a href=”https://garagehangover.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ShepherdTangent45AreWeAlone.jpg”>Shepherd came from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and cut this one great hard-rock single, “Are We Alone” / “I Never Heard a Thing” around May of 1971.
Members were:
Mike Clifton – guitar, vocal Jay Peterson – keyboards Mark Lillis – bass Jeff Hilgert – drums
“Are We Alone” is an original composed by the entire band. Mike Clifton wrote “I Never Heard a Thing”. Ten Platt Music BMI published both songs.
Produced by Scott Sound Studios for Tangent Records, and released on Tangent TT 106, a Division of Scott Productions, Inc., Eau Claire. The Shepherd single was one of five or six singles on Tangent, including Cross Town Traffique, the Zig-Zags, Dallas Cord and the D.J.s.
According to an online source, Mike Clifton, Mark Lillis and Jeff Hilgert would go on to Dynamite Duck and Snowblind, among others. I don’t believe those bands recorded.
Mark Lillis and Jeff Hilgert had been in the Burlington Express (not the Topeka, KS group). Jay Peterson would be in Bacon Fat with Hilgert and Lillis, and Dynamite Duck.
Any more information or photos of the band would be appreciated.
Sometimes I find a single so obscure, I step out of my ’60s garage bag and write about it. This single by Heer, “If I Had Your Number” / “Briefcase Person” is ’80s synth-pop with keyboards, guitar, drums and bass.
Yuri Soukal composed the music for both songs, and David Beckwith wrote the words for “Briefcase Person”. Issued with a release number H-11454 in 1985.
Rough audio of both sides along with two other songs is on youtube if you search for it. According to the person posting, Yuri Soukal died on May 22, 1987.
Found somewhere near Chicago, Illinois. Anyone have further info?
The Cleaners came from Schenectady, New York, releasing two singles in 1966 and 1967.
Members included Larry Parks (listed in songwriting credits as Larry Podrazik), Bob Ives (Robert Iovinella), Bob Sands and Jay Camp.
The Cleaners’ first single was the super-soulful “How I Feel” b/w “If You Want Me” (described on the label as Rock-Jazz), both originals by Podrazik and Iovinella. A comment below mentions booking manager George DeVito recording the songs in his home studio. However, I have a 8″ laquer acetate of both songs from Earl Kennett’s studio. The sound of the bass, and the echo of the hand claps on “If You Want Me” suggests Earl’s studio rather than a home recording.
It was issued on Knight Records KN 3, of Bellevue Station, Schenectady, with a State Music Productions credit; the ZTSP 122826/7 codes indicate a Columbia custom issue, a styrene 45.
Podrazik and Iovinella copyrighted the songs in April and May of 1966, along with another original, “Just Until the End of Time” that was not released but would remain part of their live set.
In July of 1967 Podrazik and Iovinella registered another original song, “Dust”. The Cleaners cut it at Kennett Sound Studio in Kinderhook, NY, along with a cover of “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”, released on their own Kleener Style Records 0011.
These were among the earliest singles issued out of Earl Kennett’s studio, which would go on to record and release over twenty 45s into the 1970s.
From the 1967 index of copyright registration
Not long after, the East Coast Clique recorded “Dust” backed with another Podrazik/Iovinella original, “Last Stop (Everybody’s Getting Off)”, both with NemSong publishing. Released as Charter Records 0016, the Kennett Sound credit at the bottom indicates the studio, as does the 00 prefix on the release number 0016. The production on this version is fuller, with the drums more prominent and danceable.
The East Coast Clique, including at least two members of the Cleaners
A Schenectady news clipping about the East Coast Clique mentions a single on the “Cleaner Style” label, so the Clique were a continuation of the Cleaners with a new band name, and some different members. Larry Parks and Bob Ives had been in the Cleaners, and the East Coast Clique’s other members included Sal Cannavo, Kent Brust and John Malik.
The article states:
One of the group’s songs, “Just Until the End of Time,” arranged by Bob Ives, leader, and Larry Parks, will be dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the performance.
Now appearing at the Bavarian Lodge in Hudson, the East Coast Clique … record on the Cleaner Style label and have appeared on Hank Brown’s Twistorama over WKTV, channel 2.
There is an 12″ acetate from Kennett Sound Studio of three songs by the East Coast Clique: a later version of “How I Feel”, “Last Stop (Everybody’s Getting Off)” and “Just Until the End of Time”. The second song was issued as the B-side to their single on Charter Records, “Dust” but I am not sure if this is the same version.
Podrazik and Iovinella registered two additional songs in 1968: “Captain Miller’s Flying Circus”, and “Sleepy Boy” (this last one shows Earl Kennett contributing to the music arrangement).
Kennett Sound Studio acetate for the Cleaners “Baby I Won’t Be Lonely”, from 1969. Scan courtesy of Brian Kirschenbaum
In January 1969, they registered “Baby, I Won’t Be Lonely”, which exists on a Kennett demo acetate as by the Cleaners, so it may have been considered for release.
Later copyrights include “I’m So Happy” (October 1969, with words by Brummer).
Al Quaglieri wrote a profile of Bob Iovinella for the March 8-14, 1990 issue of Metroland. He describes how Iovinella and Larry Parks had a five-year publishing contract by Nat Weiss, but only two songs saw publication in that time.
In 1970, Larry Parks had a solo composition “Pay Day” (using the name Adam Parks) recorded by Sha Na Na.
Starting in 1980, Iovinella and Parks would work together again as partners in Hendi-Parksives Productions.
Thank you to Brian Kirschenbaum for scans of the East Coast Clique 45 and the Cleaners acetate. Thank you to Bobby Iovinella for the photo at top and to Mikael for the news clipping.
The Villagers included Phil Haskins, Rick Haskins and Charles Petit.
They cut their only single in very early 1969 at Kennett Sound Studio, located in a renovated barn just south of the village of Kinderhook, NY.
Phil Haskins wrote the words to the slow, lovely “Wishes and Memories” and co-wrote the music with Rick Haskins (Richard J. Haskins).
Charles R. Petit wrote the more soul-styled “Cry On”, copyright registered February, 1969.
There is no label name, but Kennett Sound appears on other singles by the Cleaners and East Coast Clique, and the 0018 release number is similar to others from that studio, usually four digits starting with 00.
Here’s an obscure one out of Nashville, from the early-70s I would guess. Fire, Rhythm and Smoke do a good hard rock number called “Fire & Rhythm” with very gravely vocals, released on Sissie’s 001.
The flip is “Sissie’s Place”, kind of a ’60s Sam the Sham sound to advertise Sissie’s Uptown Lounge on 125 6th Ave N in Nashville. I can’t find any mention of that lounge in news archives or on the web, and the site may be a parking lot now. For decades it was the address of Rock City Amusement Co. which advertised jukeboxes and pinball machines in Cash Box.
James Snell gets song writing credit on both labels, but BMI lists Dave Sunderland and Gary Turner on both songs, as well as Snell.
Desert Trash published both songs. The only other songs in their catalog are “Lay Me Down By Your Side” & “Cheatin’ on Him” by Ellen Daley, but I can’t find a recording of those.
John Shepherd produced and has his name etched in the runout.
That’s all I can find out. Surely these musicians had some roots in earlier groups.
Thee Illusion at the Erie Canal Fest, August 1967, from left: Alan, Tommy, Jim and SlateMisfits photo with Slate Raymond on guitar and Alan Farnsworth on drums
Jim Kriss compiled an amazing history of Thee Illusion (later known as Thee Illusion and Brass). There are dozens of great photos, a detailed history, and info on other groups from the area like the Humans and the Cult.
The PDF is available at the link below – a fairly large file, 22 MB.
Below is Jim’s list of musicians in the Misfits and Thee Illusion and Brass:
Tom McNall – (original member of the Misfits and Thee Illusion – Rhythm/Lead guitar and vocals T. Slate Raymond – (original member of the Misfits and Thee Illusion) – Lead Guitar Alan Farnsworth – (original member of the Misfits and Thee Illusion – Drums, Bass Guitar and Vocals Jim Kriss – (original member of Thee Illusion) – Drums and Vocals Mark Heard – (second generation member of Thee Illusion) – Keyboards Ray Colonna – (second generation member of Thee Illusion and Brass) – Percussion and Roadie Steve Rustay – (first generation member of Thee Illusion and Brass) – Trumpet and Percussion Bob Mathes – (first generation, former member of Thee Illusion and Brass) – Trumpet Chuck Lafferty – (second generation member of Thee Illusion and Brass) – Trumpet and Percussion
Mojo-Bone Records first two releases are back from the plant and ready to order.
The Baytovens “My House” / “Luv Look Away” went unreleased until the 2007 CD You Got Yours! (East Bay Garage 1965-1967) from Big Beat Records. This marks the first vinyl release for either song. 8-page color booklet includes the group’s full story by Alec Palao.
This is the first release for the Bummers demo “I Can’t Imagine” / “L.S.D.”, and includes a fold-out insert in purple ink, with artwork, lyrics and a photo.
Each is $14 plus $4.25 1st class postage for up to two singles. Contact me to order directly.
March 5. 1966. The American Teens, from left, front row: Ronnie Stevens and Gene Ponton; back: Jim Stevens, Bobby Stevens and Bill Koontz.
The American Teens came from Frederick, Maryland, about an hour’s drive northwest of Washington, DC. The members were:
Bobby Stevens – guitar and vocals Jim Stevens – guitar Gene Ponton – saxophone Bill Koontz – bass guitar Ronnie Stevens – drums
Ray Vernon signed the band to Swan Records and produced this great single at his studio in Accokeek, Wray’s Shack Three Track.
“Shake Shake Baby” is a danceable original written and arranged by Ray Vernon’s brother, Link Wray (using his common pseudonym, F.L. Wray Sr). I actually prefer the flip, “A Brand New Love”, credited to Bobby Stevens.
The labels list Florentine Music and Palmina Music as publisher of both songs, but I don’t see either in the BMI database or Library of Congress registrations.
The Frederick News-Post covered the band twice. The first article on March 5, 1966 had the most extensive profile of the band:
Local Band Records First Single by Marie Howell
With the release of their first single record this week, five county youths have started keeping tabs on the national and local record ratings.
Known as “The American Teens.” the quintet includes three brothers, Bobby, Ronnie and Jim Stevens, plus Gene Ponton and Bill Koontz.
The group’s original recording, “Shake, Shake Baby,” was released on the Swan Label earlier this week. Words for the rock and roll song were written by Ray Vernon who’s managing the group and the record was taped at Vernon’s studio at Achocokee [Accokeek].
On the flip side of is “One That’s Old,” [sic] written by Bobby and Jim.
The boys, who have performed throughout the state, left Thursday night for Buffalo, N.Y., where they’re scheduled to perform tonight at a radio station’s record hop.
All but two of the youths have graduated from high school and are holding down jobs in addition to their practices and performances.
Bill is a graduate of St. John’s High School and Ronnie and Jim are graduates of Middletown High School. Bobby is a junior at Middletown and Gene’s a senior at Frederick High School.
The band, which practices about twice a week, has signed a contract which calls for them to cut four records a year.
Ronnie, who’s the drummer, admits that “I didn’t realize how much time and hard work it took to get a good recording. We worked week after week, hour upon hour with Ray Vernon to get a good tape,” he explained. “We finally made it and I hope it will go over big.”
… Bobby plays guitar and is the group’s vocalist.
And, Bobby added, “The band as a whole feels that meeting Ray Vernon was the biggest break that we’ve ever had.”
I wonder if the record made any headway in Buffalo. It’s a rare item now.
Ronnie Stevens of the American Teens, June 30, 1966
On June 30, a full page of photos from a Baker Park concert discusses teen trends of the day, with quotes from Kristina Parker, Laurencine Thomas, Mark Nelson, Buster McKenzie, Joyce Stimmel, Brenda Cregger, and also Bill Devilbiss, bassist for the Five Acts, a group I know nothing about. There is also a good photo of Ronnie Stevens on drums.
For whatever reason, the band didn’t last, but their single showed promise, and I hope there are a few unreleased recordings out there.
Sleepy Hollow released their only single on ECI (Entertainment Consultants Inc.), probably in 1969. “Feelin’ Glad” / “Missed You So” are originals by Alan Quinlan. Both sides are good rock performances with commercial pop touches.
The single is a Wakefield pressing, SJW-11238. Alan Quinlan registered these songs with the Library of Congress in February, 1969, using his full name, William Alan Quinlan.
Sleepy Hollow included at least one member of the Pheonix group Thackeray Rocke, bassist Al Quinlan.
Thackeray Rocke included:
Frank Lacey – lead vocals Mike Kessler – lead guitar (spelled Keslar on copyright registration) Sheldon Skinkle (aka Bunker Huddle/Jr. Ellis) – guitar Al Quinlan – bass and vocals Paul Buys – drums and vocals Vince Welnick – keyboards
Quinlan co-wrote “Bawling” with lead guitarist Michael Keslar, recorded by Thackeray Rocke on Castalia Productions ARA 10671, and “Can’t You See” with Paul Buys, released on Castalia Prod., ARA 268. Both of those were cut at Audio Recorders in Phoenix and produced by Michael Wood, and Renda Music, Inc shows up in the publishing.
I suppose Thackeray Rocke split and some of the members continued as Sleepy Hollow.
Alan Quinlan has a number of other registered copyrights. From May of 1969, there are “It’s Wonderful to Love Her”, “Miss Merriwether”, and “Puzzles”, then “Good John” registered in November. In October, 1970 he registered an album’s worth of songs, including “Bottle of Wine”, “Gilted Quean” (sic – also registered as “Jilted Queen (Have You Seen My Love?)”, “Merry-Go-Round” and “Seasons”, among other titles. As far as I can tell, none of these songs saw release; perhaps demos still exist.
The obscure group Teachers Pet cut this one single on the equally obscure B-Rod Records. “Trying to Get Back to You” is crude swampy boogie. The A-side was the comparatively sleepy “Say You Love Me”. Both songs were originals by Larry Sims and Mike Zimmerman.
BMI lists Sims’ full name as Larry Clifton Sims, but it may be confusing him with the bassist and vocalist with the Sunshine Company and Loggins & Messina. BMI also lists two other original songs by the duo, “Seven Days a Week” and “Yes I Do”. I’m not sure either song was recorded.
Kingsbury-Wilson published the songs, now listed as Kingsbury-Wilson Enterprise of Louisville in BMI’s database. Mountain Music did the production. Released on B-Rod Records, without a catalog number on the label. The runout has “1269 – 1948”, I suspect the 1269 could mean December of 1969, but it’s just a guess.
I know of two other releases on B-Rod Records. Don Woolett’s “Rock to Kentucky” / “Ballad of Abraham Lincoln” is on a blue label similar to the Teachers Pet single, released in May, 1971.
A different red label design has Robin Kay Waggoner’s “We’ve Got to Try” / “Your Friend”, with “product of MMP in Lebanon Junction, KY”. Music Mountain Productions also recorded the Sound of the Zounds 45, covered previously on Garage Hangover.
Teachers Pet may have been from Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, or possibly Louisville, a half-hour’s drive north.
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Shepherd came from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and cut this one great hard-rock single, “Are We Alone” / “I Never Heard a Thing” around May of 1971.
“Are We Alone” is an original composed by the entire band. Mike Clifton wrote “I Never Heard a Thing”. Ten Platt Music BMI published both songs.
