A Los Angeles outfit who had some fine moments. The group recorded a wealth of material in 1966/7, mostly in the typical L.A. acid punk vein and of a really outstanding quality. Some of these recordings were released on Things To Come LP, issued apparently as a tax loss scam, as only 50 copies were pressed. Originals currently sell for $1500+, but thankfully the recent
Sundazed retrospective means this excellent L.A. group's work is now accessible by all.
Their first 45 Sweetgina, is a quite excellent bouncy organ/fuzz rework of Gloria. Specialists should note that the version of Speak Of The Devil included on the album is longer than on the 45 release. Speak Of The Devil is a superb slice of brooding menacing punk with ranting growling vocals, atmospheric vibes and feedback.
The chief songwriter behind the group was Steve Runolfsson who the other members unwisely booted out in mid-1967. Come Alive, their 2nd 45, is notable for excellent percussion and Eastern psychy guitar moves whilst the flip Dancer is a heavy cruncher straight out of The Blue Cheer/Cream school. Slightly mellower but passable heavy sounds feature on the David Crosby-produced Hello 45.
Garofalo later played for Californian solo artist John Stewart and Kunkel went on to do session work and played for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
Compilation coverage so far includes: Sweetgina and Speak Of The Devil on The Chosen Few, Vol. 1 (LP) and Chosen Few Vol's 1 & 2 (CD); Sweetgina on
Boulders, Vol. 9 (LP), I Was A Teenage Caveman (LP), Sundazed Sampler, Vol. 1 (CD); Come Alive on
Slowly Growing Insane (CD) and Psychedelic Unknowns, Vol. 11 (LP); and Dancer a track which was first compiled on a 1969 LP First Vibration has more recently resurfaced on
Garage Zone, Vol. 3 (LP), The Garage Zone Box Set (4-LP) and Lycergic Soap (LP).
Vernon Joynson / Max Waller -- Fuzz Acid & Flowers
Состав:
Steve Runolfsson
Bryan Garofalo -
bs
Russ Kunkel (aka Russ Ward) -
drms
Larry Robinson -
gtr
Lynn Rominger -
gtr
Michael Migliaro -
gtr
