Some say that the first single from this group, “A Public Execution” is to Dylan what the Knickerbockers’, “Lies” is to the Beatles. One of the few rips offs, which is so accurate that most listeners feel they are listening to the original musicians themselves. Ronnie “Mouse” Weiss was born 1939, he later spearheaded the Tyler, Texas group Mouse later becoming Mouse and the Traps. “A Public Execution” originally written by Weiss and Knox Henderson was taken to Robin Hood Studios in Tyler. The song became a regional hit. This single features Ronnie “Mouse” Weiss on 12 string guitar and vocals, Dave Stanley on Bass, Bug Henderson on guitar, Don “Levi” Garret on drums, Randy Fouts on Piano and Robin Hood Brians himself on farfisa organ. This track not only mimics Dylan’s lyrical content, but also Dylan’s singing style to the point of homage or even parody. The liner notes of the original Nuggets compilation, Larry Kane states “There are some who say that Mouse does Dylan’s Highway 61 period better than the master himself. I personally cannot agree with this statement, however enjoy this parody immensely. After the success of “A Public Execution” the group changed their name to Mouse and the Traps, and the musical styles of the group also changed to more of a punkier rough sound.
Lie, Beg, Borrow and Steal recorded in 1967 is absolutely of this rougher sound I am referencing. The unusual thing about this track is that the full title is “Lie, Beg, Borrow and Steal,” however if you look at the uploaded image of the wax, the Lie in the title has been dropped, confusing this track with the Rare Breed single. The correct name Lie, Beg, Borrow and Steal was written by Ronnie Weiss and also recorded in Tyler at Robin Hood Studios. The musicians on the recording were Ronnie Weiss on guitar and vocals, Dave Stanley on Bass, Bugs Henderson on lead guitar, Jerry Howell on keyboards, Ken Murray on drums. I was able to find a picture sleeve on the net of a German press of Beg, Borrow and Steal. Freak out.
LISTEN: Mouse – A Public Execution
Comments (2) »
The pic is definitely not of the original “Mouse and the Traps” of Tyler, Texas. (author – member of the band, 1968-1969, and 1973-1974.
You are correct sir, however it is the pic sleeve which came out in Europe with the single I wrote about. Thanks for reading I wish I had some other photos of the original group.