Nuggets from the *Early* Standells

The Standells' career began with "Dirty Water," right? Wrong! Although "Dirty Water" was their breakthrough hit and most successful single, by the time it came around, the Standells already had a reasonably impressive resume: over two years in the business, one album, seven singles (including the "bubbling under" hit "The Boy Next Door") and several TV and film appearances (including a memorable appearance on THE MUNSTERS).

Although often dismissed by "garage heads" (whatever that means), the Standells' early recordings include some fine songs, and unfortunately very little of this material has ever been reissued. Here are four of the Standells' best from their '64-'65 period, direct from the original vinyl:

1) "I'll Go Crazy"
2) "Peppermint Beatle"
3) "The Boy Next Door"
4) "Someday You'll Cry"

These songs come from rare singles released on the Liberty, Vee Jay, and MGM labels.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 60s
• garage
• punk
• records
• nuggets
• 45s
• vinyl
• munsters
• get
• yourself
• college
• girl
• ed
• cobb

[rslitman]

I know the song "I'll Go Crazy" as done by the Buckinghams, another "white derivative band". In very recent years, I have learned that this is a James Brown song.

[myrecordcollection]

Right: the Blues Magoos also did a fine version of it on their debut album, PSYCHEDELIC LOLLIPOP.

[wintergreen88]

Do you know on which album or compilation I can find these songs? They're quite good.

[myrecordcollection]

"I'll Go Crazy" and "Peppermint Beatle" were both on their Libery album, which was reissued on the budget Sunset label two years later. I *think* that album may have been reissued on CD on some British label--search for Standells Live at P.J.'s and see what you can come up with. As far as I know "Boy Next Door" isn't on any CD. "Someday You'll Cry" was put out on some comp CD, but I'm not sure which one.

[popgems]

Peppermint Beatle? whatta crazy track!

candy pop! thanx for posting, and 25 points for any

song with a speech midway thru, also pretty punchy

big-sounding recordings. I believe the "BJ Quetzal" B-side

had to be Sonny Bono-penned. He routingly did that with

the Sonny and Cher flip sides; more LA eccentricity...

[myrecordcollection]

Yeah that "Boy Next Door" song certainly is a bit dated. It reminds me of something that Zappa would spoof on a Mothers album: "You know, I spent all week waxing my car, but you still tell your friends I'm just your big brother." Still, it's definitely worth listening to as a way of getting familiar with the band's early sound. Three rockers, one ballad.

[kingoma61]

The Standells performed The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" on The Munsters TV series. Rhino released a collection of their greatest hits in 1984. "The Boy Next Door" was co-written and produced by Sonny Bono and was released on the VeeJay label which also released The Beatles' first album and singles off of it.

[cookmoore]

I GO crazy!!!!

[Chizoom]

@EmeraldFlowsion62 Dave Aguilar of the Chocolate Watch Band had a right to be pissed. His vocals were completely removed from their recordings and was replaced with Ethan, one of the two black guys I previously mentionedl. I am anything but prejudiced, but replacing Dave Aguilar's voice with a soul singer was absolutely ludicrous. Cobb at the time seemed to be stuck on blue-eyed soul. His dictatorial attitude was what led to the Standells break up.

[EmeraldFlowsion62]

@Chizoom He produced great stuff..without a doubt...but what he did is still shady as hell..and sort of stupid. He did it to bands who were more than able to produce the sounds he wanted...its just stupid.

[Chizoom]

@oldschoolhero66Thanks for setting everyone straight. Ed Cobb actually did the same with the Standells. Listen to "Can't Help But Love You" on the "Try It" album. This was about the time Cobb became full of himself. He used the same musicians on this as he did on the Chocolate Watchband. In fact he wouldn't allow the Standells to perform on this song (except for Dodd singing lead). When the band members asked why, Cobb told them "These guys sound more like the Standells than you do" Go figure!