Pugsley Munion - ''Just Like You'' 1970

Formerly called Mask, the members of Pugsley Munion, John Schuller (keys/vocals/main songwriter), Ducky Belliveau (guitar), and drummer Ed Kelly got together as a vehicle for their own original material after years of playing in high school cover bands. A homemade demo made in 1969 found it's way to J&S Records, a small R&B label out of New York city that had gone a couple years without a hit. The label tossed out some cash to bring them into the city and record a proper demo, and gave them a one album deal. Shortly after the demo was completed the label found out that the name"The Mask" was already copyrighted by some one, so they began brainstorming another name. They took Pugsley from a street sign outside of New York and Munion from the name of a cop that gave the band the stink-eye after a gig in a small donut shop. (Really). They put the name together for a one off gig and the name stuck (ain't that a bitch!).

in 1970 the band got geared up for their sessions in NYC, and for their debut album recorded live an organ/bass pedal - guitar- drum combo while playing around with different bass ideas that they would eventually add later along with vocals. But, to the bands' surprise, the label released the album under the wrong title as it was the title of a single from the album, plus it's original unfinished form along with incomplete cover art that was NOT approved by the band nor did it contain proper liner notes. The band tried unsuccessfully to block the release of it. However, besides the abhorrent treatment of their label, they did manage to score some airplay. However, Schuller was drafted, and went off to a brief stint in the navy, (brief due to medical reasons) and returned to a lineup with a new vocalist and a bass player. The band continued for another couple of years playing club gigs and eventually everyone went on to become somewhat successful studio musicians

Frantic - 'Conseption" 1968-71

Frantic or "The Frantics" were from non-existant Billings Montana music scene, and received an enormous amount of local success which got them to search other areas for further success. The band went to New York by way of New Mexico, and again established a good following. Despite success ,the band opted to go back to New Mexico in search of a warmer climate, and it was there, in 1968, the band recorded ''Relax Your Mind" in Norm Petty's historic studio in Clovis. (which was shelved until the Collectables Label released it in 1994).
Frantic has been compared to the Yardbirds, the Amboy Dukes, and the Pretty Things. Geared more for an underground audience "Relax Your Mind' stands as a perfectly preserved period piece.
despite frequent lineup changes, "Conseption'' was released after the band had trimmed down their name (to simply ''Frantic") in 1971 for the Lizard Label, which died on the vine. And so went another great band that again, with proper advertisement and label support could've done so much more.
(with material written by Beverly Paterson)
you can check out the Pacific NW Bands site HERE

Devil's Kitchen - 1968-69

Devil's Kitchen was a four piece that played and lived in San Francisco from the spring of '68, to the summer of 1970. The house band fro Chet Helm's Family Dog Ballroom on the Great Highway. Opening and performing with many bands' of the time and playing everywhere from the Whiskey to the Fillmore West. The band fell apart in the summer of 1970 while on tour and ran into trouble playing universities due to the shooting at Kent State. Their last big gig was at the Kickapoo Creek Rock Festival in Hayward Illinois.

Sadly the band never released any recordings until this release.

Murasaki - 1970 - 1978 / 2000 - Present "S/T" 1975 - "Impact" - 1976 "Doin' Our Thing at the Live House" - 1977

Formed in Okinawa in 1970, Murasaki were an influential Japanese  hard rock band. The name translates to ''Purple" as the bands main influence was Deep Purple (a cover of Lazy is featured on their debut album). Credited with creating the Okinawan rock scene as well as kicking off the rise of rock music from the mainland, Japan.

Twins Toshiro Shiroma and Massau Shiroma well as a third brother Tsutomu Shiroma had a band in1968. In 1970, George Murasaki asked Toshiro and Massau if they would like to form a band and with the help of Yukio Shimoji they formed Murasaki. Their debut album as well as their 2nd  album Impact garnered record sales as the rock scene was just gaining popularity in Japan.

In 1978 Murasaki disbanded and George Mursaki formed the band George Murasaki & Mariner. which included Hiroto Arasaki, who years later would become Murasaki's vocalist. The band released two albums and disbanded.

In 1983 the band reunited and released a live album Why Now? Peaceful Love and Rock Concert which spawned the Peaceful Love & Rock Festival which has run annually for thirty consecutive years.

 In 1992 Murasaki has the honor of opening for the Ian Gillan Band.

Discography:

Murasaki" s/t full length 1975

 "Free "/ "Do What You Want" single 1976

''Impact'' full length 1976

"Doin' Our Thing at the Live House" live album 1977

"Starship Rockn Rollers" single 1978

"Starship'' compilation 1978

"Bourbon Spirits Live" live album 1979

"Murasaki Forever" compilation 1979

"Why Now?" live album 1983

"Back to the Rooots'' live album 1998

"Golden Best'' compilation 2005

"Purplessence" full length 2010 

'' 1972 legend" single 2012

"Eyes Wide Open" 2013

"Quasar'' 2015