Help a Garage Noob Out With Some Suggestions of How to Start!

[GarageNoobieCanada]

Hi all!
I just discovered this site while surfing around. I am fairly new to the 60s garage scene and would like some help getting started. There is SO MUCH 60s garage rock around that it can get confusing. There are so many regional bands, it is hard to discern which to pursue.

My first real earful of non-mainstream "garage" rock was on a FM radio show in the mid-80s. I happened to randomly record it that night, and discovered the seminal tune, "I wanna Come Back (from the world of LSD) by Fee fi Four Plus 2.

In my vinyl collection I have a few lps:

1) the original Nuggets compilation
2) Pebbles Vol. 2
3) A great one called "New Mexico Punk: from the sixties.

Any help on bands that are worth delving into further. There is also a lot of bad music in the scene, I have discovered.
All suggestions appreciated! Where do I begin? I know The Seeds, The Leaves, The Standells, Electric Prunes, The Shadows of Knight.
thanks!

 

[reyes]

we'll there are plenty of comps out there, thats a good start. there are comps from nearly every single state in the U.S, may I suggest Teenage Shutdown, back from the grave, if you say you are new to 60's this will blow your mind.

 

[depravedskippy66]

Seeing as you have the original Nuggets LP and if you're not averse to CDs, the Nuggets box set is an absolute must as it does a great job in expanding on the original LP. There's also a second Nuggets box that delves into similar sounds originating from the UK and beyond. There's a lot of great stuff from outside the US and UK; Australia, Holland and Sweden had particularly strong scenes and once you get started there, you'll be hooked and immediately wanting more. Let me also second reyes' recommendation for Back From The Grave and Teenage Shutdown; these two series really are the cream of the crop when it comes to being done right. The Diggin' For Gold vinyl comps are also very good, a couple of which do focus on US stuff. These may not be so easy to find now but with a bit of digging around, you should be able to find copies.

 

[greenfuzz]

Sundazed's Garage Beat series is also a good overview and readily available.

 

[GarageNoobieCanada]

Thanks for the hints! I will start searching around for some of those compilations! Wow, there is so much out there it seems one could keep collecting 24 hours a day!

 

[Mr.Segment]

Sundazed's Garage Beat series is also a good overview and readily available.

I'd second this as a good starting point. Perhaps more so than Teenage Shutdown and Back From the Grave if you are a newbie. The GB series is quite excellent all over.

 

[depravedskippy66]

Can't forget the Alec Palao compiled Uptight Tonight; all killer, no filler.

 

[Richard Whig]

If you are in Toronto, go to Soundscapes on College and ask for Phil. He holds the key you seek.

I would also listen to radio shows on the internet and then buy stuff you like: Mike Stax's show, Kari's Kaos a Go Go, West Coast Fog, Terre T and Bill Kelly on WFMU (actually, most anything on FMU). Who's Got the Cuckoo is also good. Fringe Factory and Real Cool Time are also good. There are tons out there.

I'd also buy used comps and reissues to start out. There is a TON of stuff out there and that approach will give you more bang for yer buck and let you take some chances.

 

[axel]

A great one called "New Mexico Punk: from the sixties.

There was another thread recently asking how people got into 60s garage sounds. This was the first 60s punk record I bought in the 80s and I still think it's a superb compilation. Great sound, too.
As a Canadian you might be interested to hear the "Shakin All Over" collection of The Guess Who on Sundazed, and "The Great Scots: Arrive!". Top-notch 60s bands both of them.
If you don't know them already you certainly have to get The Remains.

 

[Eggman]

I'd finish your Pebbles comps since you already have Vol. 2. Nuggets series are essential for starters, but to get into the deeper stuff, look for Back From The Grave and Teenage Shutdown comps to get into the really obscure (and essential).

Egg

 

[eleelandc]

I would say that diving into a record store that has a huge amount of 45's and poking around with a portable record player is the funnest way to go. There is an amazing amount of stuff that is not too expensive that you will find that might help you to close in on which corner of the "garage" sound you like... It is a big umbrella. Trust your ear and decide for yourself what sound you like enough to pick up....

If you start with the Back From The Grave type comps, you will soon be fiending for originals of 45s you are not going to find easily or cheaply and that can be very frustrating. That said, you can usually find cheapish represses or non-mint copies of the British Invasion LP staples (Beatles, Them, Rolling Stones, Pretty Things, Kinks, Yardbirds, Who, Troggs) and the USA stuff (Music Machine, Standells, Remains, Zakary Thaks, 13th Floor Elevators, Trashmen, Love, Barbarians etc).
As a money saver, you should check out some of the blogs and try out some of the downloads that are up on the web... Then it is just a matter of enjoyment (as opposed to financial outflow)
http://lowest-common-obamanator.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html has a lot of Raw comps with no explaination, but for the flip side of that to get a feel for the untold backstories, Ugly Things magazine is great and I also really enjoy http://www.garagehangover.com/ ...

Any way that you slice it, have fun!