Overhauling the British Invasion
It was 1966. As far as both hipness and the sales of rock ‘n’ roll records went, the British were still clearly outclassing us. "Us" being the Americans. Naturally, we agitated as a nation to summon up a dignified response to the British Invasion - something that would attract all that twitchy, obsessive energy, and I suppose it’s arguable whether we ever quite generated that same amount of fervor with the American teenyboppers. But our boys were, in the meantime, imitating the British bands to the best of their abilities. Or at least taking characteristic glee in deconstructing the Brits’ handiwork.
Three American garage bands herewith - all doing mutated cover versions of British Invasion hits. I don’t know about you, but, sometimes, like on national holidays, this sort of thing gets me a bit misty eyed.
1. The Malibu's, I'm Cryin' (Quill)
How much amphetamine died to make this record? Once again we have breakneck velocity compensating for musical proficiency and my God we prefer it that way. This version of the oft-covered Animals song came from the Malibu’s (sic) - an unknown Chicago band, ca. '65.
2. The Swamp Rats, It's Not Easy (St. Clair)
These Pittsburgh malcontents had a minimalist streak that would have made the Velvet Underground proud - and the good taste to reduce the Rolling Stones' “It’s Not Easy” to a driving one-chord drone. The Swamp Rats had at least four or five brilliant 45s in the mid-60s, and, if my recent candy-bar sales are any indication, I will own all of them by 2009.
3. The Evil, Whatcha Gonna Do About It (Living Legend)
Buried somewhere in this racket is a Small Faces hit. Like all of this week’s artists, Miami, Florida’s The Evil ratchet up the tempo of the song in question, jettisoning all that is decent and subtle in the name of their art - and the pure 1966 American thrill of being violent. You could have drilled straight through the Earth’s crust with this one.
Against all logic, heavyweight Capitol records - home to the Beatles, Beach Boys, and many, many others - later picked this record up for distribution. (Though, more predictably, Capitol did see fit to remove that ear-piercing guitar break when they reissued it.) Perhaps Capitol sensed that there was some freak hit potential in this song?
There wasn’t.
Three American garage bands herewith - all doing mutated cover versions of British Invasion hits. I don’t know about you, but, sometimes, like on national holidays, this sort of thing gets me a bit misty eyed.
1. The Malibu's, I'm Cryin' (Quill)How much amphetamine died to make this record? Once again we have breakneck velocity compensating for musical proficiency and my God we prefer it that way. This version of the oft-covered Animals song came from the Malibu’s (sic) - an unknown Chicago band, ca. '65.
2. The Swamp Rats, It's Not Easy (St. Clair)These Pittsburgh malcontents had a minimalist streak that would have made the Velvet Underground proud - and the good taste to reduce the Rolling Stones' “It’s Not Easy” to a driving one-chord drone. The Swamp Rats had at least four or five brilliant 45s in the mid-60s, and, if my recent candy-bar sales are any indication, I will own all of them by 2009.
3. The Evil, Whatcha Gonna Do About It (Living Legend)Buried somewhere in this racket is a Small Faces hit. Like all of this week’s artists, Miami, Florida’s The Evil ratchet up the tempo of the song in question, jettisoning all that is decent and subtle in the name of their art - and the pure 1966 American thrill of being violent. You could have drilled straight through the Earth’s crust with this one.
Against all logic, heavyweight Capitol records - home to the Beatles, Beach Boys, and many, many others - later picked this record up for distribution. (Though, more predictably, Capitol did see fit to remove that ear-piercing guitar break when they reissued it.) Perhaps Capitol sensed that there was some freak hit potential in this song?
There wasn’t.
Labels: '60s Garage Bands
posted by DJ Little Danny at 2:12 PM
7 Comments:
What's on the flip-side of that Malibus record? I can't seem to find any info on it, and I'd like to add it to the MusicBrainz database.
Hey Edward, the flip to "I'm Cryin'" is a sloppy version of Del Shannon's "Runaway," complete with guitar solo where there should only be ondioline. It's good - very early 60's-sounding, though.
Just discovered the blog, been reading through and listening to tracks over the weekend and today in the office. Really like the time and detail, thanks!
You're welcome, Triman - and thanks for leaving the nice comment.
-LD
Odd thing is, EVIL is remembered some 40 years later....dj little know won't be remebered next month.
I'm sorry, I meant dj little known, of course.
Some excellent garage gems on this site. It's only good taste that can sift out the (relatively) tiny proportion of great tracks from the overwhelming dirge in this genre... you my friend seem to have done just that! Great stuff!
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