Biography
The band originated in Newport, Oregon as "The Blazers" with the founding members, Bud Garrison (bass), Mike Parker (keyboard, vocal), Willy Reinen, (guitar, vocal), Norm Smith (drums) and Denny Randall (sax). In 1964, performances by the newly named "Mr. Lucky & the Gamblers" around the Portland area, attracted the attention of local dee-jay, Tom Mix, and "The Chase" teen club manager, Hal Bronson. To promote the act, Mix and Branson formed a record company and recorded the band's version of "New Orleans", which became a local hit in the Portland area.
In late 1965, the band made major changes to the line-up by merging with "The Rogues", consisting of Jim Graziano, Alan Gunter and Dave Maitland. The new band perfected a harsh garage / punk sound and evolved as one of the major dance circuit attractions in the Northwest. On New Years Day, 1966, they shared a concert bill with "Don & The Goodtimes" at Portland's Oriental Theatre. Don Galluci was so impressed with the band that they helped seal a record deal for them with Jerry Dennon's Panorama label. Two regional hits resulted: Take A Look At Me (a catchy punker tune, written and produced by Bob Holden and Don Galluci (of Don & The Goodtimes)), and Alice Designs (LSD Signs), produced by Bob Holden and written by Tandyn Almer of Along Comes Mary fame. Alice Designs, is an upbeat, California style commercial pop tune, complete with background harmony. On the flip side of the 45, is You Don't Need Me, a Union Gap style brass-pop tune written by Bob Holden. A fourth tune, "I Told You Once Before" (written by the band's own Alan Gunter) was also produced from these studio sessions, and evendually became the group's 2nd most popular song.
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In late 1966, the sax player, Denny Randall, left the band. Mike Parker followed suit in early 1967 and was replaced by keyboard player, Greg Perry, and vocalist, Jim Dunlop, (from Gentleman Jim & The Horsemen). After the band broke up in July of 1967, Dunlop, Graziano, Maitland and Perry formed The Sound Vendor; Parker joined a local blues band; former guitarist, Carl Wilson, joined Merrillee Rush & the Turnabouts; and vocalist, Jeff Hawks, hooked up with Don & The Goodtimes. In the late eighties Norm Smith became the State Representative from Tigard, Oregon and Greg Perry later played for Johnny & The Distractions.
Fast forwarding to the 21st century, a number of compilation CDs were released that included 3 of the group's original Jerden Records recordings.
- The History of Northwest Rock, Vol.2 - The Garage Years ( released: 1995 )
includes: Take A Look At Me
- The History of Northwest Rock, Vol.4 - Battle Of The Bands ( released: 02-28-2006 )
includes: Take A Look At Me
I Told You Once Before
- Northwest Battle Of The Bands, Vol.1 - Flash And Crash ( released: 11-28-2000 )
includes: Take A Look At Me
I Told You One Before
- Northwest Battle Of The Bands, Vol.2 - Knock You Flat ( released: 05-15-2001 )
includes: Alice Designs
- Teenage Shutdown - Jump, Jive & Harmonize ( released: 10-06-1998 )
includes: Take A Look At Me
- Northwest Battle Of The Bands, Vol.1 (Import) ( released: 03-13-2001 )
includes I Told You Once Before
- Northwest Battle Of The Bands, Vol.2 (Import) ( released: 12-27-2004 )
includes Alice Designs
- Northwest Battle Of The Bands, Vol.3 (Import) ( released: 09-17-2002 )
includes Take A Look At Me
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.