Sounds Unlimited - Indianapolis

 The Sounds Unlimited was truly a tale of two bands that shot across the Indiana sky and is fondly remembered by fans who requested some info.

In the beginning there was a band, and it was good. The Sounds Unlimited strove for the english beat and a definite change in the look of most bands in the mid '60's. Most bands of the day wore suits and ties to the gigs, but few had to be louder, more colorful, have longer hair, and (gasp!) play songs that weren't on the radio! Shameful as it was, the band stood out in Indy.
Wayne Wilson - drum
Phil Brandt - lead guitar
Steve Foster - rhythm guitar
Ken Mahlke - bass- voice

While most local bands were in the early Beatles mode, the Sounds concentrated on the Yardbirds, Who, and Kinks. The Sounds opened for the likes of  the Byrds, Mitch Ryder, the McCoys, and Sir Douglas Quintet.

The Sounds recorded a few songs in Chicago and Philadelphia, some to be used for an audition for the Monkees TV show that was coming up, that ended up on a Sundazed 4 song EP. Fuzz and interpretation was the formula, and it lasted until November 1966.

Four Score made a name for itself when they won the Young America band contest at the State fair in '66. Terry & John Talbot, Ted DeLang, and Bill (Will) Brecht were soon in a studio recording with Jim Koss and Skeet Bushor (Boys next door) writing and producing. Somehow that recording became credited to the Sounds Unlimited, Bill and Ted were out, and  the band was now:
Steve Foster
Wayne Wilson
Terry Talbot
John Michael Talbot

New musical direction, short hair, and changing times. Mid '69 was the last show for Sounds Unlimited, as the Talbot boys morphed into Mason Proffit, a country rock outfit.

Hear the Sounds Unlimited:

Little Brother  - vocal Bill Brecht
A Girl as Sweet as you - John Michael Talbot

I'm fairly sure the Sundazed 45 is still in print, so I can't share it here.

There is more to the story, so stay tuned!

Chalets - Shelbyville 1966

Set the wayback machine to August '66 and the formation of the Chalets is complete.
"If I had a noseful of nickels I'd sneeze a fortune your way" was featured in an original song offered by The Chalets. Sounds like a band we must get to know!

Featuring:
Mike Davis - drums
Don Isgrigg - lead guitar
Kim Greene - singer - rhythm guitar
Tom Brenton - keyboard
Rocket Murphy - bass

Looking at the Chalets resume we see:

August '66 the band placed first in the Marion County Battle of the Bands -
First at the Decatur County fair -
Fourth at the Shelby County fair -
Second in the Combo Clash for the Danny Thomas Leukemia Foundation appearing on Channel 6 TV -

The Chalets played in Indianapolis, Greensburg, Rushville, Edinburgh, Bloomington and other surrounding towns.

The Chalets had hopes of cutting a record, with original tunes: noseful of nickels, love is the gutter, and it's worth a lot. Hoping as always we'll get to hear these tunes............

***super duper thanks to Fred Dickman for the photos and the Chalets for making it happen!***

The Herd - Ft. Wayne

OK, it's a cold night and I'm listening to a prog LP from Indiana. Ethos is the band on the turntable, and I turn to the credits.....Wil Sharpe, Mike Ponczek.....sounds familiar, hmmmmmm. Ponczek shouldn't be hard to find in my notes. Bingo, the Herd - Ft. Wayne 1967.
Pictured from left:
Chuck Fay - bass
Bill (Wil) Sharpe - lead guitar
Dan Howell - drums
Mike Ponczek - keyboards

The Herd were primarily a top 40 band with an aim of becoming a big name local band. Dan expressed hopes of becoming a professional drummer, and all hoped to continue with music after college. At some point they became Atlantis, and later became Ethos with Sharpe and Ponczek on guitar and keys. Ethos released two LP's that I know of, 1976 and '77, then fell off the radar.

Still wondering if this "the Herd" had any connection with the Spencer / Voyles 45 that I posted a while back. Luckily I'm a patient man........

And thanks for all the help, kindness, comments and leads that you have given over the years. We started this journey in February 2007!

Emperors - Indianapolis 1965

Behold the Emperors, typical young men sporting Beatle haircuts in late 1965. Many of the youth had bands, altho few seemed to have as much "presence" as these. From George Washington High, we present "The Emperors":


Eddie George
Phil Davis
Darrel Rose
Kenney Simpson
Bobbie Barnes

Don't know if the kids ever did anything else, or where they are today. Any ideas?

The Dug Out - Logansport 1969

From early '69, we have the a wonderful snapshot of a week in Indiana band history.

"Boston Creme Pie", formerly the "Surf Suns" from Ft. Wayne.
-Denny McComb
Tony Lillo
Mike Kelly
Steve Towsley
Jason Liechty

One 45 as the Surf Suns and one rumored as BCP - "She's a fine woman" /?

"Dawn Five" ( see previous post here) The Dawn 5 had a rotation of members as a result of a tragic accident and the ticks of time. At the time the members may have included (but not limited to):
Dave Dunne
Pat Finnegan
Greg Nicoloff
Mike Berkowitz

"Waterproof Candle"  is a band name that may be new to most, but it did include some heavyweight members from Indianapolis bands:
Rob Swaynie
Steve Foster
Wayne Wilson
Michael Rea

"Sun Lightning Inc." has a wonderful history that has been well documented. Formerly known as the "Sangralads", there are two 45's from the band, altho they are largely different band line-ups. A wonderful recollection from Phil Armstrong (founding member and leader) is available here. Thanks to John O. at Artyfacts in Wax blog!

"Sounds Unlimited" were one of the top bands in Indianapolis, but by this time were past their sell-by date as a british invasion oriented band. Steve Foster and Wayne Wilson had left to join the "waterproof candle", and the Talbot brothers were dipping their toes in the "Mason Profitt" sound that soon was created.
One 45 and an EP (Sundazed) was released from earlier tapes found.

A hearty thanks to Brad Long for the poster, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL!

Palisades - Ft. Wayne

The Palisades from Ft. Wayne! Formerly know as the Norsemen, included:

Joe  Minnick - left seated - Drums
Jim Hoot - right seated - bass
Mike Gater - up left - rhythm guitar
Dave Miller - up right - lead guitar

According to "Debi Sollohub" (she had the byline in the article, Ft. Wayne JournalGazette -1967) the boys varied in taste from Dave's "way out stuff" to the other preferring the Yardbyrds (sic) and the Kingsmen.

Of course what caught my eye was the "recently cut a record, and in about two weeks, their first single "The Truth is Out" will be released". And for record collectors like me, that is manna from heaven.
Where is the 45? Did it ever get released? Who has one where? What are the boys up to now?
God Lord, I have such a good time doing this........

Emblems - Indianapolis 1967

A few years ago, this photo of the Emblems surfaced in the Indianapolis Star (newspaper). And the Emblems were given another shot at fame.
Known members:
Greg Anderson
Ted Volkert
Chris Browning
Tom Adams

Two 45's on the Lamia label - 1967 - are evidence that the Emblems could hold their own with many bands!

Lamia 1546
Hold On, I'm Coming - That Girl of Yours

Lamia 1547
We're Gonna Love - Lumberjack Jack

Hold On is a cover of a Sam & Dave tune, and of course We're Gonna Love is a cover of the mighty "Sir Winston & the Commons" of Indianapolis, how cool is that! Chris Browning was the vocal of  "We're Gonna Love", and Greg Anderson is listed as the vocal of  "That Girl of Yours".

These guys have to have a great story, we need to find it. And then we'll get it out to be enjoyed by all!