Group Inc. - Gary - 1966

Sometimes you are motivated by sad news. One of my local record collecting acquaintances showed up in the obituaries today. And truthfully, this blog would not exist if Brian Marshall (and his co-host Todd Lucas) didn't do one first for me to emulate. So in tribute, I'll re-post his blog post of this 45 (from Aug. 2005).

"This particular item comes from Gary, the same place by the lake that gave us a certain group of Jacksons. (We won't go any further than that.) It comes from Staff Records, the same label that also gave us that rarer-than-your-grandma's-dentures Back From the Grave 2-sider from The Aztex' "I Said Move" and "The Little Streets In This Town." Lastly, this is two sides of crude teen angst just for you.

Take a listen to "Just Call Me Up" and you'd think the kids had barely had enough time to rehearse the thing before they recorded it. There's a point before the guitar break where it's obvious that they're stumbling to stay on track. They do manage, but just barely. I'm not saying it's completely inept or anything, just not tight, that's all. Despite all that, though, it's actually a pretty darned good teen punk mover.

"Like A Woman" is even better. Here we have a strong example of girlfriend putdown in which the crude guitar playing only enhances it. And you get three guitar breaks for the price of one. Since this is the A-side, it sounds like the kids decided to use whatever minimal instrumental prowess they had and just go all out. That they did, and the result is a teen punk classic good enough for "Garage Punk Unknowns" or maybe a future "Teen Blast" comp. What I'm saying is, if "Like A Woman" isn't comped, it should be. (It may be, but I don't have the time to follow those things, so if you feel like filling me in, please do.)

Should we rack this one up as a fave? Yes, I think we should. And I'm keeping it. So there!"

OK, so I have the Freeport early '66 re-issue of the Staff 45, but at least I have that. So if you would, wind up the turntable, put your favorite 45 on and tip up a glass of the beverage of your choice for  Brian, may he rest in peace!