SMAK - Indianapolis

Sometimes the most obscure bands yield the most interesting stories. SMAK is one of those bands. Look at the photo, bass player in kabuki makeup and that 'fro! Drummer with the kit a bit low, and dig the guitar player with, well, the look and late 60's hippie gear. (I'm a guitar geek and I love that axe!) *Note - Gene e*mailed and told me that he was NOT wearing make-up, he's just a natural night-owl! At least he laughed!*

Introducing SMAK:
Darrel Rose - drums
Dan Agriostathes - guitar
Gene Cothron - Bass

Darrel showed up earlier in the blog -the Emperors - to which Gene responded "Darrel Rose was the drummer for Smak, later on. Later still, he opened the D.Rose chain of video stores in and around Indy."  And that opened the door to SMAK. Gene didn't mention that he also was part of SMAK, but later he confessed that he was guilty. Dan was previously in "Dan & the Del Tones" and later "squidd" (which is another interesting story).

Showtime! Darrel said I could use the tunes, which may or may not have been released, details are fuzzy! The recordings were made at Ohmit's Studio, East 10th St. in Indy.

Side 1
Side 2

Listen and enjoy the un-named tunes from the band. Look for a follow-up soon!
Thanks Darrel for the tunes and photo!

Sir Charles and the Daze of Olde - 1967 - Skoop - Santa Claus

We all have these daze, sitting on some wonderful 45's that you think everyone would have, with scads of info just waiting to be found. But, alas, sometimes you just can't find the band.

Sir Charles and the Daze of Olde, who are you? I've never heard a whisper of the identity of any of the band.

Maybe listening to the tunes will jog the brain cells.........

Comin' on Home
Baby Come Back

Good jangly tunes, from early 1967. The Skoop label is from Santa Claus, Indiana, so the band may be located somewhere nearby. Any ideas, info, speculation, or jeers is appreciated. Sir Charles has to be out there. Let's find them!

Next Generation - Ft. Wayne 1967

Our Generation, Beat Generation, My G-G-G-Generation baby.......

Well, let's add the Next Generation to the list of guys that went out and took on the rock & roll world, circa 1967.

Mike Gee - lead guitar
Rick Popp - bass
Steve Crooks - lead throat / rhythm guitar
Bob Clausen - Drums

The band were made of students of Bishop Dwenger and Northside High Schools. The "Next Generation" moniker was born after five hours and four pizzas at a local parlor. Rock and soul was the focus, as the band melded the two in a 10 minute version of "Hey Joe", normally a two minute exercise.  Future plans included cutting a record..........that's where I get really excited and must know if it came true.........

Vars - Warsaw Indiana - 1968

 I've known about the Vars for some time, altho I was never able to land a decent copy of the 45. But we in the 60's Indiana Band Szene headquarters have corrected that oversight. Presenting today, for your entertainment, a band that remains unknown, with a fleeting glimpse caught on an aging aural storage device commonly called a 45, the VARS!

Here is what we know from the 45:

The "Commercial Features" label out of Indianapolis, generally did gospel, but released one other teen 45 that we know of. The credit to the VARS has no songwriting info, no publishing, or dates. Not much there.

I did find an ad in Ft. Wayne, at the Hullabaloo Club, that proclaimed "The Vars" - four boys and a girl from Warsaw. Warsaw is about midway between Ft. Wayne and South Bend. Definitely a girl singing on the 45. Mostly about losing the boy, downer songs.
Well that said, let's hear some music!

Never Wanted to Let You Go
Gary

The Vars released a 45, more than many, many bands ever did. So lets find these guys and gal and give them the thumbs up for being there and giving it a go!

Madison Square Patch - Huntertown - 1967

"Sherman, set the wayback machine to Sept. 2, 1967, destination Ft. Wayne."
"But Mr. Peabody, history hasn't shown anything extraordinary that day"
"Ah Sherman, the only appearance of the Madison Square Patch at the Hullabaloo is sadly undocumented, we must right that wrong"

If you don't know Sherman and Mr.Peabody, then the dialog makes no sense to you, but the facts are facts, the Madison Square Patch - from Huntertown, Indiana , a few miles north of Ft. Wayne, remain unknown. After looking at years of club dates, this is the only reference i have ever found of this band.

Any ideas, any fond memories, any police records, anything?

Basooties - Valparasio

There are bands that become legends, for better or worse, and there are bands that should have been remembered as darn fine bands.
The Basooties are largely forgotten and that is a shame. We will try to rectify that situation, as our readers (about 300 a week!) appreciate quality!

 
Suspected band members:
Will Jenkins - lead guitar
Terry Handley - lead throat
Dennis Maloney - drums
Jerry Carden - rhythm guitar / vocals
Danny Evanoff - keyboards / vocals
Jerry Wheat - bass

The Basooties recorded a great 45 in '67, with covers of Curtis Mayfield, and Frank Zappa. Many bands covered soul and R&B tunes  ( grab your woman, it's slow dance time!) but, I don't recall any Zappa tunes being on the radar.

Click on the tunes to enjoy!

I'm So Proud
You Didn't Try to Call Me 

Bonus treat!
Will Jenkins has a youtube video of the b-side( You Didn't Try To Call me) featuring some band photos and some video! Highly recommended!

Special thanks to Jason and his Indiana 45's website for the band member names!

Swingin' Stingrays - Elkhart - Fujimo

Somewhere in Elkhart - just east of South Bend, a band spouted and bloomed - The Swingin' Stingrays! Before the British Invasion sound, the frat - Blues Brothers - soul type of thing ruled. Great for dancing and getting that "special" girl.
The Swingin' Stingrays released one 45, and "perhaps" a second.....

Tom Tom
Teen Queen

There may also be a second 45 with "Searchin'" and "Big Fat Woman", but alas, I don't have it.

And up for more input / debate: the members:

Wilbur Richie is certain, sadly he passed away in the early 80's.
Rex has been fingered as Maze, Mays, and most recently, Masterson. 
Paul, Pat & Rick (in the 1965 promo pic) remain unknown. The Swingin' Stingrays reportedly formed in 1958 and lasted until at least 1968 as evidenced by the Top Deck newspaper ad, circa August 68'.

60's Indiana band Szene team, you have been very good at filling in the blanks, and I need help here. Let's get these guys the due they deserve and get some recognition here!

Thanks to the late Bill Wagoner (of US Male - Warsaw, IN) and Terry Turner for the inspiration and tunes!