The Jerks, from left: Steve Fletcher, Dennis Wilkey, Larry Gardner, David Duke and Mike Ellis
Rhythm guitarist David Duke of the Jerks wrote to me about the group and sent in the photos seen here:
The Jerks were a Birmingham, Alabama band formed in the mid 60’s. The band members were:
Larry Gardner – drums Mike Ellis – lead guitar & vocals David Duke – rhythm guitar Dennis Wilkey – bass guitar Steve Fletcher – keyboards
The members came from three high schools in the East Birmingham area: Woodlawn – Steve & Larry; Banks – David & Dennis; and Mike from Erwin.
In early 1966 the Jerks recorded a record on the Vaughn-Ltd label at Ed Boutwell’s early recording studio located in a vacated church at 1st Ave North and 35th Street. The main side was “I’m Leavin’ You” with the back side a slower song “Don’t Make Me Sorry” both written by Mike Ellis. “I’m Leavin’ You” was later published in the #5 spot on Psychedelic States – Alabama in the ’60s Vol.1 (Gear Fab) and is still available on CD.
“An early picture taken in my Birmingham garage basement practicing in April 1965. This was before we added the keyboards.” – David Duke
The last addition to the band was Steve Fletcher on keyboards. The band gained popularity playing at Calico Corner, where many top chart artists performed, along with numerous Armories and high school dances throughout central Alabama. The Jerks were also winners of the Phipps Piano Co., VOX Battle of the Bands contest. The Jerks were popularly seen in their black leather outfits influenced by the British groups. The Jerks opened up for The McCoys concert in Birmingham.
Signatures of the McCoys
The Jerks gained early popularity in the summer of ‘65 as a big part of the Pizitz Department Store Fashion Shows in downtown Birmingham. The Jerks also performed for a publicity party with Beach Party movie stars Debby Walley and John Ashley at the premiere showing of their new movie.
During this time the band was offered to go on tour throughout the US by Warren “Billy” Wilson, promoter and agent, but declined due to the young age of the members. (Our parents had the upper hand on this decision!)
The band broke up in ’67. Dennis and Mike continued on professionally in the music industry with several other successful bands. We believe Steve continued in his family-owned business. Larry after graduating from Jacksonville State University became a successful business owner of a large nationwide window blind manufacturing and sales company based in the Birmingham area.
David Duke, 2015
David joined the Alabama Air Guard for six years, pursued college and after 45 years as a Sr. Acct Sales Mgr in the industrial gases industry retired in 2015.
Over those years I played with several new bands in the 80’s and 90’s doing a 50’s-60’s-70’s music review. I still keep my collection of guitars close by to play those classic old songs of great days.
David Duke
I asked David some follow-up questions about the group:
Q. How did the band choose The Jerks for a name?
Not absolutely sure, but the song “The Cool Jerk” performed by the Capitals was released about that time along with a dance by that name and I believe that is where we heard it. I’ve been asked many times and that was all I could come up with. But we did find it to be well received and well remembered for many years after, even today.
The Jerks, from left: Steve Fletcher, Dennis Wilkey, David Duke, Larry Gardner and Mike Ellis
I’m playing a Fender Jaguar that my father brought home and surprised me with. It was a Daphne Blue and never saw another one like it anywhere. I was very popular just from that. I think if I had kept I might have been able to retire earlier. Around the time I either went or came back from boot camp I sold it. Mike Ellis played the Fender Mustang.
Q. Did the single get local radio play?
We did get local radio play. WSGN was the most and several of the DJ really got close to us and helped us a lot.
Q. Was the east Birmingham scene distinct from other parts of town or did bands play all over?
Most all the bands in the Birmingham area played all over including cities outside of Birmingham. Birmingham being a large city was a hub for popular bands. I was very close with many other groups during this time. I was influenced by some friends in elementary school that had a band and my friend played the drums. I would listen to them around ’62 or ’63 playing many of the Ventures guitar songs. That’s when I really decided that was what I wanted to do and play. In later years that group became the Rockin’ Rebellions which became popular throughout the south.
Some of the guys I played with in early years ended up in the Daze of the Week another popular group with records. I was close and went to high school with one from the Distortions, also I was close friends with the Vikings.
I haven’t talked to any of the other Jerks band members in a while. Larry Gardner I talked to about two years ago.
It took me a few years, then I got the bug from a friend I grew up with that had his band called the Esquires. We started a band together in the early ’90s and played several gigs but had a hard time keeping or finding good members. I always said I wanted to get with him again and see if we could start another band since we were both getting close to retiring. He died of a heart attack two years ago (Terry Mathews – bottom left). I guess that is why I’m really pushing myself to have some fun while I can.
The Jerks supporting Deborah Walley and John Ashley on tour to promote their new movie Sergeant Deadhead.
The Checkmates, January 1968, from left: Bruce Axmacher, Chuck Koth, Phil Wing, Bruce Willett and Rick Schnell
The Checkmates came from Delhi Hills, in Hamilton County west of Cincinnati. Members were all students at either the University of Cincinnati or Xavier:
Chuck Koth (Chuck Coth) – lead guitar Rick Schnell – rhythm guitar Bruce Axmacher – organ Bruce Willett – bass Phil Wing – drums
The Checkmates cut one single on Injoy Life Records in August, 1967, featuring two songs by singer and song writer Kenny Smith, “Get It While You Can” / “Take Away”. It’s now a rare and sought-after 45. “Get It While You Can” is very memorable and has become well-known since it was compiled on Teenage Shutdown vol. 7.
The Checkmates’ record seems to have come in the middle of the band’s existence. The first mention of the band I can find comes from a short notice on October 1, 1966 of a show with the Randolls at the Mod Room at 3126 Dixie Highway in Erlanger, Kentucky, hosted by “Big” Jim Schworer, DJ with WKKY-FM.
The Dee Blues and the Checkmates at the Mod Room, November 6, 1966A longer feature on the Mod Room ran in December, 1966, naming the Checkmates as a sort of house band and Jim Schworer as an elementary school teacher in his day job. Schworer was 22 at the time, and had already produced the Shōguns “Well All Right” / “In My Time” on his own Schworer label in May of ’66.
The article says that Schworer and co-owner Seibert Mohr were looking for a larger venue, and that the club was running Sunday afternoon Battles of the Bands, since football games made for too much competition with Friday and Saturday evening shows. Admission was 75¢.
This feature is the last mention of the Mod Room that I can find, perhaps it closed by the New Year. The Enquirer ran ads for Mod Room shows in October and November 1966:
October 2: The Checkmates and the Randolls (Randells?) October 30: The Nomads, the Unknowns and the Day Blues November 6: The Dee Blues (winners on Oct 30) and the Checkmates November 13: The De Blus and the Checkmates November 20: The Nomads, the Roots of Evil, the Mark IV, the De Blus, the Timid Souls, the Coachmen, and the Cykiks November 27: The Cykiks, Why-Do’s and the Roots of Evil
Jim Schworer went into acting and other pursuits, and died on July 7, 1988 at age 44.
I haven’t found any other notices about the Checkmates after the January 1968 profile at the top.
The band listed as the Randolls may have been the Randells who had two singles on the Claudette label out of Dayton, KY, “Viet Nam ’66′” / “Traces Of Tears In Your Eyes” (as Gene Hatton and the Randells) and “Dummy” / “Mister Pleasure”, all four songs by Jim Fish.
The Mod Room in Erlanger, KY where the Checkmates played. At left Vicki Brunton and Karen Robinson. Jim Schworer and Vanetta Jones on the right side.
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
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, 1966The Mal Contents, August 20, 1966
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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)
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
Larry Gardner – drums
The Jerks gained early popularity in the summer of ‘65 as a big part of the Pizitz Department Store Fashion Shows in downtown Birmingham. The Jerks also performed for a publicity party with Beach Party movie stars Debby Walley and John Ashley at the premiere showing of their new movie.
It took me a few years, then I got the bug from a friend I grew up with that had his band called the Esquires. We started a band together in the early ’90s and played several gigs but had a hard time keeping or finding good members. I always said I wanted to get with him again and see if we could start another band since we were both getting close to retiring. He died of a heart attack two years ago (Terry Mathews – bottom left). I guess that is why I’m really pushing myself to have some fun while I can.
