Barracudas: God Bless The 45 -Release Date

The new single will be made available on the 7th of January 2013.

http://godblessthe45.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/release-date.html

Sneak Preview of songs on B side of the new Barracudas single

http://godblessthe45.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/sneak-preview-of-b-side.html

Chris Andrews –Yo Yo

Chris Andrews –Yo Yo/ Hey Babe –Vogue DV 11098 (1970 German issue)

Yo Yo is a later infectious Bubblegum tune by Chris Andrews. It sounds exactly like you expect it to, although the thumping beat gives it an extra edge to its overt commercialism…Fun, groovy, totally danceable and easy to find at a cheap price. The B side is also cute, but lacks the incessant beat.

Hear a full version of Yo Yo

Alan Steve –Honey Baby

Alan Steve –Honey Baby/ Daisy Five –Egg 641004 (197? France)

Here’s a weird and wonderful one. The mysterious Alan Steve is a French invention relocated to London at Lansdowne Studios in order to record this sublime piece of nonsense. You wanna dance baby?….No thank you –ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-tat…scream (result: dead meat). So you shouldn’t spurn the advances of this particular Gallic Romeo. The French accent in the verse is cute, but the lead guitar FUZZ is positively Killer…Any idea who Alan Steve was? It is arranged by one Johny Glider and produced by Anthony Sharp. So who’s hiding behind those names?

Hear a full version of Honey Baby

Acetate and Test Pressing of God Bless The 45 (The Barracudas)

OK, Here is your chance to bid and perhaps win the ultimate Barracudas collectable.

It's a 10 day listing on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370689512067?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

Full information here

http://godblessthe45.blogspot.co.uk/


Hear a sound clip of God Bless The 45

Utrecht Record Fair Day 1

Once again...hit the floor at Jaarbeurs around 7:12am this morning then spent the next 8 hours pacing up and down the aisles, crunching over, squinting to read the  writting on Japanese Stooges singles  on display. All this interrupted by coffees, fags (you’re not supposed to smoke, but...) as well as frites and Frikandellen and other deep fried animal parts...

It felt like there was less in the way of huge amounts of cheap 45s being unloaded by German dealers, but there was a good mix mix of high priced treasures and reasonably priced gems.

Anyhow pick of the bunch for me was finally (after 6 years) getting a copy of the 32nd Turnoff single

It’s a real corker and I assume that it only came out as a single in Italy...

Hear Used To Be A Tiger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh7hwlWf2II

Another cracking single is this promo only single by I Califfi “Col Vento Nei Caprelli”

 

 Those were the only 2 Italian singles I had been actively looking for, so thanks to K. For holding these for me, for over a year.

Sometimes a sleeve just speaks to you....and you have to investigate further. So after googling on my Android, I was able to find a clip on Youtube which clinched the deal. Blue Creed deliver a slice of wild primitive ineptitude with the mother of all growling vocals

Hear Blue Creed –Need a Friend (1970) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-_8iwW7ko

The next three singles are new discoveries for me, They all had something special going for them.

 

And the rest...

 

And more rest...

 

Next...Greek debauchery to ensue. Update later.

 Latest:

Here is the English, Dutch, Welsh, French, Swedish and New Zealand contingent drinking a toast to "God Bless The 45" (and exterminate all forms of digital formatting
 

 

Utrecht Record Fair November 2012

Yes, it's that second time in the year again and tomorrow I fly off to my favourite holiday destination. 3 days of finds, close runs, near misses, new discoveries...not to mention great and not so great food, drinks, drunks and crazy French men, old and new friends and a semi- luxurious hotel room.

As always I will have camera and Netbook with me and will be reporting back. Since the very sad passing of Michel, the Da Capo store is now closed, so there is less reason to go early except to ensure I am on the floor by 7:11am on Friday. There is a small outdoor record fair on Thursday, so there may be a post tomorrow, although it is more likely that I will report back Friday evening...

The Razz Band –Some Like It Hot

 

The Razz Band –Some Like It Hot/Baby Make Love –No label (197? US)

Great Proto Metal/Punk single, of which next to nothing is known, Written by Ronnie Lee (Venus and The Razorblades’ own Joan Jett) with Kim Fowley, the Razz Band do a great cover of their song. From the sound, I guess is that this single probably came out in 78/79… Some Like It Hot features some cool snarly vocals over a high octane performance, the middle part also reminds me of a less effete Quick. The B side is a bit more mundane in its Hard Rock approach, sure it rocks, but it lacks the attitude of the A side.
It looks unlikely that this single went beyond a few promo copies and I can’t find any clue of where the band were from, although LA looks like an obvious location due to the Fowley connection. There’s another version of Some Like It Hot by Ronnie Lee on the Canadian Permanent New Wave LP. (Thanks to Jan and Collin)

Update: Here is another piece of the jigsaw. A handbill from 1977...It looks and feels like the right band. (Thanks to Linda for the pic)

Hear a full version of Some Like It Hot



Hear a full version of Baby Make Love

Sneak preview of The Barracudas-God Bless The 45- Picture Sleeve

All the latest here:
http://godblessthe45.blogspot.co.uk/

If you look closely, you can even read the lyrics to the A side!

Dug Dug’s –You Better Think Twice

Dug Dug’s –You Better Think Twice/ I Have Got To Run Away From Here –RCA SP 5095 (1978 Mexico)

To be honest it’s mainly the pic sleeve that warrants this single’s inclusion here as it perfectly transposes 1974 into 1978! The look is just killer, whereas the sounds are just amiable and vibrant. Mexico’s Los Dug Dug’s had a long career from the 60s into the 80s and are heralded in some parts for their earlier more psych material as well as for their El Loco LP. Although this single came out in 1978, it is likely that the recording and cover shot was from 1975, although this needs to be confirmed. Anyhow it was released after the group had been dropped by RCA.

More info here: http://raybrazen.webng.com/dugdugs/index3.htm

Hear a full version of You Better Think Twice



Hear a full version of I Have Got To Run Away From Here

The Ritual –Granny Goodbox

 

The Ritual –Granny Goodbox/ Unseen Destination –Jewel Records 968 (1972 US)

Better known for their great Heavy Psych single Speed Freak/Walls of My Mind, Indiana’s The Ritual returned in ’72 with this absolute scorcher of a single. Any previous Iron Butterfly leanings are blown away by 2 sides of TOTAL Energy Heavy Rock ‘n’ Roll. It crunches, it buzzes, it fuzzes and fully delivers on all levels. The hilarious intro to Granny Goodbox (Granny’s was a club in Muncie), leads into a driving rocker where tight and super trebly guitars (sounding like highly strung Dan Electros), raspy vocals and frenetic drumming rule the roost. The B side Unseen Destination is barely less wild and rocks out in fine Stones/Faces fashion until the surprising break in the middle where it nearly goes into Journey To The Center of The Mind territory for a few seconds… Not sure how this single ended up on Ohio’s Jewel label, but thank god it did. I just can’t praise this single enough.

Hear a full version of Granny Goodbox



Hear a full version of Unseen Destination

The cutting of God Bless The 45

All the latest here:
http://godblessthe45.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/god-bless-45-mastering-and-acetates.html

Which is The Coolest?

Now which is coolest? The poster for the last Hollywood Stars gig featuring the first live appearance  from a three piece Runaways (Sans Cherrie) or the German Captain Groovy and His Bubblegum Army poster (in the background)? Photo by Roberto Calabrò

For Sale: 45 singles and 2 LPs on ebay

To achieve perfect sense of symmetry I’ve just listed 45 x 45s on ebay. Yes 45 essential singles along with 2 LPS. Including the great Eric Elder single



All 45s have sound clips, so pop along, have a listen and bid if you feel that way inclined!
You can find the singles here:
Singles (and 2 LPs) on ebay


Here’s the full list

HAMMER- Hitchcock’s Lullaby –The RAREST Dutch GLAM single (1974)
Chris Neal –Mr. Leather and Velvet –GLAM Rock Classic (1973)
Brats –Keep On Doin…NY Proto PUNK Glam 1976 1st issue
Smith & Weston –A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues –Raw Crunchin’ GLAM –Demo 1973
Imperial Dogs –This Ain’t The Summer of Love-Proto Punk- Blue Oyster Cult
STEPSON –It’s My Life/ Rude Attitude –Bonehead Cruncher Proto Punk 1974
Flamin’ Groovies –Slow Death RARE-German Pic Sleeve 1972
Bang -Questions/ Future Shock -Great US HARD ROCK 1972
Hammersmith Gorillas –You Really Got Me - Top Proto Punk-German pic sleeve
Appaloosa -Saved By Rock & Roll -Velvets -US HARD ROCK Bonehead 1973
Douglas –The Monkey Song - Killer Heavy BUBBLEGUM/Glam 1974
Frog -Monie Monie -French GLAM 1976
Tartan Horde -Bay City Rollers, We Love You -Nick Lowe -1975
Rockmore Williams -It Was Her -Stomping UK GLAM Demo 1973
Stonebridge -1976 –RARE US Bonehead Cruncher HARD ROCK
Mabel –Look In Her Eyes –Crunching Danish GLAM 1975
Snapp – Cheat, Cheat –Great 60s GIRL GROUP Recreation 1974
Whizz Kidds –Sweet Honey/Big Teaser –Hard US Powerpop 1977
Donnydale-Thank Goodness For The Rain/ Oh Yeah - Obscure Powerpop BIG STAR
Truth & Beauty -Tuff Little Surfer Boy -ROCKY HORROR - RAK 181
Parklane -The Party -Dutch PUNK/ GLAM THUG Cruncher 1977
Ken Khury-Baby Doll –Sleazy Junkshop GLAM 1975
Mother Trucker –Tonight -Hard Female GLAM Cruncher 1974
Ramma Damma –Legendary Killer GLAM Weirdness -1974
Tracey Dean –Moonshiner –GLAM Stomper 1974-Moroder
Stephen -Right on Running Man -Hard GLAM Cruncher-Japanese issue 1974
Alan Blakley –Lost Without You/ Gimme Rock ‘n’ Roll –Great GLAM 2-sider
Tiger -Crazy-Great Danish GLAM -Marc Bolan 1974
Crescent Street Stompers –Louie Louie/Having a Party –Bonehead HARD GLAM
Ted Mulry Gang -Jump in My Car -Chris Spedding - German picture sleeve
Eric Elder –SUNFLOWER /San Tokay Uncomped MOD Psych Dancer Demo
Jon Symon –Silver Star- Killer PROTO PUNK/GLAM
Neil Christian – She’s Got The Power -Top FUZZ GLAM monster
Dahcotah - Too Easy To Love –Mott The Hoople-US GLAM 1976
Children of The Morning –Hey America America –Protest PSYCH Groover
Turnpike - Big Machine –Haunting Psych/GLAM 1974
Troggs –Strange Movies –Hard FUZZ sleaze Classic 1974
Troggs –The Raver –FUZZ Cruncher 1970 –German pic sleeve
Streak –Gonna Have A Good Time –Hard GLAM Classic - 1972 Test pressing
Wellington –Swoop Down on You -UK Junkshop Glam STOMPER 1975
Purple Avalanche -Oh-Bah-Um-Dee-Dum Obscure 1969 BUBBLEGUM Killer
Rattles - Mr...Keep Your Hands off My Sister -Overlooked KILLER 60s Psych
Equals -Stand Up and Be Counted -Hard Fuzz Stomper 1972
Jamie Lyons Group –Gonna Have A Good Time-EASYBEATS-MOD Dancer

And 2 LPs:

BONEHEAD CRUNCHERS VOL. 1 - 14 loud 'n heavy proto-punk obscurities from the USA BONEHEAD CRUSHERS (Crunchers) VOL.2 14 Demented Fuzz-Faced Monsters from the USA

Mourning Son –Sit Down Honey

Mourning Son –Sit Down Honey/ Where is Tomorrow –Hellfire Records R-5114 SP (1972 US)

Local release by a unknown Harrisburg (PA) act. The A side is a RAW cover of the first Elf single, so it probably places the release date as 1972 and not as a sixties release as could be indicated by the label design and sound. It’s real primitive stuff with killer guitar and vocals; a perfect mix of Garage ethics and Bonehead. If anyone can locate a better copy of this single I would be forever grateful. The B side is a Hammond infused mellow Psych track, pleasant, but no more than that.

Hear a full version of Sit Down Honey

Allentown Day 4: Allentown Record Fair Day 2

Today was the last day and when the general record fair took place. So new faces, new records, although perhaps 1/3 of Saturday's dealers were still here, this time suplementing their 45s with LPs (which aren't allowed on Saturday).
Found a few very interesting late Garage/early Hard Rock singles including local band Morning Son "Sit Down Honey", The Escape Machine. The biggest surprise is a late single by Five by Five -"15 going on 20" which sounds like a fuzzed up Communication Breakdown.

I'm now at the Airport...looking forward to a good cup of tea when I return...

                                Opportunistic dealers abound...

Allentown Day3: Allentown Record Fair

Day 3

Finally on my 3rd day is when the fair proper got underway. Now over the previous 2 days I probably had access to 3/4 of the records on show, but I still spent around 8 hours at the fair.
A nice bunch of the singles, the biggest discovery probably Homegrown with a nifty slice of Stonesian rock called Loaded. I believe they're from Mississippi...Also nice to get the first version of Cargoe's Feel Allright (sic) prior to the band signing to Ardent. More on those two soon.
Tomorrow its a more general record fair which also includes LPs, CDs and a new bunch of sellers.

                                        45s, 45s and more 45s...

                                         
                                        Gourmets are welcome...

Allentown Day 2

Day 2:
After waking up at 4am, I went to Double Decker records whch is an amazing store although more geared towards LPs. They seem to get new stock including many hot items quite frequently and the place was buzzing. I nearly picked up the Fickle Pickle LP, but didn't which I may regret...

                                          Double Decker

Then onwards to the main dealer hotel. Around 10-15 rooms with open doors full of records and my god, I picked up some great stuff including more well known titles such as The Squires and Chocolate Watch Band. It's hard to resist once you've held a particular record you always wanted in your hands.
Anyhow a good haul so far and the record fair hasn't even started yet!

Apart from the setting of the record dealing at the hotels, it must be stressed just how friendly and helpful everyone has been. Not any of the snootiness one can sometimes associate with serious dealers...Oh and just probably had the best chinese buffet ever.

Tomorrow, ETA for the record fair 7:15am

Allentown Day 1: Arrival

OK, got my connecting flight, hopped in a cab to the hotel and as I went to open the door to my room, this was what was opposite me...

...and this was further down the hall

So more dealers and collectors around, plus this isn't the main hotel for these types of shenanigans, I will pop round to the other hotel tomorrow as well as  to the local record shop.

The record fair doesn't start until Saturday!

Bungi –Numbers

Bungi –Six Days on The Road/ Numbers –Earthquake EQ 101 (1972 US)

Heavy Rock/ Bonehead trio formed in Wisconsin by future Starz and Stories guitarist Richie Ranno. The A side is an OK version of Six Days on The Road, but it’s the B side where the action is. It’s a gritty performance with a meaty fat bass, crunchy guitar and growly vocals; the track comes across like a bit like a gutter version of Steppenwolf. Six Days on The Road was also issued on Target with another B side “Turk’s Squeal”, but I don’t know which came first. 

Hear a full version of Numbers

 

On another note. I have just update my 45 spreadsheet (see links on the left)

Reform –I’m Gonna Get You

Reform –I’m Gonna Get You/Story of My Life –CBS YB 1054 (1973 Ireland)

I’m Gonna Get You is one of the few Irish releases that can be safely listed under Crunching Glam. They had another single One For The Boys that nearly hits the spot, but it doesn’t quite have the upfront crunching glory of this single. With its raucous vocals and stomping beat, I’m Gonna Get You fits the Junkshop bill perfectly, yet the thumping piano and great farting Moog sounds take the performance to another level entirely.

Hear a full version of I’m Gonna Get You

New Barracudas single “God Bless The 45”

 

After a 7 year gap The Barracudas have recorded a new single to be released early next year.

The tracks are:

A side: God Bless The 45

B side: Festival Pop and East European Girls

 

The tracks were recorded and mixed at Cowshed studios in London and it’s 100% analog: using Tape delays, EMT Plates, valve compression etc… and recorded onto 2” tape and mixed down to ¼”, just like it used to be…The record will only be available as a 45 (figures!)

                                                EMT Plates

                                           Self explanatory

Once we get closer to the release date, there will be more news regarding ordering and a link to a webpage etc…

 

UPDATE: All news will be posted here

http://godblessthe45.blogspot.com

 

                                               All together now "Festival Pop!"

Fat & Hungry –The Streaker

Fat & Hungry –The Streaker/ Just Ain’t Right –Watermelon Records V1 2044 (1974? US)

Here is one of the most sought after and best US Proto Punk singles around (along with Killer Frog). It straddles a fine line between a Bonehead Crunch and raw Garage Punkitude. My guess is that this single came out in 1974, as this is when Streakin’ was at its peak (although the highlight that was Erica Roe was a good few years later). The vocals are nice and snarly while the killer guitar and general fuzziness make this single the benchmark for others to measure up against. No info whatsoever on this one. I am thinking Michigan or Illinois, but I have no tangible proof, unless C.S Johnson is Cliff Johnson (Off Broadway) Enjoy!

Hear a full version of The Streaker

Wired Up - UK Launch Party this Friday (21st of September)

 

 

Friday sees the UK Launch of The Wired Up book and the fantastic Guida are playing (they also playing on Saturday at the Lexington –don’t miss this band!

I wrote the foreword along with contributing many of the sleeves. I look forward to finally getting my hands on a copy myself…

This evening has been organised to celebrate the launch of a brand new book, Wired Up! Here's the book blurb. The first 100 copies will have a free Hector 7"...

In these 384 pages of garish, pop and glam rock European picture sleeve glory, "Wired Up!" celebrates the sights and sounds of the zeitgeist aberration that was early 70's glitter rock records; where the flash, shock and outrageousness of the picture sleeve oftentimes proved just as important as the explosive sounds within. A renaissance of style, a riot of colour and the raving rocking rebirth of the three-minute-pop single, "Wired Up!" is not only an early clue to the new direction rock and roll was taking in the 1970's, but the final statement on a disposable era's lasting appeal.
https://www.facebook.com/wiredupbook

Website: http://www.wiredupbook.com/

Advance £4 tickets now available from:

TICKET LINK - http://www.wegottickets.com/event/180499

Entry on the door: £6

This what the evening looks like. I have a DJ slot at 9:30…See you there!

9pm - DJ Tim Purr
9.30pm – DJ Robin “Purepop” Wills
10.10pm - Band Cyanide Pills
10.45pm – Sing Sing/Wired Up DJs (Jeremy & Mary)
11.15 – Band Giuda
11.50 - DJ Heidi Heelz
12.30pm - Proudfoot Sound DJs (Lorenzo & Enrico)
1pm – DJ Sonic Medusa
1.30pm – Sing Sing/Wired Up DJs (Jeremy & Mary)
1.50pm - Proudfoot Sound DJs (Lorenzo & Enrico)
2.10pm – DJ Sonic Medusa
2.40pm – Any combination of the above DJs

Deliverance –Lovin’ All Your Sweet Lovin’

Deliverance –Everybody/Lovin’ All Your Sweet Lovin’- Impress Records IMP 720 (1973 US)

Deliverance…No, not the sound of squealing pigs, but a fine undiscovered slab of late Bubblegum. Lovin’ All Your Lovin’ is found on the B side of a decent Glammy cover of the Tommy Roe hit, however the B side is of more interest as Everybody is just so familiar. When LAYSL first starts off I think of Al Stewart on Terminal Eyes, but then the tune switches into a fine Bubblegum tune with some good gritty guitar. All this in under 2 minutes… It sure doesn’t sound like 1973 and yes the chorus sounds just like you expected it to. It looks like this may have been an LA band, but who knows…

Hear a full version of Lovin’ All Your Sweet Lovin’



Hear a full version of Everybody

Skateboarding and Racing in the UK 1978: Malibu -Skateboarding vs. Second Opinion –King of The Raceway

These two singles are part of an interesting haul I picked up the other day. Both are UK releases from 1978 and pretty much on the obscure side of the skateboarding craze and race track shenanigans...

Malibu –Skateboarding/Billy –Cleverly Bros Records CBSP 1000-100 (1978 UK)

Malibu may have been a studio aggregation from the Nottingham area, Recorded at Rainbow Studios, Skateboarding is a great cash- in with a full on meaty approach a bit like Eddie & The Hot Rods meets Rockpile with added harmonies and some 1978 styled lead guitar. The B side is more akin to mid 70s Southern rock, thus of less interest.

Hear a full version of Skateboarding



Second Opinion –King of The Raceway/Stormbird –Tash 0035 (1978 UK)

 Second Opinion are a Norfolk band with a long history and are still operating today: http://second-opinion.org.uk/index.html King of The Raceway is a reved-up jewel which was commissioned by the Swaffham Raceway Stock Car Track and was played at all their events. It’s a great Powerpop tune with fine twists and turns regardless of the theme. The B side is a Shadows-like instrumental.

Hear a full version of King of The Raceway

Giggles –Giggle Wiggle (Unreleased Test Pressing)

 

Giggles –Giggle Wiggle/For Just One Day- EMI Test pressing 2246 (1974 UK)

This is the fabled unreleased second single by Giggles and it would have followed Maria (The Enchilada song).The single didn’t get further than test pressing stage, which is a great shame as it would have been their best single in my book. It would have come out late 1974 judging by the proposed catalogue number. Perhaps it was decided by then that it was too Glam and outdated for 1975 or the band itself had reservations about not being taken seriously. The track itself is a great Glam Cruncher with teen appeal recalling Suzi Quatro as well more overt teen bands like Kenny or The Bo’Flyers. It’s starts off with a phased Glitter Beat and by the end of the track you are swamped by the perfunctory handclaps and HEYs. A great single! The B side starts promisingly in good rockin’ mode, but here the Glam gets diluted by a near Eagles-like chorus. The bridge is effective though.
The only previous mention of this single was on the influential but now defunct Glam Rock Bear website and I had given up on it actually existing. It’s great to be proved wrong…In fact this copy was recently picked up on ebay as the site owner appears to be selling his Glam collection on ebay these days.

Hear a full version of Giggle Wiggle



Hear a full version of For Just One Day

Stonebridge -1976

 

Stonebridge -1976/Uncle Sam –Starship Records SS4 0076 (1976 US)

On the periphery of Bonehead Cruncher-land, comes this wonderfully dumb bi-centennial opus by Michigan’s Stonebridge. Its initial dumb-ass boogie approach melds into a voice-over led section of utter idiocy “bombs and destruction became the prevalent thing…” where we learn in fact that WWII began at Pearl Harbor!!! There’s no ism like revisionism  or jingoism when twinned with a total lack of education...The B side is more of the same, but doesn’t quite feature the same full-on assault on our sensibilities and replaces it with some ill-advised pomp.

Hear a full version of 1976

The Wild Boys –Madness Reigns

The Wild Boys –Madness Reigns/Outskirts of ’73- PRSD 2213 (1973 US)

Here’s a biggie. An incredibly obscure outing from a virtually unknown band from Ann Arbor. Madness Reigns is a treasured moment of pure folly. At the cusp of Bonehead, but mixing in a slight Kinks/Leopards delivery in the vocals, it features some blistering killer guitar and also has a heavy Psych/Freakbeat appeal. The title sums it up –Pure Insania! The other side reminds me of Mogan Davis & His Winos in Ragtime mode and is fun albeit less crucial.

From the Ann Arbor Sun, June 5, 1973
Ann Arbor's all-time, down-to-earth, nitty gritty rock and roll band, THE WILD BOYS, released their first recording last month.The 45 rpm single, recorded last December by the Boys at Morgan Sound Studio, was pressed in a limited edition on their own, mysteriously nameless label and is being sold at select record stores in Lansing and by the CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY CENTER (along with the fabulous CCC Super Balls) at Rainbow Trucking tables and wherever else the CCC sells its stuff (for the CCC kid's lunch money) in Ann Arbor. The A side of the Wild Boys single is their big one, "Madness Reigns," which points out, Boys fans will remember, that "All the strings that tie the universe together have been broken." Uh-huh

Hear a full version of Madness Reigns



Hear a full version of Outskirts of ‘73

Nikki Richards –Back To School

Nikki Richards –Back To School/ Factory Girl –Columbia YH-1-AX (1981 Japanese issue)

Teen dreamboat Nikki looks like a UK version of Shaun Cassidy but he delivers a raucous slab of powerpop with Glam overtones. It’s not quite the outright winner compared to Stanley Frank’s Schooldays, but it’s an infectious number that pumps along in fine melodic fashion. In the UK, Back To School was relegated to the B side of the yucky Factory Girl, but here is correctly positioned for the Japanese market.

Hear a full version of Back To School

Cherokee –Girl I’ve Got News For You

Cherokee –Girl I’ve Got News For You/ Write To You –Probe PRO 550 (1971 Norwegian issue)

Cherokee was the rebranded rebirth of The Robbs. As Cherokee they released one LP on Probe as well as this great cover of Girl I’ve Got News For You. The Birdwatchers version may have come first and Mardi Gras may have had the hit, but Cherokee’s version wins it hands down in my book with its meaty beaty delivery and defined performance which brings out the best in this song. As far as I know this Norwegian single is the only one issued in a pic sleeve, although the hunt is still on for a cover featuring the group

Hear a full version of Girl I’ve Got News For You