Category Archives: Label

Categories: Covington, Kentucky, Lemco, Schworer

The Shōguns

December 31, 2015 Chris Bishop 4 Comments

Shoguns, Cincinnati Enquirer Aug. 27, 1966 — The Shoguns in the Enquirer, August 27, 1966

The Shōguns came from Latonia, Kentucky, now part of Covington, a town right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Members were:

Dan Herzog – lead vocals
Gary Arnsparger – lead guitar
Pat Mayerchak – rhythm guitar
Fred Dishon – bass
Larry Ackerson – drums

The Shōguns had two 45 releases, first a funky, tambourine-laden version of “Well All Right” that ends with dual guitar leads, shouts and breaking glass! The flip is one I haven’t heard, “In My Time”. It came out on the Schworer label in May of ’66.

Their second single was “The Look in Her Eyes” on Lemco, which again features interesting percussion as well as fine keyboard sounds, harmonies and even horns.

The Shōguns have a new CD and a website about the band at www.theshoguns.com

Categories: Cincinnati, GEMS, Norwood, Ohio, Rite Record Productions custom pressings

The Malcontents of Norwood, Ohio

December 23, 2015 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

The Mal-Contents, February 18, 1967 — The Mal Contents, February 18, 1967. From left: Larry Groves, David White, Jan Elstun and Bob Mathis

The Malcontents (or Mal-Contents) cut an excellent single in early 1967, “(I’m a) Roustabout” b/w “Motivated Action”.

Members were all Norwood High School students:

Larry Groves – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Bob Mathis – lead guitar, harmony vocals
David White – bass guitar
Jan Elstun – drums

Bob Mathis wrote “(I’m a) Roustabout”, and lead singer Larry Groves wrote the great guitar instrumental, “Motivated Action”. With one side appealing to garage rock fans and the other a winner with the surf and rockin’ instrumental set, this record is in high demand these days.

Issued on the band’s own GEMS Records label and pressed by Rite Record Productions, which was based in Cincinnati. The release number 18347/18348 would date it to late 1966, but early 1967 seems more likely – fellow Norwood High student Joe Morgenroth wrote a letter to the Enquirer published March 4, 1967 about the Malcontents upcoming record.

Ivan & the Sabres, the Mal-Contents and the Missing Links at the Lakeridge, Sunday, April 2, 1967

Notices show bookings at Granny’s on Lytle Ave in Elsmere, Kentucky for a show on Friday, October 28, 1966 opening for the Denems, and a show on Sunday April 2, 1967 at the Lakeridge with Ivan & the Sabres and the Missing Links.

The Enquirer’s Teen-Ager supplement featured Jan Elstun on its August 20, 1966 cover, with a short article inside noting the band played regularly at the Millstone in the basement of the Zion United Church of Christ and the Footprint, a teen club on Montgomery Road.

March 4, 1967 letter regarding The Malcontents upcoming record

Jan Elstun of The Mal-Contents, profiled in the Enquirer on August 20, 1966 — Jan Elstun of The Mal Contents, profiled in the Enquirer on August 20, 1966

The Mal-Contents, August 20, 1966 — The Mal Contents, August 20, 1966

Categories: Byron, Midland, Texas

The Clue of Midland, TX

December 19, 2015 Chris Bishop 3 Comments

The Clue of Midland, Texas cut one of the classic garage numbers “Bad Times”, featuring swinging drumming, screams and a sputtering lead vocal, pumping organ and a good guitar break. Despite the single’s fame in recent years, I found very little info about the Clue until Steve Thomas commented below. Members were:

Steve Thomas – lead singer and bass
Larry Grubb – vocals and lead guitar
John Kasson – keyboards
Billy Morris – drums

Steve Thomas wrote “Bad Times”, and Steve Thomas and Larry Grubb wrote the flip side, “She’s the Reason”, an eerie ballad that borrows some of the melody from the Beatles “I’ll Be Back”. Recorded and released circa 1967 on Byron BR 101. I can’t think of any other releases on the Byron label.

Byron Barber (“Bo”) was drummer for the Sensations who cut “Sweet Little Rock and Roller” / “Big Boss Man” in 1965 as the Sensations Sound on Kingco Records. In 1966 Barber produced the Clue 45 for his own Byron label, engineered by Ken Hall.

The Sensations members included Bill Thomas on bass and Dennis Grubb on guitar and vocals. According to Steve Thomas, Bill Thomas was not related, but Larry Grubb was the younger brother of Dennis Grubb of the Sensations.

Anyone have a photo of the band?

Info on the Sensations and Bo Barber from LoneStarStomp.

Categories: California, Golden State, Golden State Recorders, San Francisco

Golden State Records singles discography

December 17, 2015 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

Golden State Recorders used the Golden State Records label for acts that did not have a deal with another company. The music can range from soul to hard rock to gospel, but Custer & the Survivers, Zorba & the Greeks and the Poor Souls all have good garage sounds.

The changing numbering system makes it difficult to put in exact chronological order without knowing the dead wax of each release. Early singles have white labels with simple black print or yellow and greenish blue labels with bridge logo. This changed to red, green, purple, etc in later years without the bridge logo.

I’m sure there are many more releases than I have listed here, any help with this discography would be appreciated.

GSR 653 – The Astros – Space Walk” (B. Please, Rap Music ASCAP and DeGar Music ASCAP)

654 – Lanny Duncan – “I Didn’t Lie” / “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”

GSR – 656 – Weyland Jennings – “Nashville Bum” / “Gulf Coast Belle”

GSR-657 – Custer and the Survivers – “I Saw Her Walking” / “Flapjacks” (both by J.B. Pavseni, Mark Nine Music BMI, produced by Arvey Andrews) (Nov. 1965, also released on Vardan and Ascot)

Arvey Andrews also produced the Mystic “I Get So Disgusted” / “Weekend People”, D. Witherspoon & the Future, and the Lovers “Without a Doubt” on Frantic Records, and the Emotions “Love of a Girl” / “Do This For Me” on Vardan.

453 – The Lo-Kals – “Look Out Baby Here I Come” / “I’m So Tired” (Bobby King, Guard Music BMI) (J.H. Lewis Production)

GSR-597-A – Zorba and the Greeks – “One and Only Girl” / “You’ve Had Your Chance” (Nov. 1966)

GSR-597-B – Zorba and the Greeks – “Shockwave” (Myrin, Guard Music BMI) / “Memories of You” (Johnson) (Nov. 1966)

GSR-45-606 – The Donnybrookes – “Time Will Tell” / “You’re Gonna Cry” (Nov. 1966)

GRS-1721 – The Poor Souls – “Baby Let’s Wait” / “It Ain’t Enough” (Frank Marseguerra, Degar Music ASCAP) (Oct. 1967)

GSR-1351 – David London – “Tomorrow’s OK By Me” / “Lara’s Theme” (produced by Leo Kulka)

GSR-501 – Gold – “Summertime” / “No Parking” (production: A-side Country Joe McDonald, b-side George Benz)

GSR – 4-69 – Mel Davis – “Just Another Smile” / “The Life I Live” (1969)

GS106 – Spyders – “I Can Take Care of Myself” / “Make Up Your Mind” (W. Cox) (1968)

GSR-1969 – The Voices of Victory Choir – “I Feel Good” / “There’s No Hiding Place”

GSRC-2452 – Seventh Dawn – “Don’t Worry Me” (Phillips, Phillips, Noyer; Guard Music BMI) / “Wings of Flight” (1970) gold label, G.S.R. Custom Records, band from Oroville

GSR-7695 – Swinging Granny – “Irall Waltz” / “Da-Dippty” (both by Irral Berger, 1969)

GSRC 437 – Joy Higgins – Come Back Big Jack” / “Shoulda Told You” (1978)

recent pressings of unreleased soul recordings:

GS-2001 (GSR346) – The San Francisco TKOs – “Make Up Your Mind” / “Send My Baby Back”
GS-2002 (GSR352) – George & Teddy – “Oh Yeah” / “Lover”
GS-2003 GSR362) – Spyders – “I Don’t Care” / “I Can Take Care of Myself”

33 and 1/3 rpm 7″ custom pressings:

M-1967 – Leo & Flora de Gar Kulka – A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
GSR-1562 – Garland Dudley & the Voices of Frederick of the Third Baptist Church – “He Touched Me”, “Touch the Hem of His Garment” / “Sweet Sweet Spirit”, “You Must Live Right” (7″, 33 1/3rd rpm)

LPs on Golden State include Paul LaMont – Psychedelia (Opus 1 & 2), War Songs of the Third Reich, and Joel Andrews – Harp Soundings.

Categories: California, Fairfield, Golden State

The Donnybrookes

December 17, 2015 Chris Bishop 6 Comments

The Donnybrookes came from Fairfield, California, about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento.

Members were:

Terry Gifford – vocals
John Tipton – lead guitar
 Jim Ladd – rhythm guitar
Ric Eittreim – keyboards 
Larry Pindar – bass 
Pat Sheridan – drums 

In late ’66 they entered Golden State Recorders at 665 Harrison St. in San Francisco to record their only single, “Time Will Tell” / “You’re Gonna Cry”, released on Golden State 608 in November, 1966. Terrry Gifford wrote both sides, but the labels credit Sneaky O’Fenneman with the lead vocals.

“You’re Gonna Cry” starts slow, reminiscent of Them with Van Morrison, but quickly picks up steam. When the organ kicks in the sound has an awesome power. There’s a fuzz guitar solo, and Larry Pindar’s bass lines stand out in both songs.

Early in ’67 the band had changed members and names, becoming Stonehenge, who would do some recordings that would not see release at the time. By 1968, Ric Eittreim was the only member remaining from the Donnybrookes, the band becoming Maze, with the LP Armageddon released on MTA.

Larry Pindar ended up in the Portland, Oregon group Total Eclipse.

Anyone have a photo of the Donnybrookes?

Categories: Pic 1, Texas, Unknown

Phil Briscoe & the Sessions

December 17, 2015 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

Phil Briscoe and the Sessions cut two of Briscoe’s original songs “You’re No Good” / “Dream of Me” at Recording Service Studios in Pasadena, Texas. The single came out on Huey Meaux’s Pic 1 label in October, 1965, one of over 40 releases on that label. “You’re No Good” is a good rocker in something of a Doug Sahm style.

Philip Charles Briscoe copyrighted both sides with Crazy Cajun Music in January 1966, but that’s the last mention I can find of him in the music world. I don’t know who else was in the Sessions band or where they were based.

The photo above came from a Pic One discography by Doug Hanners for his 45 RPM column in Discoveries in July 2000.

Categories: Boss, Florida, Tampa

Boss Records of Tampa discography

December 17, 2015 Chris Bishop 1 Comment

Charles Fuller owned Boss Records in Tampa, Florida, along with other labels like CFP, Fuller and Tigertown. John Brummage did much of the production work for all of these, at least some of the time at H&H Productions studio. Fuller Music BMI or Fulprod Music Publishing Co. ASCAP published the original songs.

Boss only lasted for a couple years, 1966 and 1967.

See separate posts on the Rovin’ Flames, the Ravens, the Trojans, and the Souldiers for more info about those bands.

Me & the Other Guys included Frank “Dutch” Walton, Billy Aerts, Chuck Doughtery, Kent LaVoie, and Leon Massey, and had an earlier single on Hit Cat Records “Skinnie Minnie” / “Crazy” (J. Wilson, D. Walton, Redrah Music BMI).

I haven’t identified 001 or 005 yet. Any help with this discography would be appreciated.

BOS-001 – ?
BOS-002 – Rovin’ Flames – “I’m Afraid To Go Home” / “I Can’t” (Feb. ’66)
BOS-003 – Ravens – “Reaching For The Sun” / “Things We Said Today”
BOS-004 – Berkley Five – “You’re Gonna Cry” (M. Newman, Yubash Music BMI) / “In the Midnight Hour”
BOS-005 – ?
BOS-006 – Trojans – “The Kids Are Allright” / “Leave Me Be” (Dec. ’66)
BOS-007 – Souldiers – “Would You Kiss Me” / “Lemon Sun” (Jan. ’67)
BOS-008 – Journey Men – “She’s Sorry” / “Short And Sweet” (both by McMillan) FulProd Music ASCAP
BOS-009 – Me And The Other Guys – “Runaround Girl” (C. Dougherty, D. Walton) / “Everybody Knew But Me” (J. Wilson, D. Walton)
BOS-0095 – Purple Underground – “On Broadway” / “Rain Come Down”
BOS-010 – Purple Underground – “Count Back” / “Soon” (Aug. ’67)

Categories: La Salle, Lauren, Nassau County, New York

La Salle and Lauren Records discography

December 15, 2015 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

Here’s a start at the discography of Carl Edelson’s La Salle and Lauren labels, along with related singles by the Shandels and Eddie T. Burke.
Much of the talent came from Long Island including the Shandels of Levittown and Wantaugh, and the Taboos.

Cardell Music C-510 – The Shandels – “No Way Out” / “Treat Me Like a Man” both by Johnny Melnick & Eric Stern, C-101/C-102, 1966

La Salle L-370 – David Leigh – “Blowin’ in the Wind” / “One More Town”, L-1/2
La Salle L-371 – The Lemon Sandwich – “Give Me Love” (Eddie Hileman) / “I Must Be Dreaming”, L-3/4

La Salle L-381 – The Shandels – “Shades Of Blue” / “Fifteen Children” (both by John Melnick & Eric Stern, engineered by Joe Dulberg, Feb. 1967), C-165/6
La Salle L-382 – The Taboos – “All My Life” / “So Sad” (T-1, T-2)
La Salle L-383 – Elsie Dixon – “It Had to Be You” / “How Ya Gonna Keep em Down on the Farm”, C-167/C-168
La Salle L-384 – The Shandels – “Think About You” / “Barnyard Blues”, C-169/C-170

La Salle L-386 – John Goodman – “First Star” / “Stranger at the Dance”
La Salle L-387 – John Goodman – “Think About You” (John Melnick, Eric Stern) / “Rainbow”, produced by the ShanDels, C-182

La Salle L-390 – Carol Durrell ‎– “Shadow Of Your Smile” / “The Look of Love”

La Salle 25 – Ellen & the Shandels – “Gypsy” / “Try A Little Tenderness” (1969 or 1970, also released as Dry Well on Lauren Records 2515)

E.T.B. Records ETB-113 – Eddie T. Burke – “I Must Be Dreaming” / “So Sad” (both by Eddie Hileman for Carldell Music BMI, engineered by Joe Cyr at Variety Sound Studios, CE-15/16

Lauren L-2513 – Tommy Burke – “Give Me Love” / “I Don’t Want to Be Your Keeper” (both by Tommy Burke for Carldell Music BMI, engineered by Joe Cyr at Variety Sound Studios)
Lauren L-2514 – Johnny Hayes – “Greenback Dollar” / “Blowin’ in the Wind”
Lauren L-2515 – Dry Well – “Gypsy” / “Try A Little Tenderness” (reissue of Ellen & the Shandels 45 above), CE-20/21
Laruen L-2516 – Branded “X” – “Society And Me” (Tommy Burke) / “Tribute to Uncle Sam” (Herner-Auwaerter-Furbich, Carldell BMI, prod. by Tommy Burke at Variety Sound Studios), CE-23/24

I’m not sure if this is the same Lauren label as the ones listed above:
Lauren CO 2930 – The Out of Order – “Lonely Sentry” / “It’s Alright” (prod. by B. Jolie, L. Litchfield, T. Messier, Allegro Sound Studios NY, engineers Bruce Staple and Mike Consi, Ranford Music Co., BMI, distributed by Planet Records out of Providence, RI)

Categories: La Salle, Nassau County, New York

The Taboos on La Salle Records

December 15, 2015 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Taboos came from Long Island, New York, cutting only one single in 1967 for La Salle Records. I don’t have much info on the band other than song writer names.

“All My Life” has a subdued start, the keyboard and bass making a three chord vamp while the drummer keeps a steady roll of toms going in the background. The chorus is more conventional, but a real surprise comes halfway through the song, when the bass picks up the pace and the lead guitar starts a Jeff Beck-style psychedelic solo. The song was written by Von Ressler and DeBonis.

Brennan and Palazzo wrote “So Sad”, which has a typical ballad format and singing style but it’s still an effective song.

Larry Hiller engineered the session at Murlyn Studios. La Salle Records owner Carl Edelson published both songs with his Cardell BMI.

A footnote to the group would come a couple years later, when Eddie T. Burke overdubbed a new lead vocal (inferior in my opinion) over the original recording of “So Sad” and released it on E.T.B Records ETB-113. See the post on La Salle and Lauren records for more on Eddie Burke’s release.

Categories: Memphis, Orchid of Memphis, Ripley, Tennessee

The Red Coats

December 8, 2015 Chris Bishop 4 Comments

Red Coats Orchid of Memphis 45 You Told a Lie

The Red Coats came from Ripley, Tennessee, about 50 miles northeast of Memphis.

Members were:

Bill Gurley – guitar and vocals
Tommy Bearid – organ and vocals
Johnny Shands – bass and vocals
Chris Tucker – drums

Guitarist and vocalist Bill Gurley moved to the Raleigh section of Memphis, but continued in the band despite having to travel to meet them at gigs around the West Tennessee area.

Their debut single for the Orchid of Memphis label in late 1966 featured Bill Gurley’s original song, “You Told a Lie”, which has a guitar intro akin to “Paint It Black”. There’s an effective gloominess throughout, helped by the echo on the vocal harmonies.

The flip was another Gurley original, “I’m Going to Tell You About My Baby”, both songs published by Black Orchid Music BMI.

In early ’67 the Red Coats went to the Stax Studio to record a second single, “Poison Ivy” / “Just Send Her To Me”, which was released as by the Sunday Funnies, a name the band did not use in live performances. I haven’t heard either song but the sound has been described as soul. “Just Send Her To Me” was recorded by another Orchid of Memphis act, The Tight Little Unit, who made it the title track of their album in 1967. The cover of that LP lists Terry Rose from Orchid Records and engineer Allen Worley.

Orchid of Memphis also released a rare Christian LP by Steve Engelhardt, Is It True, recorded at Cardinal Sound in Lexington, Kentucky.

Information from The Memphis Garage Rock Yearbook 1960-1975 by Ron Hall. Thanks to Kip Brown for the single!

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