Despite the Hollywood, CA address on the label and the classic California garage sound, the Todes were from Provo, Utah. They traveled to Los Angeles to cut their only single, released on Emanon E-102 in the fall of ’66.”Good Things” (written by Steven Thomas) is a syncopated fuzz cruncher with the waltz bit of the Beatles “We Can Work It Out” thrown in towards the end of each verse. “One Hundred and Thirty Seven Degrees Below Zero” was filler the band assembled in the studio so as not to give up one of their better songs on a b-side (not an unusual practice at the time). Both sides list Zulu Publishing, BMI, production credited to “A Todell Production”.

At the time of recording members of the band were Steve Thomas (lead guitar and lead vocals), Dan Doty (bass and harmony vocals), Mike Hart (keyboards), David Donahoe (rhythm guitar and lead vocals, harmonica on “Good Things”), and Danny Murphy (drums). Prior members included lead vocalist Danny Davis and two keyboardists, Bill Jemisen and Bob Jetter. After the session for Emanon, Ralph Geddes joined on keyboards and Al Thomas on drums.

Dave Donahoe came from the Remnants with vocalist Jerry York, who had cut a 45 at Goldstar Studio in LA just prior to the Todes traveling there. Released on Gini 103 as Jerry & the Remnants, it features the excellent “I’ve Wasted My Time” plus “If I Love You Girl”.

60s Garage Bands has the full story on the Todes, and features both songs from their single along with two unreleased cuts, including the incredible “Heartbreaker”.

The only other artist on Emanon that I know of was Mike Lyman from Las Vegas, Nevada, a young teen backed with a quality band. Credited to Mike Lyman and the Little People, Emanon E-101 has a cover of Love’s “Message to Pretty” backed with “I Need You” an original that opens with the line “you make me kinda glad I love you”. There was also an unrelated Emanon label from Rochester NY.