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Classic Vinyl
TEXAS GARAGE BANDS OF THE '60'S
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Blue Things Group Photo
Chessmen Group Photo
Undertakers Group Photo
Texas Punk Album
Texas The Briks/Basement Wall
Texas Punk Dallas 1966
Texas Punk Music Rom the Outer Limits!
Singles: Twist and Shout/Ain't that Lovin' You Baby" ----Val Stoecklein's Blue Things are from the West of Texas. They recorded half a dozen singles between '65 and '67. One of their more memorable releases is a fantastic cover of "Twist and Shout". they released their album in 1966, an album balanced between folk and rock music---very easy listening and a great rock blues version of "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby"
Singles: I Need You There/Sad----The Chessmen were a very popular Dallas group---their live performances remain legendary in the local dance halls. Their "I Need You There" is a garage punk masterpiece backed by the powerful drummer/vocalist Doyle Bramhall and it is still undecided who played guitar on this cut (as there were many band member changes) Robert Patton or Jimmy Vaughan. Other Music Greats who passed thru this band are Sammy Piazza (later of Hot Tuna) Billy Etherridge, Johnny Peoples and Tommy Carter
Singles: Unchain My Heart/It's My Time----The Undertakers are an Amazing quintet from Amarillo. They released two superb titles, one a fantastic cover of Ray Charles' classic "Unchain My Heart" complete with a fine riff of slide guitar, a punk masterpiece devoted to mid-sixties Texan groups. the other "It's My Time" is a B-side single that has all the flavour of the era.
Singles: And It's Time/William Junior---The Novas started out in 1964 doing covers of The Astronauts', then progressed into the pop sounds of the Byrds, Hollies and The Loving Spoonful---they had a beautiful folk-rock sound with perfect harmonies and clever guitar leads. Band members are John Salih/lead guitar/keyboards/vocals, David Dennard/bass, David Browne/vocals/rhythm guitar and Gary Madrigal/drums/vocals---Another GREAT band from the Texas State.
Singles: Come On/I'll Show You A Man---The U.S. Britons were led by a 15 year old whiz kid Mike Jones/lead guitar/vocals. they cut these 2 songs for a possible single, but they went nowhere---a huge Beatles and Beau Brummels sound and if they would have had the proper management, they could really have gone places. All out of Texas '66
Check out Texas Punk Volume 8/Cicadelic Records featuring The Basement Wall---recorded live at The Act 111 in 1967--Barrie Edgar/drums/vocals, Terry Bourdier/bass, Richard Lipscomb/guitar/vocals and George Ratzlaff/organ/vocals---an amazing rocking live album that is sure to bring back memories of the way concerts used to be---I covered this band in my past columns---The Briks---recorded live at the Northwood Country Club 1967 with Cecil Cotten/lead vocals, Mike Maroney/bass, Lee Hardesty/rhythm guitar, Jamie Herndon/lead guitar and Chris Vandercolt/drums---playing classics's till the End Of The Day, Heart Full Of Soul and I'm a Man another great rocking live side---I also covered this band in a past column---just an update for the readers to check out this album, also recorded in Mono
The Outcasts were Jim Carsten/rhythm guitar/vocals, Denny Turner/lead guitar/auto harp, Ricky Wright/drums, Jim Ryan/bass/vocals and Eugene (buddy) Carson/keyboard/harmonica/vocals---they hailed from San Antonio, sounded like the British Invasion of the Beatles/Yardbirds and The Rolling Stones---guess you know why I love these guys. Bluesy Harp, lighting fast lead guitar work and catchy drumming made them one of the best Psychedelic bands out of Texas---be sure to check out their Bo Diddley beat "I'm In Pittsburgh and It's Raining track, Smokestack Lightning (a refreshing version) and Route 66---Cicadelic records.
The Esquires were Chuck Snelling, Dick Thornberry, Wes Horne and Terry Hall--they played all the hot spots in Dallas and Ft. Worth---they were just hot hot hot with the sounds of The Stones and Barry McGuire with sizzling guitar licks by Chuck---check out their sounds on Texas Punk 1966 volume 2 on Cicadelic Records for great renditions of their songs.
Some other Texas Bands worth Honourable mention are The Cynics/Mr. Your A Better Man Than I---Them/Dirty Old Man, Society/High And Mighty---Mouse And The Traps/Good Times---The By Fives/I Saw You Walking---The Penthouse 5/The years Have Passed---the Word D/Keep On Walking---these are just a small taste of Texas talent, be sure to check out their vinyl releases.
Now I usually like to concide my youtubes with my column, but these Texas bands were lucky enough to have sound recordings, let alone video clips---I couldn't find a single one, but I did find these AMAZING clips from late 58-59 into the '60 The Tielman Brothers a Dutch In-Do Rock band----I would LOVE to be in this band---my type of rocking band, let me know what you think of them. "Rock It Up 1959" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1syTpGeitEQ "Roll and Rock Live 1960" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvC2_nsVJv0 and The Ventlures vs Indo Rock Tielman Brothers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juSnBr2140M&feat...ure=related Hope you like this great sound.
Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca <bluesslider88@yahoo.ca" title="Go to http://ca.mc392.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bluesslider88@yahoo.ca" target="_blank">http://ca.mc392.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bluesslider88@yahoo.ca>> or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl
Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.
