Singles for sale...

Hi

I've just put up a few single on ebay -you can see them here:

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZpurepop1ukQQhtZ-1

... more monopoly money for future purchases!

Melody –Steppin’ Stone

Melody –Steppin’ Stone/Look In My Eyes And Love Me –Negram NG 2216 (1977 NL)

First things first –these guys look nothing like the way they sound. Sure the singer is probably pouting to the max between sputtering out his Jaggerisms, but the track starts off like some mutant spastic skiffle (Thanks C) and then finds itself in some weird place where the earthy bluesy slide guitar base is suplemented by a sprinkling of Glam and a touch of Dumb Punk for good measure. No clue or information on these guys…apart from being sponsored by Himalaya Oriental Beauty Products and being dressed by Club De France…

Hopefully Jos or others can fill us in on who these guys are? And what ever happened to Astrid Niels?

Click below for soundclip

Harvest Glam: Babe Ruth and Bombadil

Have you ever been to a Harvester before? Harvest is not a label that you would normally associate with Junk Shop Glam, but here are two pretty cool singles worth seeking out

Babe Ruth –Ain’t That Livin’/We Are Holding On –Harvest 5072 (1973 UK)

Ain’t That Livin’ is a crunchy Glamster that sits somewhere between Suzi Quatro and (the Dutch) Heart –The tune is not stupendous, but as one Euro online trader would say: "It has all the 70s GLAM and GLITTER spices we all love” (sic)

Bombadil –Breathless/When The City Sleeps –Harvest 5056 (1972 UK)

Bombadil are in fact Barclay James Harvest but it sounds more like Chicory Tip guesting with T. Rex on a backing track where they couldn’t be bothered to write any lyrics. It has a fine groove with neat Bolanesque guitar and chugs along very nicely indeed. It’s a bit of a mystery how this single came about though…

Click on title for edits of Ain' That Livin' and Breathless

Catching Up...

Hi
I've been a bit under the cosh recently with other commitments but I've also been drowning in new single purchases. Must have picked up over 20 singles at the London and Brighton record fairs, plus numerous online purchases...

I'll catch up over the next few days with new reviews -starting tonight

On Monday I'll be listing some choice singles on ebay...watch this space

All the best
Robin

The Nashville Teens –Ella James

The Nashville Teens –Ella James/Same (Promo)–UA 50880 (1971 US)

This is an absolute killer version of The Move Song. If anything it rocks harder than the original and features some blistering lead guitar breaks and a wild pounding piano. The single was issued in the UK on Parlophone with Tennessee Woman on the B side. I assume that this was the same version as issued under the Arizona Swamp Company moniker (see review March 28th). Any other great late Nashville Teens tracks out there?

Click below for soundclip

Bloom –Don’t Break This Heart

Bloom –Don’t Break This Heart/Can I Get You For The Night –Philips 6012 704 (1976 NL)

Don’t Break This Heart is a classic traditional Power Pop tune very much in a similar vein to The Poppees or Smyle. The cover also wears its classicism on its …sleeve and recalls The Scruffs’ LP. A couple of members of Bloom later reappeared as part of Bloem after merging with another Hilversum band Teenager. The main guy in Bloom/Bloem was Joost Timp, son of TV celebrity Mies Bouwman.

Click on title for full version of Don’t Break This Heart

Panther – One Man Band

Panther –One Man Band/Evelyne –Polydor 2050 362 –(1975 NL)

After one unforgettable first single (see review January 15th), and a so so follow up, Frank Klunhaar AKA Pantherman seemed to have developed a serious personality disorder. He may be trying to look tough on the cover, but it’s obvious that he had lost his nerve –the mask is gone and his claws are clipped. These lyrics say it all…

Shall I be a rainbow rider or a diver in the sea, or a lover or a fighter…

No Frank! We want you to show us your claws and bite us! One Man Band is OK and it perks up at the end with some neat backward guitar and a strange street musician interlude, but we are a long way off from the genius that was Pantherman for just one perfect single.

Click on title for soundclip of One Man Band

For trading purposes...

Hi

I have the following singles available for trading, you can contact me via email (purepop1uk@yahoo.co.uk) with titles you would like to trade. Apart from the Spiv single (Pye) and Bubbles (Decca), there are still over 70 singles I am looking for (that I know of!).

I may be putting some of these up on ebay in a couple of weeks.

All the best

Robin

(sleeves rated first)
Abacus -Indian Dancer (DEMO) York UK EX
American Jam Band-American Jam (DEMO) Parlaphone UK EX
Captain Captain Groovy & His Bubblegum Army -Captain Groovy.../Dark Part of My Mind (Pic sleeve) Ariola Ger EX/EX
Firebird -Two Wheels Bell UK EX
Galahad -Rocket Summer (Pic sleeve) Bell Ger EX/EX
Hector -Wired Up (DEMO) DJM UK EX
Kristine Sparkle -Hokey Cokey/ Baby I Love You Decca UK VG+
Light Fantastic -Take Me, Shake Me Blue Jean UK EX
Living Force -Ride Ride Ride/Some People Chapter 1 UK EX
Mustard -Good Time Coming EMI UK VG (slight warp)
Ning -Machine (Pic Sleeve) Decca Ger VG+/VG+
Peter D. Kelly -Rock To The Juke Box (DEMO) DJM UK EX
Rats -Turtle Dove (DEMO) Good Ear UK EX
Rubber Duckie (10CC) -A Teenager In Love (DEMO) EMI UK EX
Sensation -Black Eyed Woman/Baby (Pic Sleeve) Sirocco Fra EX/EX
Shelby -Dance With The Guitar Man (Pic Sleeve) Ariola Ger VG+/VG
Solent -My World Fell Down Decca UK EX
Yellow Bird -Attack Attack (Pic Sleeve) Ariola Ger VG/EX

Tiger - Crazy

Tiger –Crazy/Bloody Blue Monday –BASF 0515573-5 (1974 DK)

Not to be confused with the Tiger of I Am An Animal infamy (see entry February 16th '07) this lot were an off shoot band formed by The Walkers drummer Poul Denhart. Tiger seem to have also released an album, as the back of the Pic sleeve says -Har du Tigers nye LP? (Well I don’t, but on the basis of this single I definitely need one!). Crazy is a superb meeting of T. Rex and Chicory Tip –You may dig the naff synth, but you will certainly swoon to the perfect Marc Bolan impersonation and shudder to the loud HEYs. It has a strange and heavily flanged production with a charm of its own, although it plays havoc with the stereo panning. The B side is also fine, a slower 50s number again very much in T. Rex mode.

Hear a full version of Crazy

My Version Is Better Than Yours Part 5: Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Back Again –Little Sammy Gaha vs Harley Quinne

Little Sammy Gaha- Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Back Again/Come ’N’ On Strong –Pink Elephant 22.701-H (1973 Dutch issue)

(Little) Sammy Gaha was a wild hairy Australian who cut several singles and also did soundtrack work mostly in France. The song is a classic with a cool arrangement highlighted by driving cellos & strings very much in the style of Roy Wood and ELO.

Harley Quinne –Rock And Roll Is Back Again/My Lady –Bell 1282 (1973 UK)

Harley Quinne chose the song as a follow up to their hit version of New Orleans, but it sadly didn’t repeat its predecessor’s success. It’s a good rockin’ version very much following the same arrangement but with a more polished yet gritty production by Cook/Greenaway.

So here you have it two versions of this great song and I for one am not sure of the winner…

Click below for an edit of Little Sammy Gaha and Harley Quinne

A Little Shopping Trip Part 4 (Return from Utrecht...)

I picked up over 40 singles during the 2 days at the fair in Utrecht… It was fun but pretty heavy going walking up and down the aisles for over 7 hours each day, It is really HUGE. Utrecht is a nice town and it was the first time that I had time to go beyond the station and convention centre.

This is some of the stuff I found, I’ll review a few of them over the next few weeks once they’ve been more or less digested:

Panther-One Man Band(the 3rd Pantherman single), 2 Kin Ping Meh singles, Balls –Fight For My Country (French Pic Sleeve), A great French Pic sleeve of Trevor White’s Crazy Kids, Hush EP, Old 88 (French Pic Sleeve)

Some nice German sleeves: Abacus-Indian Dancer, Captain Groovy And His Bubblegum Army, Ning –Machine, Yellow Bird –Attack Attack, Tiger –Crazy, Shelby, Smoke, Crash Brothers, Galahad –Rocket Summer etc…

More Dutch stuff including Peter And The Rockets (including Angeline sung in French, Heart, Left Side, The Ball, Blue Planet, Cardinal Point (the fab Grand Pretender!!!), Lemming, Melody –Stepping Stone, Cherrie Vangelder-Smith, Smyle, Catapult, Little Sammy Gaha (Thanks Jos), Bloom (great Power Pop from ’76) and more…

Return To Utrecht...

Yes, it's definitely the best record fair I've ever been to, so I'm flying out at 6:35am to get there for the early entry. With two full days at the fair I'm bound to come back with some choice goodies and more stuff to write about and share!

I'll try and report back on Sunday evening...

The Casuals –The Witch/ Good Times

The Casuals –The Witch/ Good Times –Dawn DNS.1069 (1974 UK)

Very late single by The Casuals who I believe by this time bore no relation to the Jesamine line-up. The group was probably Chris Evans and Rob Moore AKA Kansas Hook/ American Jam Band. The Witch is an OK 70s Hard Rocker spoiled by the vocal histrionics –we’re nearly in Judas Priest territory here and a long way from the Casuals’ 60s bouffant hair pop. The B Side is a surprisingly fiery work out of the Easybeats tune. They omit the main riff, add an incongruous keyboard part and muddle up the lyrics, but they certainly make it their own!

Click below for edits of Good Times and The Witch

Jungle Jim – Big Fat Oranguman

Jungle Jim – Big Fat Oranguman/Neasden Melody –Pye 7N.45092 (1971 UK)

Stretching the jungle theme in order to find a tenuous link with The Soho Jets seems churlish as common silliness cements these 2 releases together perfectly! Big Fat Oranguman is prime novelty Bubblegum pop with an abundance of grunts and wildlife sounds –It even sounds like that some of the jungle noises were created through scratching (Hip Hop Stylee)!!!!
I hope you’ll enjoy this as it’s great FUN!

Click on title for a full version of Big Fat Oranguman

Soho Jets –Hi-Heel Tarzan

Soho Jets –Hi-Heel Tarzan/ Night Flight –Polydor 2058 525 ( UK 1974 )

This is Grant Stevens’ first single with The Soho Jets. Although not as classy as Denim Goddess, it makes up for it by being incredibly silly. Yes, this is Daktari in mascara answering the call of the wild and meeting up with a gaggle of Jungle Umpa Lumpas on backing vocals. Where’s me loin cloth? The B side plays it straighter and comes across like a rockier Sparks track off Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing…

Click below for a soundclip

A Raincoat -It Came In The Night -VIDEO

A great song with OK animation, it works better with Kenneth Anger's film though...

Arizona Swamp Company –Tennessee Woman

Arizona Swamp Company –Tennessee Woman/ Train Keeps Rollin’ –Parlophone 5C006-91 733 (1970 Dutch Issue)

Arizona Swamp Company are in fact The Nashville Teens in semi-disguise. They released this single around the same time as an amazing version of The Move’s Ella James (also on Parlophone under their usual moniker). Tennessee Woman is a quality early 70s straight-ahead rocker and is backed by a good romping version of Stroll On/Train Kept A Rollin’. Although not the wildest version known to man; it still features a nice lead guitar rave up.

Click on title for edits of Tennessee Woman and Train Keeps Rollin’

Miki Anthony –Get Your Dancin’ Shoes On

Miki Anthony –Get Your Dancin’ Shoes On/Schoolgirl –Bradleys Records BRAD 7503 (1975 UK)

Just to ease us seamlessly back into the 70s… Get Your Dancin’ Shoes On is a loving and faithful recreation of that Wall of Sound. Brilliantly arranged by Phil Chapman and produced by Miki it also has a nice pop vocal performance and some fun touches: Cool Jerk, What I Say, La Bamba…The B side Schoolgirl sonically continues the theme with its thumping Spector beat, but it has lyrics that even Harpo wouldn’t have included in Teenage Queen!

Click below for Get Your Dancin’ Shoes On and for a snippet of Schoolgirl

The Group –Baby, Baby It’s You

The Group –Baby, Baby It’s You/Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love –WB 5840 ( 1966 US)

OK, time to go back for a furtive visit to the Mid Sixties in order to dust off this brilliant Gary Zekley 2-sider. Both sides are vibrant examples of West Coast Pop nestled between the Girl Group Sound and Sunshine Pop (but with so much more clout!). In fact the production places this single in a similar soundscape to Brian Wilson’s work on The Beach Boys' Today album. It also sounds very much like Jerry Riopell’s production on Home Of The Brave (Bonnie And The Treasures) and there may well be a connection as Gary wrote Bonnie’s follow up single Close Your Eyes on WB around the same time.

Gary Zekley was behind so many great West Coast releases in the 60s including Alder Ray (Cause I Love Him), the nostalgic The Fun We Had by The Ragamuffins, Jan & Dean, Fun And Games, The Clique (Sugar on Sunday and especially Superman), The Yellow Balloon ( who redid these 2 songs) and so much more –check out his discography at Spectropop http://www.spectropop.com/hzekleydiscog.html


Click on title for edits of both songs

Black Fire –Do It

Black Fire –Do It/Little Bit ‘A Music – Lark 9508 (1975 NL)

Do It ( no relation to The Pink Fairies) is another fine example of crunching Dutch Glam. The song is based on a Rockabilly back beat but is firmly planted in stomping mode with its dead solid drum pattern and handclaps. Built around the chanted hook and with vocals that are just the right side of gruff, Do It is a rip-roaring call to arms: Stand up for your rights -fight fight fight… Little Bit ‘A Music is a good thumper, but doesn’t quite have the edge of the A side
Black Fire were a Frisian band from Sint-Annaparochie!!!! They released a first single My Girl/ Rock N Roll Is Here To Stay (1974) under the name Stand-By prior to signing to Inlelco/Lark. Do It garnered a couple of plays on national radio but not much else.

Thanks to Jos for the background info.

Click on title for soundclip

Mighty ‘Em –Jekyll And Hyde

Mighty ‘Em –Jekyll And Hyde/What A Way To Go –Decca FR 13446 (1973 UK)

We’re delving deep into Freaky-Novelty-Schlock-Horror-Pram territory here. The sound owes a lot to Freakbeat, with added ARP/ Moog and suitably corny howls and screams. The lyrics are a bit crap, but it’s a fun trip. The B side is a pleasant Dylan/Harley type number. Anyone with any background info on this one?

Click on title for soundclip

April –Go-Go Little Dancer

April –I Wanna Fall In Love With You/ Go-Go Little Dancer –Pye 7N 45509 (1975 UK)

This is the follow up to April’s Rollin’ It Over (check out the August 31st entry). The A side is pretty corny and derivative, but Go-Go Little Dancer is a choice cut of Power Poppin’ Boogie Glam. Sounds like The Floyd Dakil Combo’s Dance Franny Dance as sung and updated by The Bay City Rollers with Albatross providing the backing. This is good and wholesome fun, with no relation to that geezer at the beginning of Faster Pussycat…

Click on title for soundclip

Paul & Barry Ryan –Glad To Know You

Paul & Barry Ryan –Won’t You Join Me/ Glad To Know You –Polydor 2001 488 (UK 1973)

Glad To Know You is a totally fab piece of Psych-Bubblegum-Glam. Hidden on the B side of the full blown heart string-puller Won’t You Join Me, it’s another choice example of the brothers aptitude of coming up trumps on the B side. Check out Matayo’s I Like Rock 'N' Roll (November 20th entry) for further proof. The song twists and turns, the orchestration is understated, the guitars have real oomph, and production touches like the vocals through the leslie cabinet make this an imaginative yet totally accessible winner.

Click on the title for a full version

Früt –Snatch N’ Grab It

Früt –Ruby Baby/ Snatch N’ Grab It –Stateside C006-94473 –(1973 French issue)

I picked up this single at a record fair yesterday, so it’s a perfect opportunity to unleash the full version of Snatch N’ Grab It onto the selected masses…I reviewed their Spoiled Rotten album in April ’06 (April 25th post), but I was not aware that this single even existed before. BTW, the A side is a fine rockin’ cover of the Leiber & Stoller number, but Snatch N’ Grab It is the real BOMB and ROCKS like a Mother Fo’…

Click below and Snatch N’ Grab It!

Roky Erickson playing in Europe????

Not sure how official this is, but it seems that Roky Erickson is coming over to Europe this Summer!!!!

06/16 - Hultsfred Festival, Sweden
07/05 - Roskilde Festival, Sweden
07/06 - Ruisrock, Finland
08/11 - Oya Festival, Norway

Anyone with any more news about this???
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2007/02/roky_erickson_p.html

Union Express –Do You Love Me/Alligator Fix

Union Express –Do You Love Me/Alligator Fix –Decca MO 1365 –(1973 Spanish issue)

Ok, the picture sleeve may be one of the most gloriously garish items in my collection, but be sure to check inside, as the contents are PURE KILLER!
Do You Love Me is a great Glammed up version of The Contours’ hit. Dig the 1-2-3-4 count response to a little bit of soul now….The guitar gets pretty wild at the end and the whole performance sounds like a loose end of session work out with a few handclaps added. If the A side is good, the B side positively verges on the great. Alligator Fix is just one of those brilliant obscure gems that pop up once in a while –Enjoy!

Click on title for edits of Do You Love Me and Alligator Fix

Taste –Boys Will Be Boys

Taste –Boys Will Be Boys/Love Ya Babe –Bootleg BL 291 (1976 Australia)

No this isn't Rory’s Power blues trio nor is this a cover of The Fast song. Taste were an Australian outfit who also released an album “Tickle Your Fancy” the same year…Ok, they were probably not the most original band in the World, but Boys Will Be Boys is a fine rock tune with its twin harmony leads, Sparks Keyboard part and vocal reminiscent of Adny Shernoff…in fact the song could nearly pass as an outtake from Manifest Destiny. It seems that their album isn’t much cop, but as singles go, this does the job nicely.

Click below for soundclip

Kid Dynamite –Call Me Sunshine Superman/Breaking The Ice

Kid Dynamite –Call Me Sunshine Superman/Breaking The Ice –Pye 11632A (1973 Spanish issue

Call Me Sunshine Superman sounds exactly how you would expect it to sound – Ragtime Glam, as in The Lovin’ Spoonful produced by Eddy Seago in ’73! The B side appeared on Glitter From The Litter Bin and Breaking The Ice is a knee-trembler special …

At the dance like a row of ants, all the girls are lining the wall
Flashing eyes as the good time guys take a good look at them all…

Of course the evening would have developed swimmingly if the guys in question were in Tiger…

The psychedelic photo is interesting: It seems to be a stock shot chosen by the Spanish art department, but when I first saw the picture, I thought it might be an early Steve Miller Band shot or something. Anyone recognise who the bass player/Band might have been?

Click below for an edit of Call Me Sunshine Superman and Breaking The Ice

Mystery Track

Hi
Do you know who this is or do you want to have a wild guess?
No answers on a postcard, but post your guess/ answer using the comment function.

Anyhow it's a pretty nifty heavy thudding Glamster. All will be revealed in a week's time

Click on title for the "mystery track"

Answer: Yes it is surprising, but it is The Barron Knights -pretty good track eh?

Tiger - I Am An Animal

Tiger- I Am An Animal/Stop That Machine –UA UP 35848 (1975 UK)

I Am An Animal is a full-frontal testosterone-charged, smeared in Brute assault on the senses (and sensitivities…). The words Wild Glam Cruncher were invented for this one, and it could have been a perfect follow up to Rebels Rule, with belt buckles and an extra set of dangling medallions to spare. The track has got great guitars, claps and all the trappings. And the lyrics? Oh boy…

…I am an animal, one big gruesome animal…
…Some people call me a ram, but I don’t give a damn…
…Some people say I’m a bull, cos’ I just love to pull…
…Some people say I’m a gorilla, cos’ I must get my fill-a
…Some people say I’m a beast, on women I like to feast,
it’s a concrete jungle and Tarzan ain’t got nothing on me man

Talk about raw unreconstructed specimens of manhood letting it fly…God bless the 70s!

Click on title for soundclip

Shambles –Hello Baby

Shambles –Hello Baby/Held Me Spellbound –RCA 2522 (1975 UK)

Shambles were led by ex Mandrake Paddle Steamer singer Brian Engel and their only single is made up of two absolute corkers. Hello Baby is a great hi-energy Power Pop/Glam number that is totally infectious and the B side, the wild and rockin’ Held Me Spellbound is as good if not better than Jook covering Watch Your Step. More than inspired by That’s Alright Mama, Spellbound features 2 blistering lead guitar breaks that will strip your walls bare. Both tracks are wonderfully loud and bright thanks to the great Roy Thomas Baker production.
I am amazed at the number of acts that Brian Engel was involved with: He was in Starbuck (the Do You Like Boys one), Prowler, Liverpool Echo, Limey and others… including a stint with The New Seekers! For more info and full discographies ( a 2nd Starbuck single on Bradleys???!!!) go to the Lyn Paul website: http://www.lynpaulwebsite.org/


Click on title for edits of Hello Baby and Held Me Spellbound

Giggles – Just Another Saturday Night

Giggles – Just Another Saturday Night/Bazooka –EMI 2513 (1976 UK)A real surprising find here: Just Another Saturday Night is a cover of the lead track from Canada’s Moonquake’s second album (Star Struck). Not sure how a UK band on a major label, would have caught on to one of Canada’s finest…but in my opinion this version wins out over the original as it’s a top grade Glam/Boogie crossover with enough sound effects and twists and turns to warrant several return visits. The sleeve is a nice touch, bring out your colouring pens!
Giggles had another 3 singles on EMI, before metamorphosing into The Giants (on RCA).Click below for soundclip

My Version Is Better Than Yours Part 4 –Left Side vs Bonnie St. Claire –(Like A) Locomotion

Welcome to a special Dutch edition of My Version Is Better Than Yours! In fact this is a case of Peter Koelewijn versus himself as he produced both versions.

Left Side –(Like A) Locomotion/Mama You Said The Right Words –Philips 6012362 (1973 NL)

For my money this may be my favourite Dutch single of all time. The Left Side original has one the best and catchy production jobs from the 70s. Peter somehow manages to create so much space yet adds so much texture. Listen to how the Leslie guitar morphs into a Fuzz part and groove to the judicious rhythmic use of the Wah Wah. The finale (not included in the edit –sorry) is simply breathtaking as all the parts converge with some strange trippy bleeps thrown in as well. It’s all so simple, but all so right. It’s a work of pure genius.

Bonnie St. Claire –Rocco/ (Like A) Locomotion –Philips 6012546 (1975 NL)

Peter revisits his great song with our Bonnie. Although relegated to the B side, it would have certainly been a better A side. This version is faster and starts off with a straight Get It On riff-off. The Gregorian chants are a nice touch and makes you think of what could have been if Peter had lent his hand to producing Lemming. Bonnie’s performance is great as usual and she was still unaware of the meaning of the number 52 or that she would ever be compared to an Orangutan...


Click below for edits of both songs

Hector –Wired Up

Hector –Wired Up/Ain’t Got Time –DJM DJS 289 (1973 UK)

For once you can believe the hype: Wired Up is as good as it’s talked up to be and is the perfect introduction to anyone not familiar with Junk Shop Glam. So if you’ve just arrived here by chance-LISTEN TO THE BLOODY CLIP!!! before moving on. Wired Up has it all with its frenetic tempo, crunching sound, blistering guitars and killer hook. The synth part even works as it’s so over the top and I challenge anyone who loves Rock ‘N’ Roll to remain unmoved by this. The B side Ain’t Got Time is another great thumper and would have been a perfect A side for any other band. Their second single Bye Bye Bad Days (reviewed July 09, 2006) is equally brilliant, so it’s a real shame that there’s not an unreleased album lurking in the vaults). http://www.hector-band.co.uk/


Click below for edits of Wired Up and Ain’t Got No Time

Stuff I'm looking for

Hi
I am interested in buying (or trading for) the following singles . I have spare copies of The Mustard and Warwick singles plus more. Please contact me via email (on the profile page if you can help)
Thanks!

Bubbles -This is where the Hurdie Gurdie Heebie Geebie Greenie Man Came in -Decca
Buzz-Motorway Madness-Polydor
Buzz-What a feeling -Crystal
Damned-Morning Bird-Youngblood
David Rochline- La regle Du Jeu-CBS
Dazzle-Jim'll Fix It-DJM
Farm -Fat Judy -Spark
Hello-Teenage Revolution-Bell
Jets-Tearaway-Decca
Kansas Hook-Nervous Shakin'-Decca
Michael Elo-Wizzy Lizzy-Philips
Mouse-It's happening to me-Sovereign
Rockmore Williams-LadyRock-Mooncrest
Snatch-shout it out-Polydor
Soho Jets-Hi Heel Tarzan -Polydor
Spiv -Oh You Beautiful child/ Little Girl-Pye
Spunky spider-You won't come-Phoenix
Twinkle-Caroline-Bradleys

American Jam Band –American Jam

American Jam Band –American Jam/Nature’s Child –Parlophone R5971 (1972 UK)

One of two Bizarre obscurities released under the American Jam Band moniker by Ex World of Oz members Chris Evans and Rob Moore. The second American Jam Band single, the ultra-phased Jam Jam came out the following year on Youngblood and can also be heard on the Glitterbest CD (RPM). American Jam Band are in fact Kansas Hook who’s 2nd single -the Hammond fueled rocker Nervous Shakin’ is definitely worth seeking out. To complicate matters even more the B side Nature’s Child was also the B side of The Casuals Tara Tiger Girl single. It seems that Kansas Hook were also acting as The Casuals by this time! I hope this clears things up, but I have no clue on the identity of the girl singer…

Click in title for soundclip

Neil Christian –She’s Got The Power

Neil Christian –She’s Got The Power/Someone’s Following Me Around –Vogue SA.14089 –(1976 French issue)

11 years after She’s Got The Action, she finally Got The Power as well…Yes, this is the same Neil Christian (he of And The Crusaders…). She’s Got The Power is a pretty good late Glam Stomper and a late (check the tired eyes… the pouting Mr. Christian seems to have had his joie de vivre sucked out of him) Neil Christian release. It remains to be confirmed if Neil had a further single out in ’86 called She Wears The Trousers…

Click below for soundclip

Rococo –Follow That Car

Rococo –Follow That Car/Lucinda - Mountain TOP 9 (1976 UK)

Rococo were Melody Maker battle of the Bands finalists in ‘74 (under the name Brats) and Follow That Car is a glorious and deliciously overblown production with shimmering Lexicon reverbs and real LOUD car engine noises. It ends up as some form of Spector, Beach Boys and Progressive Glam (PRAM) hybrid. Some of the vocal inflections even recall Shirley Bassey !!!! and the keyboards could have come off late Eighties Brian Wilson solo work. Not sure why I love it so much and keep returning to it, but I do -Play it bloody LOUD!

Click below to hear this epic in its full glory

Pantherman –Panther Walk

Pantherman –Panther Walk/20th Century Man –Polydor 2050337 (1974 NL)

Frank Klunhaar returns and stars in the further adventures of Pantherman with Panther Walk. Although it sports a suitably tribal Bo Diddley beat and a funky clavinet, Panther Walk smells like an uninspired sequel. It certainly lacks the single-mindedness, drive, hook and dare I say outright joyous stupidity of the first Pantherman single. Whereas Frank played all the instruments on the previous single, it sounds like he has a band backing him this time around. Don’t get me wrong it’s still good stuff, but after such a glorious first single, it’s hard not to feel disappointed. 20th Century Man is somehow more intriguing with it’s dead modern jet engine noises and it certainly has a better tune.

Click below for soundclip

UGE –Mad Charles

UGE –Mad Charles/Mad Charles Love Theme –WGW Records HMR-889 (1975 USA)

Not sure if this is going to be everyone’s bag, but in my opinion this is one of the most remarkable and truly insane releases from the Seventies. Mad Charles is a tin-helmeted Superhero (the world’s first karate robot!!!) who wreaks untold violence on the A side but gets all tender and squidgy on the B side. Greg Shaw may have coined it perfectly in an RPM review by calling it Garbage Psychedelia… I could even go one further and just call it plain retarded! Not sure who UGE is, but the label was based in Somerville, NJ and the credits indicate that this is a Laser Dynamics Inc production- there's even a picture of a laser machine on the label!

Thanks and curses to Collin for turning me on to this one! Now the really scary part: There may be another “B” side to this single entitled Sophie The Polish Chicken Hen. The flipside on this release has the letter C following the catalogue number, so in fact it may only be the C side… God forbid if there’s an unreleased album in the vaults of some derelict laser factory in New Jersey!

Listen to an edit of both sides of the single

Pheon Bear –War Against War

With a couple of copies of this single recently selling on ebay, it seemed a good time to upload a sound clip of this great single.

Below is my original review. It has since been pointed out to me that that it sounds a lot like Jesse Hector and I couldn’t agree more…Enjoy!

Click on title for the soundclip

Pheon Bear – War Against War/ 87th Precinct – Pye 7N 45232 (1973 UK)

The A side is a real loud cruncher falling somewhere between Freakbeat and Glam. It has ’66 Yardbird -like strident guitar breaks, feedback and a raspy shouted vocal performance from an angry Mr. Bear who just had someone spit in his porridge. The song itself is pretty basic, not moving too far from a 12 bar structure, but it’s chant-like chorus of Gotta keep up the war against war is pretty effective. But who the hell is this guy???. This came with a nice picture stamp on the label…a cheaper option to picture sleeves anyhow…

Saft – People In Motion

Saft – People In Motion/Albertine Hall –Polydor 2121093 (1971 German issue)

Saft were a Norwegian band from Bergen. I’ve never heard their other releases, but People In Motion sounds just like a late 60s Kinks outtake (it could have easily come off Arthur…). It sports a mighty fine tune, has a driving beat and the Mick Avory-like drum break precedes a cool instrumental dirge that is pure Muswell Hill. The B side Albertine Hall is also very accomplished and sits somewhere between Procol Harum and Badfinger, but lacks the bounce of the A side.

Click on title for a soundclip

Pantherman –Pantherman

Pantherman –Pantherman/You Are My Friend –Polydor 2050315 (1974 NL)

I am your Pantherman
I am your Pantherman
I’ll show you my paws
I am your Pantherman
I am your Pantherman
I’ll show you my claws

I’M GONNA BITE YOU…


Welcome to the deranged mind (and wardrobe) of producer Frank Klunhaar…
Loud and totally crazy with one hell of a gimmick. This single is up there with the weirdest and best of what the 70s could offer-Yes, I’m talking Grudge and UGE (more about that one soon). The track is a raging Punk/Glam classic and could give Hector a good run for their money. The vocals come across like Bryan Ferry’s disturbed twin who was sectioned at birth and locked up with Billy Hamon and the lyrics…well not sure what to say except ENJOY!Frank released 2 more singles under this pseudonym (Panther Walk and One Man Band, both on Polydor), I hope to be able to report on these as soon as they eventually come in.


Click on title to hear Pantherman in its full glory…Enjoy!

Flamin' Groovies -Slow Death Live 1972 (Unreleased)

Click below to hear a fine unreleased live rendition of Slow Death by Chris, Cyril, James, Danny and George in their prime. A Lo-Fi but a steamin' performance...

Thanks to JL of the Flamin' Groovies France Yahoo group

Albatross –Rock ‘N’ Roll Boogie Man

Albatross –Rock ‘N’ Roll Boogie Man/Witchy Witchy Lady –Mooncrest Moon 29 (1974 UK)

Probably best known for their Glammed up version of Tobacco Road (on Gull), Albatross also released 3 other singles on Mooncrest, with this single being my favourite. Featuring some tasteful guitar licks (dig the volume control action giving that old 70s bow/violin sound), Rock ‘N’ Roll Boogie Man is an enjoyable example of Bubblegum Boogie, certainly not wild, but cute and very hummable…