The Versatiles were from Mobile, Alabama. They played at The Happening and the Stork Club, among other venues. Members were:

Daryl Huffman – lead guitar, keyboards
Jerry Smith – guitar
David Smith – bass
P.J. Johnston – drums

Darryl Huffman’s distorted tone and wailing lead distinguishes the top side of their first record, “Cyclothymia”. The title refers to a mild form of manic-depression, with lyrics to match.

If released as I’ve read in September 1967, then it was a heavy sound for its time. Of the four songs they released, this was the only one written by the group. The flip is a cover of Brian Wilson’s “Farmers Daughter”.

One unusual aspect about the band is that there seems to be no real lead singer, as they sing all four songs from their singles in unison, both verse and chorus.

Their second 45 on Rickarby, “Somethin’ Like A Man” starts out like “Cyclothymia” with intense drumming and riffing. Huffman plays leads behind the verses, while the lyrics (excerpted below) could be described as anti-war, but seem to me to be more ambiguous:

What is a man?
Does he knows what’s happening when he sees,
The world and all its atrocities?
Yes he does.
Now ain’t that something like a man?
He only does what he has to, when he can.

What does he do when the world is tilting right?
Picks up his gun and he runs to join the fight.
Does he know which side he’s fighting for,
Or is it just an excuse to join the war?
Don’t you agree that he’s something like a man?

Does he know just what to say?
Does he get down on his knees and pray?
Is he aware of the life that he’ll have to take,
To protect his home for his family’s sake?
Yes he is.
Now ain’t that something like a man?
He only does what he has to, when he can.

“Warm In The Rain” has a lighter sound, with ringing guitar notes. Both of the songs on their second 45 were written by Clarence Previto (Tony Previto).