Tags: garage

4 Dec 2009, Comments (6)

S.J. and the Crossroads – Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo (SALMAR) 1966

Author: michael selman
kennykasualsband

A garage rock group, which mainly recorded and performed covers from Beaumont, Texas, S.J. and the Crossroads, were exceptional at recording tunes with a lone star signature sound. Of the small amount of information remaining about this group, I was able to find an interview with the original lead singer Sam Messina. In this interview Messina has problems coming to grips with the idea that his band fit the garage/punk sound. After listening to S.J. and the Crossroads snarling vocals and rough instrumentation, a garage image is unveiled.

impact scan
impact scan

Today I bring you two out of a slew of monster 45’s by The Crossroads, first which is a Jesse Hill cover of Ooh Poo Pah Doo. This single was recorded in Jones Studio in Houston; the group wanted a live feel for the track so they overdubbed background voices at the beginning of the track. The band supposedly was saying the word “Rhubarb,” over and over again, however the listener is unable to decipher this from the track. The second tune is a calm version of The Strangeloves “Night Time.”

kennykasualsband

The group consisted of six Italian guys from Beaumont. Mike Daleo on guitar, Phillip Battaglia on bass, Johnny Serio on lead guitar, Sam Giglio on keys, Sam Messina on vocals and S.J. Serio on drums. The group recorded on the Salmar Label out of Beaumont, which was created for the Crossroads. The name was selected because S.J.’s and Jonny’s father Sal Serio, who was the group’s manager and their mother’s name was Mary forming SALMAR Records.

kennykasualsband

LISTEN: S.J. and the Crossroads – Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo

LISTEN: S.J. and the Crossroads – Night Time

20 Nov 2009, Comments (2)

Mouse and The Traps – Lie, Beg, Borrow and Steal (FRATERNITY) 1967

Author: michael selman
kenny and the kasuals

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.

impact scan

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.

kennykasualsband

LISTEN: Mouse – A Public Execution

LISTEN: Mouse and The Traps – Lie, Beg, Barrow and Steal

13 Nov 2009, Comments (0)

The Sparkles – The Hip (HICKORY) 1966

Author: michael selman

As far as garage music in the sixties was concerned, there were two categories: there was The Sparkles and there was everybody else that didn’t stack up. Born in Levelland, Texas then relocating to Lubbock, this group is absolutely the rawest, screaming garage I have ever dug up. While many groups later in the seventies experimented with two drummers these guys were doing it in 1965 and doing it well. Formed in 1957, but not recording their debut until 1962 “The UT” (for Untitled) on the tiny Caron label. This recording garnered zero attention.


After this flop most of the group went on to new projects leaving only one remaining original member to start a new line up from scratch. This line up would turn out to be a success with: Louie Holt on lead guitar, Jimmy Marriott on drums, Bobby Smith on bass, Lucky Floyd on drums and lead vocal and lastly Gary P. Nunn on rhythm guitar and organ. The group signed to Hickory Records and was able to get Roy Orbison’s drummer, Larry Parks, as their producer. In 1966 they recorded “The Hip” which turned out to be a swinging dance number quite popular with the fraternity crowd at the University of Texas at Austin. This single is one, which I consider a novelty in a garage/psych genre, being that the vocals are so fast they have a rapping or slam quality.


The Sparkles were one of a few groups that were a working band only; they played for their livelihood, perfecting their sound with no dead end jobs getting in the way. The group recorded their masterpiece “No Friend of Mine” in late 1967. This incendiary effort distinguished by Nunn’s snarling guitar lead and Floyd’s remarkably anguished vocal was later immortalized via inclusion on the first Nuggets box set. I want to point out that Sundazed has released an E.P. by The Sparkles that includes three tracks: “No Friend of Mine,” “Hipsville 29 B.C.” and “I Want To Be Free.” Being that “Hipsville 29 B.C.” and “No Friend of Mine” are around $200 45s, buying the E.P. might be a good route, then again maybe you will get lucky like I have and dig them up. As for this group, the nuclear meltdown-strength classics “The Hip,” and “No Friend Of Mine” are of a different breed than any group of this time period; they capture the garage genre at peak power for the sixties. ENJOY.



LISTEN: The Sparkles – The U.T.

LISTEN: The Sparkles – The Hip

LISTEN: The Sparkles – Daddy Gonna’ Put the Hurt On You

LISTEN: The Sparkles – No Friend Of Mine

5 Nov 2009, Comments (1)

Jimmy Rabbit – My Girl (JOSIE) 1965

Author: michael selman

This weeks post is dedicated to two of my favorite people who happen to be getting married on Friday. Being that I mostly post Texas garage/fuzz/psych and since these two lovebirds have an ear for this particular genre, I figured I would dedicate them a screamin’ love song. The side that I am dedicating is not the known hit for this 7-inch, however still worthy, shattering harp and penetrating guitar riffs are sure to let cupid’s arrow fly. I am going to post the flip as well, “Wishy-Washy Woman,” but I would like the theme of the second track to not distract us from the purpose of this post.

Most of the groups I have posted so far owe homage to this artist. He got into the music industry as a jockey for the Dallas station KLIF AM 1190. Over the airwaves of KLIF is where most of these Texas acts got their foot in the door. Rabbit born Eddy Payne really enjoyed the British sound of the Yardbirds, Stones, The Who and the Beatles, but also enjoyed rockabilly, which was found only in the states. Rabbit as a teenager played on many radio stations throughout Texas including Tyler (where he meet Robin Hood Brians), Corpus Christi and Dallas. For radio promotions, Rabbit decided to become a professional wrestler with the matches being broadcasted over the waves. This short second career choice would be where his alias would originate, wrestling under the handle “Jujitsu Jimmy Rabbit.”

Rabbit when recording would try to create a sound much like the British acts of his day much the same as Sir Douglas Quintet. In 1965 Rabbit recorded “Pushover” which was featured in the motion picture High Yellow. In the promo picture below, playing in the background, you can see Jimmy and his band playing. Later that year in July, Rabbit recorded “Wishy-Washy Woman” and “My Girl.” If “My Girl” is a love song then Rabbit wanted to show both sides of the coin. “Wishy-Washy Woman,” just like the title states, tells the story of a woman who is manic towards her lover and the anguish that he goes through. Rabbit went on to record a hit under the alias, Positively 13 O’clock, which I have not been able to track down a copy as of yet. This hit was a cover of the well-known track “Psychotic Reaction” by The Count Five. This cover was recorded at the famed Robin Hood Studios in Tyler Texas. When I am able to dig one up, be assured it will appear on imshakin.

Lastly I want to get sappy again and tell Andrew and Violet, being the first person to witness you two together, living with you both for some time and seeing your love grow for each other, I have never seen such a beautiful connection. I send you both love and good luck in Albuquerque.


LISTEN: Jimmy Rabbit – My Girl

LISTEN: Jimmy Rabbit – Wishy-Washy Woman

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