Page 45 Singles - No.4 / Hard Road / Silence / Joint / Jug Session

Hard Road - "Pain in My Heart" b/w "Movin' Down the Line"
Marjon International - MIJ-528 Stereo U.S. 1972
Youtube comment says the band was from Youngstown area of Ohio. Are they the same Hard Road that did "It's So Hard to Find" in 1968? Does anyone know?

Silence - "Mother's Game" b/w "Devil Woman"
Holland, 1971 (Decca DL 25478)
Tough and crunchy, twin leads, sudden tempo changes, "Devil Woman" is like a proto-punk "Communication Breakdown" Not much is known about Silence. They were from Dordrecht, (home to The Zips, and Inca Bullet Joe, another fine Hans Van Hemert production) Although Hans has good recollections of his Cardinal Point productions, his recall about these productions are lost to the mist of time -- "I don't recall anything about Silence, I just have some recognition of the recording... the reason might be at that time, I didn't feel I was a skilled producer yet..."
This appears to be the 2nd Silence release. ("The Future of our Sister Felicity" being the first?) The recording session took place on January 21st, 1971, and included versions of "Gimme Shelter" and "Paranoid", but appear to have remained unreleased.

Joint - "Collage" b/w "Remember"
Zurich, 1971 Columbia Records.
From an insert inside the single: (translated from French):"Bruno and Hanspeter played in 1966 with "Les Spectres" (a band from Zurich), Giovi was the singer of the "New Earls", (a soul formation), and Stevie has played the drums with many dance orchestras.
JOINT was born in November 1969 at the "Blow Up" in Zurich, it's members are still amateurs, music occupying only their free hours. They are working their repertoire and technique three nights a week, in a cellar. Their first record was released in February, 1971, with Collage and Remember. Columbia 006-33581.

Jug Session - "Easy Here" b/w "Runnin' Down"
Polydor Germany 1970
Jug Session was formed in the late 60's in the North Brabant Province, Holland. The band released only one single before falling apart. The single, "Easy Here" b/w ""Runni' Down" were sung in English, heavily influenced by psych of the time such as Hendrix, and, Taste (which is very apparent), with excellent guitar and even funk tracks.

Cobra - Entire Catalog, 1971-72

Dutch band Cobra, was formed in 1969 in "Music City", The Hauge (home to bands like Q65, Golden Earring, The Motions, & more). After some time playing all over at clubs and festivals, they were able to secure a record deal with Polydor, via Freddy Haayen, who produced Golden Earring. Although the band was signed to a label, they never managed to release an L.P., and their entire catalog consists of five singles, including an earlier single under the moniker "Island."

The first single, "The War Will Soon be Over" (#33 on the Dutch charts for two weeks) was recorded at Phonogram in Hilversum in 1970 (produced by Haayen). The second single, "I'm in Love" was also produced by Haayen and was recorded at the Soundpush Studio in the Hauge. The third single: "So Dissatisfied" (three weeks at #31) was written and produced by Craig Bolyn, (ex-NAZZ prod.), and the fourth "Don't Do Like I Do" was produced by Golden Earring drummer Jaap Eggermont was recorded at Soundpush as well.

"I'm In Love" b/w "I Feel Down"
Polydor 2050 121, 1971

"The War Will Soon Be Over" b/w "Midnight Walker"
Polydor 2050 078, 1971

"Don't Do Like I Do" b/w "Schoolgirl Blues"
Polydor 2050 196, 1972

"So Dissatisfied" b/w "What Next"
Polydor 2050 167, 1972

Island:
"Super Woman" b/w "Move Over"
Imperial 5C 006 24256, 1971

Page 45 Singles - No.3 / Phoenix Bird / Junction / Whistler's Mother / Masalla

Phoenix Bird - "Fuck the Cops" b/w "Parchment Farm"
Phoenix Bird was formed in New Hampshire in 1969, and recorded this one-off single, which existed only as an acetate until nearly 40 years later. According to the liner notes on the back cover of the sleeve, the band had hopes of being the next big power trio. And curiously enough, "Fuck the Cops" contains no profanity what so ever. Yet had it been released, it would have beaten N.W.A. to the punch by 20 years. The B-side is a rendition of Parchment Farm which is obviously very heavily influenced by Blue Cheer (and pretty much a cover of their version of the old prison tune from the mandatory milestone Vincebus Eruptum album) whereas F.T.C. is more along the lines of Cream.

Junction - "Sourcerer" b/w "Four Sticks"
Junction, from Green Bay, Wisconsin, was formed in 1970 by Darryl St. John (guitar), Ken Rentfliesh (bass), Jake Baenon (drums), and Tom Koffler (vocals). Independence day of 1971 marked Junctions first live appearance at an Upper Peninsula Michigan bar called Skinny's Tap, during which patrons and St.John's own father traded and absorbed punches. Later, Led Zeppelin's occult interest's would bring to Junction their own "Sorcerer." St.John's necromancer lyric and heavily Ecoplexed vocal were taped in a lowly Green Bay Basement on a pair of two tracks, one of them engineer David Pilz's, the other brought in by Markus Records head Mark McCall. A few hundred copies of the green labeled 45 appeared from Phoenix's Wakefield Manufacturing in 1973, with a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Four Sticks as the B-side. The "Sorcerer" side billed itself as "A Buffalo Production" immortalizing St.John's high school football nickname.
On Easter Eve, 1973, a horrific car wreck in desolate Ashland, Wi. ultimately broke Junction. Betwen a show and home, the band's '73 Dodge Maxi Wagon was struck by a sleeping drunk drivers swerving vehicle. Rentfliesh and Koffler were thrown from the wagon, unharmed; but St.John, trapped by the mangled steering wheel, was forced to watch as the other vehicles passengers tossed onto the hood burned alive. After months in the hospital, many lost teeth, a broken jaw, and a fractured skull, St.John returned to Junction and gigging in August, but his cohorts enthusiasm for partying had shrouded their will to rock. By late September, Junction was no more.

Whistler's Mother - "Dark Dawn" b/w "Goodbye"
1970 Private pressing. U.S. Killer dark psych.

Masalla - "Burning Feeling" b/w "Simple Words"
Climax Records / U.S. / 197?

Shepherd - "Are We Alone" b/w "Never Heard a Thing" 1970-71 / Snoblind - 1975

Mark Lillis' (guitar, bass,vocals) and Jeff Hilgert's (drums) musical friendship began in the mid-1960's while they were members of the Eau Clair, Wisconsin boys drum & bugle corp. They were also playing in rock bands during those years and in 1967, Joined Burlington Express along with Ken Matson (keyboard, vocal), and Bill Burling (bass). In 1968 they recorded a 45 RPM record, comprised of  Sam Cooke's "Shake", and "Three Time Loser" by Wilson Picket, which got considerable regional airplay.
Shortly thereafter, Michael Clifton joined the band on guitar and vocals, which was eventually followed by Bill Burling's departure. The remaining four members adopted the timely name "Krystal Sunshine."
In 1969, after losing Matson to a hot blonde, Mark, Michael and Jeff became a trio called Shepherd. Their abilities, ambitions, and popularity grew quickly, and they soon a keyboard player named Jay Peterson. Mike Richson (guitar,vocals) was later added for special effects.

Shepherd

Shepherd's live show was a mix of covers and original material, they performed at outdoor festivals, theaters, and clubs in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Iowa. Two of the bands original compositions: "Are We Alone" & "Never Heard a Thing" were recorded at Scott Sound Studio in Eau Clair in 1968, and both songs still stand as solid rock music of the era.

Shepherd disbanded in 1970. Mark, Jay, and Jeff, moved to Milwaukee where they played with John Paris and James Solberg in the bands Bacon Fat, and Dynamite Duck. Michael remained in Milwaukee and helped form Snoblind.

In 1973, Snoblind moved to Madison, where they were already well known. A Few months later, Mark and Jeff packed up to once again join forces with Michael and Snoblind in Madison.

Jeff returned to Eau Clair in 1974 to play with Mike Richson in Not Guilty. Around that time Steve "Zues" Johnstad ("vocalist extraordinaire") Joined Michael and Mark in Snoblind. The band continued to expand musically while becoming evermore popular until it's demise in 1976.

Hear the flipside to this tune, "Never Heard a Thing" HERE

Shepherd

Live at Hannah's, Milwaukee, Wi, 1975

Live at Hannah's, Milwaukee, Wi. 1975

Boot - s/t 1972

Hailing from Port Richie, Florida, bassist Dan Eliassen and drummer Jim O'Brock put their first band together in 1972. Originally known as the Kingsmen, they opted for a name change when the Washington based Kingsmen scored a hit with "Louie-Louie." Morphing into the Allusions. Eliassen, O'Brock and a changing cast of players continued to perform at school dances and teen centers.
By 1966, the lineup featured O'Brock, Eliassen, lead guitarist Bruce Knox, and rhythm guitarist Mike Mycz. They's also opted for another name change, The Split Ends, as well as moving away from performing largely cover songs to penning their own material.
Soon, signed by the local SPF Records, they also made their recording debut with a 1966 single: "Rich With Nothin'" b/w "Endless Sun" (CPF catalog: CPF 4)

The 45 proved a regional hit, and opening the door to wider exposure, including an opening slot on Dick Clarke's "Happening '68" television band contest.

youtube has a couple of interesting Split Ends clips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5EGoavo6Dw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ydaETY6wgg

In 1969, the band decided on another image and name change, this time adopting the moniker "Blues Of Our Time", quickly abbreviated to Boot. With a repertoire of largely original material, the band hit the road playing clubs and concerts nearly non-stop for the next four years.

Released by the Texas based Agape Records, the band debuted with 1972's cleverly titled "Boot." Co-produced by Mike Stone and Peter Thomason, the album was recorded in Nashville Tennessee at James Brown's Saturday/King Studio. With all four members contributing material the album featured a mixture of blues rock and blues rock, with the occasional stab at a more commercial tune. The band was blessed with three descent singers.
Not the most original blues/rock-boogie album you've ever heard, but the band performed with considerable energy, and Knox was a very talented lead guitar player.
The album did nothing commercially, and the band continued for roughly a year before calling it quits.

Odyssey - "Setting Forth" 1969

Originally "released" in a plain white cardboard jacket, came one of less than 100 copies of a quintessential dose of New York psychedelia loaded with heavy, swirling organ, ferocious fuzzed out guitar, and powerhouse vocals.
The band was Odyssey, and their album, "Setting Forth", did not take them from support slots in their native Long Island to the major label heights of other locals like Vanilla Fudge. It is, however, one of the rarest and most sought after U.S. psychedelic albums, and therefor commands an impressive price to those lucky enough to actually find one for sale.
It has, however, been remastered and repackaged on L.P. and CD.

Recorded in 1969, I found it to be universally considered one of the cornerstones of underground psychedelic music. (a description that I alone can't simply reserve for one band in itself) It is, without a doubt, fairly wicked, garage driven, hard rock with loads of wah and organ psych and prog moves which are well balanced. The weakest track being the 2nd track, "Sally" which isn't all that bad, but most all of the material is strong as hell and makes it easy to recommend it to every fan of hard psych out there.
In my research, which led me to a large number of reviews that seemed to all agree on the merit of the guitar and organs performance, I also found most of the complaints focused on the vocals, and the singer's ability overall.
And since I'm a workin' man, I'll opt for the re-issue.

Original

Lion Productions re-issue

Trip Records version

Liquid Smoke - s/t 1969

Liquid Smoke were a Long Island, New York band consisting of Sandy Pantaleo (vocals), Vince Fersak (guitar), Mike Arculeta (bass), Chas Kimbrell (drums), and Bill Ninnman (keys).
The group formed while they were students at ECU and signed with Avco Embassy in 1969, releasing their lone album in early 1970 which was produced by Vinny Testa who also produced Frijid Pink, and also co-produced with Shadow Morton The Merchant of Dream's 1968 psych masterpiece: "Strange Night's Voyage."
The track: "Lookin' for Tomorrow" was the highlight of Peruvian bandGerardo Manuel & El Humo's debut LP: "Apocallypsis." The album also includes their single, "I who Have Nothing", a cover of the Ben E. King hit which was also covered earlier by Terry Knight and the Pack, and later by Tom Jones and Sylvester. Sandy Panaleo would later go on to a successful acting/vocalist/composer carreer as Sonny Rose.

Page 45 Singles - No.2 / Old Lumber / Big Bertha / Toby Jug / Toby Jug & Washboard Band

Old Lumber - "The Water Sprite" b/w "Only Bodies"
1971 Lagua Records, Germany.
The Band's sole release.

Big Bertha - "Munich City" b/w "Funky Woman"
United Artists, 1970. Formed in 1969 by Dave Ball (guitar), Dennis Ball (bass), and Cozy Powell (drums), three ex-members of the Ace Kefford Stand. Pete French (vocals) and Pete Ball (keys) completed the original lineup. In 1969 the band made a single for Atlantic Records. Although the A-side, "The World's an Apple" was a new song, it's instrumental coupling, "Gravy Booby Jam" was previously issued as being by the Ace Kefford Stand. A further single "Munich City" was only released in Europe, where Big Bertha often toured. In 1970, Powell left to join Jeff Beck, while French opted for Atomic Rooster. Big Bertha split up in 1971, Dave Ball became a member of Procol Harum until 1972.

Toby Jug - "Breakaway Man" b/w "Brotherhood" 
Awesome gritty and obscure rock/pop from the British Isles. This was a one-off 7" for Decca. "Brotherhood" is blissfully abrasive, while the A-side is relatively tame folk rock. 1971
UPDATE/EDIT: Affiliated with Toby Jug and Washboard band. What correlation is unclear, (still can't find much info) but they share a youtube channel.

Toby Jug & Washboard Band - "Elastic Ladyland"
*see abouve. From the album "Greasy Quiff", 1970. Only 50 copies made, therefore one of the most collectable folk/psych albums from the U.K. Reissued on CD (with 17 tracks, none of which from the Decca 7" abouve) in 2002 on killer re-issue label Kissing Spell Records.

Bare Sole - "Flash" 1969

The English coast town of Hull produced a couple of highly regarded bands/artists, including Mick Ronson, Robert Palmer, and the Hullabaloos. The city was also home to Bare Sole, a heavy psychedelic rock and blues band that toured a handful of out of town gig's and U.S. air bases in Germany supporting bands such as Family, Status Quo, The Move, and Small Faces in 1969-70. Sadly the band's entire existence lasted inside a little over a year. Unfortunately the band never released an album, and thus vanished into obscurity.

They did however, record a damn fine demo tape (rejected by Decca) from a recording session at Fairview studios, assisted by writer/producer Keith Herd, and galvanized by an enthusiastic local poultry farmer, Bare Sole captured their primitive garage mannerisms inside of one fiery recording session which nearly 40 years later, finally sees the light of day as an official release. Seductive, garage/blues/psych with explosive doses of fuzz, wah-wah, and Farfisa organ.

Blue Planet - 1970-71

Blue Planet was a hard rock band from Den Haag, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. The band only existed for a brief period from 1970 to '71, and scored a small hit with "I'm Going Baby, I'm Going"
In their short lifespan, the band released 3 7"singles for Phillips:
"I'm Going Baby, I'm Going" b/w "Nothing in the World" (1970)
"Times and Changes" b/w "Please Don't Shake Me Baby" (1971)
"Boy" / "Climb the Mountain" (1971)
Blue Planet consisted of: Aad van der Kreeft, Arthur Bausch, Peter, Wassenaar, & Ron Bausch.
After Blue Planet, some members went on to join with other acts, such as: Oscar Benton Blues Band, Think Tank, Twelve O'Clock, Plant, InCrowd, Galaxie-Lin.

"Beat Behind the Dikes" TV Show, 1970

A new kinda groove... "Page 45" Singles - No.1 / Hjarter Sex / High Broom / Image / Shane

Often I've run across a 45 that I can only fine the A-side, or sometimes, only the B-side to, and not much info to accompany it. Sometimes there's no info what-so-ever about it, but it's a worthy post, as it relates to the subject which gathers (a few) of us here. (ie; it's HEAVY, and it's from around the mid-to-late 60's through 70's).
So I'm going to try a new type of entry, or post called "Page 45" where I will feature four or five of these 45's (7"'s) that have little or no info and would otherwise make for a very short entry. As usual, I'll try to do the best research I can for artwork and/or band information, but for the most part, these "Pages" will feature mostly just the music. Also, I will "tag" or "label" each of the entries by the Band's name, or, whenever that's not available, by song title. (but not both).
So we'll cal this, "Page 45 No.1"

Hjarter Sex - "Star Star Star" b/w "Listen"
Sweden, 1974

High Broom - "Percy's On The Run"
B-Side to "Dancing in the Moonlight" written by
Sherman Kelly of King's Harvest. It was originally
recorded by the American band Buffalongo in 1969, which included Kelly on vocals. The song was suggested to King's Harvest by Sherman's brother, Wells Kell, King's Harvest's drummer in the early 70's. The version featured as the A-side of this tune, was released in 1970, and is the band's sole release.

Image - "Witchcraft - 71" b/w "Hot Blood"
Total fucking mystery to me. The A-side, "Witchcraft - 71" Sounds a bit like Black Sabbath, I mean, literally, the exact same notes as the self title song from the self titled album of that good ole Polka-Tulk Blues Band (a.k.a. Sabbath). A fine proto-metal/Doom specimen. I believe from the US. (the record company is from Illinois, and back then, bands on this level tend to be local to their label. 1971. Also a second 45 from this band: "Kind of a Drag" b/w "Wine"

Shane - "Woman Don't You Go" b/w "Roadrunner"
1968 on Top Cat records. B-side "Roadrunner written by Holland, Dozier, Holland.

Cool Feet - "Burning Desire" 1976 / "Mister" 1974 / "Alone in Your Cage" 1975

In 1968, Rich Ruppel (drums), Mike Nash (bass/vocals), and Romain Georgan (guitar/vocals) formed Cold Feet and played hard rock, at first, with English lyrics. 1974 saw the release of "Mister" b/w "Woman." Following, in 1975 was the "Alone in Your Cage" b/w "to Hell and Black" 7".
An LP self released by the band, appeared in in 1976, titled Burning Desire, and is believed to be a press of 200 to 400 copies.

In 1980, the band took kind of a pop/rock direction with a replacement singer and a released their first single with lyrics sung in German. The band continued to use German lyrics for the rest of their career.
After Guy Heintz joined the band in 1992, they released an e.p., Bistro, and saw a No.3 single with  "Drenkt E Pat Op Mech." They've released as many as 13 more CD's through 2001.

Burning Desire pretty much stands alone as the only album of it's type by the band. The opening title track, has many elements of early Iron Maiden (with an uncanny gallop and technical guitar leads), the rest has an almost Scorpions type feel to it, say from Lonesom Crow days.
Definitely a stand out release.