It's not everyday that we feature a song with bongos, glockenspiel and backtracking, but you get them all from today's Side A, I'm Not Going To Worry About You by Salem, Ohio's The Empty Streets. Yes, this is our second Ohio artist in one week! The band consisted of John Vail on guitar and vocals, Larry Siddle (on ?) Mark Riffle on bass, Mike Riffle on keyboards (and glockenspiel!) and Ian Robinson on skins.
They recorded in the attic of an Ohio garage in June of 1967 and then mixed and pressed the songs in Pennsylvania where I'm Not Going To Worry About You got some vocal and lead overdubbing and the flip, You Can Make It, remained as recorded in the attic. Both sides are penned by band member John Vail and display a keen pop sensibility for which I have no ready comparison. They are in their own universe. Sit back and enjoy!
All information furnished by the reliable Buckeye Beat which chronicles '60s music out of the buckeye state. I'd love to get a picture of this band. Anyone?
See you on the Flip-Side!
This is great, Jack. First, I've never,ever heard this record before. And it's good. John Vail clearly had some pop sensibilities. Second, we get a rare look at what a 60s garage band sounds like raw in their garage and polished up and produced in one double sided gem.
ReplyDeleteI'm Not Gonna Worry About You is very radio friendly. And the overdubbing shows that someone out there thought they had a chance with that number. Which, if released on a real label, they may very well have had. Even in this 'from the attic to the overdub' form. Great California sound backup vocals.
And while You Can Make It is rough in it's unadorned attic state, it still shows pop sensibilities. And it's very good. I love the rough nature of the song (maracas way too loud, vocals a little buried, drums way too murky). It's a time capsule to a bunch of teens hanging out together in a attic in middle of nowhere, Salem Ohio.
Thank you On The Flip SIde and Jack Hayden for the thoughtful compliments.
ReplyDeleteI'm still in Salem, and still loving music. The late 60's military draft called my drummer and me, and that ended the band.
The individual who did the recording was named Johnny Golden. Shortly after recording this in his garage, he landed a job at Wally Heider's recording studio in Hollywood. He continued as a master engineer with artists like Steven Stills and the Fifth Dimension to his credit. Johnny was a great mentor, and his "garage band" was a great influence on my friends and me.
The Uncalled Four's members were John Golden (Guitars/Lead Vocal), John "Herm" Herron (Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals), Don Davis (Bass/Backup Vocal), and Dennis Beery (Drums).
John Herron and Don Davis played with Ian and I in a later band called the Fifth Quarter.
Best wishes,
John Vail & Ian Robinson
Salem, Ohio
John and Ian, Thanks for stopping by our little blog that could. I really love both these songs and I'm glad they made it to wax. You've got some great songwriting ideas. And thanks for the tip about Johhny Golden. Here's one of his releases with the Uncalled Four: http://www.45cat.com/record/nc837425us Real cool stuff from '65!
DeleteDid you guys release any more music?
Thank you for the link to the Uncalled Four, Jack. Johnny still lives in California. Herm lives in his hometown of Columbiana. Don lives in his home town of Salem. Dennis lives in Oxford, Ohio, after living several years in Brooklyn.
ReplyDeleteI stomped around your blog some, and I really appreciate the commitment you put into it. You have tons of bands from everywhere. It's a real treat. I saw your nice arch-top gretsch (Olivia page) and got to hear you sing & play on Wandering Eyes. Nice.
Ian Robinson