The Train – You Make Me Feel Alright – Obscure US Fuzz Blaster (1969?)

The Train – (I Want) Sunshine/ You Make Me Feel Alright – Full Tone 45-1002 (US 1969?)

You Make Me Feel Alright features one of the meanest, scuzziest fuzz sounds around. The lead vocals appear sung through clenched teeth and buttocks and stink of moonshine and too much interference with the local poultry as a misplaced peck seems to aid in the attempt at a falsetto. The band plough this field of putridness with a wonderful lack of competence. Jesus where the hell has this single been hiding all my life? The closest comparison I can think of is the folly that is Dickens -Don't Talk About My Music.

The A side is a feeble attempt at being more commercial and making it to the big time, but once again they fail in sublime fashion. It’s a sunshine Bubblegum singalong, very similar in construction to its B side, charming but sadly missing the Fuzz.

The band was were from Aberdeen, South Dakota... (Thanks Bob for the info) The only other release on the label I could find was by Blue Prism who covered Sam & Dave’s Hold on (I’m Coming). Any more information out there?

Hear full version of both sides of the single

Mantis - (You’re My Cake) Amanda Blake – Obscure Aussie Psych (1969)

Mantis  - (You’re My Cake) Amanda Blake/Julie Julie -CBS BA-221704 (Aus 1969)

The descriptor nutty little cracker is surely fitting for this one…There’s a bit of Easybeats going on in the backing vocal parts, but the vocals and OTT exuberant delivery take this to a place just to the left of demented. The B side Julie Julie is more restrained, but also has a pretty weird and deranged vibe.
As far as I can work it out the recording is an off-shoot of Vyt and The World. when Vyt (Vyt Zvirzdinas) left performing to get into event production and promotion, the band re-named themselves Mantis and released this single. At the very least Mantis was comprised of ex The World founders Chris Eggleton (guitar) and Arthur “Dreamy” Watson (RIP). There is no link to the Mantis on Vertigo. 

PS: If anyone can help me locate copies of Vyt and The World's Little Timothy and Flower Children singles - please let me know!

Hear full versions of Amanda Blake and Julie Julie