The year started out with me picking up the odd Australian or Singapore classic LP or 45 here and there, and I expected that to be it. But then an Aussie dealer suddenly had a huge swag of great discs for sale. I was outbid on a lot of the really great ones, but scored some excellent ones, nevertheless. And then a seller in Malaysia had a huge collection of 45s for sale as a buy-it-now or make-an-offer deal. I made an offer and was totally surprised that it is was accepted. I already had most of those records, some of them really good ones, there were also a few that that can only be classed as pop, and one or two that will never feature in any garage want list (a Malay version of ‘Delilah’ anyone?). But there were still more than a dozen top-notch Malay garage 45s that I thought I might never own because they hardly ever come up for sale, or they have already been on sale for years for some ridiculous price that no-one is ever going to pay. So, a good year!
Australia
The Atlantics – That Loving Feeling/ Waiting Here For Someone. Ramrod, RS 1001
The band’s first release on their own label. Johnny Rebb on vocals. The A-side is a song by British band The Honeycombs. It’s not so different to the original, but it’s still a great record.
The Bitter Lemons – Canberra Blues/ One More Chance. EMI Custom Service, PRS 1289
Apparently, the band was originally named The Orgasms. Nice name, don’t know why they changed it. The A-side is credited to Lyneham (the band’s singer) and Lake (whoever Lake is), although it is really a re-working of Leadbelly’s ‘Bourgois Blues’, transferring the action to the Australian capital. The B-side is credited solely to Lyneham and has a naive amateur charm. Paul Lyneham went onto fame in Australia as a television political journalist.
Bobby and Laurie – Bobby and Laurie, LP. Go!!, GLP 3001
Debut album for this singing duo. Includes two of their better originals also released as 45s: ‘I Belong To You’, and ‘It Ain’t Fair’. ‘She Don’t Know’ is a good LP-only original track. There are also a handful of decent covers (‘Give All Your Lovin’ To Me’ is great). I was a bit lukewarm on the LP at first, but it gets better with each spin.
Thee Caper – Dialogue Of A Man/ Much Too Much. Scope, SP 005
The A-side sounds like it’s trying to be some sort of epic. It’s okay, but the B-side is probably going to interest most people here. It’s got horns all over it, yet it still kicks along nicely. It grows on you.
Chaos And Co. – Seven Golden Daffodils/ It Was You. Columbia, DO 4718
The B-side is where the action is here. ‘It Was You’ was originally released as a single by The Naturals in the UK, and this version is not wildly different to that one. But there are a few reasons why it is still worth seeking out: 1) the band are one of the few from Tasmania to have released a worthwhile 1960s garage tune (they were from Launceston, not the capital, Hobart, making them even more obscure); 2) it was the first published song by lead songwriter Pete Townshend (wrongly credited as Townshen on the label); 3) it’s great.
The Flies – Can’t You Feel/ I’ll Pass On By. RCA, 10633
Two original tracks on offer here by this Melbourne group. The A-side is alright but the more lightweight of the two. ‘I’ll Pass On By’ takes us into more genuine garage territory. Very good.
The Fugitives – All Your Lies/ Baby Come Back. Leedon, LK 1226
Two more originals, this time from Sydney. They’re both okay, but not great. The B-side is the better of the two in my book.
The Hergs – Style of Love/ Cadillac. Parlophone, A 8272
The original on the A-side is just great. The B-side is also good, but as many sources will tell you, it has nothing to do with Chuck Berry, despite the credit on the label. Although grabbed early in the piece, I predicted then that this record could turn out to be my purchase of the year. It is definitely one of the best, but in the end, I scored lots of great discs this year.
Russ Kennedy and the Little Wheels – I’ve Got My Eyes On You (And I Like What I See)/ Little Wheel. Clarion, MCP 009
Perth band with two covers on this record. The A-side was made popular by Rick Nelson and the B-side is a John Lee Hooker tune. Both songs are given a credible garage treatment by Russ and the boys and sound great.
Russ Kennedy and the Little Wheels – I’ve Been Watching You/ Too Much Monkey Business. Clarion, MCK 1363
Two more covers, but again delivered with energy and style. The A-side was written by Clive-Westlake and Mort Shuman. Not sure who recorded it first, but maybe Jimmy Powell and the 5 Dimensions in the UK. The B-side is a Chuck Berry song.
The Kompany – I’ve Been Around/ Tell Her No. Clarion, MCK 1679
Probably better known as Johnny Young’s backing back, The Kompany deliver two cover versions here. The A-side is a Fats Domino number, but The Kompany don’t add much to it. The B-side is a Zombies’ tune. It’s a pretty laidback song and there’s not much between the two versions, but I think The Kompany might come out in front.
Russ Kruger – Tallahassee Lassie/ Well, That Ain’t Nice!. Leedon, LK 1188
The A-side was originally recorded by Freddie Cannon back in 1959 and has subsequently been covered by scores of artists. It’s a rockin’ tune for sure, but I always thought it was a bit square. The B-side, however, is the real deal, a real ringin’ and swingin’ thumper penned by The Atlantics’ Theo Penglis. Top tune.
Russ Kruger – My Way Of Thinking/ I’m The Little Boy. Ramrod, RS 1003
This late 1967 single is a world away from ‘Keep Me Satisfied’ or ‘Well, That Ain’t Nice!’ of the year before. The song on the A-side was originally recorded by UK singer Guy Darrell in 1966, and is more freakbeat than garage, but still good. Someone has written ‘Motivation’ on the paper sleeve of my copy, and I am sure it is Ramrod label-mates with that name backing Russ here. The B-side sounds like the theme song for a children’s TV show (apart from the line about what he is going to do to The Little Girl when he gets her in his room).
The Masters Apprentices – Buried And Dead/ She’s My Girl. Astor, A 7005
Two originals here penned by Michael Bowers. The B-side is pretty lightweight, but the A-side is an absolute killer. I’ve got the song on the band’s first album and have heard it on youtube a zillion times, but hearing it on the 45 is just fantastic. Maybe it’s psychological, but when deliberately playing a song on a 45 rather than just hearing it as part of an LP or CD always makes it sound better to me.
The Missing Links – We 2 Should Live/ Untrue. Parlophone, A 8145
Only recording from the first lineup of this legendary Sydney band. The A-side has a jaunty sort of character. The B-side is sloppy and sleazy. Both are great.
The Mixtures – I’ve Been Wrong/ Koko Joe. His Master’s Voice, EA 4796
The A-side was originally written and recorded by The Hollies. Already a reflective tune, The Mixtures’ down-tempo, plaintive version is very effective; it makes the up-tempo version by The Buckingham’s sound like The Ramones in comparison. Both are good, but different. There are lots of other versions as well. The B-side is a novelty number penned by Sonny Bono in the late 1950s. It’s a rollicking tune, but of only marginal interest. The Mixtures had a massive hit with ‘The Pushbike Song’ in 1970, but it looks like none of the original members were still with the band by that stage.
Johnny Rebb – You Can’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover/ Dreams. His Masters Voice, EA 4695
Excellent uncredited backing by The Atlantics for some intense screaming vocals by Johnny Rebb. Another song that the boys must have known from Bo Diddley. His version also includes the line ‘You’ve got your radio turned down too low. Turn it up!’ (also used by The Missing Links in ‘You’re Drivin’ Me Insane’). Bo’s version is great, but this take on the song is far more raucous. Pretty wild. The B-side is a ballad by guitarist Theo Penglis. It’s not garage, but not bad either
The Rondells – Talkin’ About You/ Baby Don’t Hide. Go!!, G 5005
Most famous as the backing band for Bobby and Laurie, this is one of handful of 45s the band released on their own. The A-side is another song by Chuck Berry. The better song is the B-side, an original by guitarist Bernie O’Brien.
The Showmen – So Far Away/ Don’t Deceive. Leedon, LK 957
Two originals here by the band who later produced the wonderful ‘Naughty Girl’. Two of the band members also went onto be in the second version of The Missing Links. Both tracks are good, but not quite as great or wild as some of their later material.
The Silk ’n’ Dreams – Right Now, Not Later/ Leave Me Be
Two covers by this Melbourne band. The A-side was originally recorded by The Shangri-Las. The B-side is a Zombies tune. The girl group song is the better of the two.
The Spinning Wheels – Can’t Catch Me/ Shame, Shame, Shame. His Master’s Voice, EA 4682
Two covers on this record. The A-side is yet another Chuck Berry song. The B-side is a Jimmy Reed number. Both are very good versions and add a lot to the originals.
Tony and The Shantels – On My Mind/ He. Go!!, G 5019
The only release for this band from rural Victoria, but the A-side is a garage-pop classic. The B-side is best avoided.
Johnny Veen with The Charades – You Know He Did/ When I Fall In Love
I’ve always liked the A-side since hearing it on one of the Pretty Ugly comps years ago. It’s another song by The Hollies. It’s a good version and deserves better than the two stars given it in the Kommotion guide. The B-side is something else. It almost sounds like a parody of a schmaltzy-show-club-crooner tune. It’s so bad it’s almost good. Almost.
The Wild Cherries – Krome Plated Yabby/ Everything I Do Is Wrong. Festival, FK 1879
The A-side is more psych-rock than garage, but very good. The B-side is a soul tune. Both songs are credited to Lyde, the band’s guitarist, better known as Lobby Loyde.
Johnny Young – Lady/ Good Evening Girl. Clarion, MCK 1857
Johhny Young had long tenure as the head of a teen talent show (Young Talent Time, get it?). The show was much in favour with old-grandmother types, which makes it hard to fathom that squeaky-clean Johnny Young could ever have been a rocker. But he delivers the goods with the B-side of this single, which is mighty good. The fact that it was written by Vanda-Wright-Young certainly helps. His first hit a few records earlier was also penned by some of The Easybeats. Nevertheless, Johnny’s image must have already been on the mild side, as I recall reading that fellow Perth wannabe Bon Scott was very encouraged by the fact that Young had managed to have a record released. If Johnny Young could do it, surely, he could too? Not long after Johnny’s first record, Bon appeared on the same label with The Valentines.
Young Once – I Only Want To Be With You/ For No One. Go!!, G 5048
The A-side is a song by The Shadows. It’s okay, but far too poppy for consideration here. The B-side is much better. It’s an original, not the Beatles’ song with the same title, but it is ‘Beatle-esque’ and more pop than garage, but still a great song.
Malaysia
Les Flingers – EP. Philips, 437616 PE
Pretty pedestrian. The two fast songs are okay, but marginal.
Raja Ahmad & Dendang Irama – EP. Maju, WY 001
Okay Malay garage. Nothing stunning.
New Zealand
The Sierras – What More Do You Want/ She’s The One. Zodiac, AZ 1025
Seems the Carter-Lewis-Ward credit for the A-side should be Carter-Lewis, Ford. The original was recorded by British band The Ivy League. Anyways, the action here is on the B-side, which is a very good version of The Chartbusters’ song.
Singapore [all released in Singapore. Some of the artists might be Malaysian, but no indication of that on the records]
D’Acrobats – EP. Philips, 437852 PE
Excellent 1968 four-track EP from this group. Their last record, I believe. The song ‘Hati Gembira’ (Happy Heart) would probably get the best response from members of this forum. Very good garage-psych with some inventive guitar.
Alina & The Bateks – EP. Columbia, ECHK563
Alina Rahman is a pretty straight singer usually backed by lightweight orchestras (good in their own way). But she’s teamed up here with a real thumping backing band. There is one slow song, which is similar to her usual style, but the pace and garage factor increase incrementally. Good stuff.
M. Bakri & The Antartics – EP. Parlophone, EGEP 604
M. Bakri was in in his late 20s when he recorded this disc, backed by a much younger Antartics. I am not sure how enthusiastic Bakri was about the garage-beat style of his backing band. Some good tunes for sure, but the style of the singer sounds mismatched.
M. Bakri & The Antartics – EP. Parlophone, EGEP 620
One year on and The Antartics seem to be struggling to put some life into the song choices for this record. They do a good job on ‘Berilah Berita’ (Give Me The News), but the rest of the EP is pretty forgettable from a garage perspective. Not much you can do with slow crooner ballads.
Abdullah Chik & The Hunters – Sha La La Juwita/ Dewi Suchi. PMT, PMT/MSP/12/67
The A-side is a pop-beat classic with lots of garage overtones. The singer was in his early thirties at the time and about a decade older than the band, but he pulls it off okay. Juwita is a girl’s name.
D14 Ever – A’ Go-Go & O.B. Cha Cha, EP. Art Sea, MEP 3041
An EP of A’ Go-Go instrumentals might be a bit marginal on a garage forum, but I think a few people here might enjoy the band’s version of ‘Wooly Bully’ (or ‘Wolly Bully’ as it says on the sleeve and the label). I certainly did not expect to enjoy their version of ‘My Bonnie’, a song that usually marks me cringe. However, played at 130 mph, and with some over-the-top drumming and guitar, it’s actually not too bad.
J.M. Din & Irkadesa – EP. Camel, CR 2007
Four songs about girlfriends who never show up anymore or have gone off with somebody else. Three songs are in the typical Malay style of the period; one is fast-paced and two are slow and doom-laden. They are all good but not particularly special. The exception on the EP is ‘Sudah Kah Jemu’ (Are You Bored), which is moody medium-paced pop-beat. I like it.
Fabian’s Boys & Masnawi, Norfizah – EP. Globe, SM 3314
A couple of slow songs here and the two faster ones are maybe not as frantic as the ones that appear on their other records, but pretty close. Good one!
Ismail Harun & The Vigilantes – EP. Eagle, TK 2007
Singer Ismail Harun made a bit of a specialty of taking Western pop songs and giving them totally new Malay lyrics. Only two of the songs here work for me. ‘Mari Menari’ (Let’s Dance) is a reworking of ‘La Bamba’ and ‘Mari Sayang’ (Come On My Love) is based on ‘Hang On Sloopy’. They’re nothing great but they make the cut because of the enthusiastic playing of the band.
M. Ishak and The Young Lovers – EP. MSM, TER 6081
This a pirate recording of Philips 437804PE. Unlike some pirate records the sound on this one is good and strong. M. Ishak cut several records with later bands, but none beats his debut with The Young Lovers, especially the opening track, ‘Yale Yale’, a great beat version of a traditional song. The term ‘yale yale’ might be Arabic but the lyrics otherwise are Malay. It’s a song of joy and happiness teamed with a driving beat and some great guitar licks. A Malay garage classic.
R. Ismail & The Pretenders – EP. Philips, 437813 PE
Two slow songs and two fast ones. Of the latter two, ‘Ku Pergi Tak’kan Lama’ (I’ll Soon Be Gone) might be the best – driving beat, organ solo and guitar. R. Ismail can really sing too, but his voice suits the songs, and he looks to be about the same age as the band members, unlike some Malay crooners who were teamed up with garage bands years their junior.
Ahmad Jais & The Antartics – EP. Parlophone, EGEP 610
Ahamd Jais cut some great records with The Antartics. ‘Do’a Dan Pesan Ku’ (My Prayer and Message) stands out on this EP. Comments on youtube suggest some Malay listeners consider it ‘chaotic’, maybe too Westernised. A lot of his non-Antartics stuff is crooner style.
M.A. Maya & Les Diggerz – EP. Philips, 437808 PE
Classic Malay garage. M.A. Maya is an okay female singer but the attraction for me is definitely the band. Great guitarwork, solid rhythm and swirling organ.
The McCoys – EP. Columbia, ECHK 591
Cool EP with three instrumental covers and one original vocal track. One of the instrumentals (‘Yakety Yak’) is truly horrible, but the other tracks are all good. ‘Watermelon Man’ appears on the EMI 60s comp from a few years back. It’s a good version with a real garage feel, but the moody original ‘Come Into My World’ is arguably worth greater attention. It can be found on the same comp.
The Quests – Questing, LP. Columbia, 33OSX-7775
Debut LP by Singapore’s premier band of the 1960s. Maybe known to some here for their excellent take on ‘Hanky Panky’ which they recorded as backing for singer Rita Chao (see Girls In The Garage Vol. 9). Indeed, a lot of the band’s output consisted of backing tracks for singers like Rita Chao, Sakura, Lim Leng, Anita Sarawak and others. Some of their best work was done with Keith Locke for his self-penned beat tunes. Originally an instrumental band recording their own material, The Quests made up the balance when performing by themselves with covers of current hits by other artists, mainly from the US. They were good musicians and singers and their up-tempo versions of soul tunes like ‘She’s The One’ and ‘Honey House’ featured here are far better than average. The best song on the LP in my opinion is ‘You’re Tellin’ Lies’ by fellow Singaporean songwriter S.A. Vinton, which is easily the most garage-like track on the album. Not found on vinyl anywhere else, as far as I know.
M. Rahmat & The Duta – EP. Universal, URC 1009
Some people may know M. Rahmat from the song ‘Mula Bertemu’ that appeared on the Pop Yeh Yeh comp from a few years ago. Nothing quite as great as that on this EP, but ‘Daku Mudah Kau Lupah’ (You Easily Forget Me) isn’t bad at all.
The Swallows – EP. Columbia, ECHK 558
Maybe not as great as some of their later material, but it’s still a fine EP with some rocking tunes.
Kassin Slamat & The Swallows – EP. Columbia, ECHK 564
This is more like it. Two classics on this EP, ‘Nga Lompak A-Go-Go’ and ‘Bunga Berachun’. The latter song is in Malay and means ‘Poison Flower’. The other song is in Bawean (aka Boyanese), an Indonesian language I do not understand. Neither do most Singaporeans, but that didn’t stop them digging The Swallows! Both songs appeared on the great Steam Kodok comp from 2003.
The Thunderbirds – EP. Philips, 437826 PE
Really excellent record. It kicks off with the original teary-eyed ballad ‘Miss Your Love’, which has a slide guitar sound found in some other of the band’s songs from around this time. That’s followed by a rousing version of ‘Move It’, originally recorded by Cliff Richard and The Drifters back in 1958. They were still playing it after the band changed their name to The Shadows and it probably got an airing when Cliff and the boys visited Singapore in 1961. The B-side starts with a version of the Small Faces’ ‘I’m Sorry She’s Mine’. It’s already a great song, but the Thunderbirds’ version turns it into a deadly fuzz monster. The record ends with another original, ‘Always In Mind’, with some bluesy harmonica and chugging guitar. Top stuff.
Tony Chong and The Thunderbirds – EP. Philips, ME 0139 TE
This 1965 EP was the first recording for The Thunderbirds, who had existed since 1962. The record features two instrumentals written by guitarist Derrick Fitzgerald and two vocal tracks written and sung by bassist Tony Chong. Both of Tony’s tracks are great. ‘I’m As Sad As I Can Be’ is a rousing RnB number, while ‘Little Lady’ is more of a moody monster. Although Tony seems to have been an original member, this was his only outing on record with the band.
The Youth Corus – EP. Happy Record, EPH 151
Two Beatles tracks sung in Chinese on this EP. ‘PS I Love You’ is almost unrecognisable, but not worth much attention anyway. ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ is a lot better. It’s not the wildest version out there, but the drummer loosens up a bit and smacks the skins, and the singer gives out with a few whoops and yells. Not too bad. The other two tracks are snoozeville crooner fare.
