I have reviewed thousands of records over the years. These reviews were posted on an ancient deleted blog but will be updated and refreshed here on ‘The Monocled Alchemist’.

BILLY BATSON – “Bring Me Ya Low Down Feelin’s” / “New York, N.Y. (Decca 32035) October 1966

Underground 60s gems LSD: Many years ago I acquired this spectacular Billy Batson 45 from a record dealer. He described the single as ‘1966 folk-rock’, which was obviously music to my ears. I had to have it. I bought it without ever hearing it first of course, this was pre YouTube era, so there was absolutely no chance of having a sneak preview.

Then out of nowhere, over a decade ago,  a blog called “Peach, Fuzz Forest” (which has since been deleted) posted an interview with Billy where he talked about this Decca record and his time with hard rock outfit Holy Moses.

I just wish that I’d copied and saved this interview because it’s now lost in the realms of blogger history for ever, like so many others.

I’m not quite sure which side was promoted and plugged to the radio stations as both sides offer the same kind of thrilling hard-edged folk-rock sound, expertly captured on tape by producer Jerry Keller at the Brill Building recording studios.

My pick is the hard-driving ’66 swinger “New York, N.Y.” which out-muscles many of the discs that became hits during that time frame.

The fierce fuzz guitar acts like a wrecking-ball behind Billy’s tough vocals bringing out all kinds of exciting sonic disturbances.  

It’s a shame that a staggering record like “New York, N.Y.” didn’t sell bazillions of copies and make an outsider type like Billy Batson a household name.

Billy died in 2017. 

Underground 60s Gems LSD

MISTY WIZARDS – ’It’s Love’ /’Blue Law Sunday’ (Reprise 0616) July 1967

It’s classic double psych 45 sider time!!! The Misty Wizards were formed by Ted Lucas and Dick Keelan after their previous band The Spike Drivers disbanded. The latter also released a killer psychedelic 45 ’High Time’ / ’Baby Won’t You Let Me Tell You How I Lost My Mind’ on Om Records, then it got picked up by Reprise in 1966.

As you can see from the pic of The Spike Drivers the guys in the band were scared of razor blades, but don’t let those goaty beards put you off discovering their music cos it has the Expo seal of approval.

Back to The Misty Wizards -The song ’It’s Love’ is a classic flower psych tune with sitar (Ted Lucas got some coaching from Ravi Shankar on a visit to Los Angeles), finger symbols, clattering tambourine and just about anything else that made music in 1967 cool as fuck.

coloured sights and sounds

There is a line in the song ’Colored sights and sounds’ and it was that line that gave the world (or rather about 20 people from the garage punk forum my free CDR compilations ’Coloured Sights And Sounds’ that ran to 4 volumes.

The uncompiled ’Blue Law Sunday’ is also a personal favourite psychedelic raver. Surprisingly Fuzz, Acid and Flowers labelled this track dull??? What a bunch of losers because it is certainly not dull. It reminds me of perfect Sunset Strip garage psych music from 1967 with cool male/female vocals.

It’s got a magical guitar break over a one note bass line and primitive drums. It also contains a great lyric,

“Sometimes I think it’s better bustin’ rocks, At least you know where you stand.’

I guess Ted had some girl problems back then.

Reader comment:
great post, great write up. the spike drivers were/are amazing, remind me a little of Mimi & Richard Farina’s ”beat” numbers total pre-hippy psychedelic folk/beatnik feel. interestingly (but not surprisingly) the spike drivers were friendly with Jan & Lorraine and Mr. Keelan went on (an up) to Canada to found Canadian folk-psych commune-band the Perth County Conspiracy.

He’s still active in the music scene up here and still plays a dulcimer given to him by Jan & Lorraine.

GRUMP – ’Heartbreak Hotel’ (Magic Carpet 45-901) 1969

Here’s an interesting remake of the Elvis Presley classic. I’m pondering over a release in 1969 or possibly 1970. If you know for sure please let me know.

What the ’King’ would have made of this cover is anyone’s guess. Perhaps he would have shot the record with one of his revolvers. I very much doubt the biker fuzz interpretation would have seen favour in Gracelands.

I dig it very much indeed. It’s a big wall of heavy psych fuzz and wah wah with screaming vocals. It would have fit nicely on one of those ’A Fistful Of Fuzz’ comps.

My copy of the 45 has ”Heartbreak Hotel” on both sides. I’m led to believe that some releases came with the song ”I’ll Give You Love” as the flip. Has anyone heard this cut?

THE KING BISCUIT ENTERTAINERS

Reader update:
I am in contact with Scott Ashley, co-leader of the King Biscuit Entertainers — formerly of the Seattle area, he is now based in Nashville where he continues to play professionally.

He only recently became aware of renewed interest in KBE music, and is now working to remaster all their tapes in digital format for possible CD reissue.

The band began as ”Genesis”, with one single [Window of Sand/Get Me To Chicago} released under that name before they discovered that at least two other groups — including the Peter Gabriel lot — were also recording under that name.

They thus became ”King Biscuit Entertainers” and then the abbreviated KBE. Scott tells me that he still wishes they could have remained ”Genesis” as he says ”I just liked that name”.

Underground 60s Gems LSD

JIMMY CURTISS ’Psychedelic Situation’ / ’Gone But Not Forgotten’ (Laurie 3315) April 1967

Jimmy Curtiss was quite a well known singer songwriter in the mid to late 60s, even continuing his ’success’ into the 70s with TV Commercials.

It was ’Psychedelic Situation’ that got this New Yorker noticed though, even securing an underground hit in Germany. And here’s me thinking that Germans just grew strange ‘tashes and had ’mullet’ hair styles. Oh well, they may have some taste after all.

If you have any passing interest in ‘ bubblegum’ music you’ll already dig this record. For those of you who haven’t heard it before. It’s got the required bouncy rhythm and catchy melodies that most good bubblegum had. This ’hit’ even had the rather corny lyrics much loved by this genre.

’I’m in a kind of new dimension,
A kind of mind extension,
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,
Psychedelic, psychedelic situation.’

The flip ’Gone But Not Forgotten’ is also a catchy song with less of a bubblegum backing and more of a folk rock feel. Very simple but very commercial sounding.

For my particular taste though Jimmy’s falsetto vocals are a bit too much for me. It remains uncompiled but who knows it may surface on a future Gear!

Curtiss would later become a member of studio psych pop outfit The Hobbits. The latter released three LPs in the late 60s and lovers of soft psychedelia are advised to check out these records.

Perhaps their coolest song was ’Strawberry Children’ which was written by Curtiss and ’Down To Middle Earth’ a rather slow burning piece of psychedelia.

For the record ’Psychedelic Situation’ was compiled on the vinyl only Pebbles Volume 16.

SUNDAY FUNNIES – ’A Pindaric Ode’ / ’Whatcha Gonna Do (When The Dance Is Over)’ (Valhalla 671) March 1967

This is one of the my favourite garage psych 45s I own. ’A Pindaric Ode’ not only wins prizes for the cool song title it also basks in the glory of greatness for the way the singer delivers the song in a ’laid back I’m on acid’ kind of way. It also features over the top organ and spirals into a frenzy of backwards tape effects at it’s climax. A very cool song indeed.

The almost spoken lyrics are frankly incoherent mumblings and virtually impossible to decipher. But I think it’s about tripping on a grass verge and watching the world go by (something I enjoyed doing in my formative years in the 80s, ha,ha ha).

One of the few lines I can sort of make out is.

’I was gonna take a trip to flower heaven,
Now I’m gonna stay here till about seven.’

By the way The Sunday Funnies came from Altadena, CA and only released this one fabulous record. Flip the 45 over and you’ve got ’Whatcha Gonna Do (When The Dance Is Over)’ and the chance to listen to a brilliant up tempo mod swinger complete with background female vocals. This song really moves.

Both songs were written by Chick Carlton.

The first time I heard ’A Pindaric Ode’ was on Pebbles Volume 7. It has since been compiled along with the flip on the CD East Side Sound Volume 1.

Underground 60s Gems LSD

THE BUCANEER’S – ”You’re Never Gonna Love Me Anymore” / ”I’m A Fool” (Amigo RK-104) August 1966

Way back in the 80s I bought Pebbles Volume 9 and The Bucaneer’s song ’You’re Never Gonna Love Me Anymore’ really stood out for me on that comp. (Pebbles Volume 9 was a very strong release with some ultra cool cuts by the way – pity about the sound quality)

The Bucaneer’s were from Barrington, NJ and sadly only released this one 45. Both sides are classics but it’s the top side that wins out with it’s folk punk genius.

Dig that clattering tambourine and jangle guitar!! It also wins big style with the singer bragging about cheating on his girl twice before. Makes a change from all of those whiney losers who always seem to get dumped by the girl! ha ha ha, this one rocks.

The flip ’I’m A Fool’ is another great garage punker with a magical guitar break and I’m sure you’ll dig it if you’ve not heard it before.

This time round the singer’s been dumped by the girl. Oh well, they always seem to win in the end. It has been compiled in the 80s on ’Return Of The Young Pennsylvanians’. I suspect that LP to be hard to track down now.

Song writing credits for both songs are R. Krause.

Thanks for the nice review. I’m Don, founder of The Bucaneer’s. We had a great run in the 60’s both before and after the record. Any questions may be directed to jdbevers@aol.com Thanks again.

THE DERBY HATVILLE – ’Turn Into Earth’ / ’You’ll Forget Me’ (Sea Ell 102) 1967

Here’s an interesting 45 from a band from Lubbock, Texas. They were discovered by C.L Milburn and he signed the band to his Sea Ell label out of Pasadena, Texas.

Other bands recording for Sea Ell included Knights Bridge, The Coachmen, Satyn’s Children and The Intruders.

Fortunately their recorded output including an unissued song was compiled on the Collectables CD from 1994 called ’History Of Texas Garage Vol 1.

Anyway, I digress. Back to this 45 under the spotlight. As you’re probably aware ’Turn Into Earth’ is a cover of The Yardbirds classic. Derby-Hatville deliver a very sombre version of the song with mournful vocals and it’s much more psychedelic than The Yardbirds cut.

I first heard this tune on Highs In The Mid Sixties Volume 12. When I started to collect garage 45s this one was high on my wants list because I loved it so much.

The flip ’You’ll Forget Me’ is classic garage band greatness with cool fuzztone guitar.

Song credits for ’You’ll Forget Me’ are Hicks-Boswell. Both sides of the record were produced by C. L Milburn.

Underground 60s Gems LSD

KAK – Everything’s Changing (mono) / Everything’s Changing (stereo) (Epic 10383) 1968

Thankfully Kak have been well cared for by the re-issue market and their excellent album was compiled onto CD by Big Beat in 1999 titled Kak-Ola. The cool thing about this release was that not only did they re-issue the 1969 LP, but 45s and previously unreleased demos and live tracks. Well worth your investigation if you don’t already own the CD.

Kak hailed from Davis in California. The line up was Dehner Patten (lead guitar/vocals), Gary Yoder (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Joseph Damrell (bass) and Christopher Lockheed (drums).

Yoder of course previously led The Oxford Circle whose punk 45 from 1966 ’Foolish Woman’ / ’Mind Destruction’ (World United 1002) is more than worth your interest.

The interesting thing about this Kak 45 under the Expo spotlight is that the shortened version of ’Everything’s Changing’ is in mono and was not present on the Big Beat round up and is technically uncompiled and unavailable elsewhere.

Coming in at 2 minutes 40 seconds it’s a much stronger version, typically louder and much more punchy as with most mono 45s. It more or less fades out at the end before the guitar soloing of the LP version (which is on the flip).

I much prefer this ’radio friendly’ non hit record. I’d be surprised if it ever got past the promo stage.

Stone Country – ’Time Isn’t There (Anymore)’ /’Life Stands Daring Me’ (RCA Victor 47-9301) 1967

Excellent late 60s group of country rockers from California. Not sure what part of California exactly but their recordings were made in Hollywood.

Stone Country consisted of Dann Barry (bass), Steve Young (lead guitar), Don Beck (12 string guitar and banjo), Dennis Conway (drums), Richard Lockmiller (rhythm guitar) and Doug Brooks (also rhythm guitar).

Steve Young would go on to become a country rock star when Stone Country disbanded and Don Beck would later work with Dillard and Clark.

This was their first 45 for RCA Victor. They would release three more, as well as an awesome album in 1968. Well I think it’s an amazing album, very hard to categorise but I’ll have a go and say it’s psychedelic country (whatever that means) but you can get the picture.

Basically if you dig late period Byrds and in particular their Notorious Byrd Brothers phaze, you’ll dig not only the album but you’ll want to own their 45s as well.

country-tinged psych

The plug side of this 45 was the Dann Barry and Doug Brooks song ’Time Isn’t There (Anymore)’. It’s a beautiful country tinged psych tune full of harmonies and a wall of guitar sound. Pretty damned cool bass runs as well.

This song was recently compiled on ’turned-on’ CD Soft Sounds For Gentle People Volume 2.

The uncompiled ’Life Stands Daring Me’ again treads a country psych path and is just as good as the top side.

Notable for the closing raga guitar sound. This song was written by Don Beck.

It’s also worth mentioning that Stone Country were slated to do recordings and possibly appear in some scenes in the late 60s LSD comedy caper Skidoo starring Mickey Rooney and Groucho Marx.

Unfortunately this never materialized and all of the songs for the film were Harry Nilsson’s.

Hi – nice blurb about Stone Country there. I wonder if they were slated to make a 2nd album; I do know that a promo 45 exists in which the songs are ”Wheel’s On Fire” and ”Million Dollar Bash”, both of which were not on their first LP. I do really like their first LP although I could do without the syrupy-sweet ”Angelina”, but at least that cut’s at the end of the record.

Underground 60s Gems LSD

AMERICAN ZOO – ‘Mr. Brotherhood’ / ‘Magdalena’ (Reena Records 1026) 1968

Another very cool double sided psych 45. American Zoo were a group of hip teenagers who recorded for Hollywood based label Reena. This picture of the band shows them looking extremely young and I suspect they never even went anywhere near an LSD tab. That being said, they made an exciting couple of psychedelic 45s.

’Mr Brotherhood’ written by Bill Hawkins was probably the top side, although both songs are strong. Can’t decide which I prefer, so I won’t!

This version appeared on Psychedelic Unknowns Volume 11 however, a longer cut was compiled on High All The Time Volume 2 (never heard this version so I’ll have to try and locate that comp).

’Magdalena’ has four name credits on the label, J. Martz, B. Bottrell, B. Hawkins and D. Daniell. This song appears to be non comp which is strange because it really is a fast paced psycher with cool instrumentation. In fact, the band are very competent musicians for youngsters.

HAMILTON STREETCAR – ”Confusion” / ”Your Own Come Down” (LHI 45-1206) Feb 1968

Second and last Hamilton Streetcar 45 on the LHI label. After this record they signed for Dot Records and released a further three 45s and a neglected but interesting album.

’Confusion’ reminds me of early Cream records from 1966 (when they were still good). It’s fast tempo with excellent instrumentation and very well produced but still has a ’loose’ feel. A cool psychedelic rock record.

’I’ve heard you talk and I know you’re confused. You’re just hung up by the words that you use.’

’Your Own Come Down’ written by Ralph Plummer is a slower paced song with organ throughout. It’s a strange amalgam of styles. It has a strong Doors influence with a Spencer Davis Group ’Gimme Some Lovin’ organ rip. I dig this song very much indeed. Both songs appear to be uncompiled.

Hamilton Streetcar supported The Doors at the Phoenix Memorial Coliseum on 17th February 1968. Sunshine Company were also on the same bill.

Jay & MIchael & Ralph wrote ”Confusion” to be a ”B” side, as I recall for the flip side of ”Your Own Come Down” and yes it was ”inspired” by a recent Cream LP and does have that ”feel.” ,”Come Down” does have several obvious influences as well, the most obvious in fact being Country Joe & Fish as well as Spencer Davis.

Producer Hazlewood admitted, ”I just don’t know what to do with these guys, they’re all over the musical map and I never know what they’ll come up with next!” ( I know this stuff ‘cuz I was there.)

Underground 60s Gems LSD

HAMILTON STREETCAR – ”Invisible People” / ”Flash” (LHI Records 17016) August 1967

Here’s an obscure and sought after psychedelic 45. Hamilton Streetcar hailed from Los Angeles and recorded two 45s for Lee Hazlewood’s LHI Record label. He also produced this record and the follow up ’Confusion’ / ’Your Own Come Down’ (LHI 1206)

’Invisible People’ starts off with a menacing organ riff then the bass, guitar and drums come pounding in to add more coolness.

This song is without question their most garage punk moment but it’s also got that hint of psychedelia that makes it a very memorable performance. Ralph Plummer wrote ’Invisible People’ and for those of you who don’t have an original 45 check it out on Highs In The Mid Sixties Volume 3.

The song is probably about dropping acid. Check out these lyrics.

”They’re gonna get you baby, They’re gonna make you invisible too.
You’re gonna walk around in the dark
And people are gonna trip on your transparent body.
I wouldn’t worry too much though,
It’s fun to be invisible. I know I tried it.”

Plummer was also responsible for the top side ’Flash’ This song is a laid back psychedelic affair with sound affects, swirling organ and weird whispering vocals near the end. ’Flash’ was compiled on Psychedelic Unknowns Volume 11. 

Reader comments:
I was a one time road manager for the Hamilton Streetcar at a time when Forrest Hamilton (Jazz drummer great Chico Hamilton’s son) was the manager and the gigs were UCLA frat parties, all night Hullabaloo gigs(on the revolving stage) and my last gig with them was the night they opened for Jim Morrison and the Doors at the Cheetah in ’68.

I had been a high school friend of their drummer(one of many) Danny Fanz. I’ve always wondered what ever happened to Danny.

Hey rocknrole drop me a line if you read this. jabohrer@gmail.com…J, bass, Streetcar. (08/04/07)

Underground 60s Gems LSD

THE PINK FLOYD – ‘See Emily Play’ / ‘Scarecrow’ (Columbia DB 8214) June 1967

Most people should be familiar with the Pink Floyd classic ’See Emily Play’. It is quite rightly regarded as a psychedelic masterpiece. Most, if not all of Syd Barrett’s songs during this time period were.

So, I’ll focus instead on the flip titled simply ’Scarecrow’ although the song appeared as ’The Scarecrow’ on the LP ’Piper At The Gates Of Dawn’.

This delightful song did not have the full scale production of ’See Emily Play’.

Instead this is a very delicate and gentle song. Some people label this type of psych as ’toytown’ I’m not sure about that. All I know for definite is ’Scarecrow’ has a very minimalistic backing and shows more of Syd Barrett’s eccentric genius.

The song has a beautiful melody and the atmospherics are generated as much by the vocal delivery as the percussion and the mainly mellotron sounds.

After the last verse, so typical of Pink Floyd, a heavier feel ends the song with Waters’ bass guitar taking a moodier and menacing tone. Indeed one of the true great late 60s psychedelic 45s was released on Columbia DB 8214 and thankfully I own a copy.

Loos Foos And The Fiberglass Cornflake – ‘I Think I’ve Got You’ / ‘Bless Me Father’ (Ace Record Co ARS-135) Sept 1969

Here’s a weird 45! The top side ’I Think I’ve Got You’ and the one the band or record company thought would sound better on the radio is a pleasant enough pop song.

It has a ’soulful’ feel and above average vocals. It’s even an OK song but it doesn’t really do much for me. Maybe because of the ’soul’ vibe and soul just ain’t my cup of tea maan.

The flip however is more my scene. ’Bless Me Father’ is a cool psychedelic song with haunting organ, distorted guitar and wah wah -it’s also blessed with some fuzz. This song has turned up on the CD only ’A Fistful Of Fuzz’ compilation in the late 90s.

Both songs were written by R. Sousa. I don’t know anything about the band apart from the rumour that they hailed from Rhode Island in New England, so any information will be appreciated.

’Bless me father for I have sinned.
And these are my sins.’

RANDY and the RADIANTS – ‘Peek-A-Boo’ / ‘Mountain’s High’ (Sun 395) 1965

Most garage freaks know the killer track ’My Way Of Thinking’ from this Memphis band that was released on Sun 398. It’s been comped a few times, firstly on Boulders Volume 9 and then the 2CD set Ya Gotta Have Moxie Volume 2.

However, the first 45 by Randy and the Radiants is a little known gem. ’Mountain’s High’ written by Dick St John is a primitive beat style number reminiscent of the early Kinks.

’Peek-A-Boo’ written by Bob Simon is my favourite cut out of the two tracks on offer. It moves along nicely and would have so much better with a devastating guitar break.

My advice would be to buy this record if you see it for sale, you won’t be disappointed.

The BAN – ‘Bye Bye’ / ‘Now That I’m Hoping’ (Brent 7049) 1966

This band started life in Lompoc, California and released a 45 as The Ban on Brent. They were comprised of: 
Tony McGuire (guitar,vocals), Oliver McKinney (keyboards), Frank Straight (bass) and Randy Gordon (drums)

’Bye Bye’ written by Tony McGuire is a great teen punker with eerie organ and tambourine frills and an amateurish guitar break.

Hear it on Garage Beat Volume 1.

The flip ’Now That I’m Hoping’ is a pleasant slow paced pop song, similar to The Zombies sound (at least to my ears) and remains uncompiled.

Tony McGuire left the band soon after to be replaced by David Zandonatti. They relocated to Los Angeles and changed their name from The Ban to The Now and signed for Embassy Records.

The NOW – ‘I Want’ / ‘Like A Flying Bird’ (Embassy C-1963) 1967

’I Want’ credited to all four members of the Now is a fabulous punk swinger with go go organ. Whenever I think of the 66/67 LA sound I hear this kind of groovy music in my head. I’m not sure if it’s ever been compiled.

’Like A Flying Bird’ is also a good song. It’s got a lovely melody and has far more in common with the baroque sounds of The Left Banke.

Just a great 60s pop record as far as I’m concerned.

After this one 45 for Embassy they left LA and travelled to San Francisco. There they changed their name once again, this time to Tripsichord Music Box. I’m sure more people have heard of this band as they released possibly the West Coast’s finest acid/psychedelic album of the late 60s. But don’t expect garage punk or baroque pop songs!

I rec’d this email from a contact who saw The Ban back in the 60s.

Lompoc High School

I heard The Ban twice when they performed at the Vandenberg Air Force Base Teen Center near Lompoc, California in late 1965 or early 1966. They were very impressive and in addition to ‘Now that I’m Hoping” a

Their single received some local airplay and I remember hearing it a couple of times on the school bus radio during early 1966 while completing my senior year at Lompoc High School.

I always liked it, but that was the last I heard of The Ban and their song.

Although I remember seeing their bass player performing with another group.

This may have been The Now – or Tripsichord – a year or two later at a dance in L.A.

I remember the Ban when I was at Vandenberg AFB and went to LOMPOC HS and Cabrillo HS.

I remember the bass player, Frank Straight. It was a long time ago, but I recall they had a great sound.