Photo card included with some copies of the Sunday Funnies 45 on Skoop. From left: John Rice, Luke Pride, Gary MacShara and Tom Sheffer.
The Sunday Funnies 45 on Skoop 1070 has two excellent original songs, “Sunny Covington Avenue” an uptempo rocker, and “It Won’t Happen to You”. The labels list Gary McShara (actually Gary MacShara) as the song writer on the labels, with publishing by Buna Music. I don’t own a copy of the 45, unfortunately.
A photo card included with some copies of the record has a photo that predates Pat Berry joining the group, and has the name of manager Wayne Watters crossed out.
Sunday Funnies profiled in the Evansville Press, March 30, 1967
I came across this profile of the group from March, 30, 1967, which would date the single to about April, 1967:
The group … has become known through various appearances at such Evansville places as the Community Center at the Coliseum and on local television.
The Messenger of Madisonville KY, Friday, Oct. 14, 1966The Sunday Funnies combo also has performed throughout the Tri-State area, but is hoping to become still better known through its recording of ” soon to be released
The group’s drummer, Gary MacShara, an 18-year-old employee of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital at Morganfield, Ky., wrote both of the tunes. The recording, which will be the Sunday Funnies’ first, is expected to be released soon on the Skoop label from the Santa Claus, Ind. studios.
Also in the combo are John Rice, 17-year-old Union County High School senior from Morganfield, on lead guitar; Luke Pride, 14-year-old Pride, Ky., resident who is a freshman at Sturgis Junior High, the organist; and Tom Shaeffler [Tom Sheffer], 16-year-old junior at St. Vincent Academy near Waverly, Ky., on bass guitar.
Newest member of the group is the singer, Pat Berry, 21, of Morganfield. Richard Young, a disc jockey for a Morganfield radio station, is the group’s business manager.
The group has been together since last September performing “mostly as a hobby and something to do,” Rice explained.
None of the group’s members are now planning to make music a career, he said.
In their appearances, the group strives for a different sound. “We don’t try to get real loud because we don’t especially care for that, but at the same time we try to move away from the old surfing sound,” Rice said.
“Our’s is a straight, no beat, but melodious sound lacking the tangy guitar sound. We’re trying to develop the Utah sound Gary played with a musical group before moving from the western state to the Tri-State,” Rice explained.
The instrumentalists each previously played with other combos, he noted.
The Male Men performing on WPTA Channel 21’s 1965 Christmas show
Wallace Geller sent in the photos and story of a Fort Wayne, Indiana band called the Male Men. The group didn’t release any records, but did make a demo at WGL Radio in 1967. Malemen guitarist Rick Johnston with drummer Jim Brickley.
I was the lead singer of the Fort Wayne Malemen. Members of the band were: Rick Thomas, lead guitar; Rick Johnston, rhythm guitar; Dave Armstrong, bass guitar; and on drums was Jim Brickley. Rick Thomas and Dave Armstrong also did back up vocals.
I became the lead singer April 1965. June of 1965 we participated in a battle of the bands at Northcrest Shopping Center. There were about 10 bands involved. We came in second place but I received the Best Male Singer Award. I still have the plaque.
The summer of 1965 was very busy for us. We performed at the water ski club every Saturday through the summer at Lake George, Michigan. Fall 1965 we were seniors at Northside High School Fort Wayne.
October 1965 we were picked to be the house band of a TV show called 21 A Go Go on the ABC affiliate WPTA Channel 21. We were on every week and we had other local bands and singers on the show. We video taped the half hour show on Tuesday nights and finished on Wednesday nights. The show was on Saturday afternoons at 4 PM. The show ended February 1966 because of union complaints. We were all non union on the show. The station couldn’t get a sponsor. The show was then terminated. The station told us there was about 40,000 people watching the show. That was very considering Fort Wayne was about 180,000 at that time.
The station would let us come in and their sound people recorded us. We had a good recording of “Stand By Me”, made after the band broke up.
The Malemen broke up when the lead guitar player, Rick Thomas was drafted. It was a fantastic time while in the band. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end.
Wallace Geller of the Male Men
Rick Johnston joined the Marines with me in March 1967. Rick Johnston later became a medical doctor. Rick Johnston and Dave Armstrong are both retired and still live in the Fort Wayne area.I lost touch with the drummer Jim Brickley and the lead guitar player, Rick Thomas.
After I got out of the Marines I became a Phoenix Arizona Police Officer for 28 years. I retired May 1999. After I retired my wife Ann got me a karaoke machine for Christmas. I then started performing with my Karaoke machine.
Wallace Geller
Thank you also to Rick Johnston for sending in two of the wphotos seen in this article.
Malemen guitarists Rick Thomas and Rick Johnston. Photo courtesy of Rick Johnston
The Trojans of Evol came out of the Gary, Indiana area, and cut one amazing single in early 1967. The band members were:
Ted Zale – lead singer and keyboards Steve Polomchak – lead guitar and keyboards Chuck Kukelka – rhythm guitar Barry Ardell – bass guitar Curt Burgess – drums
Carlo Espero contacted one of the members and received this short history of the Trojans of Evol:
Songs were recorded at Columbia Studios in Chicago. Ted wrote the lyrics and Ted and Steve wrote the music [for “Why Girl”]. They were just a garage band that played at parties and small events in the area. The record got a lot of airplay on the local radio station in Gary, Indiana and jukeboxes across the area (where we all grew up) and made it to the top of the chart. Steve was invited to play with the Buckinghams when they were looking for a new guitar player. We have no pictures but I can try to find some for you.
Ted Zale wrote “Why Girl”, arranged by Steve Polomchak. The label credits Barry Ardell and Steve Polomchak as writers of “Through the Night”, arranged by Curt Burgess and Barry Ardell.
Released on their own T.O.E. label with a Columbia custom pressing code of ZTSC-125969/70.
If anyone has photos or more info on the band, please contact me!
The Fabulous Chevelles cut this one record in the spring of 1965. The singer on “I Want a Girl for My Birthday” asks for a girl who “is on the ball” and “on the square”; he’s even willing to let his mother choose the girl for him.
On the flip, “She Loves Me”, he pleads that his girl is faithful, despite reports to the contrary.
Copyright registration from April, 1965 shows James Frederick Brumfiel and Ed Breeden wrote both songs.
I can find both Jim Brumfiel and Ed Breeden listed in the National Road Traveler newspaper of Cambridge City, Indiana, but no mention of the Fabulous Chevelles. Cambridge City is 15 miles west of Richmond, Indiana, and an hour’s drive east of Indianapolis.
It looks like the band released the single on their own Flip Records 45-100 with a terrific cartoon logo.
Edwood Music published the songs, and Edwood Publishing still exists in Cincinnati. BMI’s database lists “I Want a Girl for My Birthday” as by Deacon Brumfield, but I believe that is a mistake, as Deacon was a bluegrass Dobro guitar player and certainly older than the teens who made this record.
I’m not familiar with Parker Records, Dist. of Richmond, Indiana.
The Rimfires had one great single, featuring the rocking vocal “Bandstand Step” backed with “Un-Gowa”.
Members probably included:
Robert Wantuch – drums Theodore Michael Broskey Ted Niemann
Ted Broskey is credited with writing “Un-Gowa” on the label, but BMI’s database for Cedarlane publishing also has Bob Wantuch listed as writer.BMI shows “Bandstand Step” written by all three members.
Released on Sounds of the Rimfires, the code R3KM-9159/60 indicates the 1964 date. I don’t have the record but I assume there is an “I” in the deadwax to indicate RCA’s Indianapolis pressing plant.
The band came from South Bend, Indiana.
Bobby Wantuch’s LinkedIn profile shows he drummed with the Rivieras, Clark Terry, Thad Jones and others besides the Rimfires. In more recent years he is listed as Team Leader at Musicians Friend.
A notice in the South Bend Tribune from May 1, 1964 advertises a “Teenage Rock n Roll Dance” with music by the Rimfires.
A January 1966 article in the same paper lists local bands: the Rimfires, Ravens, Teen- Tones, Trade Winds, Fugitives and Soul Seekers.
The Tradewinds cut “Oop Oop a Doo” / “Floatin'” on Destination 620 in March, 1966.
There was a Fugitives band from Bloomington that released “Sticks and Stones” / “Lonely Weekends” on Dust 1050, but this may be a different band – Fugitives, like the Ravens, being a common band name.
That’s All Rite Mama has an article on the Teen-Tones, listing their three 45s and members: “Mike Ryan on vocal and sax, Ken Kidder on Wurlitzer Piano, Tom Hemminger on Lead, Roger Lacky on Rhythm, Lew Kimble on Drums.”
T&T stands for Tune and Talent Productions, Paul E. Hertel’s publishing and promotion company. That’s All Rite Mama mentions Paul Hertel also managed the Rimfires and that the band became the Music Project.
I could use quality scans of the Rimfires 45 labels.
Jeff Davis of the Nomads on stage at the Washington, Indiana YMCA
The Nomads came from Evansville, Indiana and played live throughout the southwest part of the state. Members included:
Eddie Karges – rhythm guitar, lead vocals Max Emmick – lead guitar Chuck Dowd – organ Jeff Davis – bass Gary Varden – drums
In 1965 they recorded their only single in Santa Claus, IN, released on Skoop 1065, one of the labels owned by Ray Scrivener. One side is the disaffected “Coolsville”, written by Max Emmick and Jeff Davis, with some of the classic lyrics of the era:
Walking down the street with my baby, In my baggies?? so tight, Yeah, I was whistled at, By a gang of girls.
Went to a dance that night, Danced with all my might, Walked into the gym, Boy what a crowd of hicks, Yeah they were doing the Twist, C’mon and twist, twist, twist, twist, ahhh!
Strolled up to a chick, Smiled and I said to her, Do the Twist or (?) the Charleston?
I’m a gonna leave this town, Yeah, I’m a gonna leave this town, I’m a gonna leave this town, Never to return again.
The flip is the more tender “Shy Girl”, written by Max Emmick.
Despite the Buna Music BMI publishing credit on the labels, I don’t believe these songs were registered with either the Library of Congress or BMI.
I’ve read Ed Karges and Chuck Dowd later played in another Evansville group, the Misfits, who cut “I’ll Feel Better (In the Morning)” / “Please Don’t Go Away” (both by Kneeland – DeVillez) on the Showboat label in 1967.
Jeff Davis moved to Tennessee where he formed the Amazing Rhythm Aces in the early ’70s.
The Shanels came out of New Haven, Indiana, a town just east of Fort Wayne. The only band member’s name I can find is Marvin Larue, who wrote both songs on this single. “Why Did I” is a stomping Stones-influenced song with harmonica wailing throughout.
The band changes instruments for the ballad flip, “I Really Care For You” utilizing 12-string guitar and organ instead. Vocals are sung in unison for both songs.
West Haven Pub. Co published both songs through BMI, where I found M. Larue’s full name. Timothy Cox of 60s Indiana Band Szene wrote in a comment on Artyfacts in Wax that “every ‘West Haven’ publishing I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a few, is from Ft. Wayne Indiana. Surf Suns, Olivers, Chessmen, and Blues Inc, all shared this.”
From an online obituary, it seems that Marvin LaRue passed away on September 26, 2004 in Minnesota. In 1963 he graduated from New Haven High School and then attended Purdue University.
According to Teen Beat Mayhem, the record dates to February 1965. The number “SS-3886” indicates a pressing by Stereo Sound in Chicago.
It’s too bad the Jokers never cut any other records ’cause both sides of this one are impassioned performances of original songs.
“What’cha Gonna’ Do” starts with a solid bass line over fleet and distant-sounding (from reverb) drumming. The lyrics come fast with some nice echos on guitar: “That little lamb, you call him man, eating out of your hand, his golden fleece, can bring you peace, now you wanna get past my door …” Harmonica wails along, the vocal harmonies come in, and the song hits crescendo of the chorus after barely half a minute.
“I’ll Never Let You Go” is a more conventional composition, but the Leslie on the guitar lends a tearful sound to this ballad.
The Jokers came out of Valpariso, Indiana, just southeast of Gary, and about an hour’s drive from downtown Chicago, where they recorded their single. The band’s members were:
Tom Allison – guitar, vocals Frank Ball – guitar, keyboards, harmonica, vocals Tim Walkoe – bass, vocals Ron Januchowski – drums, vocals
Released on Destination 614 in October, 1965, according to the Sundazed compilation 2131 South Michigan Avenue: 60’s Garage & Psychedelia From U.S.A. And Destination Records “they cut their one Destination 45 with engineer Stu Black at Sound Studios. Stu had also engineered the early New Colony Six, which might explain the familiar Leslie guitar sound on the Jokers’ “‘I’ll Never Let You Go.'”
Ron Januchowski sang lead on “What’cha Gonna’ Do”, which was written by Tom Allison and David Roth. Frank Ball and Roth co-wrote “I’ll Never Let You Go”, with Destination and Tawny, BMI publishing both songs.
David Roth is supposed to have been a pharmacist who, under the name Bernard Roth, had written “Forty Days and Forty Nights” for Muddy Waters back in 1956. The Library of Congress lists both of the Jokers’ songs under Bernard Roth only, but BMI’s current database doesn’t list either song. It’s amazing that someone who wrote a few blues songs ten years earlier was able to cop some of Dylan’s quick patter on “What’cha Gonna’ Do”.
Although white label promos exist, this blue-label copy has asterisks by “What’cha Gonna’ Do” – and I’ve had another stock label that is identical but does not include these.
Thank you to Timothy Cox of the 60’s indiana band szene site for the extra info about the Jokers.
The Shadows 5 were thought to be from Oswego, New York, on Lake Ontario, northwest of Syracuse, but the band actually formed in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The band members’ first names are on the labels but I only know two members’ surnames. Another member’s last name is Williams, but I don’t know which.
Bill – lead vocals Randy – lead guitar (Fender Jaguar) Craig McKinney – rhythm and occasional lead guitar (Mosrite “Joe Maphis”) Ralph Riehl – bass (Fender Jazz) Vic – drums (Ludwig)
“Gathers No Moss” is an incredible version of the song, and the flip “That Little Girl” is a fine jangler.
Tech Records released the single in August 1966; I can’t find anything else on this label. The quality of the recording is excellent, with the opening guitar riff jumping off the grooves.
This was a very rare record though in the last year about 10 copies have shown up, which is how I was able to afford one.
Craig McKinney wrote to me with info about the group:
Two of us (Vic and I) are from Fulton, NY, a small city just south of Oswego, NY. Vic and I played together there before shipping off to Fort Wayne, IN and college. We started the band out there.
We recorded the record in Fort Wayne, IN at radio station WOWO and pressed 500 copies in Chicago. I wrote the words and music to “That Little Girl” as well as the arrangement for “Gathers No Moss.” Bill sings lead on “Girl” and that’s me on “Moss.” There is only copy out there that was signed by all members of our band. It was signed while we were on a tour trip to upstate NY in our old hometown.
Q. Were you or Vic in the Newberry 4 of Oswego when you lived in Fulton? They recorded a song called “That’s Why I’m a Rolling Stone” that is much like “Gathers No Moss”.
We were never in the “Newberry 4.” I heard them once or twice, though I was not there much in those days. They were the area’s top group at the time. They were excellent. A “Beatles” spin-off group if I remember right. Never knew them but admired them at the time. I didn’t remember their song until I heard it after reading a comment on your website. Still a great song to this day.
While we recording in the studio at WOWO, we had a professional photographer take pictures and videos of the group. We also left with the master tape. To this day, the pictures, videos and tapes cannot be found.
The group played backup for The Kingsmen in 1966 at my brother’s fraternity at Franklin College, Franklin, IN. They commented on how much better we were than them. Great fun! We played a LOT of frats and sorority houses in Indiana until Vic and I flunked out and the band broke up. Vic and I both later returned and graduated.
Randy was from Fort Wayne and, unfortunately, passed away about 8 years ago. I’m not sure where Ralph was from, but now resides somewhere in Florida. Bill was from Ohio and still resides there. Vic lives in Huntington, IN. I am back in Fulton, NY.
Craig McKinney
This is not the same Shadows Five who recorded “Dynamic Drums” / “Gary’s Boogie” for the Sully label and “Markham” / “Twistin’ Shadows” for Peacock. That group became the Ultimates and later Prince Charles & the Crusaders, then finally the Ultimate, with a 45 on Garland.
The Jades of Muncie, from left: David Smith, Gary Royer, John Terhune, and Greg Hood
The Jades came from Muncie, Indiana, a college town about 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Kathy Knecht sent in the photo above asking for more information about the Jades.
Members were:
Gary Royer – lead guitar John Terhune – bass Greg Hood – organ David Smith – drums
The Jades had two singles, both with excellent original songs.
The first was “I Cried” / ” Once Upon a Time” in December 1965 on Holiday, a label from Union, Kentucky, just southwest of Cincinnati.
The second was “Come Back” (Greg Hood) / “Change My Ways” (Gary Royer) on the Denim label, release #1078 in March of 1967. Denim Records would go on to release four singles by the Chosen Few and one that I haven’t heard by the Affectionate Armpit.
Greg Hood sent in the two photos seen below and commented:
We all were singers. Gary and I wrote the songs we recorded but the whole band had input on the final product. The greatest thing about this band is that we were such good friends.
Greg would go on to join the December’s Children, who recorded “Keep on Runnin'” and “99 and A Half” on the Classic Records label.
The Jades, from left: Gary Royer, David Smith, Greg Hood and John Terhune
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
