Saturday, April 4, 2009

Dark Clouds: A Moody Garage Compilation - In Three Acts !


Sigh, cry, die! This series of comps focuses on the moody side of the 60's. For those of you who are new to the "garage rock" genre I'll give you a brief introduction:

"Garage rock" is a musical genre that was coined in late-70s to define the raw form of rock'n' roll that popularized the United States and Canada in the early to late 60s. Why is it called "Garage"? Because it was made in the garage? To some extent, yes. Many performers did often rehearse in their families garages with their cheap Sears-bought instruments. Most were young, very amateur and naive. Most themes centered around high school life and a certain deceitful girl. Lyrics and delivery were notably more passionate and aggressive than what was common for the time. And bands ranged from one-chord repetetiveness to near studio musician quality.

All of the songs you will find on the 'Dark Clouds' series never made the commercial charts, let alone the local/regional charts. In fact, the majority of 60s garage bands only released a few singles and then called it quits (or got drafted!). Besides a few exceptions, there were hardly any stars that emerged from the Garage rock heyday of the 1960s; although I believe their influence is still felt to the present day.




Dark Clouds, Vol. 1

01 The Peers - "Once Upon A Time" [Le Jac] (1966) Minneapolis, MN
02 Me & The Rest - "Dark Clouds" [Brass City] (196?) Waterbury, CT
03 The Cobras - "I'm Hurtin'" [Scoop] (1964) Santa Cruz, CA
04 The Driving Wheels - "One Year Ago Today" [Pan Am] (1966) San Antonio, TX
05 The Younts Bros., Inc. - "Love Is A Game" [Grey Ghost] (1967) U.S.A.
06 The Patriots - "As Fall The Leaves" [1776] (1966) Cedar Rapids, IA
07 The Great Society - "And I Know" [USA] (1966) Villa Park, IL
08 The Valiants - "Don't Make The Same Mistake" [Dot] (1966) U.S.A.
09 The Vandals - "Ballad Of A Loser" [Big Rock] (1965) Bradford, PA
10 The West Coast Branch - "Linda's Gone" [Valiant] (1966) Redondo Beach, CA
11 The Creation - "Sun And Stars" [Centrocord] (196?) U.S.A.
12 The Canoise - "Something I Could Do" [IGL] (1966) St. Cloud, MN
13 The Prophets - "Sad On Me" [Twin Spin] (1967) Chicago, IL
14 The Hangmen - "The Girl Who Faded Away" [Monument] (1966) Washington, D.C.
15 John Winfield, Jr. - "Laugh" [Dore] (1966) Los Angeles, CA
16 The Quarrymen - "Why" [Sara] (1966) East Dubuque, IL
17 Tresa Leigh - "Until Then" [Lyndell] (196?) PA
18 The Wild Flowers - "Moving Along With The Sun" [Aster] (1967) Phoenix, AZ
19 The Elegant Four - "Time To Say Goodbye" [Cousins] (1967) Bronx, NY
20 The Rocks - "My Only Love" [Woodrich] (1965) Nashville, TN
21 The Druids - "A Man Should Never Cry" [Columbia] (1965) Scranton, PA
22 The Decompressed Impossibility - "You Can't Ride Away" [Inevitable] (196?) U.S.A.
23 The Trodden Path - "Don't Follow Me" [Night Owl] (1967) Mequon, WI
24 The Hucksters - "It's So Hard" [Brutal] (196?) U.S.A.
25 $1,000,000 War Babies - "Hey Little Boy" [Dante] (1966) Chicago, IL
26 Dale & The Devonaires - "Come Back To Me" [IGL] (1967) Fort Dodge, IA
27 The Younger Brothers - "This Feelin' In My Heart" [Wendy] (1967) Statesboro, GA
28 The Kings Ransom - "Mistakes" [Integra] (1968) Allentown, PA
29 The Wind - "He Who Laughs Last (Laughs Best)" [Early Morning] (1966) Canoga Park, CA


Dark Clouds, Vol. 2

01 The Castaways - "Should Happen To Me" [Soma] (1967) Minneapolis, MN
02 The End - "Can't Get Free" [Northeast] (1967) Worcester, MA
03 The Birth Of Spring - "Cause You Lied To Me" [Mercury] (1967) U.S.A.
04 The Rationals - "Gave My Love" [A2] (1965) Ann Arbor, MI
05 The Counts - "Change Your Mind" [B-J] (1966) U.S.A.
06 Lindy Blaskey & The LaVelles - "Movin' Away" [Space] (1966) Albuquerque, NM
07 Steve Melshenker - "(I've Got) Time On My Hands" [Orlyn] (1967) Champaign, IL
08 The What Four - "Tossin' Ship" [Rollem] (1967) Little Neck, NY
09 The Shan Dels - "Please Stay" [Showcase] (1965) Levittown, NY
10 James T. & The Workers - "Let Me See You Crying" [Prophonics] (1967) Bay City, MI
11 The Fabulous Wunz - "If I Cry" [Pyramid] (1966) Charlotte, NC
12 Denny Provisor - "It Really Tears Me Up" [Valiant] (1965) Los Angeles, CA
13 The Emperor's - "And Then" [Sabra] (1965) San Bernardino, CA
14 Black & The Blues - "Another Day" [Rigby] (1966) Magnolia, NJ
15 The New Era - "Won't You Please Be My Friend" [Great Lakes] (1967) Grand Rapids, MI
16 The Moxies - "I Must Apologize" [Monza] (1965) Paducah, KY
17 Flowers, Fruits, & Pretty Things - "Wanting You" [GEP] (1968) Saginaw, MI
18 The Mysterions - "Why Should I Love You" [Jox] (1965) San Antonio, TX
19 The Fogcutters - "I Want Your Love Again" [Apex] (1965) Denver, CO
20 The Banshees - "Why" [Dunwich] (1966) Chicago, IL
21 The Rejects - "Down This Street Before" [Cabell] (1967) Richmond, VA
22 The Warlox - "You Can't Win" [Vermillion] (1967) Alexandria, VA
23 The Clue - "She's The Reason" [Byron] (1967) Midland, TX
24 The Devilles - "You've Made Up My Mind" [Kerry] (1966) Duluth, MN
25 The Missing Lynx - "(You Don't Love Me) Anymore" [Dynovoice] (1966) Cleveland, OH
26 The Rooney Brothers - "Just A Friend" [Columbia] (1968) Los Angeles, CA
27 The Brotherly Lovers - "I'm Gonna Cry" [Eskee] (1965) Philadelphia, PA
28 The Chateaus - "Summer Has Come And Gone" [Jam] (1966) Louisville, KY
29 Creation's Disciples - "I'll Remember" [Dawn] (1966) Bronx, NY


Dark Clouds, Vol. 3

01 Wally & The Rights - "Hey Now Little Girl" [GM] (1967) Gladewater, TX
02 The Blue Dells - "Trust Me" [Starfire] (196?) Cincinnati, OH
03 The Herd - "Sun Has Gone" [Octopus] (196?) East Lansing, MI
04 The Rogues - "Something Beautiful Is Dying" [Mirage] (1966) Dallas, TX
05 The Squiremen Four - "Bitter End" [Squire] (1967) Miami, FL
06 The Preachers - "Pain And Sorrow" [Moonglow] (1965) Los Angeles, CA
07 Bob & Gaylon - "It Belongs To You" [Ventural] (1966) Austin, TX
08 Exchequers - "Is There Some Girl" [Boom] (1965) La Crosse, WI
09 Me & The Other Guys - "I Don't Care" [Hinda] (1967) Centerville, OH
10 The Revolvers - "Like Me" [Ty Tex] (1966) Tyler, TX
11 The Reasons Why - "Why Pack Up" [Amy] (1966) Syosset, NY
12 The Bossmen - "Listen My Girl" [Unreleased] (1966) Flint, MI
13 The Barracudas - "Realize" [Flare] (1966) Bangor, ME
14 The Citations - "Now I'm Gone" [Tuscumbia] (1965) Tuscumbia, AL
15 The Ceeds - "You Won't Do That" [Emlar] (1966) Colorado Springs, CO
16 The Deverons - "Unnoticed" [Raynard] (1965) Milwaukee, WI
17 The Chantells - "I'm Leavin' Here Today" [Century] (196?) VA
18 The Immigrants - "I'm Feelin' Blue" [Starburst] (1966) Salina, KS
19 The Boss Blues - "Before The Dawn" [Direction] (1967) Danbury, CT
20 The Wonders - "Baby Come Back" [MMC] (1966) Omaha, NE
21 The Chessmen - "Sad" [Bismark] (1965) Dallas, TX
22 Neal Ford & The Fanatics - "I Have Thoughts Of You" [Hickory] (1967) Houston, TX
23 Art Guy - "Where You Gonna Go" [Valiant] (1967) Los Angeles, CA
24 The Ill Winds - "(I Won't Cry) So Be On Your Way" [Reprise] (1965) Santa Ana, CA
25 The 7th Seal - "Proud Reflections" [Justice] (1967) Bridgewater, VA
26 The Wild Things - "Love Comes, Love Goes" [Showboat] (1966) Santa Claus, IN
27 The Cornerstones - "You Rule Me" [Metrobeat] (1967] Grand Forks, ND
28 Bobby & Dave with The Royal Flairs - "Hat On Tie" [Tonorous] (196?) Council Bluffs, IA
29 The Sheffields - "Please Come Back" [Destination] (1966) Grand Rapids, MI
30 The Mynt Julep - "Rip Tide" [Ty] (196?) U.S.A.



Download Vol. 1 ----> HERE

Download Vol. 2 -----> HERE

Download Vol. 3------> HERE


Friday, April 3, 2009

My first compilation: Southern California folk-rock


Blue Byrds Over The Canyon:
Southern California’s Folk-Rock UnScene (1965-71)


01 Dave & The Customs - "He Was A Friend Of Mine" [DAC] (1965) Pomona
02 Lyme & Cybelle - "Follow Me" [White Whale] (1966) Los Angeles
03 The Psychedelic Psymphony - "Don't Be Afraid" [Arcania International] (1965) Los Angeles
04 The Dovers - "She's Gone" [Miramar] (1965) Santa Barbara
05 East Side Kids - "Take A Look In The Mirror" [Orange Empire] (1967) East Los Angeles
06 Hamilton Streetcar - "Silver Wings" [Dot] (1969) Los Angeles
07 The Agents - "Gotta Help Me" [Rally] (1965) Los Angeles
08 The F.B.I. - "What Am I To Do" [Unreleased] (1965) Los Angeles
09 Stone Country - "Time Isn't There (Anymore)" [RCA] (1968) Los Angeles
10 The Hard Times - "Goodbye" [World Pacific] (1966) San Diego
11 Thorinshield - "Pleasure Time" [Philips] (1967) Los Angeles
12 Brigadune - "I'll Cry Out From My Grave (God I'm Sorry)" [Verve] (1971) Los Angeles
13 American Zoo - "Back Street Thoughts" [Reena] (1967) Los Angeles
14 The Edge - "Seen Through The Eyes" [Enith] (1969) Los Angeles
15 Rick Jarrard - "High Coin" [Chattahoochie] (196?) Los Angeles
16 The Palace Guard - "Oh Blue (The Way I Feel Tonight)" [Orange Empire] (1966) Los Angeles
17 The Black Sleep - "I'm Feeling Down" [Columbia] (1967) La Cañada
18 The Roosters - "You Gotta Run" [Progressive Sounds Of America] (1966) Los Angeles
19 The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - "Transparent Day" [Reprise] (1967) Los Angeles
20 Peter Fonda - "Catch The Wind" [Chisa] (1967) Hollywood
21 The Cascades - "She'll Love Again" [Liberty] (1965) Los Angeles
22 The Answers - "Please Please Go Away" [Blue Boy] (1965) San Bernardino
23 Chris & Craig - "I Need You" [Capitol] (1966) Los Angeles
24 Spider & The Mustangs - "You Ask Me Why" [Sands] (1966) Hemet
25 The Yankee Dollar - "Mucky Truckee River" [Dot] (1969) San Louis Obispo




Download 'Blue Byrds Over The Canyon' -----> HERE