Who were "The Inferno"??

[Sancho Panza]

I had the song on repeat yesterday. I have no clue how it ended up on my iPod, I have no idea why I haven't givin' it a chance before, but hit me for not mention it before as one of the best songs. Period. Who were these gods?

 

[MopTopMike]

I'm sure this was discussed on the forum a while back, and on the old GaragePunk forum during its heyday...

They were students at Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan. The 45 came out around Feb. 1968, and exists as a white label DJ copy and a black label, gold print stock copy. Quite rare to find either way. Oliver Tuthill was the leader of the group and main songwriter. He also played on a few other Michigan 45s which are sought-after by the soul crowd, namely Cecil Washington's "I Don't Like to Lose", issued on the Prophonics label
In the fall of '68, Tuthill was back to his native Chicago area (Highland Park) and formed a new recording venture, calling it The Basis of The Thing. A 45 was released in November '68, "Individual Of Society", which used to be around in decent quantity back in the 80's.

 

[MopTopMike]

I should mention that this group has no connection to other Inferno groups - the guys on the Date label "Your Heart Is Too Big For Your Head", or the Tulsa teens who issued a 45 on the Pride Inc. label in '66.

 

[Sancho Panza]

Thanks for the input Mike! I searched around the net fast on the name and "came" up with this:

"I had another record on Plastik Records in 1966 — a song called "Inferno," which I wrote with my lead guitarist Chris Edwards, who still plays live. It was always a kick to hear it on the radio when you were driving somewhere in your car."

Just to check on the dates.

 

[MopTopMike]

He's incorrect on the dates, when I spoke with him several years ago I pointed out how that was not possible. Chris Edwards was in a different group without Oliver in '66. And the matrix number doesn't yield a possible '66 date. Something record collectors and archivists know, but the musicians themselves do not.

 

[Sancho Panza]

It was the 60's. How's the b-side? Does it even come close to the a-side (I jump to the conclusion that you have heard it)

 

[MopTopMike]

I have the 45.
It's a ballad, "Girl, Girl" very sparse, airy feel with an almost Hawaiian guitar sound via the use of tremolo arm being deployed while strumming the chords

 

[Sancho Panza]

So in other words; it doesn't even come close to this acid-drenched masterpiece.

 

[MopTopMike]

I'd say it's kinda trippy, but not"acid drenched"

 

[Sancho Panza]

Drenched in something then :)

 

[Sancho Panza]

Can anyone transcibe the lyrics!?