Saturday, November 8

Medication


The Standells 'The Best of The Standells' (1983)
The Standells were thee punk band of the 1960s. They combined a snarly, moody look with a vicious, burning sound that made them the epitome of Teenage Punk. Their records were a tour de force of us-versus-them teenage stances packed into two-and-a-half minute, commercial rock songs. It all worked so well, that it seems amazing such a group could have emerged from their rather ordinary backgrounds.
Earlier in the decade the Standells -- Larry Tamblyn, Tony Valentino, Gary Lane and Gary Leeds (who was replaced by Dick Dodd in 1963) -- were a clean-living, fun bunch of bananas who layed down the rock hits of the day, like "Louie Louie" and "Money," at trendy clubs like P.J's and on a variety of TV shows like the "Munsters" and movies like "Zebra in the Kitchen" where a clean rock'n'roll band was needed. The group included one guy who spoke in a very unhip, broken Italian accent, and another who was a refugee from the Mouseketeers. After a few recordings of minor note, their fortunes changed upon meeting producer/songwriter Ed Cobb. The match was perfect. Ed was formerly a member of the super clean Four Preps!
Rather than a combined future in a Disneyland-like middle American Heaven, Ed and the boys pulled a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde and bounded back with a very seething, resentful, provoking approach that was very influenced by the Rolling Stones. Perhaps the years of growing up squeeky clean had suppressed a lot of angst that unleashed itself in the group's newfound personality.
-from the liner notes

13 comments:

robp said...

Excellent intro to the Standells. I have this on vinyl, and I'm pretty sure it contains Rari, the incredible b-side to Dirty Water, one of the best 45s produced in the 60s.

hdvns said...

This edition has no "Rari", but there is a reprint currently available that does. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

These guys rule. Riot on the Sunset Strip is awesome.

Oh, robot said...

Man, HDVNS...we DO have the same record collection! I think this means we ARE awesome! Keep on baby!

hdvns said...

Will keep on keeping on, brother!

Anonymous said...

Muito Obrigado , não conheço mais vou baixar , Grazie;Gracias;Merci;muchas gracias; Danke......etc,etc,etc

Anonymous said...

I had a tape that had the Standells on one side and the Chocolate Watchband on the other. It would help me deliver the chicken wings back in the day. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Ed Cobb in the Four Preps, never knew that! Gary Leeds went on to The Walker Brothers. Lowell George (Little Feat) and Dewey Martin (Buffalo Springfield) also were members briefly. "Riot on Sunset Strip" is a hoot of a movie. The original Ohio Express also do a great version of "Try It."

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this. Martin from Canada.

robp said...

I think the key to posting anonymously is not including your name.

Mr. Suave said...

Excellent indeed. The vinyl does have Rari which is a fantastic song. All the Standells stuff is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

Oh, robot said...

I think the key to posting anonymously is not including your name.


^

Win!

Anonymous said...

The Best of The Standells rocks!

Medication always reminds me of Stiv Bators. I can see him being influenced by that song.