Updated April 2011
Selling records at the WFMU fair kept me so busy that I had zero time to look at other folks’ tables. Of course, sharing a table with Mr. Robinson is dangerous, and sure enough I spent a chunk of my sales on a few of his records, including buying back a copy of P.B. & the Staunchmen that I had sold to him last year. Why did I sell it in the first place? Why did I bother to buy it again? These are questions that haunt record collectors.
Billy from Norton Records dropped off a copy of the latest collection of unissued garage acetates: You Tore My Brain! (half of it comes from tapes and not acetates, by the way). Besides the title cut and its flip by the James Street Overpass, there are some excellent and crude out-takes from the Fine Recording vaults, like “I Won’t Play Your Game” by an unknown group, and an incredible cut by Sir Winston & the Commons, “All of the Time”. I remember when that acetate came up for auction earlier this year.
The only other record I picked up was this bizarre psychedelic number by Utopia Carwash. Mr. Finewine turned up a batch of unplayed copies – unfortunately most of them including this one have a rolling warp. The warp was bad enough that I couldn’t make a transfer of “Loneliness”. I did get a decent, if noisy transfer of the flip, “Wait and See”, which hasn’t been compiled. It’s not a bad tune once you get past the droning organ intro.
“Loneliness” was written by Gary Costa. “Wait and See” by Lloyd Deckman.
I didn’t have any real clues as to the location of this band for a long time. South Grape Street could mean Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles CA, or Medford, Oregon. Etched into the trail-off vinyl is “SGS 001A/B – IFL” and “LW” for all the deadwax hounds out there. Mike Markesich thought it might be mid-upstate New York. As it turns out, they were from Long Island.
Last month I heard from bassist Lloyd Deckman, who filled me in on the group’s story:
Utopia Carwash was named after the “Utopia Carwash” that was visible from the Long Island Expressway in towards the city. It was a carwash. Prior to that name, we had called ourselves the Makos, from East Northport.
The Cast:
Barry Ambrosio – guitar
Bryan Ambrosio – keyboard
Gary Costa – percussion
Lloyd Deckman – bassWe started – actually Barry and Bryan started – the Makos in their basement on Grant Street in East Northport. They were twins and they lived across the street from me – we grew up together, Boy Scouts, played army, etc. Barry was the brains and driving force behind the operation. As the Makos we played out at a firemens’ party in the firehouse in East Northport, at the Northport High School (video’d), and at a place called either “The Most” or “Hullabaloo” that was usually a roller skating rink in Northport. The time frame would have been around ’66 or ’67. Those were the only gigs I remember while I was in the band.
I don’t remember where South Grape Street Records came from; I was no longer in the band. “Wait and See” was actually written as “Just You Wait and See”, they chose to abbreviate it for labeling purposes. I wanted it done up-tempo too, but… They had the record cut in early ’69.
As I understand it, Barry has passed, his bio in the music world is rather impressive. I believe Bryan lives in Florida.
Lloyd F. Deckman
There’s a Grape Street Pub outside of Philly in Manyunk. I’m assuming the club’s on Grape Street, but i can’t remember.
Maybe Philly native Todd stole the name Utopia from them??? (The plot thickens.)
WFMU is the best.
“You’re still looking to your” cargo? car door?
I’m pretty sure it’s “You’re still looking through your cardoor”. Amazing song btw! Would be nice to know if they released anything more.
just saw your post and wanted to let you know that south grape street was my label. i did get the name off of a carton that was going to south grape street in denver. this was the only song released on grape street. we later did re-releases of doo wop songs on the last chance label
Do you still have copies of this one?
Member of utopia carwash,And the Makos Barry Ambrosio lead guitar Brian Ambrosio organ Jack Tamburro rhythm guitar,Mike Ostrander base Gary Costa drums. Whole lot of years and a lot of fond memories Jack Tamburro
jack – it has been many years. don’t know if you even remeber me but i put together the recording session and the production. hadn’t even thought about the record until i saw it on you tube. wish i had saved some copies.
i still have 1 and the test pressing
hope you are doing well
steve
Stephen great I still have mine also Jack T.
Hi Stephen,
I don’t know if you remember me. I was a Canadian singer-songwriter living in NYC in 1969-70, and you paid for a four track four song demo of my music, on which Kate McGarrigle and her friend, Roma Baran played, piano and guitar respectively. I always wondered what happened to you. I still have the tape. I’m living in Toronto. Please get in touch.
Stephen I do I still have my copy andthankyou for a life time of music still playing out 89 north club on long island .Hunt me down on f/b Barry became Richie blackmoore asst for many years hes f/b page is still up cant seem to get down PS If you recall another band had the Mackos so you told us new name on the way home buy utopia pkwy we say the carwash the rest was history Peace out brother.
david – i think of you often. still have your book that you signed for me.
how are you doing – i just talked about you last week with my wife, she is from victoria bc
we should speak soon
steve
Steve,
Please get in touch with me. I’m at
dkaufman@sympatico.ca .
You will be surprised to learn that I just recorded a CD (finally after fifty years) with a stellar cast of Toronto musicians. Would love to send it to you. Please get in touch directly with me at the email above. Kind regards,
David
I met Barry when I was 16, Barry was 18 or 19, There was a jam session @ Bill Van Leers house, with Ed Terrossa now Ed terry on vocals, Barry was very head strong and bossy. I had heard him play with a band @ the Battle of the bands @ Northport High School 1969, they played Hendrix Good Times roll, I was very impressed, forgot who won. Back to the jam, I knew I could play, so I kept my mouth shut played the song and the rest was history. We played together for many years. We formed New Day together with Brian Moran as far as your music, didn’t know him, I was too young.
Lloyd used to play solo tennis against a brick wall at Dickinson Avenue School in East Northport. I was a pesty liitle squirt that hung around and bugged him. He’d give me a quarter to get him a Pepsi at the 7-11 and let me keep the change. I think part of his reason was to get rid of me for awhile. He invited me over to see is guitar and amp. Probably around ’67. He had a Fuzz Box. It made a major impression on me and I started playing a beat up Harmony acoustic. I still play today. Thanks Lloyd!
I love reading these stories. It is sad to hear about those who passed, but it is to be expected. Loneliness is one of the most original songs I have ever heard. It truly sounds like nothing else. I love it. Thanks for the tunes.