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 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 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.
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
A 1970's hard British rock style with psych moves on the two long epics. Plenty of raw guitar, synth, pianos, & heartfelt vocals all wrapped up in a consistent package that displays talent and self confidence. Maybe too much of a 70's mainstream sound for some, indeed it would've deserved to come out on a major label. Should appeal to fans of Felt, on Nasco. -Acid Archives The cD was remastered at Abby Road studios, available on EREBUS Records.
One of the truly independent labels that I've come across, and I mean truly independent, not like Vertigo, in which case it's the ''progressive" off-shoot of Phillips, or Harvest being in the camps of Capitol, Rampart Street records is home to Stone Axe (not to be confused of the band of the 2000's of the same name) consisting of ex-members of Josefus, one of the most popular of the underground bands of the 70's.
Also, it's the label responsible for "Doomsday" by the Purple Sun. An amazing psych fuzz single that to this date, I've only been able to chase down a few scraps of info on them, or for this label as well.
Rampart Street Recording Studio was located at 6105 Jessamine, in Houston, Texas. "A subsidiary of Votan Corporation." Needless to say, I've found no info on the "Votan Corporation." The address is now an auto parts store.
Most of their catalog states 'Unknown" for release dates, with the exception of The Purple Sun (1970), and Stone Axe (1971).
Their entire catalog:
Stan Corbitt "Only One Girl Like You" (7"Single) cat.# 45-0307
From Alliance, Ohio, Morly Grey were a psychedelic rock band featuring Tim & Mark Roller (guitar and bass respectively), Paul Cassidy (Drums), and Randy Byron formerly of the Comin' Generation on guitar, but was not in the band for long. During the recording sessions Cassidy was not able to perform so Bob LaNave was brought in on drums. Each side of the lP was recorded at different studios with different drummers. "The only Truth" was released in 1972 (some magazines & collectors guides have the wrong date of release as 1969) the confusion may come from the albums catalog number bein 69000. Prior to the album, the band released a very rare self-released 45 called "Sleepy Softness" which is much lighter. (The b-side is the song played backwards). The albums first single was "Who can I Say You Are?, most copies of this pressing incorrectly list the title of the album "The First Supper"
Original copies of this album are in the high three digits. The album is strong all the way through and initially came wit a poster. BEWARE this LP has been counterfeited!!
In the 1980's Starshine records owner Floyd phillips released two outtakes on a 45.
Discography:
(45) Sleepy Softness / Yas (Speed1) 1969
(LP) The Only Truth (Starshine 690000) 1972
(45) Who Can I Say You Are / You Came to Me (Starshine 7201) 1972
(45) After me Again / A Feeling For You (Starshine 7202) 1972
(45) I'll Space You / Be Your King (7061) 198?
Early 70's Danish Blues/Hard Rock band that had two names: Sensory System and a parallel german career as Sensory started playing out in early 1970 and recorded their debut LP in 1972, however it wasn't released until 1974, In 1973 the band toured Norway and W Germany and in '74, their debut album was released in Denmark as Sensory System, the lp titled "Sensory!" and in Germany simply as a self titled lp. "Sensory". In 1975 their second album was released wit two band names as well only the album title was the same on both releases. "What we Are."
They disbanded in 1976.
Reminiscent of Alex Harvey or James Gang.
DAMN I love it when this shit happens! I spend a lot of time on the computer researching more obscure, more relevant, and even more worldwide music than anyone I know. And when a comp. comes along that's done as much, if not, but EVEN MORE research than myself, it forces me to step up my game. However since I don't release albums (anymore) I use these as a tool rather than competition. And when a tool of this sort comes around, it's something VERY special!!!
Consider the fuel at hand here for a fool like me. THANKS Riding Easy Records, for doing so much of my homework for me! That all being said, not since The Pebbles series has anything came remotely close to what has been done here. Brown Acid has done this and done it well.
Available from Riding Easy Records Brown Acid offers, in six volumes all the love of this webpage and more. I was contacted by lance, the curator of this massive collection who asked me if I'd "heard of it", "why yes, I have.." I replied. "...not only have I heard of it, i find it quite handy to refer to when looking for more bands to profile."
Known for releasing modern Bands such as: Monolord, The Picturebooks, Danava, and Salem's Pot, this comp series is a far out home run for Riding Easy! Incorporating Josephus, Punch, Ash, and many other artists that have been profiled here at Heavy 70's, along with more others that are new even to me, this comp series is a MUST HAVE for any serious collector of the long lost heavy sounds of the ones that slipped through the cracks or just got plain old left behind.
DON'T JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT These are MUST HAVE collections!
Order below!
Killer debut album. From Tulsa, Oklahoma, heavy guitar drive hard rock ala Highway Robbery, Nitzinger, Neil Merryweather, or Montrose. Dennis and Byron Totty along with a revolving door of drummers released a lesser lP in 1981: "Too."
Formed in Budapest, Hungary, in 1962 by the winds player Lazlo Benko on organ and Janos Kobar on guitar and vocals they initially played covers of British and American rock songs, frequently changing the lineup. in 1967, Tamas Mihaly came in on bass, Gabor Presser played keys and began writing original material for the band, contributing to the release of three LP's before leaving the band with Joszuf Luax (drums) to form Locomotive GT in spring of 1971. These first three albums were heavily influenced by the Beatles and psychedelic rock, but they also looked forward to the bands future of more hard rock, then progressive and space rock styles. The lineup hadn't changed since 1971 in 30 years. (releasing ten more albums between '71 and '87)
Omega have garnered international success through multiple language releases, and touring England and germany from the late 60's through the early 70's. Their 1969 song: "Gyongyhiju lynay" became an international hit and was covered by Griva on their 1987 self titled album under the title: "Devojka biserne kose" and by the Scorpions on a 1995 live release with new lyrics and changed name to "White Dove." (the Hungarian title was officially translated as "Pearls in Her Hair")
Southern rock band formed in New Orleans. With the help of Johnny and Edgar Winter's signature production, they were signed in 1974 to ABC/Dunhill with only one full length release to their credit. The album was mostly noted for the song "Busted in Georgia". The final album was re-recorded by Doors engineer & producer John Haeny. The band featured future members of the Johnny Winter band Bobby Torello and Pat Rush. Pat Rush later performed with Johnny Winter and The Jeff Healy band. Bobby Torello also went on to perform in such acts as Johnny Winter, Rainbow, Black Oak Arkansas, Grace Slick and Michael Bolton.
The original Release was on the famous and scarce label Guiness Records, a subsidiary of the Dellwood label.
