              Oh Yeah

Lord Beverley Moss and the Moss Men (Target)

Lord Beverley Moss and the Moss Men consisted of Bob Timmers (Lead Guitar/Bass), Gary Laabs (Guitar), Vic Wendt  (Keyboards /Bass), Tom Gebheim (Drums) and Lord Beverley Moss (Vocals). In Gary Meyers book "Do You Hear That Beat" the story goes that the Moss Men were looking for a lead singer. The British sound was big so the group placed a advertisement in England's "New Music News" for a singer. Lord Beverley Moss was chosen and came to the United States to sing lead vocals with the Moss Men. The group recorded only one 45. It was released on the Appleton, Wisconsin's Target record label in January 1967. Their song "Please Please What's The Matter" is great and was included on the compilation album "Highs of Mid Sixties" Volume 10. The Moss Men also did a nice cover of the Who's "The Kids Are Alright" on the flipside.

                                                                    Please, Please, What's The Matter

                                                                                   The Kids Are Alright

The Students

The Students released two records. Rodger Ward- 1966 and Gold Brik -1967. Their song  "I Couldn't Help Falling" is featured on both 45's. With that said they have a totally different sound. I prefer the Rodger Ward version of the song much better. I also enjoy "Indiana Calling" on the flipside of the Rodger Ward 45 as well. Vinylfool did a very good in depth story about the group on his 60's Indiana Band Szene blog! Please check it out.

I Couldn't Help Falling

       Indiana Calling

Sound System (Worldwide)

Another obscure record on the blog today, The Sound System on the Worldwide label. In Mike Markesich's "Teen Beat Mayhem" his research says the group was from Illinois. I'm guessing the 45 was released in 1967 or 1968. Both songs on the record are decent but I like "You Don't Know" on side one the best.

                                                                                   You Don't Know

                                                                             Love Is A Beautiful Thing

Diggin for Nuggets

Hello to all. I was digging around in some boxes of 45's and found a few that might stir conversation and bring some enjoyment to you. If you have any information about the groups featured please share.

After the break up of the Bad Seeds in 1966, the group's lead vocal and rhythm guitarist Mike Taylor went on to released two records on the J-Beck label. "I'm Nobody's Man" is from his first solo record in early 1967.

                                                                                   I'm Nobody's Man

The Scavengers were from the Lexington, Kentucky area . In the summer of 1966 the group released their only 45. Top Dog records was located in Louisville, Kentucky. Other notable groups like The Mersey Beats USA and the Rugby's also released 45's on the Top Dog record label. Both sides of the record have that cool mid 1960's sound. If you look closely there is a typo error on the "It's Only So Long" label. It's is misspelled If's.

                                                                                I Don't Need Her Now

                                                                                      It's Only So Long

There were several bands that called themselves the Minutemen in the 1960's. The Minutemen featured today were from Arlington, Virginia. The A side of the record "Why Do I Cry" is well known and has been included on various compilation albums. I would like to highlight the lesser known song on the B side "One Last Kiss". It is a really nice teen ballad.

                                                                                        One Last Kiss

Little is known about The Depoe Drifters. The record was released in 1969. I like "Sweet Sweet Love"

                                                                                     Sweet Sweet Love

Ernie Padilla and the Way-Outs (Music)

Ernie Padilla and the Way-Outs were from Santa Ana, California. In the summer of 1966 the group released their only record. Both songs on the 45 were written by Ernie Padilla. Very cool record.

                                                                                     Goodbye Girl

                                                                                 She Don't Love Me

The Islanders ( Jewel)

Here's a nice 45 from 1972 by a group called the Islanders.This is not the same group that recorded a string of instrumental hits in 1959 -1960. Both songs on the record were penned by Ron Baynum. The A side "Time" has a slight Grass Roots "Let's Live For Today" sound. It's very good but strangely it never charted.

                                                                                               Time

                                                                                        Wild Weekend