This week’s selection comes to us from San Antonio, with a cover of “Night Time.” This Strangelove’s cover doesn’t have the piano intro or mainstream accessibility the original had, but still brings across quite a punch. The Chayns version is slower yet summons more of a real garage feel with its damp, dingy recording. I think The Strangleloves version may bring more people to their feet, however I prefer the slower of the two. The members were Myles Wells, Charles Eddleman, Wayne Gustafson, Dale Watson and Bob Turner.
The group originally recorded on A “Chayn Reaction” Production, also called Alamo Audio. I was unable again to find a lot of information on this group, but do know they did sign with International Artists some time in early 1967. The single scanned was released in December 1966, while the IA release hit the racks February 1967.
After many dead ends while researching this group, I posted some messages on G45 looking for some info. A few people replied, that the group came up with the name The Chayns from one day at practice; Bob Turner arrived wearing black boots with one chain around his ankle. The group thought they would be different and spell it Chayns.
The flip of this disc is really interesting as well, with it’s haunting intro and almost surf feel. ENJOY, I would like to point anyone interested in early punk and garage to the G45 website, for these guys know their stuff and can bring light to any obscure find.
LISTEN: The Chayns – Night Time
LISTEN: The Chayns – Live With The Moon
Comments (7) »
I can’t believe I found recordings of the Chayns. They were a very popular group when I was in high school. They played the prom when I was a Junior in high school at St. Mary’s, Fredericksburg, Tx.
Hello! I’m so happy to see this. “Bob Turner” (real name, Robert Tunmer) is my father. He always tells me about being in a band in high school and that the band was very popular. Hes also very excited to see these things online.
I think they played at TAG – The Teenage Club at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. I remember a guy who played guitar behind his back. Was this the Chayns?
Night Time got play on the local AM stations – KTSA and KONO.
Also heard it in Corpus Christi while visiting there.
That might have been the Chayns, alot of bands in Texas played in San Antonio and many also played with their guitars behind their backs. Thanks for reading.
Hey, very cool entry. Do you know much about Alamo Audio? I have a 45 on the same label and am trying to get info. Thanks!
Used to go see the Chayns a lot around San Antonio. Went to same high school as Bob, shared a couple of classes with his brother Bill.
Hey, Aryn, Everybody’s been looking for Bob for quite a while now! I saw Myles Wells, his Chayns bandmate the other night and he said they can’t find him. How can we reach him?
Thanks!