THEY CAME FROM PLANET PSYCH-OUT!
1) Wake Up - ZAGER & EVANS
“In the Year 2525” was a late 60’s alarmist response to the advances of science and perfectly capitalized on the simultaneous chaos impacting American society. Essentially, it was a record for those in middle America who felt the world had gone to pot. The song was number one for six remarkable weeks. Their follow up LP Zager & Evans included the bizarre “Mr.Turnkey” (about a rapist crucifying himself), as well as this interesting coda to “During REM”.
Wake Up
2) Pencraft Transcender - PUBLIC NUISANCE
Producer Terry Melcher (son of actress Doris Day - RIP) was a very successful and prominent west coast figure in the mid and later 1960’s, having worked on mega hits for The Byrds, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Glen Campbell and others. It was certainly understandable why up-and-coming musical performers would hover toward him.
Two such acts, different but historically intertwined, were Charles Manson and Public Nuisance. Melcher had actually met with Manson and reportedly made promises to get him a recording deal. There were some auditions, but after an incident witnessed by Melcher at Spahn Ranch, the producer got cold feet and took a pass on Chucky. Meanwhile, a young Sacramento outfit called Public Nuisance (formerly known as Moss & The Rocks), were showing some real promise. Prior to meeting Melcher, the group had cut some singles at Fantasy Records, and opened for The Doors and Buffalo Springfield. By 1968, they were displaying a sophisticated, harder-edged pop psych.
Unfortunately for Melcher, The Manson Family was not known as “forgiving types”, and the producer’s life evolved into a state of paranoid upheaval. Aware that Charles & Co had been guests at his digs, he swiftly moved out of the home he was renting. That vacancy was quickly filled by Roman Polanski and his wife Sharon Tate. Shortly afterwards, Sharon Tate was dead and Melcher ceased all production work and went into hiding.
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| Moss & The Rocks: Voted "Most Likely to Break Out" (little did they know, voters meant acne and not musically) |
Pencraft Transcender
3) Radio City - THE LOOT
The remarkable similarities between The Troggs and The Loot can be linked to two shared characteristics: Loot guitarist Dave Wright had formerly been a member of The Troggs and production was provided to both groups by Larry Page. Even their musical evolution ran in parallel dimensions. “Radio City” would be featured as the b-side on their final single, released in the twilight of 1969.
Radio City
4) Contact - BRIGITTE BARDOT
Brigitte Bardot’s musical career began well before her partnership with Serge Gainsbourg, dating all the way back to 1956. Her style during the period was typically Chanson Française, not terribly original nor interesting. By the mid 60’s Bardot was placing greater emphasis on her musical career and was noticed by notorious producer, writer and performer Gainsbourg. Serge had already made a name for himself with his bawdy songs (particularly those performed by France Gall), and his reputation as a lady’s man. He approached the starlet and offered not only his compositions but mentorship as well.
Their first collaboration was the smash single “Harley Davidson” backed by the bizarre “Contact”. Both songs appeared on her LP The Brigitte Bardot Show, and a positively odd, though appropriate, promotional video was created for “Contact” (see link below). The song features a unique collection of instruments (zither, ondioline [electronic keyboard], oscillators) backing up Bardot’s icy, straightforward vocals. The next single would be the wonderful “Bonnie & Clyde”.
Contact
Watch Brigitte Make Contact!
5) My Mary (More Than Ever) - JADE
In 1969, keyboardist Jamie Auman quit Miami University to focus on a musical endeavor, specifically his Cincinatti-based band called Jade. Along with Nick Root, Randy Morse and Tim Nixon, the group scraped together enough cash to finance three singles and an LP for a local outfit called General American Records.
The recordings were produced at Jewell Recording Studios, and showed an amazing polish for a small-time affair. Note the decidedly toke-worthy production techniques on the standout track “My Mary (More Than Ever)”. That trippy gem is heightened with backwards instrumental masking and seamlessly applied phased vocals. Ultimately, “My Mary” would be released as the b-side on their final single and then the group would become musical history by 1973.
My Mary (More Than Ever)
6) I Am The Walker - CREATION
“I Am the Walker” did not come to the light of day until the late 70’s, well after the Creation disbanded. Interestingly, the song’s writing credit was initially applied to Garwood Piejon, when in truth, it was penned by original band member Eddie Phillips. While he composed the song and can be heard as lead guitarist, mental and physical exhaustion caused his departure before he was able to record the lead vocals. Upon Phillips exit, Kenny Pickett, who was sacked in 1966, returned to The Creation and took over lead vocal duties.
I Am The Walker
7) Pepsi Ad - TURTLES
A poppy, peppy ad from California’s favorite sunshine band, The Turtles. Probably recorded after their hit “Happy Together”... judging from the chorus of “ba ba ba’s”.
Pepsi Ad
See The Turtles Bubbling With Exuberance As They Record Their Pepsi Ad!
8) Chicken Little Was Right - TURTLES
Released as single number twelve, and the flip-side of “She’s My Girl”, “Chicken Little” was an environmental call to arms. The attempt at social messaging, however, was a particular problem for a group known as a “sunshine rock” ensemble. Lead vocalist Mark Volman recalls, “We really cared about what was going on. It was a strong message that never really got accepted by our hip, counter-culture peers in the marketplace because of the type of group we were. We were never really afforded the credibility of bands like the Byrds.”
Chicken Little Was Right
9) Very Strange - ROCKADROME
These hosers started gigging in Toronto in late ‘68, and after a few months found themselves recording a full length album at Sound Canada studios (one of the first releases on the new label). The quartet’s lead singer, Ron Dove had the misfortune to possess vocal qualities not all that different from Bob Dylan. Fortunately, they are somewhat hidden by the phasing used on the dreamy, psychedelic “Very Strange”. Their sole album quickly disappeared with little promotion and no 45’s to support it. Today it’s worth a fortune.
Very Strange
10) Last Minute - NASHVILLE TEENS
Though it's implied this outfit is from the “volunteer state”, they actually hail from Surrey, England. Their future looked bright when they scored a top 20 hit on both sides of the Atlantic (“Tobacco Road”) . Unfortunately, while regarded as quite talented, they failed to strike a chord like other Brit Invasion groups, and drifted into obscurity. A rather indistinct sound also hampered their popularity... something they may have been attempting to address with this 1967 pop psych song penned by co-founder Arthur Sharp.
Last Minute
11) P.S. Elic - MEMBERS BLUES BAND
This appears to be a “one off” by the Swedish quartet known as Members Blues Band. The single “One Night” was recorded in 1968 for Jack’s Beat Records (a label founded by Jack Fridthjof who also recorded under the name “Jack & The Outlaws”) with “P.S. Elic” as the flip-side. The song fuses a hypnotic vocal mantra, backwards masking and a slightly-off vibe to create a memorable musical experience.
P.S. Elic
12) Fredereek Hernando - ONE IN A MILLION
Our precocious Scots began their musical career as The Jaygars, then adopted the name One In A Million when they relocated to swinging London in 1966. They scored a deal with CBS, and released an unsuccessful single in early 1967. The label apparently was not in the nurturing mood and dropped them immediately. Fortunately, the foursome landed on their feet and released “Fredereek Hernando” on MGM later that same year.
While not a hit at the time, Fredereek has become a legendary pop psych juggernaut, partly because of its crushing full force, sonic onslaught and partly from the irresistibly cryptic lyrics. Like CBS, MGM was quick to drop the group and the members went their separate ways. A sketchy comp containing their two singles and other demos came out on Wooden Hill in 2008.
Fredereek Hernando
Not related to anything in particular, I find this magazine cover hilarious.
A) Who in God's name was taking procreation advice from the Lennon Sisters?
B) It's August, and these chicks are dressed like they're about to embark on an Alaskan sleigh ride.
13) 28 Giugno - THE ROKES
Proving there is no justice in the world, The Rokes should be revered for an amazing string of infectious, alluring pop psych gems, but they are criminally overlooked. Between 1965 - 1969, they released 4 albums and over a dozen singles, many of them self-penned. Even if they had not written the 60’s anthem “Let’s Live For Today”, they would still showcase a stable of gems including: “Stop and Watch the Children Play”, “Telegram for Miss Marigold”, “Works of Bartholomew”, and “When the Wind Arises.”
“28 Giugno” was the band’s swan song, but still shows them going strong. They debuted the single at the 1969 Sanremo Music Festival where it was well received, and later at the Cantagiro Festival, again to enthusiastic reviews.
28 Giugno
14) Great Shakes Ad (PROMO)
While many “classic” rock groups would rather pretend they’d never shill to make a quick buck, history knows different. In 1967, several bands from Columbia’s roster gladly sang the virtues of a delightful powdered drink that would turn your kitchen into a soda fountain. Boys and girls...
The Yardbirds!
Great Shakes Ad
Clearly Great Shakes is referring to the drink, not the dancing, in this TV ad!
15) De Lane Lea Lee - YARDBIRDS
On Sweet Tarts II, I mentioned the troubled sessions for Little Games... here is a bit more detail. Production for the Yardbirds’ ill-fated album Little Games began at Olympic Studios in London during March of ‘67. A month later, production shifted to De Lane Lea Studios, where famed producer Mickie Most exercised full control. Band members, including Jimmy Page, were sidelined while session musicians were utilized for the bulk of the recordings.
With a crack staff of professional performers, Most was able to crank through an amazing number of songs in a brief period of time. The resulting surplus made it easy to piece together the proposed LP. Oddly, however, the songs that remained in the can, including this track, were far more interesting than the ones that graced the record when it hit the shelves in July 1967.
De Lane Lea Lee
16) Silly Chap - JUMPING POP-IN
The elusive Jumping Pop-In (that name-what were they thinking?) were a Dutch band that formed in 1966 and recorded just one single on the Decca label the following year. The A-side was “Silly Chap”– a likeable, but admittedly mostly pop track.
Silly Chap
17) Romeo & Juliet - TOBY TWIRL
Toby Twirl were a late 60’s group originally known as the “Shades of Blue”. Immediately prior to their signing by Decca, the Newcastle band changed their name to Toby Twirl, a reference to the UK cartoon character from the 1940’s (a piglet). While at Decca, they recorded three singles, utilizing mostly studio musicians, though “Romeo & Juliet” reportedly features the actual members. They proved popular performers, mixing comedy and music, before calling it quits in 1971. A posthumous album was finally released in October 2017 featuring unreleased recordings.
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| Dapper Dandies! |
Romeo & Juliet
18) Sailing Ship - CRYAN’ SHAMES
Chicago stalwarts The Cryan’ Shames broke domestically with their poppy Sugar & Spice LP and single in late 1966. Things were changing fast on the music scene however, so when work began on their second LP Scratch in the Sky, focus shifted to a more sophisticated psychedelia. “Sailing Ship” would be covered as “Sailor” by the Brian Jonestown Massacre in 2001.
Sailing Ship
19) LSD - EXCERPT
So imagine babysitting the obnoxious carpet monkeys down the street, then taking your well-earned pay down to the local record shop. Flipping through the stacks, you see a new LP on the Beatles' label Capitol. It’s called LSD. Side one of the record is titled “The Scene”. At check out, thoughts fill your head of trippy, psychedelic sounds transporting you to new worlds vaguely referenced on Dragnet. Boy, are you in for a surprise!
LSD
20) You Be - CANARIES
B.T. Puppy records was a NY label founded in the early 60’s with a penchant for the frothy pop scene (The Tokens, The Happenings). Surprisingly, it would be home for the Spanish quartet The Canaries (named after the island on which they were born). The group was very popular in their homeland, as well as Europe, but unknown in the US. Their first American release, Flying High, was produced by lablemates The Tokens, and includes this mysterious pulsating pop-psycher!
You Be
21) Pandora’s Golden Heebie Jeebies - THE ASSOCIATION
Not what you would expect from the boys that brought you “Cherish” and “Never My Love”. Many thought the title referenced the famed musical venue Pandora’s Box, but such was not the case. Per lead singer Gary Alexander, “Contrary to previous reports, Pandora’s Golden Heebie Jeebies was not about the Sunset Strip night club Pandora’s Box, but rather about Eastern spirituality that fascinated me at the time.” Heavy!
Pandora’s Golden Heebie Jeebies
22) Marginalia II - GILBERTO GIL
Gil recalls at two years of age, “I told my mother I was going to become a musician or a president of my country.” Ultimately, he became both a musician and politician. It was the marriage of both worlds that lead to his involvement with the Tropicalia movement in the late 60’s. His sophomore album for Philips, the self titled LP from where this track originated, is considered one of the high points of the musical style. Featuring Os Mutantes!
Marginalia II
Watch him perform it live in 2017!
23) Flaming - PINK FLOYD
After the amazing “See Emily Play” and “Apples & Oranges” singles, Pink Floyd continued down the same musical trail with their third outing “Flaming”. The 45, released in coordination with the band’s first US tour, was included on their debut LP Piper At the Gates of Dawn.
Flaming
24) Difference Of Opinion - MONTANAS
Seemingly designed to exploit Dylan, Donovan, flower power, psychedelia and pop, Montana’s keyboardest Terry Rowley composed this ditty with band manager Roger Allen. It would be the flip-side for the group’s sole US success “You’ve Got To Be Loved”. The Wolverhampton, UK band had over a dozen singles in England, many, like this one, produced by Tony Hatch. While their output was significant, major success would elude them.
Difference Of Opinion
25) She’s Going Nowhere - PUBLIC NUISANCE
Here’s another from the Nuisance, aka Moss & The Rocks. A very pleasant, mildly psych (thanks to the guitar riffs) song that sounds like a somewhat sophisticated Paul Revere & The Raiders. It’s a shame history gave them a kick in the pants and denied them a record until 2017. Better late than never I suppose.
She’s Going Nowhere
26) Your Love Belongs To Everyone - CORONADOS
The Coronados are Rubin, Steven and Anita Ortiz; two brothers and a sister of Native American heritage (there is controversy on this point). The New Mexican trio had been on RCA, London and Columbia before settling in with Jubilee sometime around 1968. There, they cut several singles for the label followed by an LP titled Hey Love! “Your Love Belongs To Everyone” was never released as a single, though it has an appealing psychedelic pop approach.
Your Love Belongs To Everyone
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