I didn't plan it that way, but 100% Australian garage-wise for me in 2025. A couple have been wants for several years, so I am happy enough.
The Atlantics – Sunshine And Roses/ When I Look Into My Life. Ramrod, RS 1004
The A-side makes me imagine Johnny Rebb leaning against a mantlepiece wearing a cheesy smile, a blazer and a cravat. There are a few cliches there, but it’s that sort of song. Not remotely garage, but I like it a lot. The B-side, penned by drummer Peter Hood, is the main attraction for most people who dwell in these environs. Persistent drumbeat, moody organ and all-round great performance. Top song.
Ray Brown & The Whispers – Dance! Dance! Dance! LP. Leedon, LK-
Ray Brown & The Whispers – The Same Old Song … A Brand New Beat, LP. Festival, FL-32,258
A few years ago, I scored copies of the first three LPs by Ray and the boys and I wondered then if there was any point in seeking out the remaining two, as they seemed to be getting progressively weaker. The fact that the band’s last two LPs are not even included in the Kommotion guide to Oz garage records made it appear unlikely they had anything worthwhile within. However, I knew that the brilliant ‘(Ain’t It) Strange’ appeared on their last LP, so I gave it a go. It’s actually not too bad. There are one or two duds, but it is mainly decent pop and soul tunes. ‘Talking 'Bout Our Love’ rates as a garage tune for me. It was written by A. Castillo. Anybody know who that is? I couldn’t find anything about him. Meanwhile, I had always liked the cover of the Dance! LP. Couldn’t find any sound clips, but it is chock full of R&B and rock’n’roll classics, including ‘Louie Louie’ (you can never have too many versions). Turns out to be a good album with a cool cover of ‘C.C. Rider’ and other tunes.
The Changing Times – Mary Lou/ I’m Goin’ Away. RCA, 101598
A-side is a Ronnie Hawkins original dating to the late 1950s. This 1965 take on the song is certainly an update. Good garage version. The B-side is an original written by bass player Alan James. As the title suggests, Alan has had enough of his lying girlfriend and he’s on his way. Sounds like a stripped-back and speeded up ‘Keep On Running’ … or maybe not! Anyways, good song.
The Cherokees – It’s Gonna Work Out Fine/I’ve Got Something To Tell You. Gary [USA], GA 1001
Two covers on the second release for this Melbourne band from 1965. An early version of the A-side was recorded by Ike & Tina Turner in 1961. The Cherokees’ version gets more of a beat treatment and almost sounds like a different song. Also covered by Mike Furber & The Bowery Boys. The B-side seems to have been originally done by UK band The Boston Dexters. It’s the more lively of the two, but both tracks are enjoyable. The record was released on W&G in Australia, but the question is, how did it also become the one and only release on the Gary label in the USA?
The Cherokees – EP. Go!! GEP 1005
A couple of stone-cold garage classics on this EP with ‘That’s If You Want Me Too’, and ‘Only If You Care’. The other two tracks don’t rate on the Garage-O-Meter.
The Cicadas – I Need You/ I’ll Prove It. RCA, 101561
Sydney band. A-side was written by relocated Kiwi rocker Johnny Devlin. The added strings are a distraction, but it’s a strong tune with some nifty guitar work as well. The B-side is a Beatles-inspired ditty by Brit songwriter Geoff Stephens. Gratuitous yelps and screams are a bit silly, but make for a ‘fun’ song.
Bryan Davies – Watch What You Say/ I’m Gonna Make You Cry. His Master’s Voice, EA 4669
The A-side written by Barry Gibb is a great little song. The title of the B-side makes it sound like it might be a beaut as well, but it doesn’t really get there.
The Deakins – Tonight You’re Gonna Fall In Love With Me/ I’ll Make You Mine. Go!! G 5033
The A-side was done earlier by The Shirelles. They did a better job of it. The B-side is also a cover, originally written and recorded by Bobby Vee. This time, The Deakins got it right and put out the far superior version. Good stuff.
The Decoys – Come Running To Me/ I Don’t Want. Columbia, DO 4608
Excellent double-header with both songs written by band member Alastair Innes. The A-side has the singer lamenting the fact his girl has run off with somebody else, and he doesn’t know what to do. On the flipside, he’s decided he wants nothing to do with the woman, he just wants to be free. Pounding bass, snarly guitar and a series of screams gives the B-side the edge, but both tracks are great.
Peter Doyle – Speechless (The Pickup)/ Like I Love You. Sunshine, QK 902
Two covers here. A-side is a simple pop song. It’s okay. The B-side is more engaging, but nothing stunning.
Peter Doyle – Tweedlee Dee/ Mr. Goodtime. Sunshine, QK 1531
Two more covers. The A-side was originally recorded by Lavern Baker in the early 1950s. Peter’s version starts and ends with some tough guitar riffs and has some additional good guitar work. The B-side was recorded by singer-songwriter James Duncan just a few years before Peter’s version. It’s already a lively song, but Peter’s take has more of a garage feel about it. Both enjoyable.
Chris Hall & The Torquays – Don’t Ask Me Why/ A Little Lovin’. Spin, EK 1272
The Hall-penned A-side is a great beat track ably produced by the famed Nat Kipner. The B-side is okay, but it is a far lesser entity. Written by US producer Erik Jacobsen, Chris and the boys maybe copied the version by UK group The Hellions that came out a year earlier.
Jon – Upstairs, Downstairs/ Town Of Tuxley Toymaker Part 1. Leedon, LK 1662
First record by Jon Blanchfield and only one to be released under his first name only. Both sides written by B. M. & R. Gibb. It’s a great double header. The B-side is a brilliant quirky piece of psych-pop. The A-side is where the garage action is. Jon is downstairs and his woman is upstairs, and he wants to know, ‘What the hell’s she doin’ up there?’ Excellent.
Russ Kruger – Splish Splash/ Separate The Men From The Boys. Leedon, LK 1323
The A-side dates from the late 1950s and reminds me of the TV show Happy Days. Best avoided. But the B-side is a great original by Theo Penglis. I included this song in my Australian Hottest 100, so you know it must be good.
The Nomads – If You Let Me/ It’s Alright. Parlophone, A 8229
An original on the A-side and a Curtis Mayfield tune on the flipside, originally recorded by The Impressions. The A-side is the one you want.
The Pogs – Now That It’s Over/ Hey, Miss Thompson. Leedon, LK 1454
Two originals. The B-side is a rollicking sort of a tune and the better of the two garage-wise.
Steve & The Board – I Want/ I Call My Woman Hinges Cause She’s Something To Adore. Spin, EK1381
Two great originals from Steve Kipner and his mates. The A-side has always been a favourite. The B-side is up there too, despite the cringe-worthy punning title. Actually, the whole song is full of puns but it’s an excellent beat tune.
The Sunsets – Bye Bye, Goodbye/ It’s The End. Leedon, LK 1128
The 1965 debut for the band previously known as The 4 Strangers (who released the excellent ‘Sad and Lonely’). Both tracks here are written by singer/guitarist Lindsay Bjerre. Both songs are good, but the B-side has the edge. In most songs where the boyfriend is saying farewell to his old girlfriend, you can usually relate to his spin on the story and feel some empathy. But in this case, the singer sounds like such as snot that I feel happy for the girl that she is rid of the creep. Which might have been the intention. Great song.
Bobbie Thomas & The Beaumen – That Lucky Old Sun/ Hey, Little Girl. Bluebird, 101683
Forget the A-side and head straight to the flip. The song ‘Hey, Little Girl’ dates back to the late 1950s. Bobbie and The Beaumen’s version is not the greatest beat track out there but it’s alright. A better effort is probably that done by UK band The Chasers released a year earlier in 1965.
The Times – Glad, Not Sad/ Woman Love. His Master’s Voice, EA 4699
Perth band. The record was also released on the Clarion label. The A-side, written by guitarist Terry Walker, is a jaunty affair with a heap of hand claps. I like it. The B-side was earlier recorded by Gene Vincent. Both songs are good.
Ian Turpie – I Can’t Go Wrong/ Not You. Leedon, LK 861
Two self-penned numbers by Turpie who later went on to have a career as a game-show host. Later again, he proved that he didn’t take himself too seriously when he became part of the regular cast on the comedy-variety show Club Buggery. Back to the record – both are low on the scale of garage-greatness, but both are good, especially the A-side.
The Twilights – Baby, Let Me Take You Home/ You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me. Columbia, DO 4683
The B-side is a Smokey Robinson song, but you want to listen to the A-side, a song made famous by The Animals. Hobart band The Kravats did a version very true to that by The Animals, but The Twilights turned it into an absolute killer. Definitive version.
Various Artists – Spinnin’ High, LP. Calendar, R66-191
My copy is on the budget Calendar label and came out shortly after the original Spin release in 1966. Artists are Tony Barber, Steve & The Board, Marty Rhone and Ronnie Burns. Included is the superb LP-only ‘I Want Her Too’, by Tony Barber, but all other songs were released as 45s (an EP in the case of two of the Steve & The Board tunes). The Barber and Board songs are all great. Ronnie Burns’ ‘True True Lovin’ is pretty cool, although virtually identical to the original by Cliff Richard and The Shadows. Marty Rhone’s ‘Every Minute Of You’ is the harder record to find and was the decider to buy the album for me. Great track.
