Reviews of tasty and obscure hook-filled rock'n' roll releases (Glam, Heavy Bonehead Crunchers, Powerpop, Pop/psych,Garage, Surf, 60s Girl Group Rock)...Plus any quirky musings that tickle my fancy...
I created this blog in order to stimulate interest, share discoveries and encourage people to go out and search for the original vinyl. Hopefully this blog might also encourage labels to actually compile some of this stuff officialy.
High Street East –Newcastle Brown/Everybody Knows –Rubber Records (1969 UK)
Owing a lot to DDBMT’s Hold Tight and somewhat a precursor to Glam, High Street East’s opus is an ode to the local brew but using the metaphor of a local fictional character. The football terrace beat, loud guitar and infectious melody make this one stand out in that uncomfortable transition from the late 60s into the 70s. Probably a studio creation; the label itself was more known for developing local talent from the Geordie scene. Copies with a picture sleeve with the famous logo appear to exist.
Tales –Someone Like You/ Rockin’ Suzanna –MAM 93 (1973 UK)
On the B side of a commercial poppy affair by Roger Holman and Simon May comes this enjoyable Rolling Stones pastiche. Rockin’ Suzanna is a great Jagger mimic job. It has all the Jaggerisms down pat over a Down The Road Apiece/Route 66 chugging machine. Nifty guitar too…Imagine a 1972 Stones track without the smack. I’m not sure if Tales was an actual band or not. Is the Christie credit related to John Christie which could underline a De Sykes connection?
Hi I have just listed 67 singles on ebay in time to replenish the coffers in time for Utrecht. Some pretty nifty titles all with sound clips. Including this cute Glam era update of the Spector sound...
Mongolords –Slight Recession Blues/Pardon Me –Ganesh R 2885 (1974 US)
Slight Recession Blues is a neat novelty lo-fi Boogie ditty with a Punky edge –just think of Savoy Brown mixed in with the Velvet Underground (check the end part…) it also features some cool Stones-like lead breaks. The overall effect is nice and scuzzy. The Mongolords were out Virginia and the singer was 15 at the time but I am not sure if anything else was released. As relevant today as it was then-Yeah Man –KEEPING IT REAL!
Mushroom –(I’m Going Back To) Where I Belong/ Crying For You –HELP ZH 50164 (1971 Italian issue)
With a title like Crying For You, you might expect a soppy boring number, but be prepared for the explosive performance ahead. Bombastic toms introduce this stupendous Bonehead Hard Rocker, it all ends up like a wilder and more primitive Led Zep. The guitars are complete killer and I love the use of slide under the cutting lead breaks. Phew…The A side is not quite at the same level; but Where I Belong is a catchy hash-smoking number featuring more fine guitar interplay Mushroom were from Amsterdam and this was their only release. The line-up: Ed van Steijn (voc, org) Joop van Waveren (gtr) Ton ten Hage (flt) André Koning (b) and Cocky Akkerman (dr). In 1970 Koning was replaced by Wilbert de Gooyer. Steijn and de Gooyer later played in Rembrandt (nothing released). Cocky also played on his brother's first solo LP Talent For Sale, but we won’t hold that against him.
Here’s a real obscurity. The band was probably from Ohio as they recorded at Owl Studios, but queries sent have been left unanswered…Also the date is a bit of a mystery. I would like to think mid-70s, but it is likely to be later. Anyhow Marilyn is a raucous rocker with lo-fi New Wave feel albeit with a mighty bite... Fireball is my favourite of the two tracks it has a Raw Power feel melding Garage and Hard Rock ethics - The drums thump, the vocals screech and the guitars ooze filth. A real killer and heavy performance to be cherished…Please I need info on this cracker!!!!
Hear a full version of Marilyn
Hear a full version of Fireball
Note it has since been confirmed that the single was released in 1974 -more news soon, but in the meantime feast your eyes on this delightful snap of the band
