“Don’t Ask Why” is a solid garage number from John Harrison & the Hustlers, with a nice scream before the guitar break. “You Don’t Want That” is a lighter number for fans of that sound. Both sides were written by Johnny Harrison and Jim McMillen (or Jim McMillan) and produced by George Goodman.
I didn’t know anything about the group until Lloyd Stamy left his comment below, which I’ll repeat here in the main article for its useful information:
An outstanding and very popular mid-Sixties band from Fox Chapel, a suburb of Pittsburgh, that could “cover” any Beatles tune better than the Fab Four itself, The Hustlers comprised four guys who attended Shady Side Academy: John Harrison (lead singer and bass guitar), Jim “Bugsy” McMillen (lead guitar), Doug Harrison (drums and John’s younger brother), and Bill Bickerstaff (rhythm guitar).
Incomplete Ideal discography:
Vibra-Sonics – “Thunder Storm” / “Drag Race” (1964)
Four Challengers – “Love Me When You Can” / “Rayburn Street” (Ideal 11111, 1965)
7 Dwarfs – “Stop Girl” / “One By One” (the Blues Magoos tune) (Ideal 1168)
John Harrison & the Hustlers – “Don’t Ask Why” / “You Don’t Want That” (Ideal IR 10)
Al’s Dynamics – “Breakdown” / “Disappointed in You” (Ideal IR 20)
Augie Bernardi owned the Ideal label, it was located in Sharpsburg, PA
Bink Curti wrote to me:
The Four Challangers were from Kittanning, PA and included brothers Dale & Gary Bowser on rhythm and lead guitar respectively.
Thanks to Lloyd for the helpful info and to Robin for contributing to the Ideal discography.
Later became the Home Brew after a member change and move to State College, PA. Recorded tracks in the early 70’s for a never released album. John Harrison was a contributing songwriter for the Tales From the Darkside movie soundtrack.
Other garage bands on the Ideal label are the Four Challengers- Ideal 11111, Love Me When You Can/Rayburn Street(instro)1965 and the very good, 7 Dwarfs- Ideal 1168, Stop Girl (great garage)/One By One (the Blues Magoos tune)maybe 1966 or 67. Don’t know how they numbered them and the labels are different colors.
still have my 45 copy of ‘you don’t want that’/’don’t ask why’! bought it years ago at ‘bound and sound’ record store on walnut street in pittsburgh!
An outstanding and very popular mid-Sixties band from Fox Chapel, a suburb of Pittsburgh, that could “cover” any Beatles tune better than the Fab Four itself, The Hustlers comprised four guys who attended Shady Side Academy: John Harrison (lead singer and bass guitar), Jim “Bugsy” McMillen (lead guitar), Doug Harrison (drums and John’s younger brother), and Bill Bickerstaff (rhythm guitar).
Is anyone from John Harrison & the Hustlers still alive? Did they have a lapel pin with their name on it?
Yes my two sisters and I knew them well , I’m way
Out of touch with the band sixty years or so . Last I heard Johnny moved to LA and made it in the Movie business. I heard Dougie played a big gig with a very famous band for a while and ended up back in Pittsburgh due to medical issues and got married . Jim ( Bugsy) got his degrees in History lived on Polish Hill for years then after college taught in Pela Iowa at the university then at Arizona state where I met up with him again because his wife Dale and I stayed in touch in those years . Jimmy died relatively young. Bill I didn’t know well. I sang a tiny , tiny background in one of the recordings almost sixty years ago. Dusty Nelson perhaps still in LA also a graduate of Shadyside academy and one of the extended group of friends of the boys might know what happened to everyone. Fun times. Many lifetimes ago. I bet my oldest sister might have their single. My favorite memories was when everyone broke into Jame’s Browns songs out of the blue anywhere they were .
I went to high school (Shady Side Academy) with John and Bill. I saw a copy of their record once, owned by a friend who wouldn’t sell it. I have never been able to find a copy since, in the 50+ years since then