The Thunderbirds (Singapore)

Rythmn Boy

Ikon Class
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Location
Darwin, NT
I recently scored two EPs by The Thunderbirds from Singapore. They were a prolific group but you mainly come across records they made with British expat Heather (who later married band member Harvey Fitzgerald). I’ve got several of their records, but these two have always eluded me. Both EPs are a bit beat up, but they still sound loud and clear. Both the songs I share here have been comped before, so no great discoveries by me, but I am sure these recordings will still be new to a lot of people.


TC&THUNDERBIRDS.jpeg
The Tony Chong and The Thunderbirds EP was their first record from 1965. Tony was a long-term band member, but he seems to have left the group after this EP. That’s him sitting at the bottom left. Bandleader Derrick Fitzgerald (top left) was eighteen when they cut this disc. The rest of them look no older and were probably younger. ‘I’m As Sad As I Can Be’ was written by Tony. It’s a pretty simple tune but effective.

https://app.box.com/s/6wiwpnntbl2rt4h3xta8biw9n03101mb



Thunderbirds.jpeg
Fast forward three years for this next EP that features the band on the sleeve showing off in their fancy pants. They must have been proud of those threads because they are pictured on a few of their EP covers. The pick of the songs here is the band’s version of the Small Faces’ ‘I’m Sorry She’s Mine’. It’s pretty true to the original apart from the liberal addition of fuzz guitar. Great stuff.

https://app.box.com/s/pbbmwj8aknku5oh9mb57is69clj4n6wa


Thanks to Bård
 
Great fuzz! Though I prefer "I'm as sad as I can be". Thanks for sharing! Always fun looking at records I've never seen.
 
I recently scored two EPs by The Thunderbirds from Singapore. They were a prolific group but you mainly come across records they made with British expat Heather (who later married band member Harvey Fitzgerald). I’ve got several of their records, but these two have always eluded me. Both EPs are a bit beat up, but they still sound loud and clear. Both the songs I share here have been comped before, so no great discoveries by me, but I am sure these recordings will still be new to a lot of people.


View attachment 6132
The Tony Chong and The Thunderbirds EP was their first record from 1965. Tony was a long-term band member, but he seems to have left the group after this EP. That’s him sitting at the bottom left. Bandleader Derrick Fitzgerald (top left) was eighteen when they cut this disc. The rest of them look no older and were probably younger. ‘I’m As Sad As I Can Be’ was written by Tony. It’s a pretty simple tune but effective.

https://app.box.com/s/6wiwpnntbl2rt4h3xta8biw9n03101mb



View attachment 6133
Fast forward three years for this next EP that features the band on the sleeve showing off in their fancy pants. They must have been proud of those threads because they are pictured on a few of their EP covers. The pick of the songs here is the band’s version of the Small Faces’ ‘I’m Sorry She’s Mine’. It’s pretty true to the original apart from the liberal addition of fuzz guitar. Great stuff.

https://app.box.com/s/pbbmwj8aknku5oh9mb57is69clj4n6wa


Thanks to Bård
The "I'm Sorry She's Mine" cover is just as great as the original, probly better (!!)