I don’t own this 45 by the 4th Street Exit, but I like their song “Strange One” so much I have to cover it.

After the crashing opening chords, the organ carries the melody while the guitar switches to a dry sound repeating licks and bending notes like crazy. No faulting the rhythm section either, with the fluid bass runs and great drum breaks.

The song was written by M. Fichera and published by Janell Music, a subsidiary of Tiki Recording Service in San Jose, California, released in May of ’67. I believe the studio is still in existence, run by one of the original owners, Gradie O’Neal. I don’t know anything about the group and I haven’t even heard the flip yet, “A Love Like This”.

Rowena also released the Rock Shop’s great “State of Your Mind” / “Is That Your Halo”, produced by Norm Flint.

Scan from Brent’s old auction of the 45.