Hey! Just a quick note to suggest you check out my blog at the moment which currently has 3 records each by The Debutantes and The Blades at Girl Garage Mayhem! Please do! You'll find out more info there - but here's the background to what I've posted. The Debutantes were an all female band from Detriot - and The Blades were a female fronted garage band from Anderton, South Carolina.
The Debutantes
New Love Today, Love is Strange, Shake a Tail Feather
Having manage to contact someone who had in their possession another record by The Debutantes and get hold of the mp3's, man I was chuffed! And as you can probably see, Jan (the former lead member) sent me some extra pictures - and woah! There are some amazing stories behind this band, which jan will hopefully post on her website when it is up along with masters from the band and videos(!!) - But till then enojy their sound! Here's what Jan sais about their tour of south east Asia
"Yes, girl bands did tour Southeast Asia because the troops loved seeing "round-eyes". That's racist, of course, but what can you tell guys in their teens and twenties? There were also some Philippino girl groups who could do American tunes even tho they spoke little English. It was dangerous there and there were a couple of casualties the powers-that-be tried to keep hush-hush. I remember an Australian group playing at an officers' club. The lead singer stepped to the mic to say goodnight and she was shot and killed -- she was right in the line of fire of an assassin who was aiming at a high-ranking officer. "
"We really got taken advantage of by the Korean booking agent. He took our passports and would not return them 
until he felt we had played enough dates to make it worthwhile for him to have paid our plane fares from Honolulu to Saigon. I wrote to the American Consulate and then-President Nixon but no one would acknowledge our please to come home. While we were there all of our American musical equipment was stolen and we felt it was an inside job by the agent for the black market. He then lent us a bunch of garbage equipment to finish the gig."
The Blades
I'll Shed No Tear, Moving Out, Again
After shedding out a small country's GDP for the first issue from this group from Anderson, South Carolina - I was more than happy when it came and first put needle to vinyl - I''ll Shed No Tear is just an amazing girl garage groover. Plus their second delightfully snotty output Moving Out appears as a repost from back in the day - just in case you missed it! And then there's again - I think'll you agree these are some of the best I'll ever be able to post!
Luckily I came across some history of the group from a member of rival local band The Penetrations.
"We were friendly rivals with The Blades. Anderson and Belton are about 10 miles or so apart. I spent about as much time in Anderson as I did in Belton (in the summer time anyway) helping Dad with his wholesale used car business. The Blades were the home band at the Teens-A-Go-Go club - without a doubt the most successful teen club in Anderson County in those days. I remember then it was in a long, narrow store building in the downtown area. I think most all the guys would agree that their band boasted the best-looking front person of any band around in those days! Her name was Vicki, and she was "easy on the eyes"!
The Penetrations were one of several guest bands at their club, and I think they played at our club as well. As for how often we crossed paths, likely not that many times - because if they were playing at one gig, we usually were playing at another. During early 1967 their lineup consisted of: Vicki (lead vocalist); Gary Fellers (keyboards); Bill Harper (lead guitar); Roger Chasteen (electric bass); and Joey Tiller (drums). There may have been some personnel changes for The Blades along the way, but I have no firsthand knowledge about that. I was not that well acquainted with them on a personal level, although I think some of our other band members were. They had a great '60's sound, that fact I do remember well. "
Merry X-mas and Happy Hogmany!
Saturday, 22 December 2007
The Debutantes and The Blades
Thursday, 13 December 2007
La Merveilleux Delphine Desyeux!
Hey! Didn't think I would post another so soon?!! Well here's one regardless!
Born in 1953 Delphine first found fame by starring in a French television series called L´âge heureux in 1966 about a young girl (Delphine) who enrolls as a student at a ballet school. A year later she starred in a film called Les Risques du métier with pop sensation Jacques Brel. 1967 was also the year that she released her first EP, Ton anniversaire. One more followed in 1968, L'amie, le petit chien et le garçon que j'aimais bien and another in 1969,
featuring YeYe classic Je Suis Le Tigresse, a cover of Lulu's I Am A Tiger. One final one was issued in 1970 entitled Un Brin De Soleil. Another release, La Chanson De L'Age Heureux, was issued in Canada and possibly in France and is likely the title song to her debut film. I've not been able to collate much further info about the lovely Delphine, but check out these great advertisements she did (along with Chantal Kelly and Alice Dona) promoting Bella dolls!
And so I bring to you that first EP she provided her vocal prowess for - Ton anniversaire! Featuring 4 very sweet numbers, L'hiver, Que s'en vienne la nuit, Ton Anniversaire and Si j'etais le vent. Enjoy!
Edit::
Big thanks to Marina with this extra info on Delphine! She also starred in the movie L'homme qui rit, playing the character of Dea. Directed by Jean Kerchbron the film is an adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel. Delphine now teaches ballet in the south of France. Here's a picture of Delphine along with fellow actor Philippe Bouclet in the movie, taken from this site!
Saturday, 1 December 2007
Lollipoplooza!
Lollipops, now are they just great? But a group of lollipops, now that's even better!
Firstly I must apologise for a lack of updates, partly due to uncertainty on what to post, partly to due to time, but mostly due to lethargy! But hey "The Daughters" hopefully made up for it - right??! Anyhow on with the new and belated post of the yummy kind!
Most of the groups and artists featured are named under the candied delight of "The Lollipops" However I must stress to point out that the term "Lollipop" forms part of some of the groups monkiers - but only a few - and they always come in different varieties. All in all its a real mixture with guys, girls and indeed lil kids in on the action! Lets now start with those called The Lollipops!
The Lollipops - Don't Monkey With Me
Arranged by the legendary Teacho Wiltshire, and! one-half written by prolific girl group author Larry Kusik - these girls hailed possibly from New York. Judging by the picture sleeve they look tons of fun!
The Lollipops - Words Aint Enough
These Danish beat boys rocked their homeland and beyond in the 60's. Formed in 1960 while still pre-teens their career blossomed throughout the decade, this song one of their finest!
The Lollipops - Cheating is Telling On You, Step Aside Baby, Loving Good Feeling
The only group featured that has more that one track are these fine girl Lollipops from Detriot, who recorded on these on a Motown subsidiary - why more than one? - well....just take a listen!
The Lollypops - Believe in Me
These 'pops recorded on the Holland label in 1958 - some tasty doo-wop for you!
Now for the rest!
The Lollypoppers - A Bottle of Pop and a Lollypop
Try saying that quickly 3 times over! Some more wop pop!
Becky and the Lollipops - My Boyfriend
Interesting record! Becky and the Lollipops were none other than a pseudonym for Ricky Page and her family who also recored under the names of The Bermudas, Joanne & the Triangles, The Majorettes and Beverly and the Motorscooters.
The Good Ship Lollipop - Maxwell's Silver Hammer
Great bubblegum-psych released in 1969. Incidentally the Danish Lollipops also recored a version!
The Electric Lollipop - The Lightning Bug
Kid garage as featured in the Girls in the Garage and Only in America compilations.
Prof. Morrisons Lollipop - Oo-poo-pa
Amazing bubblegum classic! So, so catchirific!
Lil Bob and the Lollipops - Stop
The king of swamp pop appears with this classic!
The Lollipop Shoppe - You Must Be a Witch
Stand out track from these psychedellers previously known as The Weeds
Die Lollipops - Drei Chinesen mit dem Kontrabass
Em, did I say all the tracks were classics?!
Posts
