I’d like to know more about the strangely named Lind and the Linders. Buis’ comment below has given me some info. I’ll repeat most of it here:
The Lind & Linders are strictly based in Osaka, far from Tokyo’s major conglomerate-dominated music scene. Sadly no albums materialized. Most all of their original materials are written by leader Hiroshi Kato, but strangely both sides of this 45 is not (staffer Tsuneaki Tone did, including the mindblowing strings arrangement).
They broke up in 1969 and after which Kato involved with more experimental projects, and in the 70s went to England and worked as a studio guitarist. Vocalist Tetsuya Kaga also started solo career, but sadly passed away last December [2007]. Until his death, several attempts at reforming have been occurred, mainly performing at Osaka clubs.
Kurosawa Susumu’s Nihon Rock ki GS-hen (Japan Rock Chronicles: Group Sounds Compendium) gives the lineup and has more info in Japanese I’ll try to scan and post here soon:
Tetsuya Kaga – vocals
Teruo Sakaki – vocals
Shuji Mukai – vocals
Hiroshi Kato – lead guitar
Kazuki Takagi – guitar, vocals
Kazuo Unoyama – bass
Akio Shima – drums
replacement members:
Fujimaru Hamada – drums
Koji Hori – guitar
Aki Mori – bass
Their first and third 45s from 1967 simply show a man with a guitar on the cover. The second has a photo of a seven piece group: three vocalists upfront with some bizarre mod-style hairdos and the band behind them. It features the songs “Moero Circuit” and “Do the Crap”. Why hasn’t “Do the Crap” been compiled somewhere? I’m sure there’s a reason.
They settled into a six piece group and released four more 45s in 1968 definitely in a pop vein, but often with inventive arrangements. The first of these, and their fourth 45 overall has a great b-side, “Koi ni Shibirete”. Strings double the guitar line and the song has the usual whistles and shouts to denote ‘excitement’ in GS records.
The A-side, “Gin no Kusari (Golden Chain)” is more traditional pop, but as a fan of this kind of song I think the vocal works well.
Their next 45 “Yuhi Yo Isoge” is pretty good, and was followed by Huey Smith and the Clowns’ “Ha Ha Ha (Don’t You Just Know It)” with horns.
“I Dig Rock and Roll Music” is their mildly psychedelic tribute to Donovan, the Mamas and Papas and the Beatles. I thought it was one of the few original songs from a 1968 compilation called Group Sounds World Top Hits, but Milton corrects me in a comment below that it’s a Peter, Paul and Mary song. The transcribed lyrics are, as always, a hoot.
That’s all of their work that I’ve heard – their last 45 “Yoake no Jujika” features a Christian cross on the cover I wonder what that was about?
