Nuggets from Max Frost and the Troopers

We all know their classic hit "Shape of Things to Come," but what about Max Frost and the Troopers' *other* songs? Here are some of their best, taken from a variety of vinyl sources and including songs featured in the films WILD IN THE STREETS and THE GLORY STOMPERS.

1) "Lonely Man"
2) "There Is a Party Going On"
3) "Free Lovin'"
4) "52%"

These songs come from some unusual sources, so I'll detail them here for interested collectors and scholars:

"Lonely Man" is featured on Max Frost and the Troopers' sole album, SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME, released on Tower in 1968. I don't own a copy of that actual album, but this song was also included on an old compilation called TURDS ON A BUM RIDE.

"There Is a Party Going On" is from the soundtrack of THE GLORY STOMPERS. The song comes from a promotional single on the Sidewalk label that has as its B side "The Stomper's Ride" by Eddie and the Stompers, another song from the GLORY STOMPERS OST.

"Free Lovin'" is the flipside of the hit "Shape of Things to Come." It was featured in WILD IN THE STREETS.

"52%" was the band's follow-up single and did make the charts, although only barely. I've taken the song from a promo 45 on the Tower label that has a stereo version on one side and the mono version on the flip. This was also featured in WILD IN THE STREETS.

As most garage fans are aware, Max Frost and the Troopers were a group in name only. In actuality they just a studio outfit masterminded by Mike Curb and featuring members of his regular crew, including Davie Allan and the Arrows and the multitalented Harley Hatcher. Three out of four of these songs feature the lead vocals of Paul Wibier, who was the real-life voice of "Max Frost" and provided vocals on their hit, too. "There Is a Party Going On" features vocals by an unknown, but anybody who knows Davie Allan will tell you that the lead guitar here is definitely his.

Mike Curb and his crew were known for producing cheap film music for exploitation films of the late 60s, and in my opinion they deserve every bit of recognition they get. Curb was responsible for linking the rock music industry to the film industry in a way that had never really been done before, and what's really amazing about the huge body of material that his "groups" recorded is how good most of it actually is. It was cheap and exploitative, but all things considered, it was also pretty decent music!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 60s
• rock
• garage
• punk
• psych
• nuggets
• vinyl
• records
• 45s
• LPs
• exploitation
• cinema
• OST

[1carolinasunshine]

Eww..I see your half my age, so you are not telling your age....lol, Im telling mine. I'm surprised. It's nice to know that the music is being kept alive....Thanks

[myrecordcollection]

40 years later, the damn thing is still a pretty cool movie for anybody interested in the 60s/youth culture/American politics/etc.

[kurskss]

Used to watch this all the time in Toronto on channel 79 either before or after the baby blue movies!..mostly after coming home from Larry's or the Crash and Burn Room! 1978 baby!

[imayankee1952]

Went to see this movie 3 nights in a row when it came out in 1968. I was 16. Just recently found it on DVD and shared it with my daughter. Her new catch phrase is "sneaky panther games", LOL!

[acegotflows]

Free lovin' is my favorite song from the whole movie. I rewind that intro over and over..

[davythekid]

Wow! I had this "Album" (as well as the soundtrack for "Wild In The Streets") I WAS 14 when this came out...you can bet I related to "Fourteen Or Fight!"  Seems Like I remember the song "Free Lovin'" was called "Captain Hassel" on the "Max Frost & The Troopers" record (??) I wonder if there is any film of the REAL group that did these songs?

[yiminnybuck]

But...now we're all over thirty. You should trust us now.

[dannodn2]

hey this is today..any-one 50 or over has to sign up for obama;s end of life counseling,,no place in obama's world for senior's

[acdeucee]

Back in my Bongo days we would enjoy this song. The movie was a bit disturbing ,but fun.

[yockybunny]

Great Music From A Great Movie!!

Absolutely SUPER!! :)

[farmercyst]

Love it. Fantastic informational post. I noted your recognition of Mike Curb. Remember "Burning Bridges" from the film "Kelly's Heroes" also credited to Mike Curb? Charted nicely.

[tcbfla]

Thanks for posting. Free Lovin was one of my faves. I have to get this on dvd now. Great movie, great songs, young Richard Pryor. I'm 39 btw, guess I'd be locked up in one of those camps now though.