The Velvet Underground: Squeeze1973

Here’s something a bit different to restart the site with. It’s the first album to be posted on this blog.  

This is Squeeze, the fifth Velvet Underground album. Which seems to have been all but erased from the band’s official history? No tracks from it appear on any Velvet Underground compilations or box sets. Unavailable on vinyl since the seventies, it has never officially been issued on CD. The Kismet label has released it recently on CD unlicensed. The version here was taken from vinyl.

By the time this was recorded in 1972, Mo Tucker and Doug Yule were the only band members left. Doug Yule produced and played most of the instruments on it. Mo Tucker was stopped from playing on the album by the band’s manager. The drums are performed by Ian Paice, Deep Purple’s drummer. Hence many fans do not see it as a real Velvet Underground album. Doug Yule was not included in the band when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Despite the fact he played on three of their five albums. 

1. Little Jack
2. Crash
3. Caroline
4. Mean Old Man
5. Dopey Joe
6. Wordless

7. She'll Make You Cry
8. Friends
9. Send No Letter
10. Jack & Jane
11. Louise

Produced By Doug Yule

Doug Yule   Vocal, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass guitar

Ian Paice                                                  Drums

The Velvet Underground - Squeeze.zip  

Spider: Concorde 1998

Spider was a late 90s Auckland band formed by Dave Mulcahy (JPS Experience, Superette), it also featured his flatmates at the time Big Ross (Bird Nest Roys, The Tufnells) and Steve Gilbert (The Tufnells).  Originally a 3-piece they soon grew to a quartet with the addition of Mark Anderson (Gaunt Pudding) on bass.  These 3 songs were recorded in a woolshed in South Auckland by Matthew Heine and released as a single in 1998.  The band changed their name to Raygun as Anderson left to join Sleepers Union and was replaced by Matthew Heine, the band split up in 2006 when Mulcahy made a permanent move back to his hometown of Christchurch.

Mulcahy currently releases music under the moniker Mulchzoid and plays in Christchurch band Sexy Animals as well as occasional recordings with ex-Spider drummer Steve Gilberd as 'Snakedog'.

Dave Mulcahy       Vocals, Guitar
Ross Williams        Guitar Vocals
Mark Anderson                    Bass
Steve Gilberd                    Drums

Concorde.mp3
Summerlite.mp3
Halo.mp3

The Sundowners: Baby Jane 1963

Teddy Toi, Bob Wynyard, Trixie Willoughby, Sonny Day, Lloyd Tangaio and Max Purdy

The Sundowners were formed in the late 1950’s in Auckland, New Zealand.  Originally called Sonny Day and the Sharks. They played a form of Rock and Roll that had yet to be influenced by The Beatles. They recorded three singles and an EP for local label Viking Records before signing to another Auckland label Zodiac Records in 1963. Released in the same year, Baby Jane was their second single for Zodiac. They release three more singles, one under name of Dave Henry and the Sundowners, before folding in 1964. They never recording an album. The song Baby Jane was also recorded by The Applejacks  a year after the Sundowners. The B-Side was a cover of the Little Richard’s gem Keep A Knockin’.

Produced by Dave Dunningham

Sonny Day                                  Guitar
Bob Wynyard                              Guitar
Teddy Toi                                      Bass
Max Purdy                                   Piano
Lloyd Tangaio                     Saxophone
Graeme 'Trixie' Willoughby        Drums

Baby Jane.mp3

Keep A Knockin'.mp3

Guided By Voices: Motor Away 1995

 

Guided By Voices was originally formed in 1983 as a bar band in Dayton, Ohio. It was seen as a part-time thing, with all its members having day jobs. Over the next few years there was an ever-changing line up except for songwriter Robert Pollard who was the band’s only constant member. By the early 1990’s the band had evolved into more of a recording project. They self-released a string of lo-fi albums. Only a few hundred copies of each were pressed. In 1994 they signed a deal with Matador Records and became a gigging band again. At the time the line up included Pollard, guitarists Tobin Sprout and Mitch Mitchell, bassist Dan Toohey, and drummer Kevin Fennell. Now seen as the “classic line up”. Released in 1995, Motor Away was their first single for Matador, their eighth over all. It was written by Robert Pollard and Tobin Sprout. It is different from the version that appeared on the album Alien Lanes. The Color Of My Blade was the B-Side.

 

 Robert Pollard              Vocals
Tobin Sprout                  Guitar
Mitch Mitchell                Guitar
Dan Toohey                    Bass
Kevin Fennell               Drums

Motor Away

Color Of My Blade

The Pretty Things: Talking About The Good Times 1968

In 1967 the legendary wild men of the British Blues movement, The Pretty Things, sign to a new label (EMI's Columbia label). They took that opportunity to change their sound to a more Psychedelic one. Their first ‘Psychedelic’ single, Defecting Grey fail to chart. Talking About The Good Times was their second Columbia Records single. Unfortunately it also failed. Recorded at the beginning of the sessions for their S. F. Sorrow album. Although, neither it or the B-Side Walking Through My Dreams appeared on the concept album.

Produced by Norman Smith

Dick Taylor                 Guitar
Phil May                    Vocals
John Povey                Organ
Wally Waller                 Bass
John Charles Alder     Drums

Talking About The Good Times 

Walking Through My Dreams

Pipp / The Fourmyula: Otaki 1970

Formed in Wellington’s Hutt Valley in 1967 The Fourmyula were one of New Zealand’s most successful bands. Ten of their fourteen singles reached the New Zealand Top 20. In 1969 at least one Fourmyula song was in the New Zealand chants every week of that year. Otaki was the last Fourmyula single to chart. It, and the B-Side Which Way Did She Go were written by Wayne Mason. To avoid confusion with a similar named British band The New Formula. They to released Otaki under the band name Pipp (a Danish word meaning 'mad') everywhere in the world bar New Zealand. Released on HMV Records in New Zealand, Decca Records in the UK/Europe and London Records in the U.S.A. Otaki is a town in the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand. Just up the Kapiti Coast from Wellington.

Produced by Chris Andrews

Martin Hope                     Guitar Vocals
Wayne Mason    Guitar / Organ / Vocals
Ali Richardson                 Bass / Vocals
Chris Parry                                 Drums

Otaki

Which Way Did She Go

The Bach: I Can Tell You That 2011

The Bach are an alternative pop band from Auckland, New Zealand. The band members are unknown. This is their second single. It was recorded at Gettoe Studios and produced by Karl Tchernegovski. It was released on Double Mono Records.  The B-Side is Public Domain.

I Can Tell You That
Public Domain

20/20: Giving It All 1978

Tulsa, Oklahoma natives Steve Allen and Ron Flynt moved to Hollywood California in 1977. There they teamed up with Mike Gallo to form 20/20. They played Power pop with strong melodies and harmonies. This was their first single. Released in 1978 on Bomp! Records. Fellow Tulsain Phil Seymour played drums on Giving It All. Which was written by guitarist Steve Allen. After this release they signed to Epic / Portrait Records.

Producer     G. Shryock and S. Ripley

Giving It All line up:

Steve Allen    Guitar/Vocals
Ron Flynt       Bass/ Vocals
Mike Gallo               Vocals
Phil Seymour           Drums

Under The Freeway line up:

Steve Allen        Guitar/Vocals
Ron Flynt           Bass/ Vocals 

Mike Gallo   Keyboards/Drums

***Warning recorded from Vinyl. Some Surface Noise***

Giving It All 

Under The Freeway

Gaunt Pudding: Karangahape 1997

This is Lo-fi Sloppy Pop from Auckland, New Zealand’s Gaunt Pudding. Who along with bands like Cane Slide and O were part of Auckland’s mid 1990’s DIY alternative Pop scene. Recorded in their practice room on an analogy 4-track cassette recorder. Released in 1997 on Icing Records.  All songs were written by the band. Karangahape is about an infamous road in Auckland New Zealand. Gaunt Pudding also contributed one track (Corners Of My Mind) to the 1997 Earwig Studio compilation Earwig and Stinkbug.

Lisa Gordon                          Guitar
Craig Van Kan                     Drums
Karl Tchernegovski   Vocals/Guitar
Mark Anderson                       Bass

Karangahape
D*A*C*C*
Phillippe

The Really 3rds: Everyday, Everyway1981

This is a self-released single from Welsh Power Pop trio The Really 3rds. This 1981 7” was their sole release. They changed their name to Shake Some Action soon after this release and joined the then Mod revival. Everyday, Everyway was written by Neil Lawrence. The B-side is by Neil Lawrence and Paul Pember, who, with someone called Philip made up The Really 3rds. And that is all that is known about them.

Everyday, Everyway
Daptapper

Ainsworths / Regulators: Double B-Side 1980

 

Both the Ainsworths and Regulators were part of the late 1970’s early 80’s Pop/Mod scene based in Auckland New Zealand’s North Shore.  Other bands included Screaming Meemees, The Killjoys and Rebel Truce. In 1980 the two bands self-released a split sided 7 inch with Ainsworths’ Coin on one side and Regulators’ Neat Boy on the other. It was to be the only release for the Regulators.  However, Ainsworth also contributed a track (Danger man) to the compilation Class Of ’81.

Ainsworths

Ainsworths – Coin

Producer – Steve Kennedy

Rowan Sheddon       Guitar
Hillary Hunt              Vocals
Adam Holt                   Bass
Phil                           Drums

Regulators – Neat Boy

Producer – Doug Rogers

Andrew Boak                  Guitar/Vocals
Geoff Hayden                              Bass
Richard Foulkes                        Drums

***Recorded from vinyl. Some Surface Noise.***

Ainsworths - Coin

Regulators - Neat Boy

The Clique: Sugar On Sunday 1969

 

The Clique were a band from Houston, Texas. Formed by record producer Gary Zekley in 1966. Although their recordings featured mainly session musicians Jerry Cope, Sid Templeton and Tommy Pena formed the core of the touring band. Sugar on Sunday was their third single. It was a cover of a Tommy James & the Shondells song.  It was released on White Whale Records in 1969 and reached number 22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was the highest chart position they ever reached. They released one album and several more singles before disbanding in 1972. The Clique might have stayed an obscure little known 60’s Texan band. But in 1986 a group form Athens, Georgia called R.E.M. covered the B-side of this single (I am Superman) and now The Clique are famous for that. Forever linked to R.E.M.

***Warning recorded off of vinyl. Surface Noise***

Sugar On Sunday

I am Superman

As a bonus, here's their first single. A cover of the 13th Floor Elevators Slash 1.

Splash 1 

The Boyfriends: I Don't Want Nobody 1978

How good were New York’s The Boyfriends? The Ramones covered one of their unreleased songs (I Need Your Love) on their album Subterranean Jungle. This is they debut single released on Bomp! Records in 1978.  Sadly, this is pretty much it for The Boyfriends. Just after this was released they sign on to Malcolm McLaren’s management. After turning down good offers in order to wait for a great offer, he left them with no record contract and no management. Only 100 copies of their second single (Wrapped Up In A Dream) were pressed in 1981. 

Bobby Dee Waxman     Guitar/Vocals
Paddy Lorenzo              Guitar/Vocals
Jay Nap                                      Bass
Lee Crystal                               Drums

***Warning recorded off of vinyl. Surface Noise***

I Don't Want Nobody

You're The One

The Original Barbara Ann : The Regents 1961

 

This is the original Barbara Ann later made famous by The Beach Boys. The Regents recorded their version in 1958 but it wasn't released until 1961. It was written by Fred Fasser, whose brother Chuck sang in the band. They were called The Regents because when they where choosing a name they were recording at Regent studios and lead singer Guy Villari smoked Regents cigarettes. They saw that as a sign.

Guy Villari                                 Lead
Sal Cuomo                      First Tenor 
Chuck Fassert            Second Tenor
Tony Gravagna           Sax, Baritone
Don Jacobucci                         Bass

***Warning recorded off of vinyl. Surface Noise***
The Regents - Barbara Ann

Cabbage Bomber: Two Songs 1997

After spending some time in Germany following the demise of The Straitjacket Fits in 1994. Guitarist Mark Petersen return to New Zealand in 1996 and formed the Cabbage Bomber. It was to be the vehicle to perform the songs Petersen had written in the last few years. Which were well crafted Power Pop gems. The ever-prolific Petersen was soon playing in Auckland band Shaft as well. In fact, apart from Cabbage Bomber, Shaft and the Straitjacket Fits he has play in Jan Hellriegal’s Band, Greg Fleming & The Trains, Cane Slide, Working With Walt, Swamp, The Beads, Meatboy,  Mellon Farmer, Lozenge and still more.

The first song, I Done Stuff is from the 1997 Wrong Records compilation Dollar Mixture. Its a song about how one minute you’re touring the world in a band, next you’re living in a Grey Lynn flat on the dole. A common story for kiwi musicians. The second song Never Gonna…hmm is from the 1997 album they shared with Cane Slide; Sloppy Pop Wars. Both songs were recorded on lo-fi four track.

Produced by Mark Petersen

Mark Petersen             Vocals, Guitars
                                   Melodica, Synth
Mario Posa                                  Bass
Andrew Moore                          Drums

I Done Stuff

Never Gonna...hmm

The Zombies: Whenever You're Ready 1965

Whenever You're Ready was The Zombies’ sixth single. It was written by singer/organist Rod Argent and bassist Chris White. Released in August 1965, exactly one year after the release of  their debut  single (She's Not There), and like the previous four singles it failed to chart. But the song on the B-side, I Love You (written solely by Chris White) had a life of its own. It was included on the Japanese version of the album The Zombies and it became a hit there and in The Philippines. In 1968 it was translated into Japanese by Kenji Sazanamias as Sukisa Sukisa Sukisa (好きさ好きさ好きさ) and recorded by Japanese band The Carnabeats. Who had a hit with it. A year later a cover by American band People! was a huge international hit. It reached number one in Japan, Israel, Australia, Italy, South Africa, and the Philippines. It also peaked at #14 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Since then it has been covered many times. It was been sung in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as, several versions in Japanese.

Colin Blunstone             lead vocals
Rod Argent                 organ, vocals
Paul Atkinson             guitar, vocals
Chris White                 bass, vocals
 Hugh Grundy                       drums

Whenever You're Ready

I Love You

As a bonus here's People!'s version of I Love You

People! - I Love You

Three Lost Singles From The 1960’s

Hugh Barrett & The Victors

There Was A Fungus Among Us

1961

In 1961 Chicago DJ Dick Biondi started using the phrase “there was a fungus among us” on his WLS radio show. It quickly became a favourite local schoolyard saying. Biondi had borrowed it from Terry Noland's 1958 song of the same name.  Chicago label Madison records saw an opportunity. They hired Hugh Barrett, Debbie and Sandy, and the some other local musicians to re-record it. It became a hit in the Chicago area. Thanks in part to Biondi's heavy promotion. First time I heard this, I thought The Cramps must have covered it, but I can’t find a version by them.

Hugh Barrett & The Victors - There Was A Fungus Among Us

The Poets

Now We're Thru

1964

The Poets were a Scottish band managed by Andrew Loog Oldham. Between 1964-67 they released six singles, but no albums. This is their 1964 debut single Now We’re Thru.

The Poets - Now We're Thru

The Soup Greens

Like A Rolling Stone

1965

This is the only record Brooklyn, New York’s The Soup Greens ever released. 1965’s Like A Rolling Stone. The song is a cover of half of a Bob Dylan song.  They don’t play the verses (too hard), for two and half minutes they just repeat the chorus over and over again with guitar brakes in between.

The Soup Greens - Like A Rolling Stone

Hoodoo Gurus: Tojo 1983

This is the 1983 second single from Sydney, Australian’s Hoodoo Gurus. It’s the first to include guitarist Brad Shepherd, who has been with the band ever since. Like most of their singles it was written by the singer and the other guitarist Dave Faulkner.
There are two main references in the song. The first, the World War Two Japanese Prime Minister General Hideki Tojo. The Japanese bombed Darwin, Australian in the War but didn’t invade. They were stopped in Papua New Guinea by Australian troops. The second is the 1975 song ‘Santa Never Made It Into Darwin’ by New Zealand duo Bill & Boyd. Which was a charity record to raise money for the victims of Cyclone Tracy which devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve / Christmas Day 1974. Both General Tojo and Cyclone Tracy had tried to destroy Darwin. It was released on Big Time Records in June, 1983. (Lets All) Turn On was the B-side.

James Baker                                 drums
Clyde Bramley                    bass, vocals
Dave Faulkner           lead vocals, guitar
Brad Shepherd                 guitar, vocals

Producer — Alan Thorne
Design (cover) — Yanni Stumbles, Dave Faulkner

***Warning recorded off of vinyl. Little bit of Surface Noise & a couple of clicks.***
Tojo
(Lets All) Turn On

The Move: Brontosaurus 1970

Released in March 1970, the single Brontosaurus was a change of musical direction for The Move. After a string of psychedelic lite pop hits like, ‘I Can Hear The Grass Grow’ and ‘Flowers In The Rain, this had a heavier more aggressive guitar sound and growling vocals. Prior to the recording of this, they had toured with fellow Brummies, Black Sabbath. It was the first record with newest member Jeff Lynne. Lightnin' Never Strikes Twice was the B-side.

Brontosaurus

Lightnin' Never Strikes Twice

The Bangles: Self Titled EP 1982

The Bangles emerged from the early 1980’s Paisley Underground scene. Which was a loose collection of bands  (mainly from the L.A. area) that were influenced by 60’s psychodelic pop, it included The Dream Syndicate and The Three O'Clock. The Bangles were by far the most commercially successful band from that scene. They can boost to having four vocalists. All the members of the band could -to varying degrees- sing.  Originally called The Colours, followed by The Supersonic Bangs, then just The Bangs, before finally The Bangles.  This is their 1982 second release following the single ‘Getting Out Of Hand’. It features a cover of ‘How Is The Air Up There’, made famous by 1960’s New Zealand band The La De Das. Shortly after the release of this EP, Annette Zilinskas left to join Blood on the Saddle. She was replaced by Michael Steele who had played in a later version of The Runaways.

Susanna Hoffs                          vocals/guitars
Vicki Peterson                           vocals/guitars
Debbi Peterson                          vocals/drums
Annette Zilinskas                          vocals/bass

The Real World
I'm In Line
Want You
Mary Street
How Is the Air Up There?

Or here's the whole lot as a .zip
The Bangles Self Title EP