Here’s an odd single by The Pottery Outfit, which seems to be Randy Fuller collaborating with Howard Steele on one side and Johnny Daniel on the other.

“Captain Zig-Zag” is an unabashed tribute to rolling papers: “the happy paper maker, makes the paper to make you merry, accompany you to the land of mari…” and “this paper will help you ease your mind”.

The R. Fuller – H. Steele credit suggests Randy Fuller and bassist Howard Steele. Publishing through Brave New World, but I can’t find any record of copyright registration.

The music backing is excellent, possibly featuring Mike Ciccarelli on lead guitar and DeWayne Quirico on drums.

Between the suggestive lyrics and trademark issues, it’s no surprise this was not released beyond a few white label 45s with a blank label B-side.

In 1966, Randy released his first single under his own name, “It’s Love Come What May” / “Wolfman” on Mustang Records 3020. He recorded two songs for a follow-up single on Mustang 3023, which never saw release. One of these, “Things You Do” showed up as the B-side of the 1967 UK release of “It’s Love Come What May” on President Records PT 111.

The other song from that unreleased Mustang single, “Now She’s Gone”, appears on the blank-label B-side of the Pottery Outfit. Randy Fuller and John Daniel co-wrote both “Things You Do” and “Now She’s Gone”. John Daniel’s full name appears in BMI as John Calvin Daniel.

Released on Edsel 777, the Pottery Outfit has Δ69864 in the run-out of both sides, dating it to January or February 1968 (possibly December 1967).

I’ve read that “Now She’s Gone” is on the B-side of his second single on Showtown, “1,000 Miles into Space”, but I haven’t actually seen a label with that song. I’ve only seen promo versions that have “1,000 Miles into Space” on both sides – can anyone confirm this?