The Black Banana had two singles under different band names. The first 45 I’d heard but hadn’t connected to the second because of the different artist name until Mike Markesich pointed out the connection in his comment below. Mike kindly provided scans of the 1st single as the Black Banana.
The group was from Limestone, in upstate New York, only a little west of Olean, the home of the Tigermen. The Tigermen were active earlier, but perhaps the bands knew each other. Mike tells me the band was also based in Bradford, Pennsylvania, just south of Limestone.
Reversing the usual way of garage bands, the group formed after some of the members had finished their military service. They have a great mid-’60s sound on both their singles despite the late recording dates.
Both singles list the members on the label, for this first one the lineup is:
Fred Mascioni
Karl Langner
Dave McGee
Denny Eck would join the group on guitar by the time of the second single, but he is credited with co-writing “Listen Girl” with McGee and Mascioni.
McGee and Mascioni wrote “Please Come Back to Me” which I haven’t heard yet.
Karl Langner and Arnold White designed the cool label, and Car Hamme engineered the recording. This is an RCA custom pressing from 1969.
The second release has the Fog label but the band name is changed to Banana Music Ltd. It may date as late as 1971.
Members were:
Fred Mascioni
Karl Langner
Dave McGee
Denny Eck
Denny Eck wrote “Don’t Bother Us” and Mascioni & Eck wrote “Walkin'”.
The group is listed as “The Mack Banana Band” in the Bradford Era newspaper from August 1, 1969. From the excerpt I could find online, all the members names are listed except Denny Eck:
The new sound around, come and listen to music written & played by THE MACK BANANA Band — Fred Mascioni, Karl Langner, Dave McGee …
Besides Fog Music Inc., there are other production credits on the labels: “Langner Label”, “Rotten Crates Music Corp.” and “Black Banana”.
When Mike Markesich contacted Fred Mascioni he mentioned there were songs cut for an album that went unreleased.
Thank you to Mike for his help with this post.
I knew fred and actually was presented with a copy of this 45 by fred.
John, I was poking around the web and located garage hangover and saw your comment about my dad giving you a copy of the 45. I love hearing stories that involve my dad! Where are you from? How did you know my dad? Any other stories you wish to share, I would enjoy it. Andy Mascioni
Andy I would LOVE to chat with you . If you are on facebook we could connect more.
The group members were from both locations – Limestone, NY and Bradford, PA. 1st single recorded then issued as the Black Banana in early 1969 on the Fog label.
I had contacted Fred Mascioni over 20 years ago, he said the group also recorded numerous tracks for a planned LP but it never materialized.
Denny Eck didn’t join the trio until the time of the 2nd 45 in 1971.
I would like very much to get in contact with Karl Langner. ed.secondary@gmail.com
I used to work on his house with him and we would play guitar and write stories together.
Hi Andy, hope you and yours are well! 🙃
how many copies were pressed of this awesome record and where were they pressed..Thanks