 |
Mad Mike & The Maniacs "The Hunch" / "Quarter To Four" Hunch
Completely derranged rock n' roll 45 from 1961, Mad Mike & The Maniacs were a group from Long Island discovered by Johnny Power and Trade Martin. "The Hunch" is just plain crazy, it sounds like the MC5, Motorhead and Hasil Adkins rolled into one. At under 2 minutes in length its one of those records that'll leave you standing in disbelief at the violation to your senses. "Quarter To Four" is slightly less frantic but still not a wise selection to spin for granny and grandpa. For a record from '61 this release is quite mindboggling, according to Trade Martin when I asked him, this was the only release on the Hunch label. For fans of The Sonics 1964 release "The Witch" you really should check this out if you haven't already. |
| |
 |
George Young And The Youngsters "Mechanic From Hamtramck" Pacesetter
George Young was a local television personality out of Detroit who interviewed the Stones and was friends with Elvis, sometime in the 60's he set up his own bar-band called 'George Young and the Youngsters' and they cut this beastie. Not 100 miles apart from the jazz groove of Lou Donaldson or Jimmy Smith but with a edgy garage twist. A beauty of a record.
|
| |
 |
Jimmy Heap & His Orchestra "Gismo" Dart
Born in Taylor, Texas. Jimmy Heap's recording career spanned several labels such as Imperial, Capitol, the oddly named but cool looking 'D' label, Dart, Winston and Fame. He cut Country next to Rockabilly and of course the deliciously oddball "Gismo" featured here. Released in December of 1959 "Gismo" is a rockabilly/surf Instrumental straight out of the mad house with a deliciously insane spoken voice occassionally uttering the word "GIZMOWW" a true oddball 45. |
| |
 |
The Instrumentals "Chop Suey Rock" / "Are You Nervous" Hanover
A double sided slice of sleaze here from 1958, "Chop Suey Rock" will be familiar to some as the inspiration for the classic Cramps track "Can Your Pussy Do The Dog?" and appeared on the "Born Bad" series while "Are You Nervous" can be found on the "Las Vegas Grind" series. Both are outright killers and a basic for any self-respecting fiend. |
| |
 |
Danny Bell & The Bell Hops "Chili With Honey" Fraternity
Wild tittyshaking rock n' roll on the original light blue Franternity label implying this was released sometime in the mid to late fifties. Fraternity was a large label operating out of Cincinnati, Ohio home to King Records and founded by Harry Carlson in 1954. It realeased scores of awful pop records until suddenly it seemed to become hip and started putting out killer rockers. Into the sixties it unleashed scores of great garage and even top shelf funk 45's. "Chili With Honey" is as dirty and raucous as they come, a really wild take on the Champs "Tequila". |
| |
 |
Jimmy Gordon "Buzzzzzz" Challenge
Released in 1963 but sounding several years ahead of it's time, Jimmy Gordon to the best of my knowledge only released one other 45 under his own name "Test Pattern" in 1967 (also on the Challenge label). Jimmy was behind the psych band Peter Pan and the Good Fairies who have enjoyed several re-issues in recent years. To the track in question, "Buzzzzzz" is a garage instrumental that'll not leave your dj box if you are partial to a bit of the edgier stuff. |
| |
 |
Bunker Hill "Hide & Go - Seek" Mala
"Hide & Go - Seek" is a real wild one, and probably the best known track in this excavation. Bunker Hill was the name given to singer Dave Walker by the Wray brothers (Doug and Vernon - as in Link Wray and the Raymen) to disguise his identity from 'The Clouds of Joy' (a succesful gospel outfit he was a star singer in). Dave was concerned this crazed rock n' roll sound wouldn't go down too well with the rest of his band so sought to cloak his identity. The Wray Brothers were so taken with Daves wild voice that they recorded and toured behind him. Vernon got the record deal with Amy-Mala and went on to act as Bunker Hill's manager.
Released in September 1962 "Hide & Go - Seek" hit number 33 on the Billboard charts and stayed in the top 100 for 13 weeks (making it very easy to pick up nice and cheap!). This dynamic combo of The Raymen and Dave Walker produced several records and a handful of unreleased gems which are seeing light of day courtesy of Norton Records. |
| |
 |
Rex Garvin "Strange Happenings" Chieftain
Rex Garvin is a name that should be familiar to just about all passing travellers to this website though not many will know that this band leader started out as the only male band member in the New York girl group The Hearts in 1955 who recorded on the fantastic Baton label. Rex began recording under his own name in 1959, his first release was as Marie And Rex on the Carlton label - Marie was Marie Knight and the song was "I Can't Sit Down". Through the sixties he cut numerous Rn'B 45's, as the sixties moved on he turned to the funk sound but never really contributed to the development of the sound, however his 1969 WSJ release "You Don't Need No Help (You Can Sock It To Yourself)" should be checked out. For me, this spooky garage/funk release is his one defining moment, "Strange Happenings" kick starts with creaky doors and female screams - the perfect ingredients for entry into the rubber room before kicking into a tough garage/surf instrumental with an extremely funky rhythm. Once heard, never forgotten! |
| |
 |
Noble "Thin Man" Watts And His Rhythm Sparks "Hot Tamales" Baton
Noble "Thin Man" Watts was born in DeLand, Florida in 1926 (where he recently passed away in August 2004). Noble moved to New York sometime around 1954 after graduating from Florida's A&M University where he played alongside Nat and Cannonball Adderley in the college band. His first records were released on DeLuxe and then VeeJay before he was signed to the Baton label, it was at Baton that he recorded the tracks he is commonly associated with "Hard Times (The Slop)" and "FlapJack". Oddly though the release listed here seems to me to be almost totally overlooked, but is in my opinion his best. "Hot Tomales" is a crazed take on the "Tequila" sound which breaks down into the funkiest break i've yet heard pre 1965.
Check out the Baton story here: http://www.daremusic.com/story.htm |
| |
 |
The Trashmen "Ubangi Stomp" Argo
This killer version of Warren Smith's classic Sun recording "Ubangi Stomp" will blow you away if you are as obsessed with the true big beat as I am. Forget any pre-conceived ideas of the Trashmen's usual blend of wiedo surf music, this baby is a outright rocker that kicks and squeels like a piglet caught in a fat mans buttocks. The piano playing is mindblowing, think Jerry Lee and then some! Released on this Chess subsidiary label after they had parted ways with Garrett. Fans of the Trashmen's classic "Surfin' Bird" will get a blast out of the flipside, a reworking of it titled "Bird '65". Not quite in the same league as the original but the vocal break is something to behold! |
| |
 |
Jimmy Coe And His Gay Cats Of Rhythm "Run Jody Run" States
This record is sh*t hot! From the first time I heard it life became nothing more than a series of attempts to attain a playable copy of my own - frustratingly it took quite some time but eventually I lucked out and now have it in my collection. Not the rarest record ever recorded nor the most obscure, but perhaps one of the finest. Cut in February 1953 this is rumoured to be the very first instance of that naughty cat called Jody appearing on vinyl, in this form he is from the armed forces and he's gotta run!
Jimmy was born in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, on 20th March 1921 but was raised in Indianapolis. All of his records are killers and as such cannot be more highly recommended as examples of that period of Rhythm n Blues music. In fact I am confident in saying that everything (at least everything I have heard) released on the States label is a killer!
Check out the Jimmy Coe story in full here: http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~campber/coe.html |
| |
 |
The Novas "Novas Coaster" Twin Town
Released in 1965, this obscure outing from the Oregon band who gave us the magnificent "The Crusher" is nothing short of a mystery to me, It doesn't appear to be documented anywhere even though it has been comped. "Novas Coaster" is quite unlike "The Crusher" or it's surf flipside "Take 7" instead it's a real straight forward garage sound, quite a good one too! It's flipped with a cool garage cover version of Dylans "On The Road Again". |
| |
 |
The Thirteenth Floor Elevators "You're Gonna Miss Me" IA
Just about every visitor to this site should know this 45, those who dont... shame on you! Without doubt in my all-time top twenty sixties cuts, I wont go into the story of Roky Erickson and his band The 13th Floor Elevators as it's something you all should be familiar with, but in compiling this excavation, this beauty just had to go in. One of the most instantly recognisable 45's of all time, this truly is a perfect record with a quality that will stand the test of time. In the 18 years I've owned a copy it's not a record i've ever tired of, quite an acheivement for a junkie of new sounds like me. |
| |
 |
Bobby "Mr Blues" Merrell "I Ain't Mad At You" Bargain
Released in 1961 but sounding more like 1951, this rockabilly / Rhythm n' Blues wailer has caused me nothing but grief, my first copy went awol in the mail, the second copy arrived cracked and the third copy is in barely playable condition, however all the trouble aside, what a corker! |
| |
 |
Bob McFadden And Dor "The Beat Generation" Brunswick
Bob McFadden was a tv personality and working voice actor, in 1959 he got together with poet Rod McEwan (Dor) and cut the flipside to this record "The Mummy" as cool tale about a friendly mummy who just seems to want to meet people but sadly scares them away - that is until he meets a beatnik. But lets not deviate too far as it's the flipside that's of interest here, "the Beat Generation" surely must have been an influence for Richard Hell on his classic "Blank Generation" for he has more than slightly borrowed from it. A cool and quirky insight into the crazy world of the Beatnik. This has to be heard to be believed, and believe me when I tell you - you need this 45! |
| |
 |
Doctor Ross "Industrial Boogie" DIR
Something a bit more serious here, Doctor Isaiah Ross was one of the most exciting artists on Sun Records (in my opinion) and his Sun releases are amongst the rarest on the label. Before Sun he cut his first 78 on Chess "Country Clown" / "Dr. Ross Boogie" (this sells for quite a considerable sum). Allegedly he was angry at the profits from his records being pumped into promoting Elvis so left the label to take control of his own finances. The first post Sun release was put out in 1958 on his own label 'DIR' (Doctor Isaiah Ross) label, it was the downtempo "Industrial Boogie" a tale about arriving in his new hometown Flint, Michigan, the song has an unmistakeable nod to John Lee Hookers style of playing. But dare I say I don't believe John Lee Hooker ever cut anything this good!
For more info on Dr. Ross visit: http://www.wirz.de/music/dr_rofrm.htm |
| |
 |
Eddie Daniels "Whoa - Whoa Baby" / "Playin' Hide Go See" Ebb
So many releases on the Los Angeles Ebb Records are essential to your collection and this 45 is one of my favourites, released in July 1957, this is a double sider of two absolute killer rock n' roll cuts, as some may suggest this is not one of the Ebb sessions Eddie Daniels used Eddie Cochran for guitar (or at least that's what someone who knows this kind of stuff in great detail told me!). Ebb was founded by Lee Rupes (Art Rupes (owner of Specialty Records) ex wife), it operated for a mere 3 years but in that time recorded a stunning selection of doowop and rock n' roll which can be heard on the Ebb Records Story released by Ace Records. "Playin' Hide Go Seek" is one of my alltime favourite records, they just don't get much better than this! An absolutely killer rock n roll 45 that'll tear the joint apart!
|
| |
 |
Emmet Davis "How About It Baby" M and B
I don't know anything about this 45 at all - who Emmet was or where he came from. I do know that you should be warned of a look-a-like bootleg of this though. "How About It Baby" is a real wild screamer in the style of Little Richard / Esquirita, absolutely top shelf material as it's as dirty sounding as they come. |
| |
 |
Kit And The Outlaws "Don't Tread On Me" Philips
Superb garage 45 from 1966, first pressed on the obscure Black Night label out of Fort Worth, Texas. Not the rarest of the rare (around $40/$50 for either release) but this beast has a sound up there with The Spades. A perfect record? |
| |
 |
Yaphet Kotto "Have You Dug His Scene" Chisa
Maybe you know Yaphet Kotto already? He was that naughty Dr Kananga in 'Live And Let Die' (the James Bond movie), sometime before making that movie he wound up in the studio with Hugh Messekela and this was put out on Messekela's own Chisa label. "Have You Dug His Scene" is a odd one for sure with more than a passing similarity to the Last Poets, the flipside "Have You Ever Seen The Blues" is also worthy of mention as it's equally as good and maybe a little less oddball. |
| |
 |
Jo Barbara "Fried Rice" Markie
This is such a mad one, a total oddball 45, but such a killer rocker that it really works on the dancefloor. The song begins as a oriental rock n' roller with occasional vocals screaming "Fried Rice" then in the last minute a female voice comes in reciting the entire contents of a chinese take away menu. Very strange stuff indeed. |
| |
 |
Baby Sticks & The KingTones "Pigmy" Shelley
Exotica meets Las Vegas Grind, this filthy tittyshaker sounds like it was recorded out of the wilds of borneo rather than New York City. Frankie Dee and Cy Levitan were the people behind this release - it was co-written by Dee and produced by both so perhaps the band were nothing more than a pseudonym created by these two. Frankie Dee was a recording artist at the end of the fifties/turn of the sixties, Cy Levitan was a producer who owned the Yorkshire label - most notably he was responsible for recording the east coast surf / garage band The Dolphins. "Pigmy" is one of those 45's that if you are into this sound you'll kill to get hold of a copy. |
| |
 |
Big Jay McNealy and Band feat. Little Sonny "...Back...Shack...Track" Swingin'
Sax man Big Jay McNeely was a true wild man of Jump Blues / Rock n' Roll, apparently his stage act comprised of him rolling around on the floor and jumping up and down and generallly acting like he was being electrocuted. This 45 was recorded in 1959 and is the flipside to his big hit "There is Something On Your Mind" which reached number 4 on the RnB Billboard charts.
The Swingin' record label was established by Hollywood disc jockey Hunter Hancock, many of its releases now go for several hundred dollars, not to fear though for this is a $10 stocking filler. The singer was Little Sonny Warner who enjoyed a noteable career of his own. |
| |
 |
The Sparkles "No Friend Of Mine" Hickory
One of my all time favourite 45's. No reason to include it other than feel great letting you cast your eyes on it! |
| |
 |
The Tomko's "The Spook" Artistique
A totally new sound for me, I only heard this recently while trawling through Rex Doanes incredible radio show archives over at WFMU (Fools Paradise) so don't really know anything about it. My copy has "The Spook" on both sides which was rather lucky! Quite an insane rock n' roll / surf sound with the most derranged screaming and wierding out I've yet heard cut to vinyl. This ones in a league of its own! |
| |
 |
Kid Thomas "The Wolf Pack" Federal
The legend of bluesman / rock n' roller Kid Thomas should be familiar to many here, but for those of you who have yet to experience the killer legacy of one of the greatest, you may want to check out this great site which has a comic story of the kid's life... http://www.alixopulos.com/kidt1.html or this site which has a great bio of the Kid... http://koti.mbnet.fi/wdd/kidthomasbio.htm
"The Wolf Pack" can justifiably be considered one of the greatest 45's of all time, from the opening note and howling wolf calls to the very last note we are dealing with the true rarity - a perfect record, super tough to find and crazy expensive if you are lucky to find one but an utter essential as are all his recordings. |
