The Plattsburgh scene is best chronciled on Dionysus' "Heart So Cold! The North Country '60s Scene" and its follow-up, "Cry of Atlantis! The North Country Scene '58-'67 Volume 2"... Mike Brassard and the entire 1962 line-up of the Ravens have put out two albums, 45 years after breaking up... give a listen at www.myspace.com/miketheravensnow or listen to their original '62 material (free download too) at www.myspace.com/miketheravens Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

I've only just begun to find out who Mike and the Ravens were and that whole Rollerland scene (that song is kick ass by the way). Not only is Mike Brassard promoting his new band of Ravens (or is it the same band but new material) but he's got a myspace page dedicated to the Ravens 1962. I remember that Untamed Youth did a cover of that on one of their albums but Deke Dickerson also put out a comp that tried showing scenes (especially Ohio) that existed before the Beatles.

I should have mentioned So. California as well. I'm standing in the corner doing my time out.

Thanks, any more scenes?

Bob Blackstone said:

Ironically. I've heard they use to have rock n roll banaza's in Plattsburgh NY of all places. Mike and the Ravens held court there and released 3 good pre Beatles 45's (all collected on the Nevermore cd) and played live on a daily/weekly basis at Rollerland (I think it was called this) - with many other local groups.

Detroit had the Fugitives who eventually released an LP and some 45's but were around before the Beatles became popular. Plus you had guys like Gino Washington releasing some good rock n soul stuff.

Your right though, the Northwest had that impressive scene - Don and the Goodtimes, The Wailers, the mighty Sonics and so forth. This one requires some thought....

The second Mike & The Ravens album, "No Place For Pretty," comes out this week... listen to a sneak preview at www.myspace.com/miketheravensnow... by the way, it is the entire 1962 line-up reformed... I don't know of any other pre-Beatles band with all original members (who also never recorded a cover) still together... debut album from 2008, "Noisy Boys! The Saxony Sessions," was named by "Billboard" senior editor and author of the hilarious "Stairway To Hell," Chuck Eddy, to his Top 100 Albums of 2008 list... not bad for old farts who hadn't touched an instrument in 40 years... Bob Blackstone said:

Plattsburgh is all the way up by Canada...I think it's a good 6-7 hours from NYC. That's what makes the Mike and the Ravens story all the more remarkable. What about NYC or Texas??....Texas - Bobby Fuller/post Buddy Cricketts who released a couple of good LPs/Terry Noland - there's more artists too.

The Nightshadows (they were a Southern band) were around for a long time...probably late 50's/early 60's - the Garbage Man single came out a long time ago (early 60's).

Maybe not a scene but Stud Cole and Wade Curtis both came from and played around Buffalo NY.

Also, the New Orleans scene...early Dr. John and the groups he produced, played with or was a session man on... The Ends, Al Reed, Ronnie & the Delinquents, Sugar Boy Crawford, Bobby Hebb..among others.

I heard they are reissuing a fairly unknown band's only album, The Nomadds from 1965 in Oct/Nov 2009 (check it out here... http://82.148.208.55/beyondthebeatgeneration/nomadds.html - hopefully someone will find this enjoyable). I've heard that it's a pretty good LP all the way thru but not the fuzzy garage punk sound, more teenbeat stuff, about half covers/half originals...influenced by early Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers.

By the way, the new Mike and the Ravens stuff sounds pretty sharp. I don't own any of their new albums but I've heard some of the tunes and they sound mean, lean and occasionally fuzzy - aggressive stuff.

Jason

The Monks - The Early Years 1964 - 1965 (double vinyl released by Light in the Attic)

basically for bands now its not worth touring unless you want to lose money

I stand corrected. Shivers went up my spine at the mere mention. Definitely the real deal. Really appreciate this network, so much great entertainment. No obnoxious adverts. How can I contribute?

Correction: GaragePunk community. No Alkaline Trio or Green Day bullshit here. Just the real deal.

I never thought I would have a whole global punk community in the palm of my hand. Kids got a great clubhouse hideout here. Mobile app looks good.

Yeah your right, Bruce is/was for the average Joe, everyday man...that's why people respect him. So was Dylan early on, but he never admitted it and Christy Moore over in the UK. Nostalgia, your right about that too..alot of his lyrics reflect union and political issues...But that's not the only thing that's changed....I remember as a kid (here in the United States) people actually used to be thin....I walk around today, whether it be in NYC or the country and everyone is fat, fast food, self indulgence, greed what have you - it's all here in the States - what the hell happened to this great country.

I have a tough time with Springsteen's early work only in that it IS a little over my head. But I don't believe that Springsteen was necesarilly selling out when releasing "Born In the USA" just as Nirvana thought they were going to have a modest little seller with "Nevermind". He probably thought that it might do just a little better than "The River" but I don't think he figured it was going to be the monster it was, especially with his anti-Vietnam stance in the lyrics and pro union industry nostalgia in "Glory Days" referring to when America was affordable and good wages were handed out to people who actually loved their jobs and making things that were made right here. It doesn't help the album though that it has the fist waving in the air style drum beat at the top of the album. But I figure he felt he was making a modest album that would appeal to his age group and say something to them. And also he wanted that classic rock (and I mean real classic rock as in a 50s-60s way, not Zep and the Doors) feel with 12 good tunes. Some of it sounds cheesy today but I think it was a decent album. Don't tell anybody that I said that though. What's said in the Hideout stays in the Hideout. MikeL said:

I agree with you on Springsteen. I love "Born to Run" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town," and his first two albums had some real gems, and "The River" was pretty good too, even though it was his first hint of becoming more commercial. "Born in the USA" was not a bad album, but it was definitely his sell out album for the 80s, back when greed became good. I have not been impressed with is new material. Then again, this happens to almost everyone, i.e. living on their past glories.

When it comes to Bruce I always enjoyed Nebraska, the earlier albums are good in a classic rock sorta way. I guess Little Steven's is what it is...I mean if your new to the genre or garage rock in general, you'll be exposed to the heavy hitters or common names...I've heard him play the Ramones, The Jam, The Music Machine, The Count Five, The Kingsmen, The White Stripes, Dirt Bombs, Cramps, Black Lips and so forth....but if you like the local stuff from the 60's or 70's (Bent Wind, Les Sinners, Contents Are, Rocket From The Tombs, Mirrors) or international artists like the Bintangs, the Outsiders, Los Brincos, The Savage Rose, Los Mockers, The Dogs (70's punk band) and so forth... good luck because he doesn't play anything that far out....it's more mainstream stuff for newbies. I guess it's good for a spring board or jumping point. I'm sure his forum will have somewhat of a cold, corporate feel and throw certain unworthy groups a bone or two but whatever...that's today's society.

I agree with you on Springsteen. I love "Born to Run" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town," and his first two albums had some real gems, and "The River" was pretty good too, even though it was his first hint of becoming more commercial. "Born in the USA" was not a bad album, but it was definitely his sell out album for the 80s, back when greed became good. I have not been impressed with is new material. Then again, this happens to almost everyone, i.e. living on their past glories. sleazy said:

Now I have the confirmation I'm on the right website here when it comes to talking exquisite psych and garage. I'm really enjoying ALL the pretty much UNboased ops here by all of you. I assure you, you won't find this rather serene way of commenting on delicate things like psych music on any other music forum/board out there. Psych/garage is NOT for every human ear and brain and commenting on it and on whoever is fostering it (like LS) is a pretty good milestone :). Just one thing about the Boss......I dig his music but I prefer his earlier works and I even like Patti Scialfa a little more that hubby :):):)

KEEP ON:)

Well, one of the things I like about the UG is the way everything is packaged. I'll take a guess your friends prefer no frills garage rock, which I understand, but I like the way LS puts it all together.

Yeah, I actually had a good time at those. Seeing the New York Dolls at one with the Chesterfield Kings. The Zombies at another (now they just tour as Argent and Blunstone), and the Romantics and Shadows of Knight. A lot of my friends thought it was over blown but I thought it was fun. MikeL said:

Are you talking about the Rolling Rock tours? I saw a show from each tour, and I had a great time at all of them. I'm glad you liked them too:)

Oh, Crown of Thorns. That whole situation really bothered me big time. They certainly had no reason being on the show. I don't think it would have been that hypocritical of a tribute to the Cramps. He could have just mentioned that they don't play this band enough and appoligized for it and brought on some "experts" like Miriam Linna to help out. I'm sure she has a record collection that isn't that much different than the one Lux and Ivy had (though probably not as big). Gas-House Gorilla said:

Good points Rod. To be honest, I don’t listen to the syndicated show all that often, but I agree that a guest host is preferable to a recycled show. I also think there is a degree of truth in your “favoritism” comment. Who knows what goes on in selecting the bands he promotes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t all honorable. While I feel that much of it is based on merit/preference (I do dig what I've heard from both Tinted Windows and Noisettes – and from the new Cheap Trick album for that matter, MikeL), there are certainly other factors with some of the selections. You mentioned one act that has always bothered me – Enuff Z’nuff. The only reason they get any airtime is due to a personal relationship with Little Steven, when they have no genuine business of being played at all. Another UG band that has gotten under my skin lately is Crown of Thorns. I believe there was an initial attempt by Little Steven to create a Hard Rock record label (which is fine by me), and Crown of Thorns was signed at the outset. Well, I guess there weren’t any other unsigned Hard Rock bands out there worthy of promoting, and the whole new label idea fell apart. So what happens now? Crown of Thorns gets over-played and over-promoted to the UG listeners. Anyway, in the overall scheme of things, these transgressions are slight enough to me, and forgivable.

Good point on Lux Interior’s passing as well. I actually find the Cramps underappreciated/underplayed on the station, so perhaps it would have been hypocritical to suddenly showcase them after Lux’s death. Nonetheless, a bit of a tribute would have been nice.

swt said:

You can download the entire album of Wolfman Jack & The Wolfpack for less than $2 on Aimee St. (That's true right now. If it gets real popular the prce will go up)

http://amiestreet.com/music/wolfman-jack/wolfman-jack-and-the-wolfp...

If you ever hear Elvis' version of Milkcow Blues, that riff is going through that version as well though at a very frantic pace. I think Howlin' Wolf took that riff from many of the country versions he heard and slowed it down. Not sure though as he never has been interviewed on that. Gas-House Gorilla said:

Agreed.

The only Link Wray that seems to qualify in any way is Hidden Charms - which is neither an instrumental, nor does it feature Wolfman Jack. It does however showcase Link doing his best Howlin’ Wolf impression. You can throw this track into the thread of Best Cover Songs too. Not only a great cover, but great use of the arrangement from the Kink’s cover of “Milk Cow Blues” (at least I think that's where that arrangement originates – please correct me if I’m wrong).

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

I still think it's Wolfman by Bobby Fuller Four with Bobby providing the Wolfman vocals.

Yeah, a trip to Maxwell's was out of the question for me. But San Francisco is the closest to Seattle they are probably going to play. I wish I could have done the entire series but I'm on a budget (how appropriate) and can only afford to stay in the city one night. The pass price is SUPER generous but I'm sure hotel rates aren't. IN AND OUT in less than 24 hours is all I can afford. And all for a 5 dollar show.

Damn sold out, so now I don't regret traveling half way around the world to have seen them last year. Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

The Garage Gods MUST love me. I got my Mummies tic right away. Coming from Washington, I really couldn't chance a door ticket.

The Garage Gods MUST love me. I got my Mummies tic right away. Coming from Washington, I really couldn't chance a door ticket.

Three day passes and individual tickets for the show on Saturday night are sold out! Sectmaniac said:

I believe it. The places are small and the tickets were limited. Which ones are sold out? The 3 day passes or the individual day ones?

Damn, I'm glad I was home today when your announcemrnt came. Just bought an on-line ticket an hour and a half ago. Coming from Washington, I really couldn't chance a door ticket. Sectmaniac said:

I posted ticket sale info this morning. All presale tix are now sold out. Sold out in less than 1 1/2 hours.

There will be 100 door tickets available for Saturday's show.

I posted ticket sale info this morning. All presale tix are now sold out. Sold out in less than 1 1/2 hours.

There will be 100 door tickets available for Saturday's show.

Thanks for the warning and the link to individual shows. Just bought the Mummies ticket. While the price of the Weekend pass is affordable and generous, I can't afford more than one night staying in San Francisco. I can't wait.