Here’s a great single by the Skeptics, whom I’ve read were from Dayton, Ohio. The urgency and scuzzy burning distortion on the guitar on “Wondering” scream out 1968 to me, a date confirmed by the QCA # 80330, specifically March 1968. The flip is a slow recitative called “I’m Lonely Again” that I find less essential.
This band of Skeptics is not related to the Oklahoma group who cut “Apple Candy”, “Stripes”, and “Turn It On” among other classics.
There’s very little info on the label, even the publishing is limited to simply BMI. No trace seems to exist in BMI’s databases, but I found a Library of Congress copyright record listing Michael Downing (Michael Joseph Downing) and John Hoskins as co-composers of both songs, plus Donald Ray Parrett on “Wondering”, published by Lamar Music in May of 1968. Presumably Downing, Hoskins and Don Parrett were members of the band.
Spring Records was part of O’Brien’s Recording Service in Springfield, Ohio, 24 miles north east of Dayton. There were at least a few releases on the Spring label, but this may be the only one in a rock style. The 45s were pressed at Queen City Albums in Cincinnati.
O’Brien’s Recording Service did register copyrights for a few of song-poem composer Irene Dollar Heffner’s songs, including one, “Vietnam Sweetheart” that was sung by Rodd Keith (under the alias of John Dough). The flip of that was arranged by Jeanne O’Brien.
Don Parrett is my father.
This album came out 11 years before I was born and I know it played in a few local jukeboxes.
He has since passed away but he would be more than grateful for the recognition.
Thank you for this…Still making his baby girl proud.
They that’s my brother’s (JOHNNY HOSKINS) band… THEY ALL PLAYED IN MY DAD’S GARAGE IN Drexel.
Everyone would line up all up and down Norfolk ave, and Nathaniel St. to hear them play, Old man Williams, would call the law, and they would come and park and listen too, just told the boys in the band to turn it down some , which they always did, But the cops all said they the Skeptics sounded great Johnny Hoskins, Don Parrett, Mike Copenhagen….
I was a friend of Don Parrett, he was my neighbor and we graduated together. I remember listening to the band in Mike Downing’s garage in Vandalia and also listening to them in Drexel. Brings back lots of memories!
Hey! Why cant we play the record? Anyway, I think that would be cool. Don was my brother-in-law who played bass guitar and taught me how to play acoustic six string. I miss him. Thanks for the website, it brings back a lot of good memories.
Billy Berry = they (both songs ) are both on youtube you can play them from there