The Keggs

[Willem]

Most people probably know these tracks from the BFTG comps. I've always wondered why those songs sound so demented. Did they do it on purpose or was it an accident, because it all sounds a bit out of tune or even untuned at some moments. My theory: it probably wasn't a 'we don't give a fuck'-attitude, maybe the 7" that was used for BFTG was pressed off-center.

Could anyone clarify this a bit? Does anyone here have an original copy?

 

[bosshoss]

Well I suppose I had better answer this, since I currently own the super clean vg+/++ copy that was once owned by Tim Warren, which he used to make Back From The Grave in the '80s, and is easily the best copy in existence. I bought it in a private deal with Tim, around 10 years ago after he auctioned it but found no serious takers at the stratospheric price range he had in mind.

It's not off-center. In fact it's a superb pressing in great condition, beautifully recorded and mastered, one of the highest fidelity records I've ever heard. The depth and sound quality is stunning. It's laughable that this particular 45 is often cited for its "lo-fi" sound. It's hi-fi in every sense of the word.

As for the attitude of the Keggs when recording it, that's for each and every one of us to decide for ourselves!

Here's an mp3 of "Girl" I made a few years ago, from the same copy of the record that was used to make every comp'ed version of this you've probably ever heard. If anyone wants the FLAC version, just ask.

http://www.finerecordingstudio.com/posts/6x_Keggs_Girl.mp3

 

[mansson66]

Bosshoss has one and I have a cdr burn from flac of it (and probably a few others here and it does indeed sound just like it does - only the original pressing has better fidelity than the boot 45 or comp appearance.
There's two guitars and a drum kit but no bass on the 45. Right there we're down to pretty 'primitive'. Otherwise it's a bit of a mystery how someone goes through the recording process without tuning the guitars, but that's appearantly what they did. The guys probably couldn't really play/sing (technically) but still wanted to make a 45. Stranger things have happened

 

[mansson66]

You beat me to it Mark :)

 

[bosshoss]

Here's the way to tell a real Keggs from a reissue :
1 - on the real Keggs, the label is a deep rich red, and the reissue is a paler red
2 - on the real Keggs, the words "Country Wide" above "BMI" are centered exacly on one side of the label. On the reissue, the "Country Wide" is closer to the center hole.

Otherwise, they are pretty much identical.

Here are both, the real one first :

 

[Don Julio]

Most people probably know these tracks from the BFTG comps. I've always wondered why those songs sound so demented. Did they do it on purpose or was it an accident, because it all sounds a bit out of tune or even untuned at some moments. My theory: it probably wasn't a 'we don't give a fuck'-attitude, maybe the 7" that was used for BFTG was pressed off-center.

Could anyone clarify this a bit? Does anyone here have an original copy?

I don't see what's demented about these performances. They basically sound like what the Kinks probably sounded like at their first gig. The vocals on "To Find Out" are a bit eccentric, yes, but not deliberately.

The Keggs are musically inept and so basic that their record should be awful. The fact that it isn't cannot really be explained to anyone who is not into "garage rock." It's in the same vein as the Alarm Clocks and the Bachs. I don't think anyone outside of the garage subculture could recognize what those on the inside can hear in these records. It's more than just what's on the surface.

It doesn't need to be micro-analyzed. A bunch of kids in Detroit with very little musical experience confidently strolled into a studio one day and made a record. They weren't thinking of a major label or a Top 40 hit, they just wanted to see if they could do it. A few copies were pressed to give to friends. Against all odds, a copy or two found its way into the hands of collectors decades later.

 

[Lee de Parade]

Keggs are GOD!

 

[Willem]

I didn't try to overanalyze anything. I just wanted to know if what I call 'demented' (i.e. the out of tune guitars that sounds like a miss pressing) was caused by the musicians (they didn't know how to play their instruments very well), or an off-center pressing that detuned their well-tuned guitars.

 

[paul messis]

Speaking as a musician myself Willem.

i feel that in answer to your question, the reason if any of these old 60s garage recordings do sound demented.... is this...

(In regards to The Keggs, I know what you mean by demented, maybe the wrong word to use, however I know what you're trying to say.)

Ok.

Back in the day, many of these kids, had never been in a recording studio and probably were nervous as hell to record, they probably only had a whole hour to record two songs, guitars can go outta tune easy, getting a guitar in tune back then was a skill conferring they didn't have electric tuners like today.... when I try tuning a guitar by ear, it's always wrong.

So being in the studio for hour probably meant they had one practise of the songs in the studio before taping the 45, often tracking the thing live and over dubbing the lead vocals or lead guitar afterwards.

I feel the vibe we hear of these great garage 45s... is a mix of nervousness, determination to do the very best given the time and circumstances and obviously being teenage boys there was a great deal of natural frustration in the mix too.


I think it is wonderful..... how exciting for these teenagers to go into a studio for the first time to cut a vinyl record, what a BUZZ it must have been for them.


The above is exactly how I record and feel when I have created my own 45s.


it's such a thrill.

 

[EXPO67]

The slightly more melodic flip "Girl" is much better IMO.

 

[axel]

Sorry, I had to delete my post. No use in analyzing.
I go with Lee de Parade: Keggs ARE GOD!

 

[Lee de Parade]

Thanks!

There's a certain fuckitude about it, they don't sound nervous at all to me: they sound like they were set out to DESTROY!
When is it from? '67? I forget. The lyrics are almost freeform, on the verge of being ironic.
What I initially loved about these old echoes from the sarcophags (uh, spelling) was the mystery and the mythology and confusion. I don't REALLY wanna know what went down. I also prefer soft-porn compared to close-up pussy-mayhem. Leave something for the imagination and the revisionists, ferrgadssake!

(edit: I think I just analyzed in my pants...I guess I put the "anal" in "analyze".)

 

[The Swyne]

Ahhh, The Keggs

My all-time favorite 60's garage punker. Sigh!

True genius.

 

[pfft]

Thanks!

There's a certain fuckitude about it, they don't sound nervous at all to me: they sound like they were set out to DESTROY!
When is it from? '67? I forget. The lyrics are almost freeform, on the verge of being ironic.
What I initially loved about these old echoes from the sarcophags (uh, spelling) was the mystery and the mythology and confusion. I don't REALLY wanna know what went down. I also prefer soft-porn compared to close-up pussy-mayhem. Leave something for the imagination and the revisionists, ferrgadssake!

(edit: I think I just analyzed in my pants...I guess I put the "anal" in "analyze".)

Welcome back, Lee - I've missed you

 

[EXPO67]

I also prefer soft-porn compared to close-up pussy-mayhem. Leave something for the imagination and the revisionists, ferrgadssake!

(edit: I think I just analyzed in my pants...I guess I put the "anal" in "analyze".)

You've been away for a number of years. Have you spent some time in prison for sexual perversions or similar mundane lifestyle choices?

 

[OB1]

I will never forget hearing the Keggs for the first time listening to a BFTG late one night after a gig, drinking black beer and passing the scoob and thinking wow how primitive and nasty is this?

have loved and held em in high esteem ever since! I also love the reaction I get from people when I play them

go the Keggs!!!

 

[mansson66]

I remember the first time I heard'em. Also on BFTG. Musta been '84 or '85 at a friends place. His cat panicked and ran straight out the room with her ears glued back to the head when the song started haha
I was in awe and has been ever since :)

 

[EXPO67]

I remember the first time I heard'em. Also on BFTG. Musta been '84 or '85 at a friends place. His cat panicked and ran straight out the room with her ears glued back to the head when the song started haha
I was in awe and has been ever since :)

lol....I'm with the cat on this one.

 

[Lee de Parade]

Hahaha!
I didn't get it at ALL first time I heard it - not the flip side either. Now, to me, it is the BEST!

By the way - I'VE MISSED YOU GUYS!

 

[The Plague]

welcome back to the fray Lee.

am I correct in thinking the line-up is different for both sides? seems like a more `talented` member was singing and possibly playing lead guitar on `To Find Out`.

I `d say `Girl` is fairly demented:confused: