The Fantastic Dee-Jays: 30th Anniversary Re-Issue album (65-66)

BAND INFO (am)

A Pittsburgh garage band whose high point was opening for a Rolling Stones concert in 1965. They might have been total unknowns in the grand scheme of things, but they actually managed to cut a few mostly self-penned singles on local labels in 1965 and 1966 that are well respected by '60s collectors. The trio featured two guitarists and a drummer — a bass-less lineup, which is a rarity in rock music. Some of their singles were recorded at a local radio station, and indeed the crudeness of the production is fascinating, with mounds and mounds of reverb making the band sound like nothing so much as a garage punk version of Peter & Gordon. After five singles and an album, the group disbanded and evolved into the Swamp Rats, a harder-edged combo relying almost exclusively on nasty punk versions of big rock and R&B hits.

MORE INFO (60`spunk)
FANTASTIC DEE JAYS and TERRY LEE , Arondies

We are attacked from their double winner single 'Fight Fire/Get Away Girl' on killer comp 'Hipsville 29 B.C.'
They started as The Larks in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania. Denny Nicholson on lead gutier, Dick Newton on rhythm guiter, and Tom Juneko on drums. They were only 16 years old.
In early '65,WMCK deejay Terry Lee Cought their music. It was the bigging of the story. He managed them,and the band changed the name to Fantastic Deejays! Their early stuff was recorded in the WMCK studio after the midnight, and were on the air all day.
After School they spent their practice in the basement of Dick Newton's home. And they had gig on weekend.
'Fight Fire' was a Golliwogs' number. We can listen original one on 'Scorpio Record Story' one of Nuggets from Golden State series from Big Beat.(CDWIKD 129)
Golliwogs became famous CCR later. Terry Lee loved the song and show it to them.
Terry was not content to just polish the appearnce of the band. Days after school were spent locked aqay in the basement of Dick Newton's home. Terry made it a point to be at every practice to be sure that quality time was put into the music.He not only picked the songs they played, but organized their set and saw to it that the show was tight-no dead space between the songs. The hours were long and the work was hard,and the boys soon began to wonder if maybe Terry sasn't going a little overboard with his enthusiasm. One thing the DeeJays had in their favor was that their set was only a half-hour long.Terry didn't believe in overexposing tyhe band,preferring to leave the audience hungry for more.Such a short stage appearance also made the band wonder if all the work was going to be worth it.
The DeeJays' agonizing vanished with their first appearance at the Saturday night dance.Decked out in their new suits and sporting new equipment ,the band roared thorough tyheir set.The crowd went berserk,yelling,screaming and rushing the stage.The boys were shocked and amazed. Terry just smiled.He knew it would be like this all along.
The following night,Terry began the radio hype."You've got to see the DeeJays",he said."They are fantastic!" The description stuck. Kids came from all over to hear the new sound of ...The Fantastic DeeJays.
Deejays played as one of opening act for the Rolling Stones in '66.
The bands has became the Swamp Rats .

RARE GARAGE FROM 65-66, A SHORT LIVED BAND ... GREAT SONGS... A LOST ALBUM... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR CLASSIC-GARAGE-LOVERS !
TAKE A GOOD LISTEN TO "FIGHT FIRE" A LOST GARAGE TREASURE - AMAZING ! ! !

LINK: F-I-G-H-T F-I-R-E ! ! !