PUREPOP

Amsterdam Record Fair

2012-01-28T02:30:00.000Z

In a few hours I'll be here...nice and early and probably with no sleep. A quick visit tp the Lowlands as a stop gap before Utrecht after the crap as usual VIP Olympia fair in London -Only 1 LP!

Cromwell –Stomp Stomp Stomp

2012-01-26T21:24:00.002Z

Cromwell –Stomp, Stomp, Stomp/Nothing Left To See –Cromwell DOS 118 (1974 Ireland)

Cromwell were a Irish band who released 1 LP and 5 singles at the time with Stomp Stomp Stomp being their 2nd release. They were surely asking for trouble calling themselves Cromwell - pretty Punk Rock in attitude...Music-wise you could call this Bonehead-lite with a touch of Glam, but they probably meant none of it. The bass is loud in the mix and omnipresent. The guitar is more pop, although it does cut through at times, but the drums and vocals are at the forefront of the stomping. All in all there is an exuberance and candidness which is most appealing...not to mention the explosion. Once again they were asking for trouble; another sign of the times...

Hear a full version of Stomp Stomp Stomp

Bulldog –Emanuelle Nera (Black Emmanuelle)/ Robin Hood

2012-01-11T19:25:00.000Z

Bulldog –Emanuelle Nera / Robin Hood –Blue Jean BJ 603 (1975 Italy)

EXPLOITATION-A-RAMA! Ok Black Emmanuelle (Emmanuelle in Africa) wasn’t quite “Debbie Does Cannibal Holocaust”, but it did feature Laura Gemser... Written by Italian singer and B movie soundtrack provider Nico Fidenco, it’s a fun compendium of 70s trash grooves. The B side is where the true Junkshop action resides. Written by ex Casuals Alan Taylor, Robin Hood is a gritty Heavy Glam rocker albeit with tongue caught in a Bubblegum cheek. Alan was also behind the other Bulldog single –the VERY silly Doggy Doggy also on Blue Jean

Hear a full version of Emanuelle Nera

Hear a full version of Robin Hood

Rockids- She’s A Cartoon

2012-01-07T03:28:00.001Z

Rockids -She's A Cartoon/ Young and Sexy - TKO 007 (1979 US)

Also from out of 1979, but lost somewhere between bar band shenanigans, Hard FM Kiddie Bubblegum and Powerpop genius, comes this insanely catchy first single from New Jersey’s Rockids. They had a chorus and certainly knew how to use it...The B side Young and Sexy starts off a bit scarily then becomes some sort of Power Pomp Punk Rocker...Strange. Their other single Candy Kiss is also worth the detour, but it’s She’s A Cartoon which will hook itself into your brain forever. You have been warned...

Hear a full version of She’s A Cartoon

Blu Maxx –Rev It Up

2012-01-02T23:09:00.000Z

Blu Maxx - O’ Come All Ye Faithful/ Rev It Up –Brother Studio BS -19 (1979 US)

To start the year here’s a real Powerpop gem of which only 500 were ever pressed.The opening of Rev It Up is one of the most evocative intros ever with twin lead guitars recalling Wowii at their best. The track then turns into a perfect lesson in maximizing the minimum where nothing is superfluous and where a simple chord structure and infectious melody rule the roost. The lyrics spell out SOCAL existentialism
Bob Shank: “The whole point of "Rev it Up" was to celebrate the "Southern California Beach Living" lifestyle. Our singer Gary worked in a Surf Shop, was an avid Surfer with hundreds of girlfriends. He looked like a Japanese soldier who wasn't told the war was over. But charisma and charm oozed from his pores...”

The A side O’ Come All Ye Faithful is a punked-out festive ditty akin to The Yobs but with added gritty guitar moves. The track actually received a good amount of local airplay on KLOS and KMET in the Los Angeles at the time “Come All Ye Faithful was on LA FM drive time radio for 3 weeks. We were living the dream...” (BS)

The band line-up was Gary Haraguchi (vocals), Bob Shank (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Bill Shank (Bass), Gordon Sims (Guitar), Carl Jensen, (Drums). Following the single, in 1980 Geoff Guerrero added his Rick 6/12 and Vocals to the mix. Blu Maxx had been in existence quite a few years before their only single
BS: “Gordon Sims and I got our roots in instrumental Surf Music. We saw all the heavies .. Dick Dale, BelAires, Chantays, and The Ventures.We saw the change first hand. We were 1967 highschool graduates. We saw Sonny and Cher, the Turtles, Yardbirds, Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. We did a lot of "herbal" jams back then. (Summer of Love). We started BluMaxx because there was a sudden influx of good venues, and sound engineering was coming of age. We felt we had a cool sound that went back to Real Surf Music, not The Beach Boys style, but real South Bay Surf...”

You can hear some 70s Blue Maxx recordings here:
http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/artist/artist_songs/767037

Recorded between 72 and 74 Superman Boogie and Short In My Brain are fully realised proto punk riff-heavy melodic numbers, like The Stooges transplanted to California in a bid to get on the radio. These tracks shine beyond the parameters of the limited recording facilities.
BS: “Superman Boogie was my second song written in a herbal haze in 1970. My first was The Family Visits Saturn. A Timothy Leary tribute in 1969...”

Blu Maxx at Pier 52, Hermosa Beach, California -Bob Shank and Gordon Sims

Following Blu Maxx, Bob formed Holy Joe “an Alt Rock experience fashioned on the Garbage model...Leah Sharp was an able front with her Big Voice and Courtney Cox good looks! Today Holy Joe has had new life in Russia and Ukraine...”. Holy Joe was Tim Edmondson, Darren McClung, Leah Sharp and Bob Shank. But what of Blu Maxx?

BS: “I have managed to stay connected with all but Gary. Rumour has it he is living on various sofas in Hawaii!

Hear a full version of Rev It Up

Hear a full version of O’ Come All Ye Faithful

Silence –Mother’s Game/ Devil Woman

2011-12-27T13:12:00.001Z

Silence –Mother’s Game/ Devil Woman –Decca DL 25478 (1971 German issue)

Holland’s Silence max out on the snotty attitude with this great 2-sider. Mother’s game is tough and crunchy with some amusing lyrics “ I have a cup of tea and a piece of pie..” “I’m riding in a train in vain, yes baby it’s your mother’s game....” (sic). There’s a neat tempo shift at the end with a dual lead which is most effective and probably a Hans Van Hemert touch. Devil Woman is like a proto-punk Communication Breakdown which reminds of Pantherman in its vocal delivery. It also has a spooky middle break and some clumsy drumming.
Not much is known about Silence. They were from Dordrecht (home to the Zipps and Inca Bullet Joe –another fine Hans Van Hemert production) and although Hans has good recollections of his Dump or Cardinal Point productions, his recall of these sessions are lost in the mists of time.
HvH: I don’t remember anything about Silence, I just have some recognition of the recording...The reason might be that at that time I didn’t feel I was a skilled producer yet….”
This appears to be the 2nd Silence release (The Future of Our Sister Felicity being the first?). The recording session took place on the 23rd of January 1971 and also included covers of Gimmie Shelter and Paranoid, but as far as I can see these seem to be unreleased

Hear a full version of Mother’s Game

Hear a full version of Devil Woman

Rock Co.Co –Rokoko Man

2011-12-19T21:29:00.000Z

Rock Co.Co –Rokoko Man/ Happy and Smiling –Polydor 2041516 (1974 Germany)

Rock Co.Co is probably one of the silliest concepts ever. OK, it may be Dorksville Central but the performance and sleeve just reeks of attitude...er not really, but it’s still worth perhaps 30 seconds of your precious time. It’s as corny as a joke in a Xmas cracker. If anyone is churlish enough to slag this one off, just shut up and be amazed by the phasing and the multiple key changes and wonder why The Left Banke never attained such heights and shied away from embracing the concept so fully.
PS: I have a spare and 2 other singles by this band...Why? Because I CAN!

Hear a full version of Rokoko Man

Gary Steel Sound –Go Go Girl

2011-12-16T00:25:00.001Z

Gary Steel Sound –Go Go Girl/I’ve Got A Feeling Coming On –Zel-la JHEPM 131 (1973 UK)

Mesmerising total obscurity from the Midlands... Go Go Girl (sounds like Goo Goo Girl to these ears) is a driving hypnotic rocker of the highest order. The chugging guitar is pure Mick Green (Pirates) tight as can be with a cutting lead break with saxes played like Kazoos. File in the same section as Mr Union Railway Man (Mississippi), Hey Hey Jump Now (One Hit Wonders) and Monopoly’s Gone Tomorrow. The B side is a slower tune with Hammond and striking Wah Wah stabs. The chorus is particularly strong. Zel-La (Zella) was a studio in Edgbaston, but beyond this who knows...

Hear a full version of Go Go Girl

Hear a full version of I’ve Got A Feeling Coming On

Love and Hate: Navajo vs. Jan & Dean

2011-12-12T00:36:00.000Z

Navajo – Frisco Bay/ Love and Hate –Musicor MU 1449 (1970 US)

Jan & Dean –Fan Tan/ Love & Hate –Jan & Dean 11 (1967 US)

No particular reason for this post except for finding this great B side by Navajo. It’s a subdued but captivating little ditty which got me hooked when I first heard a snippet a few weeks back. The near prog stabs add a weird touch, they surprise but are strangely fitting. The single is easy to find cheaply online and the A side is OK too. Love & Hate by Jan & Dean is from one the early post accident sessions, where a recuperating Jan Berry brought in some West Coast luminaries to help bring his hummed vocals and visions to fruition. These sessions have recently been collated by Rhino on the exemplary Carnival of Sounds LP. I originally heard Love & Hate on a double bootleg probably in the early 80s and it never ceases to make me smile. So who wins the battle of the B sides? Does anyone have an acetate of Girl You’re Blowing My Mind for sale by any chance?

Hear a full version of Navajo’s Love and Hate

Hear a full version of Jan & Dean’s Love & Hate

Porky –I’m An Artist

2011-12-09T00:26:00.003Z

Porky –I’m An Artist/ Flag –Bell 983 (1971 US)

5 years on from Painter Man (The Creation), Shel Talmy revisits a similar theme along with I’m An Artist sharing comparable simplistic but to the point chord changes. The outcome is somewhat like a updated melodic Freakbeat outing which is as catchy as hell. The diminished chord under the I’m An Artist refrain is a neat touch and the whole track drives along nicely. The B side Flag is also worth listen as it’s an uptempo rocker with a semi Born To Be Wild riff, but overlaid with harmony vocals and some underlying fuzz.
There’s next to nowt to be found on Porky, they were presumably British, but it looks like this single was only released in the US.

Hear a full version of I’m An Artist

Hear a full version of Flag

Record shopping in Madrid and Leon Record Fair

2011-12-05T18:10:00.002Z

Well for once I had a good excuse to be in a foreign land, which allowed me to pick up some singles. Madrid still has a good selection of shops all within walking distance. The institution that is Mellocoton is still up and running. The best finds were down the stairs at Mitrailletta. Bangladesh and Babel are also worth visiting.
Our second gig was in Leon and wouldn't you know it, there was a record fair there on Sunday...talk about being blessed.It was a small fair, but I picked up the Armada and Brakaman singles which I was turned onto. Armada has clumsy lyrics that make up part of its charm, but it's an infectious and rocking little ditty from 72.. Brakaman is a heavy one...

Hear a full version of Armada -People (Summer Song)

More singles...Crecent Street Stompers is in fact Moonquake!

The Key single is a good one. A bit like Wish You Were Here Badfinger, but with some intriguing twists and turns. It appears that their 1978 LP was only released in Germany. The single is the lead off track in any case

Spontaneous Corruption –Freaky Girl

2011-11-29T00:21:00.001Z

Spontaneous Corruption –Freaky Girl/Looking Glass of Time –Philips 40528 (1968 US)
Released in ’68 this single is a miraculous obscurity by the wonderfully named Spontaneous Corruption. Trogg-like in its snarly sleazy heaviness, Freaky Girl is certainly one of the earliest examples of Pure Bonehead. It has it all from the fuzz to the Neanderthal He Man lyrics and delivery. It’s amazing to think that Philips took a chance with this along with Blue Cheer the same year. Looking Glass of Time is also very memorable, rampant although not quite as intense as the A side, but with an added touch of Psychedelia. Spontaneous Corruption hailed from Ohio and featured Kenny Hamlin on guitar with Danny Sheridan on bass and Ger Giancola on Drums. This was their sole release.

Hear a full version of Freaky Girl

Hear a full version of Looking Glass of Time

Rain –Rock is Dead (But it Won’t Lie Down)/

2011-11-26T13:10:00.000Z

Rain –Rock is Dead (But it Won’t Lie Down)/Life Passes By –Ariola 16013 AT (1975 German issue)

Rock is Dead (But It Won’t Lie Down) is a catchy commercial Pop ditty with an underlying Glam Thump. It’s a typically bright Bickerton/Waddington composition with a performance which would be as much at home on TOTPS as on the chicken in a basket circuit. Rain featured Stephanie De Sykes and Simon May, but the rest of Rain’s output on Bradley’s is somewhat more insipid, so Rock is Dead should be recognised at their defining Purepop moment.

Hear a full version of Rock is Dead (But It Won’t Lie Down)

Utrecht Record Fair -Day 3

2011-11-20T22:43:00.000Z

The last day and another 5 hours going up and down the aisles on a mopping up operation.
Although an obvious purchase, it was time I actually bought my 2 favourite Outsiders singles. Big Jeffries is in fact the Belgian Jeffries who's 1974 single I reviewed a few weeks back.http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2011/11/jeffries-do-you-feel-allright.html Definitely a fat Elvis vibe...

So all in all another good trip to Utrecht -roll on April!

Utrecht Record Fair Day 2

2011-11-19T17:28:00.001Z

Another pretty good haul today, including one biggie...

Highlights include a German issue of The Revolution of Emiliano Zapata's Nasty Sex with the aptly named Shit City on the B side. You don't normally equate Noel Redding with BubbleGlam, but Rollercoaster Kids is like The Carvells covering Cockney Rebel! Again The French Hector combines the A sides of both UK singles, a clever idea!

Holland had the great idea of having the entire Halo of Flies (Love It To Death) on a single. Found both the UK and German copies of the Trevor White at Da Capo. Since the tragic death of owner Michel, the shop has stayed open and it's still well worth a detour. The Silence single is killer with Devil Woman riffing it out in fine Communication Breakdown fashion nicely produced by Hans Van Hemert...

and the biggie...

.....FROG!

Utrecht Record Fair Day 1

2011-11-18T21:05:00.002Z

Utrecht record fair 7:05am....
So it begins...

Made it nice and early and copped around 20 singles by 7:45am. Then spent the rest of the day picking up the odd single here and there. Nothing totally mind blowing (yet), but some choice singles... mainly spares...

Found a nice copy of the Proto Punk/Glam Lee single, only the 2nd copy I have ever seen. Corporation is a fine near Bonehead Dutch rocker. Did I really nead a 4th different sleeve of the Jungle Jim single?...Of course I did!

Cool cover on that Wild Angels single. How cold I pass on the Jets single? Blunderbuss is Tony Atkins and Gerry Morris (Galahad)

I had never seen that (US) Beat pic sleeve before...tight trousers ahoy!

The Rag Dolls is a cool cover of an obscure Vanda & Young song. Incredible Hog sounds really promising. I can now add a UK issue to my Swiss Pic sleeve of the Dunno single, although the B side has been feted in some circles, I much prefer the A side, a nice pop tune. Duffy is a neat UK rocker, in fact both their singles are well worth picking up. The Rain single is great. I will feature it one of these days, as I should with Rokoko Man...it sounds like it looks!

I expect a smaller haul tomorrow...we'll see

Jon Savage and Johan Kugelberg, following a Greek meal. The food was really good -Honest!

Utrecht Record Fair November 2011

2011-11-17T09:35:00.000Z

Today...I am heading here...

I will be reporting back all the thrills and spills day by day...

So

Watch out for this man...

2 Near Glam Misses: Pentagon Vs. Jimmy Pasha and The Hi-Shots

2011-11-13T11:40:00.000Z

Jimmy Pasha and The Hi-Shots –Dance To The Rock ‘N’ Roll/I’ll Be There - SKY 1000 (1974 UK)
Pentagon –Dance With Me/Take Your Hands off My Woman –Nevis Records Nev S 104 (197? UK)
As I felt that each song in its own right did not justify an individual review, I have combined their strengths in order to present a (phased) themed post. Now both tracks are close to being considered Junkshop Glam, but just miss hitting the spot in a consistent manner. Jimmy Pasha’s song is pretty weak, BUT features some phased drums along with archetypical Glam “HEYs” and handclaps during the middle break which is the song’s highlight helped by some strident guitar. Pentagon was released on the same label that released Planet of The Drapes by The Flying Saucers. Here the Rock ‘n’ Roll revival angle is enlivened somewhat by a phased (yes again) Glitter Beat which helps pull the performance above perfunctory 50s clichés...

Hear a full version of Dance To The Rock ‘N’ Roll

Hear a full version of Take Your Hands off My Woman

Jeffries –Do You Feel Allright

2011-11-03T20:08:00.002Z

Jeffries –Do You Feel Allright/Get Me A Car –Mouse MMC 1005 (1974? Bel)

Obscure Belgo Glam alert... With its thudding drums and manly YEAHs, Do You Feel Allright (sic) is nearly a true Junkshop classic contender. Although the horns fit well with the tune; a little more fuzz wouldn’t have gone amiss. Think of Peter D. Kelly on a diet of frites smothered in sauce. It has been listed as a 1974 release, although the reverb on the intro drum sound makes me think this could have been recorded 2-3 years later. However the song/performance would have been really dated by 76/77...The B side is definitely early/mid 70s and is a pretty ghastly orchestrated MOR number (although with some screeching lead guitar)...So who knows

Hear a full version of Do You Feel Allright

Long Tall Ernie and The Shakers –Rockin’ Rocket

2011-10-30T15:55:00.000Z

Long Tall Ernie and The Shakers –Rockin’ Rocket/ Rock and Roll-Polydor 2050371 (1975 NL)

Rockin’ Rocket is one of the better Long Tall Ernie sides. It’s more Glammy that most of their other releases and has a quirkiness in the production and song structure which elevates it above many of the overtly commercial 50s reruns that exemplified much of their output.

Hear a full version of Rockin’ Rocket

Glam legends The Arrows -Live in London November the 5th!

2011-10-27T20:20:00.000+01:00

Here is one to check out, Alan Merrill is playing in London. Hopefully the set will also be beefed up with some Streak and Vodka Collins tunes as well...

Saturday, November 05 GlamRacket & Amp75 present Alan Merrill & The Arrows 7.30pm-4am - BAND ONSTAGE 9.30PM adv £6
GlamRacket and Amp75 present: Alan Merrill & The Arrows: Original lead singer and founder member of Seventies Glam Superstars 'The Arrows' making his first live London appearance in over 10 years. Alan Merrill is the writer and original recording artist of 'I Love Rock & Roll', one of the biggest Rock hits of all time. Part of the RAK stable alongside Suzi Quatro, Mud, Smokie & Cozy Powell, The Arrows scored major hits with 'Touch Too Much', 'My Last Night With You' and more. The band starred in their own television series, 'The Arrows Show' as well as touring the UK and Europe extensively.

The band will be onstage at 9.30pm. Ticket holders will receive automatic entry into the now famous 'GlamRacket' event at the Lexington, from 11pm to 4am.
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/116622

Tyrannosaurus Rex –Get It On/ Raw Ramp –Italian issue

2011-10-23T13:49:00.000+01:00

Tyrannosaurus Rex –Get It On/ Raw Ramp –IL NIL 9045 (1971 Italy)

I don’t know how uncommon this single is, but somehow T.Rex got regressed to a Tyrannosaur on this 1971 Italian issue in its fetching picture sleeve. Get It On is the one that got me hooked on T. Rex as an 11 year old back in ‘71 thanks to a dopey department store assistant who played side 2 of Electric Warrior instead of side 1 whilst I listened on those old “phones”. No not headphones, but two telephones without a mouthpiece which you clasped to each side of your head...remember those? Anyway Get It On was instantly infectious, I knew within 10 seconds that this was for me. It was only later that I discovered Raw Ramp on that Bolan Boogie Lp. It’s a bit strange hearing Raw Ramp without the preceding There Was A Time, but Raw Ramp appears to be the same version. Marc had a quite a singular way to pronounce breast-s-t-s-s...A great track to play on a Sunday...

Hear a full version of Raw Ramp

Black Hawk –Little Suzie Looker

2011-10-16T16:29:00.000+01:00

Black Hawk –Little Suzie Looker/Love Like A Man –Sundi Records 320 (1971 US)

Like a leaner and meaner Mississippi Queen crossed with a Sweet B side, Little Suzie Looker is a fine obscure hard rockin’ pre Glam stomper-Riff dependent with cow bell to the fore and good vocals. The B side is a workman-like cover of TYA’s Love Like A Man. Black Hawk were probably out of Orange County and this may have been their only release.

Hear a full version of Little Suzie Looker

SINGLES FOR SALE: 2nd and final batch!

2011-10-13T21:17:00.000+01:00

Well that's me done for while. A nice crop...including the original copy of the Spiv single in Excellent condition...Me? I am going to have a cup of tea and a rest...
The listings are here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/purepop1uk/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

Hear a sound clip of Oh You Beautiful Child

Agnes Strange Give Yourself A Chance Birdsnest UK 1975
American Jam Band Jam Jam Young Blood France 1973
Anthony Bygraves Painted Lady Pye UK 1974
Bang Questions Capitol Germany 1972
Bear Brothers Bondiagio/ Red Shoe Trucken Philips France 1973
Bonnie St. Claire Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet Philips UK 1972
Brett Smiley Va Va Va Voom Anchor UK 1974
Britania Right Down The Line EMI UK 1973
Burton, Lane and Gibbons (B.L. & G) Live In The Mountains/Janie Slow Down Birdsnest UK 1971/75
Buster Superstar Bradleys UK 1974
Cherry Slush I Cannot Stop You USA Records US 1967
Christopher Milk Hey heavyweight UA US 1971 (Sealed copy)
Crunch Let's Do It Again Young Blood Germany 1973
Fatty Lumpkin Millionaire Clarion Aus 1974
Fatty Lumpkin Don't knock my boogie Clarion AUS 1973
Flight Save Me Children/ Are You Coming Out Tonight BUK Germany 1975
Fogg Dancin' To The Music WB UK 1975
Funktion Dance of The Clangers Pye UK 1972
Good Grief Girl in Green Freedom Canada 1970
Heart Lovemaker Jupiter Germany 1974
Humble Pie Big Black Dog A&M UK 1970
Jook Alright With Me RCA UK 1972
Josuha Jenny CNR NL 1973
King Harvest Jumping Jack Flash (parts 1 +2) RCA Aus 1971
Libido (Dana Gillespie) Hold On To Your Fire Mooncrest UK 1973
Matt Black & The Doodlebugs Punky Xmas Punk UK 1976
Mersey Kids Keep on Rockin' Pathe France 1974
Moonquake War Rance Aquarius Canada 1975
Muff Do The Hand Jive/ Discotheque King Polydor Germany 1975
Neil Christian She's Got The Power Jupiter Germany 1976
Next Hard Time EP Radar France 1976
Ning Machine Decca Germany 1971
Oliver Day Crazy Love Bus Stop UK 1975
Pete Dunton Taking Time RCA France 1973
Pony It's Gonna Be So Easy/same 20th Century US 1974
Reactions Summertime Rock 'n' Roll Vogue France 1975
Revolver But How I Love It Polydor Germany 1974
Rotomagus Fightin' Cock Butterfly France 1971 YEAH!!!!
Shado Evil City Montrose UK 1974 YEAH!!!! (again)
Shiva The Legend of Tutankhamun Dart UK 1972
Spiv Oh You Beautiful Child Pye UK 1973
Starbuck Wouldn't You Like It? RCA UK 1973
Stefan And The Wild Boys Dying in St. Louis Gonna Make You Blue Artists of America US 1976
Stephen Right On Running Man Antic UK 1974
Stonehenge ( For The Love Of A) Sweet Woman Like You Renegade US 197?
Stormer My Home Town Ring O' Records UK 1978
Strange Fox Rock and Roll Band BASF Germany 1973
Sweeny Todd Roxy Roller Nova Germany 1976
T.N.T Big Trouble (Part 1+ part 2) Jam UK 1972
Tank Heads I Win, Tails You Lose Bumble UK 1973
Ted Mulry Gang Jump In My Car Philips Germany 1976
Teddy Lane Bye Bye Love/ Heartbreak Negram Dutch 1973
Teddy Lane Do The Rock N' Roll Reprise Germany 1973
Third World War Ascension Day/ A Little Bit of Urban Rock Regal Zonophone France 1971
Thirteen Girls Aren't The Same EMG France 1978 OOOOH!
Thundermug Africa/ You Really Got Me Stateside Germany 1972
Villain Photograph Bell UK 1975
West Point Don't Know Why Decca UK 1970
Zoo Walking Jupiter Germany 1974

And one LP...

Do What Thou Wilt “The Satanic Rites of British Rock Delivered From Acetates and Rare Pressings 1970 -1974”

Paris Record Fair -Day 1

2011-10-07T19:34:00.000+01:00

An easy hop over the Channel and here I am in Paris. It is the first time I have been to the Cidisc record fair in Champeret. I had low expectations, but it looks like it will be a pretty good fair. The organisers are good guys so I got in on set up day without any hassle...I spent a couple of hours browsing today, about 75% of dealers were already set up, but I will return tomorrow before heading off to the flea market at Clignancourt.

An ok batch today. I have my eye on a couple of high ticket items, we'll see...

Jupiter –The Meteor Song

2011-10-05T13:28:00.002+01:00

Jupiter –The Meteor Song/ Life Is Getting Better Every Day-Parlophone R5967 (1972 UK)

...More songs that sound like The Move. I guess I could start a whole series based on Move-soundalikes with The Casuals Tara Tiger Girl being an outright leading contender. But lo and behold, straight from my doormat, comes this John Goodison opus (http://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-goodison-p80954/biography) which more than borrows from Blackberry Way. A strange record for 1972, it could have easily have come out 4 years earlier, but it’s a charming piece of Psych/Pop fluff nicely grounded to a pseudo Stomp beat. The B side is more of the same with more Move moves on the chorus...

Hear a full version of The Meteor Song

Hear a full version of Life Is Getting Better Every Day

Singles for SALE!!!!

2011-09-30T15:22:00.000+01:00

Hi I have just listed the following singles on ebay. It took a bloody long time to do! Some rare Punk, Powerpop, Glam plus the ususal Purepop stuff. I am about 1/3 through and will be listing the second lot in about 3 weeks' time -Good Luck!
You may find them here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/purepop1uk/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562
As I reminder -check out the clip of the great Josuha track...

Autographs-While I'm Still Young- RAK UK 1978

Automatics - When The Tanks Roll Over Poland Again- Island UK 1977

Barry Ryan-Do That - Dawn UK 1975

Beaut-Goodbye Judy -Infinity Aus 1976 ( A MUST!!!)

Big Carrot-Black Jack/Squint Eyed Mangle -EMI UK 1973

Blitzkrieg Bop-Let's Go-Lightning UK 1978

Boys- I Don't Care-Movieplay Portugal pic sleeve 1978

Boys-(She's My Girl) She's All Mine (PIC SLEEVE!) Outrage US 1975

Buster Jangle's Flying Mattress-Love Has Taken Over My Brain RCA UK 1971

Casuals-The Witch/ Good Times Dawn UK 1974

Change-Lazy London Lady Orange UK 1974

Christ Child-Let 'Em Eat Rock Barak UK 1978

Class 50-Freerider/The Time Machine The Electric Record Company UK 1977

Covers-Modern Girls Decca UK 1979

Cyanide-Mac The Flash Pye UK 1978

Dancer-Hate Generator Dawn UK 1975

Dazzle-Jim'll Fix It DJM UK 1975

Dwarf-Backstage Queen Merlyin US 1975

Esprit De Corps-Anxiety Come UK 1981 (not the 70s lot, but rare DIY PUNK)

Flamin' Groovies-Slow Death UA UK 1972 (UK pic sleeve)

Goom-Massai (parts 1+2) Pye UK 1972

Heartbreakers-One Track Mind Track UK 1977

Helter Skelter - I Need You/Goodbye Baby Sticky UK 1977 (DEMO)

Jeff Britton & The Spitfires- Rub Out Decca UK 1976

Josuha-Jenny -Jupiter Germany 1973

Ken Khury-Baby Doll-Jupiter Germany 1975

Kimi & Ritz -I Was in Love With Danny But The Crowd Was In Love With Dean Epic UK 1975

Laurie Marshall (Paul St. John) -Carry On Loving Emidisc ACETATE UK 1972?

Legs-So Many Faces WB UK 1973

Linda Kendrick-Sympathy For The Devil Dawn UK 1974

Maniacs-Chelsea 77 UA UK 1977

Matayo-I Like Rock N Roll/ Matayo RAK UK 1975 (Paul & Barry Ryan)

Matchbox-Don't Shut Me Out/Rod RAK UK 1971

Matt Black & The Doodlebugs-Punky Xmas Punk UK 1976

Meteor-Any Minute Break Away US 1977

Monsoon-Hot Honolulu Nights Trojan UK 1971

New Hearts-Just Another Teenage Anthem CBS US 1977

One Hit Wonders-Hey Hey Jump Now/ Goodbye CBS Germany 1972

Paul Ryan-Natural Gas Maple Annie UK 1972

Paul St. John-Flying Saucers Have Landed Pye UK 1972

Rammalamma -Roll It over Private Stock UK 1975

Ramones-Swallow My Pride Sire UK 1977

Ramones-Blitzkrieg Bop Sire UK 1976 (Original pic sleeve)

Ramones-Rockaway Beach Sire UK 1977

Ramones-I Remember You Sire UK 1976

Razar-Ascension Day Polydor UK 1978 (YEAH!)

Rockets-Rock and Roll Drummer Philips Germany 1974

Rowdies-A.C.A.B Birdsnest UK 1978

Shepperton Flames-Take Me For What I'm Am/Goobye Deram UK 1969

Sisters-There's A Raver Coming Home WB Germany 1974

Stefan And The Wild Boys-Dying in St. Louis Gonna Make You Blue Artists of America US 1976

Suzi Quatro-Rolling Stone RAK UK 1972

Sweeny Todd- Roxy Roller Nova Germany 1976 (German Pic sleeve)

Coloured Balls –Flash

2011-09-29T02:52:00.000+01:00

Coloured Balls –Flash/ Dave The Rave –EMI 10344 (1973 Aus)

Led by the late great Lobby Loyde, Flash finds the band in their absolute Sharpie-Ball-Power prime. It’s such an exuberant performance and although the band can really play, Flash finds them containing any musical indulgences and any over-muso leanings that would at times appear on their second LP. It’s just an amazing straight-ahead down the line full-on power trip. The B side is slightly more Bluesy and somehow reminds me of Stackwaddy. A truly great single

Hear a full version of Flash

My Version Is Better Than Yours Part 13: Do Ya - Elmer Goodbody Jnr vs. Forest

2011-09-23T01:08:00.001+01:00

Elmer Goodbody Jnr. –Do Ya/Mad About You –Charisma CB 279 (1976 UK)

Forest –Do Ya/I’ll Stay With You –Midland International MID 1 (1976 UK)

Do Ya exemplifies the maxim –maximise the minimum, where less always means MORE! The Move’s Do Ya is probably one of the greatest riff songs ever and follows a prestigious lineage that goes all the way back to Louie Louie and lives on through to Fireball and other Sweet Jane knock-offs. So what makes these two versions so weird is that they both lessen the impact of that riff, and attempt to highlight the song beyond.. Elmer Goodbody Jnr’s (Mike Sheridan’s leather clad alter ego) version is more akin to George Harrison transplanted to a Brum backwater...A strange revisit but quite charming in its laidback approach. Forest on the other hand play it straight, shorten the intro (what were they thinking of?), and emasculate the power of the riff (to make it more radio friendly?) An OK version that gets better as the song nears its end...but nothing to write home about...

Hear a full version of Elmer Goodbody Jnr’s Do Ya

Hear a full version of Forest’s Do Ya

Maalstroom- There’s A Party Going On/Gonna Tell My Momma

2011-09-17T13:26:00.000+01:00

Maalstroom- There’s A Party Going On/Gonna Tell My Momma –Phoenix PX130 (1976 US)

Here’s a big one and still a bit of a mystery...It pretty much hits all the parts - satisfying Heavy Bonehead requirements along with high Garage ethics and also encroaches into Proto-Punk territory. There’s a Party Going On is all beer-swilling Biker Dumb Boogie BUT features one of the cheapest and most gratifying Fuzz guitar sounds around.
Gonna Tell My Momma is my favourite of the two tracks, the fuzz remains but is augmented by what sounds like frenzied bongos while the track’s tempo seems to fluctuate somewhat.
Recorded in 1976 at Pinnacle Sound Studios, it appears that the band may at one time been called Mississippi, but this is not definite. I have tried to track down different band members, but I only got as far as the producer listed on the label, Clyde Snider .

CS: “Around 1976 there was a band in my studio (Pinnacle Sound Productions at the time) called "Mississippi"...They recorded three songs; two songs were for a single and the third song was a song called "Birthday Nose Job" that had hilarious lyrics...”

However it appears that the session producer was an interesting gentleman called Jerry Katz

CS: “The producer was a guy named Jerry Katz. Katz was the one who arranged for the recording session. They were all from out of town so I was unfamiliar with any of them. Katz was a paranoid schizophrenic who thought the government had put a "square-wave transmitter" in his head and was listening in on all his conversations. However, he was a good producer for the band. The recording engineer was Bill Hammitt...”

It is not clear why Clyde ended being credited as producer.

CS: “I doubt there would be another Clyde Snider with Pinnacle Sound Productions anywhere else in the world. Maybe they broke with Jerry Katz and put my name on the label because I owned the studio...The main thing I remember about the session was how crazy Jerry Katz was. The band was in the studio for several days. Before every session Katz would place his head on our big Taberaser tape eraser and turn it on to the scramble the square-wave transmitter the government had put in his head. Then he would put aluminium foil in his ears...”

I have had no luck (so far) in tracking down the band themselves, it may be that one member now works at Clear 1017fm in Oregon, but I have had no response, hopefully this post will help bring more information to light

Hear a full version of There’s a Party Going On

Hear a full version of Gonna Tell My Momma

Bandy Legs –Ride Ride

2011-09-14T00:35:00.000+01:00

Bandy Legs –Ride Ride/Don’t Play Games –WWA WWS011 (1974 UK)

Ride Ride is a fine sparkling Glam number with Elmer Goodbody inflections... Which makes sense as Bandy Legs was a Birmingham outfit with affiliations to the Idle Race and Move (guitarist Mick Hopkins was in the Lemon Tree and post Jeff Lynne Idle Race). The band actually changed its name and became hard rock band Quartz after signing to Jet Records. It must have been quite an about-turn for the band to go all Hairy Metal as another of their singles (Silver Screen Queen on Pye) is in pure Rubettes mode!

Hear a full version of Ride Ride.

Rammalamma –Roll It Over

2011-09-09T19:08:00.000+01:00

Rammalamma –Roll It Over/Can’t You Feel It –Private Stock PVT. 10 (1975 UK)

Whilst going through piles of spare singles (will probably be listing around 200 of them in October), I came across this near forgotten gem. Roll It Over occupies that special place between Rock N' Roll Revival and Crunching Glam with nifty Groovies-like Slide guitar. If anything it reminds me of Smith &Weston's version of A Shot of Rhythm & Blues on Decca.

Hear a full version of Roll It Over

The Wacky Clackers –Crazy Balls

2011-09-07T21:53:00.000+01:00

The Wacky Clackers –Crazy Balls/ How Will I Know –Poko Records NC-S-45-122 (1971 US)

Out of New Orleans, without a whiff of Allen Toussaint, comes this highly entertaining Bubblegum meisterwork to cash in on what was then a huge global phenomenon (Klackers, Click-Clacks, Clackers, Ker-Knockers etc...) Whatever they were called, they would surely be banned in school nowadays as offensive weapons!

The Wacky Clackers were in fact the Montalto Trio in disguise who consisted of brothers Lance -guitar (AND Clackers!), Richard - bass and Alfred Montalto on drums. Crazy Balls is beautifully dumb and catchy, and god...don’t those clackers cut through the mix? Enjoy! Me?...I’m off to clack my balls...

Hear a full version of Crazy Balls

PS: I have just updated my 45 collection, see the first link to download. Still a work in progress...

Chook-Cold Feet

2011-09-05T22:17:00.000+01:00

Chook-Cold Feet/Tables Turn –Havoc H 1005 (1971 Aus)

Chook were a local Melbourne band and only managed to release this sole single before splitting up soon after. However a promo video was made, which you can see below. The sound is crunchy and heavy with top lead guitar from Alex O’ Hara. Not quite reaching the depths of pure Bonehead, but worthy in its riff-led heaviness all the same. The band were Mick Sampson (Vocals), Alex O'Hara (Guitar), Ian Ryan (Bass) and either Jeff Lowe or Kim Constable on Drums.

Hear a full version of Cold Feet

Hear a full version of Tables Turn

What the video for Cold Feet

Twister –Holy Smoke

2011-08-24T16:53:00.001+01:00

A couple of years back I purchased the second Twister single Getting Nowhere Fast and raved it up here http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2010/02/twister-getting-nowhere-fast.html It has taken me nearly 18 months to finally secure a copy of their first outing and it was certainly worth the wait. As a bonus, I have also conjured up the full story of Twister with the generous help of Mike (Angel) Davis who was also kind enough to send me an endless array of photos and press clippings...Enjoy

Twister –Holy Smoke/Midnite –RCA 102851 (1976 Australia)

Holy Smoke is the great first single by Twister, a glorious concoction of Powerpop, Power Boogie and Glammy Proto Punk. The performance is as tough as nails, full of metallic clanging guitars, cutting cowbell and crunching handclaps. The whole performance is tight as hell and the superb vocals are close to what The Radio Stars were doing around the same time. Although extra trebly, the sound slices through the vinyl as if it was butter. “We thought it was a great and as we recorded it, it sounded great. Trouble is RCA didn't want to spend much so they gave us a totally inexperienced producer/engineer (Chris Neal) who played everything back through the big monitor speakers in the studio as we recorded...Result was a recording that sounded pretty tinny when played back through anything less than 1000 watts..” (MD)

The B side Midnite has that Aussie styled Daddy Cool Eagle Rock/Hi Honey Ho guitar motif. If nothing else these guys had real taste. All 4 sides they released are up there with the best of what Australia had to offer in the 70s. They must have been a blistering live act

Hear a full version of Holy Smoke

Hear a full version of Midnite

The line up (from left to right) was Mike Davis -Guitar Geoff Turner –Vocals, Bass, Marty Barclay –Lead Guitar and Steve Rose –Drums

The origins of Twister was a Queensland band called Bedrock featuring Geoff and Steve who were friends with Marty a guitarist from another Queensland band. The band moved to Sydney to secure a bigger audience where they met Mike.

MD: “I met Geoff through a mutual friend during this period when we connived to get Geoff a job working with me in a Quality control chemical lab. Geoff and I quickly became firm friends as I saved his life countless times from the hands of uncontrolled chemical reactions. Through him I was prompted to hone my rather basic guitar skills to become rhythm guitarist for a soon to be formed new band which would follow the break-up of Bedrock...”

This line up was tentative and it would be another few months before Mike fully joined Twister. The band then started to play gigs, often as support act

MD: “We played in all sorts of places. I remember Hurstville Civic Centre, Doyston RSL, Blacktown RSL, various pubs and clubs, all the usual haunts. The place we played most would have been Chequers in the middle of Sydney where we would do 4 hour nights quite regularly or sometimes play with other bands (Dragon, Swanee, Angels, etc). Also we did the Bondi Lifesaver pretty frequently where we often supported Cold Chisel. We made one trip to Melbourne to try and crack a new audience there. I think we supported the Little River Band and a stripper who's name escapes me!”

“On the back of a truck at the Hoyts cinema complex opening in Sydney...”

Through their live work, RCA came a knocking...

MD: “We had some guy who was reasonably well known at RCA and would come see us play every now and then. It took a while but I remember signing the contract and thinking this is it...”

“Us signing our recording contract with RCA. Left to right Mike, Steve, Geoff, Manager of RCA, Marty and someone else...”

What were the hopes from the deal? How was Chris Neal introduced into the equation?

MD: “Getting a record made was what it was all about in those days We were over the moon to get a contract. RCA's heart wasn't really in the whole new band thing though. They made their money from Elvis and big bands so we were just a bit of a shot in the dark sort of game to them. Anyway, they gave us an untried guy (Chris Neal) who engineered and produced the record at Alberts Studio. It sounded pretty good as we made it but he recorded and mixed it through great big powerful studio speakers and when we got a test pressing home and put it on our record player it sounded like the chipmunks. Quite a few people we met at gigs were keen to get the record but RCA's ineptitude wasn't limited to the recording studio. They couldn't seem to get the record into record shops. So many people couldn't buy the record even though they wanted to...”

How did you see yourselves –Hard Rock, Glam or what?

MD: “Status Quo was certainly a big influence. Tight chunky rock and roll is what we were in to. I know Geoff and I went to see Ted Mulry and Hush three times in one weekend so we must have admired them too. We loved ZZ Top and Queen and were most respecting of Sherbet (though we had no thoughts of being like the Sherbs). Come to think of it we were glued to the TV whenever Abba came on but we didn't seek to copy them either...”

Still reeling from their experience on their first single, they doubled their efforts to ensure that a second single would be the one to break them.

MD: “We made our feelings known about our disappointment with RCA's dealings with the first single. the top guy wasn't that impressed with our cheek but they gave us a second chance, found us a good producer/engineer(Bruce Brown and Russell Dunlop) and sent us to the studio. They also financed us a film clip which was pretty essential in our minds at that time. The film clip was cheap but OK but they gave us too much control over it. We were ahead of our times and did some crazy stuff with the production. We had them put a bouncing ball above the words of the chorus (we didn't think "thinking somewhere, going nowhere was too clear I guess) and worse we put rolling titles at the end with our names...”

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE VIDEO-COMING SOON!

Fan club card

MD: “I think RCA were something to do with a tour of Tasmania that we did when the single was out, also they got us some interviews on a couple of TV shows that showed clips at the time. The ten day tour of Tasmania was our real taste of pop stardom. Our clip appeared on a couple of TV shows coinciding with it, we did several gigs during the tour, had interviews on radio and had sex with a lot of nice girls. Unfortunately distribution didn't happen again with this single and more stories of people unable to obtain the records came to light...”

What happened next?

MD: “The flop of the second single was it I'm afraid. Disco was pretty big then so gigs weren't that thick on the ground for Quo style rock bands. I can't remember the day we decided to give up but not long after the second single we drifted away from each other. There was no anger or recriminations, we had tried and failed and we got on with our lives. Geoff joined the Radiators soon after but I don't think the rest of us played in any notable bands...”

“A letter from two schools in Canberra that didn't want us to break up plus pages of signatures...”

Rock Scene Archives online

2011-08-21T23:33:00.000+01:00

Great work from Ryan Richardson. He has archived old issues of Richard Robinson's Rock Scene online and animated them so you can peruse back issues and immerse yourself in the world of "then". It's got great functionality as you can flick through the pages, zoom in etc...Although nothing will replace having the real thing in your hands, this is as good as it gets. Essential reading!

Click on the title link or go to the links section

Shado –Evil City

2011-08-18T22:43:00.002+01:00

Shado –Evil City/Tell You I Know –Montrose MON 1001 (1974 UK)

Evil City is perhaps my favourite track on the no longer available Do What Thou Wilt comp http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2011/01/do-what-thou-wilt.html. Evil City is a furious fuzzed up rocker with somehow reminds me of Radio Birdman with added pathos, but the B side is more laidback kind of like Ralf McTell walking though a forest. Shado were a complete bunch of unknowns as far as I know..any more information out there?
Hear a full version of Evil City

The Stud Leather story: Roger Cook –Samantha Dear -unreleased acetate

2011-08-15T20:26:00.000+01:00

Roger Cook –Samantha Dear -unreleased acetate (1972 UK)

OK, we are not talking about demon-infused dementia as on Cut Loose http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2009/02/cut-loose-stud-leather-story.html, but a lighter, gentler form of madness from Stud Leather’s Roger Noel Cook, Alan Kirkham and Dickie Graves.
Never intented for commercial release, Samantha Dear is a fun near-ragtime drinking song, featuring a neat line in spoon dexterity. It could be a Kinks-like satire, but the sincerity is overwhelming -they really mean it man!

From Roger himself, here’s the inside scoop:
Roger: "This was the founder members of Stud Leather recording a song I wrote while drunk in the bath...It was a tribute to skiffle....Dickie Graves played eccentric piano and it set off my vocal a treat (as long as you were drunk while listening to it...and while taking part)....Dickie also played spoons on it and there was a waste basket kicked over at the end...This was at least 18 months before "Cut loose"....and was never intended for release... There are at least 3 or 4 other songs long forgotten that went onto acetates but were never intended for release "Hour after Hour"....."We're Gonna Fly" and others all recorded a cheapo studio run by a bald guy called Curly..."

Hear a full version of Samantha Dear

Meteor –Any Minute

2011-08-06T00:32:00.001+01:00

Meteor –Any Minute/ I Am The Wind –Break Away BA 001 (1977 US)

Formed by Tony Bennett’s two sons (Danny and Dae) with Gordon Javna all “surviving” members of Quacky Duck (and his Barnyard Friends...). New Jersey’s Meteor seem to have been a one-off, but a mighty good one at that. If anything I am reminded of Wowii (Hoods) as the powerpop is enveloped in neo Spectorian suburban grandeur. Great tune, great production and a great find

Hear a full version of Any Minute

Does anyone remember this band? Gorilla?

2011-08-01T16:23:00.000+01:00

I had this flyer hanging around, but would love to know more, what with my penchant for all things simian...Well they're called Gorilla that's for sure and they look like they would sound great...was anything recorded/released?

HELP!

Cozy Powell –Na Na Na

2011-07-29T21:11:00.001+01:00

Cozy Powell –Na Na Na/ Mistral –Rak 180 (1974 UK)

“I Wanna be the man with the 50 pound hammer...” This is the first time I have actually featured a bona fide UK hit on Purepop, but this track is just so invigorating! It’s the mother of all stompfests and probably the most interesting of Cozy’s Rak singles as it’s a killer full song. The beat and power is overwhelming (that intro guitar chord is pure Holidays in The Sun) and the lyrics are pure class and scream attitude. In his best Noddy Holder, Frank Aiello sprouts:
"I know you get your kicks playing Hendrix licks, you're the wizard of Wembley Central, You're the JS Bach of Belsize Park- but me, I'm just plain mental...”
After this Cozy joined Rainbow and things got a whole lot less fun...

Hear a full version of Na Na Na

Shakras –Agnes Vandalism

2011-07-26T21:30:00.000+01:00

Shakras –City Boy/ Agnes Vandalism –Reprise 0859 (1969 US)

Agnes Vandalism (what a great title) is pure Baroque Powerpop for need of a better word. Nicely orchestrated by Jimmy Haskell, Agnes Vandalism features a truly perfect soaring chorus on a strong track that got lost in that 60s to 70s limbo period. Shakras was formed by 2 ex -Standells (including Larry Tamblyn) and 2 Knack members, but Shakras was very much a stop gap prior to a partial reformation of The Standells with this being their only release. The A side is also good, but the real gem is this B side. Another real contender that should have been...

Hear a full version of Agnes Vandalism

Mother Trucker –Tonight

2011-07-24T19:23:00.000+01:00

Mother Trucker –Tonight/ Propeller Love –Ember EMA 0287 (1974 US)

Mother Trucker –Tonight/ Propeller Love –Vogue VB 401 (1975 Bel)

Both sides of this Mother Trucker single are fine examples of tuff Glam Crunch-a-rama in Punchin’ Judy mode with extra horn(s). Signed by the US branch of Ember by John Madara, Mother Trucker was a UK outfit supposedly with a background in road haulage (yeah right...). There also seems to be some line-up confusion between the US and Belgium sleeves –spot the similarities...not obviously apparent. Whatever the line-up Mother Trucker can handle my logistics any day –niark niark...

Hear a full version of Tonight

Hear a full version of Propeller Love

Dwarf –Backstage Queen

2011-07-20T22:11:00.000+01:00

Dwarf –Backstage Queen/Couple of The Night –Merlyn Records A 3379 (1976 US)

One year on from Gotta Get Louder http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2011/04/dwarf-gotta-get-louder.html this is the 2nd single by Teen sensations Dwarf. Oh they must have been at least 16 by the time this one got released, with puberty but a distant memory... Backstage Queen is a slightly more controlled affair (read less exuberantly punky) than their first single but it’s a fine 70s Stonesian rocker which projects their testosterone infused dreams oh so innocently. Just in case they didn’t pull on the night, the single came with a coupon to gather all the important data from their fans. Just how many were sent in I wonder...The B side is a more “sensitive” number

Hear a full version of Backstage Queen

Inside –Wizzard King

2011-07-12T00:57:00.001+01:00

Inside –Wizzard King/ Your Love My Love –Glowat Records 30234 (197? US)

Ok, here’s a really hot one. Released on a small North Carolina label probably in the early 70s, Wizzard King is a one-of-a kind Fuzzed-up Punker with cutting guitar interjections, pumping organ, cracking vocals and incessant beat, all compressed into its short but perfectly formed format. The B side is not as wild as the A side, but is a nice melodic mid-tempo number. So who were Inside? The label credits Jeff Stanley, Dennis Wheeler, Teddy Web and Junior Norfleet who is now a DJ on the Shag/ Beach music scene...

Hopefully, there will be more info forthcoming, but in the meantime enjoy this gem. Pure killer...

Hear a full version of Wizzard King

Hear a full version of Your Love, My Love

Macarthur –Good Stuffe

2011-07-06T19:47:00.000+01:00

Macarthur –Good Stuffe/Parentship Relation –Vertigo 603793 (1976 Aus)

As a rule of thumb, many Aussie 70s singles sound like they could have been released 2-3 years earlier than their actual release dates, but in the case of this Macarthur single it’s hard to sonically put an actual date on it. It just sounds just dandy whatever the year... Coming on a bit like early Dragon with a twist of Twister (more on them soon!), Macarthur walk the nether land between Hard Rock, Teen and Glam with no small amount of skill. Hot Stuffe is as much about pounding Boogie as it is about melodic flair, whilst Parentship Relation adds a certain harmonised Freakbeat dimension to the mix. It’s a bit New Wavey as well! Both tunes are top in any case, and I’m not sure which one I prefer.
It appears that Macarthur were an Adelaide band who were in existence between 1969 and 1977 and were most likely formed from the ashes of The Why Four. Was anything else released by Macarthur?

Hear a full version of Good Stuffe

Hear a full version of Parentship Relationship

Last night a band saved my life and its name is... GIUDA!

2011-07-03T08:26:00.002+01:00

I don’t “do” new acts, but last night I saw the best new band I have seen for over 20 years.

Imagine Cock Sparrer twinned with The Equals at their most hard-hitting with great original tunes.

This is the most fun I have enjoyed watching a live band since The Fleshtones in their prime. This is no single minded retro trip, but pure energy, loud, tight and concise.

There have an LP and single...where they wear their influences on their sleeve. Giuda are playing again tonight (Sunday) in London again at The Stags Head in Dalston, just in case anyone can catch them in time before they depart these shores.

Top marks and a very rare Purepop endorsement.

Hear Number 10 here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzDhXropKck&feature=related

http://www.shop.dead-beat-records.com/Giuda-Racey-Roller-CD-Giuda-CD.htm

Zekes –Leaving You

2011-06-28T23:24:00.002+01:00

Zekes –Leaving You/Box-Beverly Hills 9353 (1970 US)

Both sides of this Zekes single are prime examples of Californian Neanderthal heaviness with slight fuzzed-up psych tinges. I think this was their only release, but I seem to remember that there was a link to some 60s Garage band, but that info is somehow lost in the fog...Sounds a bit like a West Coast Grand Funk. File somewhere between Sir Lord Baltimore and Bang.

Hear a full version of Leaving You

Hear a full version of Box

1984 –Little Girl

2011-06-21T23:20:00.001+01:00

1984 –Little Girl/Laramee -Decca F23159 (1971 UK)

Lost half way in the space/time continuum between The Syndicate of Sound and The Banned, comes this strange yet compelling version of the Garage Punk hit. It’s further proof that Kenny Young was behind some other great releases beyond his girl group and Bubblegum sides (don’t forget Moonshyne!).

Hear a full version of Little Girl

Fist –Lickety Split

2011-06-15T13:39:00.000+01:00

Fist –Lickety Split/ The Moon Don’t Shine in Cleveland –Vidicom Records V -13001 (US)

With a name like Fist you could expect a greasy Hard Rock band, but in fact it’s a late Bubblegum tune (well not sure about the year, but probably 69 or early 70s). Sonically it contains all the expected B-Gum ingredients, but the song is pretty much only an extended verse with a chorus at the end. Its brevity is pretty shocking actually, unless it was originally written for a TV ad of something. I am sure it is full of filthy innuendos, but I will allow you to uncover them for yourselves

Hear a full version of Lickety Split

Denny Ward –When I Get Home/ Show Me

2011-06-10T19:07:00.002+01:00

Denny Ward –When I Get Home/ Show Me –Needles and Pins 2010 (1978 US)

Masterminded by James Page Porrazzo (AKA Jamie LePage founder of Spectropop), Needles and Pins singer Denny Ward released this single under her own name but featuring a heavy cast of LA Powerpop scenesters. Delightfully poised somewhere between mid 60s girl group and late 70s Powerpop, both tracks are superb. When I Get home is the more frantic of the two but retains a Gold Star sheen, with massed handclaps on the beat along with sleigh bells, driving guitars and pounding pianos with great vocals. Show Me is in someways even more remarkable. Written by The Quick’s Steven Hufsteter who features on guitar along with Billy Bizeau, the song is pretty much a masterpiece up there with the best Quick tracks. Taken a slower pace it’s closer to a straight 60s girl group homage but with total pop sensitivity. Gorgeous –no more, no less...

Hear a full version When I Get Home (note: The track is pressed right into the dead wax, so the ending skips)

Hear a full version of Show Me

John Bright –I’ve Tried It

2011-06-07T21:16:00.002+01:00

John Bright –I’ve Tried It/I Gotta Go –Topomic Music 5002 (197? Argentina)

And here’s a real obscure one –a “Total Google Zero” as they say...Released in Argentina, the label states “recording in France” but the guy sounds English. Music-wise I’ve Tried It is on the cusp of Junkshop Glam and Bonehead Boogie with slight bluesy tendencies. Still it’s raucous and loud and certainly has some oomph. I Gotta Go also rocks somewhat, but the guy starts yodelling for chrissakes...Both songs are written by Iana Lony???? Out of the woods the answer might come one day...

Breaking news: Well perhaps not out of the woods, but out of some nordic pine forest. As assumed by LDK, it is indeed Jan Loseth. Now confirmed by Titanic's management http://www.titanic-rock.com/
"This is in fact Jan Loseth, TITANIC's guitar player...Recorded in Paris in the middle of the 70's
Jan had a period when he was sick of night-clubs, discotheques,night-life on the town in general and rather hung out with his friends in various studios where they recorded their stuff and this is what happened a few times.
These kind of products were not really meant to be released, we suppose, but we know he invented for some strange reasons, quite a few funny names as the recordings went along and were stocked all over Paris in various drawers.."

Hear a full version of I’ve Tried It

Hear a full version of I Gotta Go

Waddy –You’re The One

2011-06-02T17:09:00.001+01:00

Waddy –You’re The One/same –Anthem AN201 (1973 US)

Waddy is in fact Waddy Wachtel; long time Warren Zevon right hand man and guitar slinger. This appears to be a one off recording and Waddy played all the instruments himself. In someway the results are very close to a Californian Dave Edmunds with LA contingent members Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks helping out on backing vocals. The track is dead tight and nicely compressed with the doubling guitar effects being most effective. A solid and rewarding early 70s rocker...

Hear a full version of You’re The One

Shocking Blue –Out of Sight, Out of Mind

2011-05-31T18:10:00.000+01:00

Shocking Blue –Out of Sight, Out of Mind/I Like You –Pink Elephant PE 22.056-Y 60 (1971 Belgian issue)
Sometimes you can get stuck in reviewing obscure records mainly for obscurity sake, but once in a while a better known act released a classic tune that you were not aware of. This is the case here with a tune that has all ingredients to give shivers down your spine. Out of Sight, Out of Mind was a top 6 hit in Holland at the time and it’s simply glorious. The pulsating saxes pumping along during the dead simple, but Purely Pop chorus is just one of those magic moments I crave for. Mariska’s vocals are ace, understated, but oh so present...Oh, and the backing groove probably really influenced The Garnets too...

Hear a full version of Out of Sight, Out of Mind.

Next –Hard Time

2011-05-27T01:20:00.000+01:00

Next –Hard Time/ Caught in The Doorway/High Degree –Radar –RDR 001(1976 France)

Proudly proclaiming “English Rock ‘n Roll” on its sleeve, Next were probably a bunch of unknowns stranded in France when their van broke down and who somehow ended up in a French recording studio to record these three tracks. Hard Times starts promisingly with yet another (this time verbal) proclamation of “Rock N’ Roll”...The track is a good enough straight rocker, but it plods a bit although the vocals are nice n’ sleazy...Think of a tired Streak in need of refreshments. Caught in The Doorway ups the tempo, but only really gets really gets going by the 2nd lead break and then comes across like a Flamingo outtake...Not at all bad. The meat and most of the potatoes in fact reside on the B side with High Degree, which goes on for 6’35 but is proto punk enough in a Radio Birdman kind of way to justify it length. In fact this single plays at 33.3rpm to contain all three tracks... Who were these guys? Colin and Alan Rosier, Dave Hinksman, Phil Ward?

Hear full versions of Hard Time and Caught in The Doorway

Hear a full version of High Degree

Big T. –Tea For Two

2011-05-20T22:27:00.001+01:00

Big T. –Tea For Two/I Know A Place –Avalanche AV 67324 (1973 UK)

From the deranged mind of Ed Welch, comes this classic and so far undocumented Junkshop Glam stormer from Big T. Yes, as ridiculous as it sounds, this it is the showtune you think it is, but god...it pulls out ALL the Junkshop weapons from the Glitter arsenal: Loud Fuzz, handclaps, HEYs, gangshow vocals...So all in all it’s a great unpretentious Stompfest which will delight and amuse in equal measure

Hear a full version of Tea For Two

Pelican – Jenny Darling

2011-05-17T01:13:00.000+01:00

Pelican –Jenny Darling/My Glasses –Á. Á Records – Á Á 017 (1974 Iceland)

All the way from Iceland and giving Change http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2011/01/change-lazy-london-lady.html a good run for their money, Pelican’s first single is a great bouncy and quirky BubbleGlam number that was actually a hit amongst the frozen Tundra. Not sure how many sales that actually equated to, but Pelican can be considered a big national catch. Whilst Change went to London, Pelican went to Massachusetts to record, but their appeal remained strictly local. I love the near Walkers (DK) delivery along with the twists and turns that showcase a true distinctiveness in Purepop mode.

Hear a full version of Jenny Darling

Many Thanks to Hannes for the Icelandic package!

LA Finds 2 and End...

2011-05-12T16:11:00.000+01:00

Saying that LA is spread out is an obvious but oh so true statement when it comes to record shopping. Two days were not nearly enough time to get around. Anyhow, picked up a few more singles, the best bargain was The Cookies “I Never Dreamed” and it was cool to find a copy of Loose Gravel's “Frisco Band” as well as Heavy Cruiser’s “Louie Louie” with a different B side from the French issue.

Shops of note included Freakbeat in Sherman Oaks and Wombleton in Highland Park. Wonderland Pop Emporium on Pico is definitely worth a visit –a one off shop to be experienced –they are open until 2am!!!!

The real experience though was visiting The Record Collector on Melrose...Let’s just say that I got lectured to when enquiring if they had any singles...there are 10.000 of the buggers in the back, but they offer “a high end service” and you have to pay $200 for the privilege to be escorted to go through them in 30 minutes. Calling all LA residents- go in there and make the same request, the guy may crack...

I missed out getting out to Long Beach to visit Bagatelle, but it was just too far. Now, time to get ready for the flight back and ensuing jet lag...

LA Finds part 1

2011-05-10T05:30:00.005+01:00

OK, been offline for a while, mostly driving around Arizona (with a quick poke into Utah). Very little in the way of records, but enjoyed a great trip as a real tourist.
Anyhow back to Purepop business

First day in LA and visited Ameoba and Rockaway, where I found the singles below and this damn fine poster (above). How much More LA can you get? The Hollywood Stars(just before implosion) supported by the pre- Currie 3 piece Runaways! Paid a packet but could not leave this behind...

Of the singles, perhaps the most interesting is the 3 track single by Next. A UK band based in France and coming across like a Flamingo era Groovies, mixed with UK Hard Rock with a dollop of Proto Punk. More soon on that one...
More shopping tomorrow and Wednesday, before flying back to Blighty on Thursday.

More soon...

Austin finds...

2011-05-02T01:57:00.007+01:00

OK, as warned it is definitely NOT Utrecht or WFMU for that matter. It was very much like what record fairs were like 30 -35 years ago. A lot of old timers, "Teeners" "Rockers", "Groups" etc..., still some good finds, if nothing really incredible including the first Boys with all the inserts, The Legends, West Minist'r and not quite sure how a UK Jook Demo showed up in Texas

...........................................Have a nice day y'all...

Purepop goes to Austin and beyond...

2011-04-28T00:27:00.002+01:00

OK, time to go West and Wester still.... In a few hours I will be flying into Austin (TX) for the record fair starting Friday, then heading West, expecting to be hitting the West Coast probably around the 7th or 8th of May; ending the trip in LA... Be sure to say Yihaa (or whatever you people do out there). I will have a portable turntable, camera and laptop, so I should be able to report back along the way...

This should be fun!

Boys and Girls Together –Knock Knock

2011-04-26T19:15:00.007+01:00

Boys and Girls Together –Knock Knock/Progressive Halavah –Intrepid 75015 (1969 US)
Supremely bouncy and hard knocking at the same time, Knock Knock has a real snarly and tough Punk vocal delivery within its Bubblegum delivery service. Add the fuzz, hammering drums, and the woah woah background vocal and you have all the ingredients for a cult dance floor classic. With a song writing team led by mighty Gary Zekely (Alder Ray, Ragamuffins, Jan & Dean, Yellow Balloon etc...) how could you go wrong!

Thanks to William for the turn on and to Jeremy to finding me a copy

Hear a full version of Knock Knock

Note this is my last review from home for a while, but I will posting again soon on finds from several locations (think West and then MORE West)

Rotomagus –Fightin’ Cock

2011-04-21T00:38:00.016+01:00

Rotomagus –Fightin’ Cock/The Sky Turns Red –Butterly BS 007 (1971 France)

Yes there were cool happenings in Rouen before the advent of Les Olivenstein and The Dogs. Hard to believe this is 1971, it’s not just proto Punk but Proto Hardcore for chrissakes!. With enough spite and fiery attitude to make Joan of Arc squeal; Fightin’ Cock is pure flammable high energy. The vocals are nuts...Fight...Cock, he was a fightin’ COCK. The guitar riffs and grinds and approaches a Stooges via Motorhead apocalyptic grandeur in the lead break and finale. Rotomagus were previously on CBS, but reconvened on the small Butterfly label for this incredible release.

Thanks to Henry for making me aware of this gem

Hear a full version of Fightin’ Cock

William –Gulliver

2011-04-15T17:27:00.000+01:00

William –Hey, Hey, Hey/ Gulliver –M2 MMR 0301 (1974 Italy)

This is fun, but what the hell is it? Right in the middle of the PFM, Goblin or Banco progressive miasma, Gulliver shines like a rallying call of hope. Although found on the flipside of an amiable near Fading Yellow (mild Giallo?) Italo ballad, Gulliver is where it’s at. Could this be the missing link between Prog, Bubblegum and Glam? The synths burp, William sings his little heart out and the driving beat underlines the hooky chants. No idea what this guy was on about or who he actually is. But it’s a charming and captivating number housed in an evocative sleeve. Per Favore –Let’s hear the facts!

Hear a full version of Gulliver

Utrecht Record Fair-day 2

2011-04-09T22:41:00.000+01:00

Today it was quality, not quantity...and my last day as I had to change my plans and fly back early...I had my most efficient discovery, to finding out who, to purchasing the item ever...I am talking about Stengun by Linda Van Dyck (with Boo & The Boo Boo's!!!). I caught footage of this on a video screen, was transfixed, manage to find out who the artist was and actually locate a copy all within 5 minutes (Yes it must be a record...)

Anyhow more soon...

Utrecht Record Fair -Day 1

2011-04-08T22:15:00.001+01:00

Ooops. Looks like I went a bit over the top today...11 Grand Funk Singles-was this wise?

I am not going to list each single, but a picture tells a 1000 words -no?

2 special notes: There is a gem of an Italian single in the pictures below. Any of our Italian friends able to provide some information on this before I review it?

And a really special item at the end that I have been seeking for over 30 years!

And here it is..the fan club 10" from The Quick signed by the whole band...200 copies. Nuff Said

Total mystery time. This is MOONQUAKE, not Earthquake...hard cardboard sleeve Canadian issue. What happened?-how late in the day was it before they found out there was a band in SF called Earthquake?

Utrecht!!!!!!

2011-04-08T05:16:00.004+01:00

OK. I'm here in the vinyl Capital of the World (well for 3 days)...

I will report back today on the found, the lost and nearly-missed

Dwarf -Gotta Get Louder

2011-04-05T00:42:00.017+01:00

Dwarf –Gotta Get Louder/ I Won’t Be Back –Merlyn Records 3378 (1975 US)

Once in a while a single gets plucked out of obscurity which is a total revelation and becomes an obsession to track down, but rarely does this same single get played over and over and you know it has the staying power to remain a firm favourite forever. I am very glad to say that this single is one of these rare beasts. It is everything you could ever wish for and absolutely ticks ALL the right boxes.

I first heard a snippet of the tracks when a copy appeared on eBay in February, but I got outbid, then low and behold a second copy appeared and I lost out again. It was clear that I wasn’t the only one bit by this particular bug. I finally secured a spare copy, but its condition is far from pristine as you will hear. It appears that many copies suffered the same fate as mine being pressed off-centre, plus this copy has some nasty gouges on the B side, so I am still on the look-out for a better copy...

How to put a tag on Gotta Get Louder? It sits somewhere between Proto-Punk, Bubblegum/Hard Rock and Powerpop. It's insanely catchy and an instant exuberant classic. What makes this even more amazing is that most of the band were 15 at the time!

I Won’t Be Back is stupendous in its snotty Teenage Punk attitude. I was thinking of The Runaways as I believed a girl singer was involved, but this is not the case as explained by Nick Piunti “that would be me, make that pre-pubescent me...” The guitars clang and crash, the drums are full power with added momentum of a glorious cowbell nailing everything down to the beat. So put both tracks together and you end up with the best coupling since Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton!

Hear a full version of Gotta Get Louder

Hear a full version of I Won’t Be Back

The line up on Gotta Get Louder was: Left on the photo Pete Madary: vocals, bass, above Mike Finn: lead guitar vocals, front Nick Piunti: vocals, guitar right Mickey Patay: drums

After a minimal amount of tracking down I contacted Dwarf’s Singer/guitarist Nick Piunti and Pete Madary followed suit from LA where he still plays with Mike “Dorsal” Finn in a band called Southbound. Apart from co-owning what appears to be a fine eatery Nick Piunti also officiates as a member of The Respectables who are a great tough sounding Powerpop outfit with an affinity to Cheap Trick in their prime, check them out here: http://www.reverbnation.com/therespectables

As expected the band was formed as school chums, but back in 1972 in Riverview Michigan.

NP: “Three of us, Nick, Pete, and Mike formed in the spring of 1972 for a performance at our 6th grade talent show. Mickey replaced our original drummerin 1973.

We played at local school dances to audiences our same age who could really relate to us. At times it was like Beatlemania with young girls rushing the stage. They especially loved our drummer Mickey...”

PM: “In my mind – Dwarf was always a great little band. But for the longest time – Mike “Dorsal” Finn was the only accomplished musician. We were very, very raw. We’d make up for lack of talent with pure energy...”

The lead guitar is indeed blistering within the pure energy, but the drumming, singing and general playing is very accomplished considering their age at the time! The band started by doing covers including some tasteful choices, but as is clear from this single, they had real talented song-writers in Nick Piunti and Pete Madary with a real affinity to Purepop and Rock’ N’ Roll.

NP: “We did covers of course, Stones, Beatles, Alice Cooper, Slade, Chuck Berry songs. Back in 1973, 1974 we would do a set of 50's rock and roll. But we soon started writing songs and we slipped as many originals in a set as we could. Covers included Under My Wheels, Mama Kin, 30 Days in a Hole (HUMBLE PIE!!!) Ma Ma Belle, Tie Your Mother Down, Live With Me, Brown Sugar, Jumpin ‘Jack Flash etc...The first song I ever sang live was Be My Lover at our sixth grade talent show. I kept getting shocked every time I stepped up to the microphone... As we got older we progressed to playing high schools, colleges, bars and eventually doing some original show case gigs...”

PM: “As far a covers went – we stuck to material that we could handle. The reason we played, Stones, Slade, T-Rex and 50’s tunes was because they were easy! We weren’t trying to be eclectic or cool – we were just trying to make it through a song! Merle (Manager) always encouraged us to write songs. We were doing original tunes as far back as 1972 (when we were 12). We knew our limits as singers and musicians so we stayed within them. As we grew older and our tunes began to fill up the sets – we’d actually “fib” to the audience – “Here’s a rare “B” side from Tom Petty,” or, “Here’s a John Cougar song you haven’t heard...”

But was the band ever overtly influenced by the Detroit Total Energy scene (Stooges, MC5 etc...?

NP: “I think the MC5 influence may be more of a geographical influence. Back then we were probably only influenced by Kick Out The Jams. It wasn't until years later that I discovered more of their catalogue. Detroit radio didn't play much MC5 on the radio back then. Curiously enough, the guitarist in The Respectables, Joey Gaydos, was the guitarist with Rob Tyner in his last band...”

PM: “Our little community, an area about 20 miles South of Detroit was a real Hot Bed of Rock. Because Merle was nine years older than us – he would make sure that his established musician friends were accessible to us. Derek St. Holmes was from our hometown. He rehearsed across the street from Nick’s house until he became Ted Nugent’s lead singer in ’75. Merle’s friend Randy Meyers drummed for a fabulous band called Julia. Julia was Bob Seger’s back-up band in 1972. So again, our local scene may have influenced us more than what was happening in Detroit...”

Dwarf managed to release 3 singles and an EP:

Gotta Get Louder / I Won't Be Back - Merlyn 1975

Backstage Queen/Couple of the Night –Merlyn 1976

Another Chance/Perfect Pair -Merlyn 1977

A Little Rock Goes A Long Way EP –Merlin (1981)

The band stayed together as Dwarf until 1983. Mickey Patay moved to Central California in May of 1980 and Merle took over on drums. The band then moved to LA playing Madam Wong’s, Troubadour, The Lingerie and the usual West Coast haunts before finally breaking up in 1986.

PM: “As a general rule, Merle would accept bookings within five hours from home in any direction. As a result – we played throughout Michigan, most of Ohio, parts of Indiana and Ontario, Canada. We enjoyed regional success, but Nick suggested we move to New York or Los Angeles to pursue a major recording contract. Moving across the country is not for everyone. After Merle stepped aside in 1983, we added new drummer Mike Pientka, changed the name of the band to The Take and focused our efforts on recording a strong demo tape before moving to LA in the fall of 1984..."

NP: “Well we graduated college. Our girlfriends moved on. I definitely did not want to be in a cover band, so we figured New York or L.A. After 24 years of Detroit winter we picked the weather. But we were probably y a few years too late. It was 1984 and the L.A. Hair Metal Bands were happening and that just wasn't our thing. We were much more like The Plimsouls than Guns and Roses or Poison...”

It now looks like Dwarf will receive the amply deserved late recognition as the folks at Sing Sing have been quick off the mark and will be reissuing Gotta Get Louder soon. There will be more Dwarf on Purepop in the future as their other releases are no slouches either!

NP: "This renewed interest in Dwarf after all these years is a bit baffling to me as we were just a bunch of kids learning our way to rock. It was a great way to grow up. A lot of fun for sure...”

PM: “Let me just say that the band ran its course. Mike, Nick and I were 11 years old at our first full rehearsal. 11! We stayed together for 14 years until we were 26. When I got married in Southern California the very next summer, Nick flew out from Michigan, Mickey came down from Central California, Mike and Nick stood up at my wedding and Merle sent well wishes from back home. We still have a tremendous friendship. Now, all these years later; we speak on the phone or email each other daily - talking band business...!"

Keep watching this space!

DWARF is now on facebook -plenty of photos and more to come...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dwarf/164011010320929

Angelo & Eighteen –Midnight Flight

2011-04-02T18:24:00.003+01:00

Angelo & Eighteen –Midnight Flight/ Flight 2 –RAK 137 (1972 UK)

Originally sought after for the B side as it was one of those “secret” DJ plays around 5-6 years ago, the A side has been unjustly totally overlooked. Midnight Flight is a cracking little number: All pop with style featuring a strong chorus, nifty guitar and class singing. The track then ends with hints of what will appear on its B side. The most striking thing about Flight 2 is that it is totally incongruous with 1972 and It somehow ends up sounding like mid 90s Prodigy! Again I have no info on Angelo & Eighteen. I have heard a rumour that there may be some Canadian connection, but this is yet to be confirmed...

Note: Flight 2 has recently been comped by Bob Stanley on an Ace CD http://www.acerecords.co.uk/content.php?page_id=59&release=8358

Hear a full version of Midnight Flight

Young London –Permissive Paradise (Badfinger/ The Iveys!)

2011-03-31T02:36:00.006+01:00

Young London Permissive Paradise –Young London/Permissive Paradise –SFI 31/32H (1969 UK)

This was a free promotional flexi disc put out to promote the Young London –Permissive Paradise book of late 60s swinging London featuring photos by Frank Habicht. Side A is fun listen –with old codgers giving their impromptu insight on youth culture with star appearances from Jonathan King and Emperor Rosko. The B side is a really good fuzzy psych track and it has only recently become clear that The Pleasure Garden was in fact The Iveys moonlighting for the sake of a session fee. The song is not an undiscovered Pete Ham gem, but was written by Jeremy Cox and John Sidey

The things you find when trawling through record fairs bins in the Midlands...

Hear a full version of Permissive Paradise as performed by “The Pleasure Garden” (The Iveys)

Hear a full version of side A

Agnes Strange –Can’t Make My Mind Up

2011-03-25T19:08:00.003Z

Agnes Strange –Can’t Make My Mind Up/Johnny B. Good –Baal BDN 38048 (1977 UK)
Agnes Strange was a great Hard Fuzz outfit out of Southampton comprising of Dave Rodwell, Alan Green and John Westwood. Agnes Strange were primarily known for their Strange Flavour LP released on Birdsnest who also released the killer Give Yourself a Chance as a single. Can’t Make My Mind Up is a later non-LP release, and although not as frenetic as the aforementioned single, it still packs a mighty wallop albeit on a more firm yet stomping level. Dig those hand claps....the track is somehow caught in limbo between Hard Boogie, Glam and NWOBHM.
Johnny B. Good is well... Johnny B. Good as you expect it to sound, but delivered in quite excited fashion.

Hear a full version of Can’t Make My Mind Up

Hear a full version of Johnny B. Good

Lazy –Let Me Down Easy

2011-03-22T00:00:00.005Z

Lazy –Let Me Down Easy/ Good Times Coming –Libra LS-16 (1977 DK)

I picked this one up a couple of weeks ago in a bargain bin on the strength of the cover and Danish origins and it is only now that I got round to actually spinning it. Don’t know anything about this lot, perhaps their only release? To me Let Me Down Easy is like the (US) Marbles attempting 2-4-6-8 Motorway with a healthy dollop of Carpenters. The vocalist has a classic pop voice, really endearing. The B side is if anything better; rougher and more sprightly, the outwardly poppy-ness remains also with the bonus of hand claps. Undiscovered Powerpop genius or run-of-the mill Continental Pop fodder? –you decide...

Hear a full version of Let Me Down Easy

Hear a full version of Good Times Coming

Ganip Ganop – Toot Toot Toot (Hear The Whistle Blow)

2011-03-19T01:45:00.001Z

Ganip Ganop – Toot Toot Toot (Hear The Whistle Blow)/ The Toot Toot Song –Polydor 421497 (1969 French issue)

Just to alleviate the heaviness of Bonehead, I give to you Toot Toot Toot- an enthralling Bubblegum ditty that is as dumb as it is disposable. Totally infectious it hits all the spot a real Bubblegum classic should. In the sterling tradition of maximising the minimum; the B side is the A side but without the vocals. Ganip Ganop (anyone remember the game?) is the creation of Howard Bogess and Neil Goldberg (who were also behind Linus and The Little People) and on this evidence they have nothing to envy from Resnick/Levine...

Hear a full version of Toot Toot Toot

Larry Mann The Wild Mann –The Meat Grinder

2011-03-14T15:59:00.003Z

Larry Mann The Wild Mann –The Meat Grinder/The Crawdad Hole –Wildmann Records 911062 -3805 (197? US)

Sleazy Dirty Ass Boogie time with Larry Mann (The Wildmann!) “I wanna grind you in the back of my car...” spouts Larry and you wouldn’t want to end up doggin’ with this chap around either with or without his chainsaw...
The presence of Gradual Taylor probably places this one in Ohio. Stranger still; the B side is performed by Will Begley and The Poor Boys and is a country/rockabilly number full to the brim of innuendos but of limited interest musically. Really need more information on this one –anyone?

Hear a full version of The Meat Grinder

Armada –Just For You

2011-03-10T16:02:00.005Z

Armada –Just For You/ Get Ready Get Mean –Houston Records SRI (1976 US)

From Framington (Ma), Armada was a high school band who became a pretty successful cover band. It appears that this is their only release, but there is actually a Myspace page up with some live tracks and line-up information: http://www.myspace.com/armadathebandthatmoves

Just For You falls somewhere be Boston RAT era rock and more overt Powerpop. The chorus really reminds me of the Rich Kids for some reason. Get Ready Get Mean is tougher and wilder insofar as approaching US Proto Punk/Glam NYC style...All in all a great find!

Hear a full version of Just For You

Hear a full version of Get Ready Get Mean

61 Singles on ebay...

2011-03-08T00:06:00.003Z

It's been over a year since I sold anything on ebay, but I have now just listed 61 spare singles (59 with sound clips) http://shop.ebay.co.uk/purepop1uk/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

From Stud Leather to Mustard via Legs, Jeff Smith and Jet Staxx and including this weird but truly great oddity (Class 50)

Good luck!

Dahcotah - Too Easy To Love

2011-03-05T22:40:00.007Z

Dahcotah - Too Easy To Love/She’s a Bore –Cognito 006 (1976 US)

Dahcotah was an Iowa based combo who had been around for a few years, before experiencing their own road to Damascus, in this case Kansas, by the means of a Mott The Hoople gig! OK, we’ve had Geoff Appleby with Hey Sadie http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2008/02/geoff-appleby-hey-sadie.html but this cranks The Hoopleness up a few extra notches...It is full of Marionette twists and turns, the Ian Hunter approach and Piano could not be more (real) life-like, but the song itself stands up in its own right. She’s a Bore is less Mott, but more ROCK with a cool Cheap Trick feel. If nothing else these guys had taste, aptitude and attitude. There is a facebook Dahcotah page up- I’ll send them a note...

Hear a full version of Too Easy To Love

Hear a full version of She’s A Bore

Kiss Inc. – Hey Mr. Holy Man

2011-03-01T01:00:00.003Z

Kiss Inc. –Hey Mr. Holy Man/Kids Are Cryin’ –Admiral AD 1152 (1972 German issue)
Inspired by the Gregorian chant Dies Irae as interpreted by The Mec Op Singers (Belgium), i Samurai and Formula 3 (Italy) and finally covered by Swiss band The Shiver as Hey Mr. Holy Man in 1969, prior to this later version by Kiss Inc. ( Stephen Sulke). Hey Mr. Holy Man is as atmospheric as it is thumping, the voice over is neatly European, and the fuzz is all encompassing before its abrupt turn of direction for the run out. A bizarre but captivating single that’s really out there. Enjoy both sides as Kids Are Cryin’ is nearly as bonkers ...

Hear a full version of Hey Mr. Holy Man

Hear a full version of Kids Are Cryin’

Hungry Tiger- Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum

2011-02-23T01:14:00.004Z

Hungry Tiger- Fee -Fi-Fo-Fum/ Tic Tac Toe –White Whale WW -313 (1969 US)

Hooky, brash and tight as F**k is the most accurate way to describe the driving catchiness which is Fee -Fi-Fo-Fum . The Hungry Tiger single is as much a Bubblegum classic as it is a “Mod Dance floor Filler” (although the poor dears would probably ruin their tight jackets in their over-exuberance)- but just dig the loud drums and tight arrangement with its kick ass horns. One of the many fascinating White Whale releases, but who was the band? Any relation to Professor Morrison’s Lollipop? The B side Tic Tac Toe is not the Magid Triplets tune, but a moody Garage Folk Rock number with its song writing credit appropriated by Kasenetz/Katz as was often custom...

Hear a full version of Fee -Fi-Fo-Fum

Hear a full version of Tic Tac Toe

Shocking Blue –Good Times

2011-02-19T16:18:00.002Z

Shocking Blue –Good Times/Come My Way –Pink Elephant PE 22.846 (1974 NL)

Released at the tail end of their career, Shocking Blue’s performance of the Easybeat classic is as incisive and invigorating as it is fitting as a send off. Mariska Veres belts out the tune in expected fine fashion and the lead guitar is suitably Dutch and 70s to be worthy of note. Anyhow just how could you go wrong when twinning NederGlam and Vanda & Young?

Hear a full version of Good Times

Dickens –Don’t Talk About My Music

2011-02-15T22:56:00.006Z

Dickens –Sho’ Need Love/ Don’t Talk About My Music –Scepter Records SCE 123 22 (1971 US)

OK, the time has come to unleash this one. Dickens was a concept by NRBQ’s road crew based on the premise “that an E chord played loud enough on an electric guitar was enough to satisfy a certain segment of the populace...". The Dickens would turn the amps up to 10 and swap to instruments they were unaccustomed to. Whatever the premise; Don’t Talk About My Music is an insane piece of shambolic in your face Bonehead ROCK and is to be heard to be believed. The A side on the other hand is all about mood and atmosphere and reaches haunting heights of psych Pop glory. Read the full story here: http://www.spectropop.com/Dickens/

Hear a full version of Don’t Talk About My Music

Hear a full version of Sho’ Need Love

Air Traffic Control –Gotta Get A Message Back To You

2011-02-12T11:39:00.002Z

Air Traffic Control –Gotta Get A Message Back To You/Move On Up –Epic EPC 5665 (1977 UK)

Air Traffic Control is in fact The Glitter Band (Springate, Phipps and Shephard -but sans Rossall) at the end of their luck trying to hit the charts one last time without the weight of the Glitter legacy on their shoulders. Gotta Get A Message Back To You is a sublime piece of Powerpop, unashamedly commercial yet tasteful –you are just going to love the juxtaposition of the muffled monkey beats and Mellotron. It still sound like The Glitter Band with a little of ELO thrown it, but without a trace of their misplaced allegiance to Disco. Yes...Gotta Get A Message Back To You hits the proverbial... G Spot!

Hear a full version of Gotta Get A Message Back To You

Skid – I Saw Her Standing There/Endless Sleep

2011-02-05T13:32:00.000Z

Skid –I Saw Her Standing There/Endless Sleep –Panky 514 (1977 Belgian issue)

Produced and probably created by Tommy Scott (co-writer of I Can Only Give You Everything, producer of Terry (Twinkle) and discover of Lena Zavaroni!), Skid was his attempt at going PUNK whilst probably relying on his 60s leftover connections as performers.
It would be interesting to identify who is on the sleeve of the German issue –any clues? Who is the screeching vocalist?

Of the two tracks I much prefer Endless Sleep with its marked 74 Glam beat, but I Saw Her Standing There is a more obvious choice for this “if you can’t beat ‘em - join them “exercise as covering this Beatles tune was bound to teach the young whippersnappers that Punk was not invented in year 0. The Belgian sleeve is the winner and a classic Faux Punk cover for the masses (well Belgium anyway)

Hear a full version of Endless Sleep

Hear a full version of I Saw Her Standing There

Supa Chief –Red Brained Woman

2011-02-02T00:17:00.000Z

Supa Chief –Red Brained Woman/ Animal Woman –Prince Records P 6920 X (1969 US)

The term Heavy Bonehead was coined for this one! It’s loud, sleazy and dumb, but oh so good. Supa Chief was an Orange County band with Bob DeMalignon on Vocals, the Shattuck brothers (Dan and James) on guitar and drums respectively) along with Mike Carousal (guitar) and Dennis Koker on bass. The lead guitar is masterful and the thudding drums are further nailed to the beat by a gleaming cowbell. The B side Animal Woman sounds exactly as you expect it to –Neanderthal and sublime. Coincidence... or could The Muffs’ Kim Shattuck be a younger sister to the Shattuck Bros?

Hear a full version of Red Brained Woman

Hear a full version of Animal Woman

Do What Thou Wilt

2011-01-28T00:44:00.002Z

Do What Thou Wilt: “The Satanic Rites of British Rock Delivered From Acetates and Rare Pressings 1970 -1974”

From Rabelais, via AC and the run out grooves of Led Zep III, I’ll bring you news of the release of an excellent compilation of 70s obscurities that really knocks the socks off most of the hippy/prog driven comps which mainly clog the avenues of 70s rock archivism. This comp totally oozes attitude with some major finds to be found within. The greasy lanky haired Gentleman behind Do What Thou Wilt has unearthed some major gems. The recordings are often very primitive as apart from 2 or 3 tracks which were released on private pressings, all the remainder did not get further than acetate stage, making this LP the only way to hear these tracks AND IT’S A VINYL ONLY RELEASE!!!!

All 14 tracks have something going for them, but it’s the harder hitting ones which forge a closer link between Freakbeat, Hard Glam, Heavy Bonehead and Deviant /Pink Fairies Proto Punk which makes this baby really stand out from the crowd.

Hear edits of tracks by Shado, Grind and Tonge.

You can contact the Gentleman in question via email. android.x@hotmail.com
He is a trusted source and highly rated ebay seller, so no worries there. It ‘s a limited edition of 200 with hand painted sleeves and liner notes which include all the information that has been uncovered

Renegade –Don’t Stop - Let’s Rock

2011-01-23T16:07:00.003Z

Renegade –Rescue Me/Don’t Stop - Let’s Rock –Magic MX 44 4429 (1974 US)

Although Collin should be able to fill in the gaps more accurately, Renegade was are hard rocking outfit from Iowa who released this full frontal snotty wallop on the Magic label which peddled the wares of West Minist'r until the mid 70s. Recorded at Wesminst’r Sound and probably produced by Kirk Kaufman who also released the soon to be reviewed Captain Kirk single Space Baby with its fine rockin’ B side Small Town Cop on the Cognito label (which also released the more Mott than Mott Too Easy To Love/ She’s A bore single by Dahcotah in 1976)

Not sure what became of Renegade, but the Killer Kiss-like Don’t Stop- Let’s Rock is a rampant ear-wax removing blaster.

More detailed info from Collin.:

'West Minist'r were a late 60s garage group originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa, remembered today mainly by garage collectors for their great 'Bright Lights, Windy City' single, though they continued to play, record, release records and enjoy a fairly high level of regional Midwestern popularity well into the mid-70s (their last single, 'My Life,' is great heavy rock). Sometime in the early 70s, the band's principle songwriter, Kirk Kaufman, converted an old chicken house on his family's farm into a crude recording studio, Chicken House Music, to serve as a personal practice space for West Minist'r as well as a one-stop recording and publishing imprint for other local bands. Kaufman and Co. then launched three small labels: Raspberries, Magic and Cognito; the last imprint being of particular interest to readers of this blog for containing both the Captain Kirk and Dahcotah singles within its slim discography. Who Renegade were and when and how and WHY they recorded this steaming shot of ethanol corn-punk is a mystery. And although the Magic label catalogue numbers seemingly 'date' this single as preceding the final recordings issued by West Minist'r (approximately 1974), it would be very hard to believe that this record hailed from any earlier than late '75/early '76. A remarkable record (don't cheat the world out of the April Wine-style A-side, Robin!) and one I probably should have never traded to the silver-tongued bozo behind this blog!!!'

Hear a full version of Don’t Stop - Let’s Rock

Mike Berry –Hard Times

2011-01-20T23:39:00.000Z

Mike Berry –Hard Times/Boogaloo Dues –Scramble -26.551-Y (1978 NL)

Referred to elsewhere as sporting a certain thuggish dimension, it is the “other” Mike Berry (The Joe Meek/ Buddy Holly/Are You Being Served/ Sunshine of Your Smile one) who released this hard slamming adaptation of the Status Quo LP track. Hard Times finds Mike at the tail end of his “I wear leather as I Am A Rocker/Don’t Be Cruel” period and just before his appearances on Worzel Gummidge , Are You Being Served and his Sunshine of Your Smile Hit.
The drums thud good and proper, the guitars are rough and gritty and the vocals have more meat and attitude than Parfitt/Rossi’s delivery. The overall performance is entirely credible and probably the most Purepop-type release of his career; although Mike’s “take” on The Sorrows' Take A Heart is also worth checking out.

Hear a full version of Hard Times

Change –Lazy London Lady

2011-01-18T11:57:00.001Z

Change –Lazy London Lady/Arkmaker –Orange OAS 221 (1974 UK)

You can file this one right next to the Copperfield single as it has much in common. This is the same Icelandic Change who released the lovely Yaketty Yak, Smaketty Smack on Orange the previous year as well as the Hard Glam of Wild Cat on EMI (featured but wrongly assumed to be Swedish on the shoddy cash-in Blitzing The Ballroom Comp...Never Trust a Hippie!) http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2007/11/change-wildcat-yaketty-yak-smacketty.html
The obvious Bolanesque inflections are similar to Chunky (Albatross Baby), Hobnail (She’s Just A Friend of Mine) or the Danish Tiger, there’s even a hint of Tigers on Vaseline-like vocalising on the fade. The galloping yet stumbling rhythm and raw approach add a slightly shambolic feel to the track’s obvious attempted commercialism, but yet again...what a killer chorus!
This single was pressed up in the UK but was for an Iceland only export release. Thanks to JJ for providing me with this copy.

Hear a full version of Lazy London Lady

Copperfield –Johnny Is The Big One

2011-01-15T21:12:00.001Z

Copperfield –Johnny Is The Big One/ Have You Seen The River –Copperfield Records CR 1572 CF (1975 NL)

Now just where does this one fit? It starts off chugging and riff heavy, then turns Powerpop with some Freakbeat and Proto Punk/Glam elements. I am even reminded of a buzzsaw Buzzcocks fronted by a mutoid Andy Ellison/Howard Devoto type character. Johnny Is The Big One is a strange but catchy oddity stuck in the middle of 1975 Lowlands. What makes it even more surprising is that this Dutch band from Lochen had been releasing material since 1968 when they were known as Copperfield Style. The band seems to have been in existence until 1977.

Hear a full version of Johnny Is The Big One

Wickedy Wak –Billie’s Bikie Boys

2011-01-10T02:04:00.001Z

Wickedy Wak - Billie’s Bikie Boys /Chitty Chitty Bang Bang –Sunshine QK 3118 (1969 Aus)

There is some confusion over Wickedy (Wickety) Wak. I am not sure if they are related to the Brisbane showband, but this Wickedy Wak released this jewel of a single featuring a pre-Zoot Rick Springfield going completely mental on the guitar front. The guitar interjections cut deep and go into sound effect mode reminding me somehow of the battle sounds on Sky Pilot. Now if this was a UK release, it would surely qualify as one of the top Freakbeat/psych tunes, but so far recognition of its merits have been somewhat subdued. Time for a change then as it’s a classic tune sprinkled with attitude and some killer guitar.
Billie’s Bikie Boys was written by Johnny Young and Russell Morris (The Real Thing) and the band presumably featured Rick Springfield, Paul Shannon, Danny Finley and Ray Wright, although I have seen other potential line-ups mentioned...

Hear a full version of Billie’s Bikie Boys

Mississippi –Mr. Union Railway Man –ACETATE!

2011-01-06T20:03:00.000Z

Mississippi –Mr. Union Railway Man –Fanfare Acetate (1970 UK)

Ah, don’t you just love it when you find a real bargain. When buying acetates you never quite know what you’re going to get but in this instance I got exactly what I was hoping for.
Yes, below you will find a DIFFERENT version of the classic Mr. Union Railway Man by Mississippi. The main difference is the prominent (and phased!) Jungle Call horns, and the mix is pretty different, unless it is another take from the same session. Perhaps the official version wins it due to its undiluted purity of essence, but it’s a real cool artefact. Hear an edit of the official version here: http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2008/11/mississippi-mr-union-railway-man.html

Hear a full version of Mr. Union Railway Man Acetate

Lee – Come On Back To Me/ Back To The USA

2011-01-04T17:28:00.000Z

Lee –Come On Back To Me/ From LA To Chicago –Vogue VB 287 (1973 Belgium)
Lee –Back To The USA/Agada-Barclay 620.068 (1974 France)

Lee were in fact an incarnation of Belgian band Kleptomania (AKA Klepto). In 1973 the band was joined by Ex Grapefruit and Flynn McCool member Mick Fowler who took over lead vocals and song writing duties on these two singles. Both were released around the same time on different labels, so a lack of continuity hindered any chance of wider recognition. Come Back To Me is perhaps the Glammier of the tracks, the guitar playing from Dany Ladermacher is exemplary and the hand claps are a nice touch although the vocals let down any real Proto Punk potential. The B side is an airy commercial Boogie number with not much to report. Back To The USA starts out thumping and turns into an OK rock-by-numbers tune with another good sturdy performance.
Following stints supporting the New York Dolls and Slade in Belgium and gigs around mainland Europe without any sniff of sucess, Mick left the band who then reverted to their previous moniker.

Hear a full version of Come On Back To Me

Hear a full version of Back To The USA

Sleaz Band –Midnight Man

2010-12-30T19:21:00.001Z

Sleaz Band –All I Want Is You/ Midnight Man –Fontana 6007 034 (1974 UK)

Midnight Man is a short (under 2 minutes!) and snappy No Brain-Boogie Cruncher with Proto Punk velocity and unreconstructed 70s values. It deserved to come out in 74 where it firmly belongs. The A side is OK, it also rocks out but in a more subdued (read commercial) manner, but the B side is the real keeper here with its wild cheap Fuzz pedal. Stay tuned for the final ending... This single was the only released output from this long standing Dundee band who hooked up with Jim Kelly (Ex Honeybus) in time for this recording. Read the full story and dig the photos here: http://www.rockingscots.co.uk/sleaz.htm

Hear a full version of Midnight Man

Headstone –Turn Your Head

2010-12-25T00:32:00.001Z

Headstone –Turn Your Head/Searching Light –EMI C 004-96449 (1975 French issue)

Post Rare Bird outing by Mark Ashton. Following his UA single Get Up And Groove http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2009/08/records-that-sound-like-flamin-groovies.html and still under the auspices of John Anthony, Mark formed Headstone with this single also being included on their second LP. It’s a lovely piece and although permeated by a slight ethereal feel, Turn Your Head is Purepop in its inception and delivery. I hate the term “grower” (as life’s too short) but Turn Your Head’s lack of immediacy and upfront impact is overturned by its creeping appeal, melodicism and chorus that will not leave you alone. A pure delight...Happy Xmas!

Hear a full version of Turn Your Head

Moonshine–Just A Little More Line

2010-12-16T22:15:00.001Z

Moonshine–Just A Little More Line/ I Am The Tail –RCA 1954 (1970 UK)

Just A little More Line is a classic Bubble-cum-MOR jewel. Moonshine was in fact a duo formed by Clodagh Rodgers with Brill Building songwriter, Bubblegum prince and future Yellow Dog Kenny Young. Just A little More Line is one of those songs, which hits parts other tunes don’t often reach. It’s poppy, catchy, evocative and aimed at the top of the charts on merit alone. The 2nd Moonshine single Rocking Horse Man is a letdown in comparison. Both Moonshine singles were released as Moonshyne in the US.

Hear a full version of Just A little More Line