The Venetian Blinds released a great double-sided record in August, 1967, “Just Knowin’ You Love Me” and “Quit Your Belly Achin’ Baby”.

The band came from Atlanta, Georgia.

Members were Ric Jansen, Steve Abstance, Lance Adams, Mike Nolen, and Bill Allen.

On November 11, 1967, the Atlanta Constitution ran a short profile of the band headlined “‘Venetian Blinds’ Are Rolled Out”, written by Charlie Burks.

DJ Don Rose came up with the band’s name on his WQXI show when he said “The Doors, The Electric Prunes, The Strawberry Alarm Clock … Next it’ll be The Chairs or The Tables or The Venetian Blinds.”

The article mentions a second recording, “Bad News Girl” / “What’s His Face” and says “it has psychedelic overtones and should hit the charts.” I wonder if these songs exist on acetate or tape.

The Grudge Records label has an address of 470 Springwood in San Antonio, Texas. I don’t know why the group had their single released with an obscure Texas label. The article has no mention of Texas. That San Antonio address led to some confusion. Doug Hanners and Dave Shutt listed the band in the 2nd edition of Journey to Tyme, and the Eva label included “Quit Your Belly Achin’ Baby” on Texas Punk From The Sixties (vol. 2), released in 1985.

Ric Jansen wrote both songs, with arrangement help by Mike Nolen on “Just Knowin’ You Love Me”. Neither name shows up on other records in either Atlanta or San Antonio, to my knowledge, nor have I found another release with “A Ric Jansen Production” credit.

The publisher, Margie Music was associated with Atlanta Sound Recording Studios and the Gaye label, like the Mondels, Red Beard & the Pirates, etc. Furthermore, though this may have been a Rite account, the deadwax includes NRC for the National Recording Corporation, an Atlanta pressing plant.

The article mentions the Venetian Blinds appeared on a local TV show, and that Merv Griffin showed interest in featuring the band on his show.

Anyone have a photo of the group?