Standells gig poster 66

This was an announcement/press release from our production company "Greengrass Productions" and our manager Burt Jacobs "B-J Enterprises". Of course this was for "Hollywood Palace", the only gig in which the Standells wore tuxedos. It seemed that almost every performer wore formal wear on that show.  Larry was against the custom made tuxedos, and thought they were a waste. But he was outvoted by the other members of the group!
thanks Gary-

Standells bio-correction, charts, hits...and more

Letter from Gordan McLendon, warning the recording industry not to play records with raunchy lyrics. "Try It" was his target. Even though Gordo had a shady past (which I cannot go into detail on, but we can say he was an acquaintance of Jack Ruby's), he managed to destroy what was penned by Billboard magazine to be the Standells next hit record.

´ Bout the video. . .
"Big Boss Man" performed by the Standells on the TV show "Shivaree".

As you can tell, this is a hard driving rock song with the same chord structure and almost the exact harmonica solo as "Dirty Water". The 45 record was released by VJ Records in early 1965, months before the Standells met Ed Cobb and recorded "Dirty W ...ater". "Big Boss Man" provides further proof that, unlike what many falsely have claimed, Cobb did not seriously alter the direction of Standells music.

This misinformation can actually be traced to the liner notes of the early Rhino Records Standells re-releases such as "The Very Best of the Standells" (1981-1984). The Standells were not approached when these notes were created; only Ed Cobb's company AVI Records was contacted. As the story went, the Standells were a clean cut prep rock group before hooking up with Cobb, at which time he completely changed their image and sound. The story painted Cobb as more than just the Standells producer; it claimed he also booked the group and hardened their image - he was their 'Svengali'.

This was unadulterated bullshit.
`Bout history...

In truth, Cobb was only a producer; nothing more. As far as the assertion that Cobb hardened the group's clean cut image; this was fairytale, totally invented by AVI Records. This is evidenced by the early 1964 photo of the Standells with long hair (Photos, Standells 1963-1969). The photo was taken almost TWO Years before the Standells were introduced to Cobb. The fact is, the Standells were the first American rock group to grow long hair! They had done so after seeing photos of the Beatles in European magazines (before they became huge sensations in the U.S).

Unfortunately, in order to work at PJ's nightclub in 1965, the Standells were forced to trim their mop tops. At the time, PJ's would not tolorate long hair on groups. Their policy was also not to allow groups to play their own original songs - thus the criticism that the Standells were 'only a cover band' (So were the Beatles when they played clubs). In fact, after leaving PJ's in 1966, the Standells began to grow their hair back out (not at Ed Cobb's direction) and perform much of their original music on stage.

Most of the Standells bios on the internet today are derived not from the Standells, but from the dribble witten by Cobb's company. The Standells have repeatedly tried to correct the false information, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. So if you have the opportunity to read one of these faux bios (especially by Richie Unterberger), please feel free to voice your complaint!
(Larry T)

Again...big thanks to Gary Schneider-
HINT: CLICK ON PICTURES FOR bigger size!

No more school-walking alone...4 rock stars with you...

(click on the picture for a betteread)
What a find...
Back in the days...but the guys dont remember about driving kids or something...but they do remember the hot girls...

Good to know that...

(1) new member 66/67, (2) rare as hell, (3) wanna post three pics 67

The Standells - The Live ones (1966)

Vynyl ryp
from a friend that says:
" hola bomber. Grandes discos estos que posteas de The Standells, uno de mis grupos preferidos
Por si lo quereis, aquí os dejo el "The Live Ones", ripeado de mi vinilo de 10" en FLAC."

Get some
-By the way friends, have your cigarettes been tasting different lately...
>you shouldnt say that!
Sometimes, good guys dont wear...nothing!

The Standells live at "P.J.s" San Francisco (1964)

The Standells - Zebra in the kitchen(1964)/B.J. Quetzal(1965)

Zebra in the kitchen 1964

Even though the Standells were signed to Liberty Records, we were allowed a special record deal with MGM Records. The recording Zebra in the Kitchen, was the title song from the movie of the same name, starring Jay North. Sung by Larry, the song was produced by Perry Botkin Jr., who was quite a well-known composer / arranger for films in those days. The song was not written by us. It was not even written as a rock song and we had to completely re-arrange it.(Larrys Tamblyn notes)

B.J. Quetzal 1965
Also found something nice n interesting here

This was the flip side of The Boy Next Door, B.J. stands for Burt Jacobs, our manager. It was an instrumental. (Larrys notes)

Early stuff...not what we are get used to listen about the guys, but quite lovely too, its impossible not to move your feet with the rhythm!!!
I prefer the zebra in the garage...sory in the kitchen, I saw one similar here.

The Standells - Bad guys dont wear black

A quick one, doble douse of rarities. Just cant get enough of the masters.
Did i tell ya this is one of my favourites yes? Well, this is another to complete the collection.
Quieren mas?More? check here.
A quick one, low on weight and a nice quality.
Stay in tune for more of the Boston boys.

The north-american Beatles ? well I like`em more...yeah...

The Standells Dirty Water 7"

A finales de 1965, gracias a Cobb, los Standells publicaron "Dirty Water" en el sello Tower (de la Capital Records). El éxito fue brutal, y en julio del 66 "Dirty Water" se encontraba en el número 11 del Billboard. La canción, escrita por Cobb, era toda una demostración de saber hacer standelliano, con un riff pegadizo y un sonido muy Rolling Stone. Gracias a este éxito, los Standells fueron los teloneros de la gira de Sus Satánicas Majestades en ese mismo año.

RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP

The Standells Re-posts...

The Standells: Why pick on me (1966)

INFO EXTRA (classicbands):

The Standells had two more top 40 records, "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" and "Why Pick On Me". However, neither achieved the success of "Dirty Water". They were also featured in the motion picture Riot On Sunset Strip, in which they performed the hard driving theme song of the same name. Over the years, the band's relationship with Ed Cobb began to become more-and-more dictatorial, allowing them less and less input into their music. Cobb attempted to change their sound into Blue-eyed soul, with such songs as "Can't Help But Love You" and "Ninety Nine and a Half". The band recorded a total of five albums, including "Standells in Person at PJ's", "Dirty Water", "Why Pick on Me - Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White", "The Hot Ones", and "Try It". The latter, contained the song of the same name which embroiled them in controversy and perhaps solidified their punk image, while at the same time aiding in their demise. "Try It" exhibited a return to the group's raw and raunchy sound. It was considered by many to be the group's comeback hit record. However, it was banned by reactionary Texan radio chain mogul Gordon McLendon, a Christian fundamentalist, who considered the song's lyrics to be obscene. Actually the lyrics by today's standards were pretty tame. Even though the record was the number one seller in many markets, including Los Angeles, most of the radio stations followed McLendon's lead and refused to play it. The group even debated the Texan on Art Linkletter's Let's Talk TV show, and by most accounts defeated him handily by pointing out his hypocrisy. But it was all to no avail. The song died and so did the group's popularity and hopes of another hit record.

From Geocities

Why pick on me/Sometimes good guys dont wear white (1966) - Named after the two singles pulled from this album, it was a strong follow-up from Dirty water, but for some reasons still failed to reach the charts. Strongest moments are without doubt the Cobb-penned Have you ever spent the night in jail, and the two title tracks.

Allmusic

This pop-punk relic isn't bad, but as the best of these songs — "Why Pick on Me," "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White," "Mainline" — have been issued on whatever best-of Standells compilation you might pick up, its appeal is really limited to big fans. Of the more obscure tracks, "Black Hearted Woman" is a decent slow, menacing number, "Mr. Nobody" a decent punky cut, and "The Girl and the Moon" one of their best pop-oriented compositions. This CD reissue adds five tracks that were previously unissued in the U.S., which are okay but nothing too special.

Ok so we have an album with a lot of great covers like "my little red book" and "paint it black", some experimental work and nice touches of garage. Not that wild in comparisson of the other albums.

LINK: SOMETIMES GOOD GUYS DON`T WEAR WHITE

The Standells: Try it (1967)

ALBUM REVIEW (cazorla)

Ok here we have an amazing album, a trully masterpiece. A full garage classic, its said that this is their greatest record... to me it`s just another piece of the great work that the Standells leave us... including In person at P.J.'s, Dirty water, Hot ones & Why pick on me/Sometimes good guys dont wear white. Ok a trully classic, with great songs like "trip to paradaise", the great and melancholic version of "St James Infirmary", a classic like "barracuda", "did you ever have that feeling". You can realize the great capacity of not only good and strong songs... but great lyrics too ! in this case..."poor shell of a man". And the classic "Riot on Sunset Strip".

From Geoc

Try it (1968) - Their last album, this contained possibly their best moment ever, the single Try it which after being banned by most radio stations because of it's suggestive lyrics failed to chart. Later re-releases also include their last single Animal girl.

Allmusic

The Standells' final studio album is a mixed effort, despite the outstanding title track. The early Pink Floyd-like "All Fall Down," "Barracuda," and especially "Riot on Sunset Strip" are top-notch pop-punk, but the record is weighed down by some ill-chosen soul covers and some weak pop material.

IMPORTANT - MASTERPIECE - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

LINK: TRIP TO PARADISE ...

The Standells: Hot Ones! (1966)

ALBUM REVIEW (Am.)

Having the Standells do an album of 1966 Top 40 covers — in 1966 — was a boneheaded idea to begin with, and hardly worthy of revisitation. This CD reissue eliminates of a couple of the ten songs (which are available on other Standells reissues on Sundazed), and adds seven rare tracks of mild interest, most of which were previously unissued, or previously unavailable in the U.S. These include the early 1965 cut "You Were the One," and a vaguely Beatleish number; a couple of outtakes from their 1966 Try It album, including a reasonably nifty 11-minute instrumental jam, their unreleased version of "Misty Lane," which was done better by The Chocolate Watch Band; a rendition of the Graham Gouldman song "School Girl," and the awful, vaudevillian-flavored single they issued under the name the Sllednats.

Even though they never sought out the image, the Standells are listed in most rock history books as the God Fathers of Punk Rock. Perhaps it was because of their snarly, moody look or their vicious, burning sound. Perhaps it was the us - against - them lyrics found in their songs. Regardless, it's a label that they've learned to live with. (classicbands)

This album will rock your heads off ! ! !... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ... COMING SOON A MEGA POST ABOUT THE STANDELLS ... just delight your ears and download this beauty ...

LINK: DIRTY WATER ! ! !

The Standells: Dirty Water (1966)

ALBUM REVIEW (Am.)
Along with Why Pick on Me, this was the group's strongest album, although you're always better off with a greatest hits collection. "There Is a Storm Comin'" and "Pride and Devotion" are a couple of strong numbers that don't make it onto compilations, and "Rari, " the moody B-side of "Dirty Water, " tis one of their best little-known tracks. The CD reissue takes off one cut (the easily found "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White") and adds six bonus tracks of only mild interest, including a version of "Batman." Add points for finding a longer version of "Rari, " though.

Ok this is highly recommended... what is not of the Standells !?!? Really great album... this band is also on my top 10.

LINK: THERE`S A STORM COMING !

The Standells: In Person at PJ`s (live 1964)

BAND BIO (AM.)

The Standells made number 11 in 1966 with "Dirty Water," an archetypal garage rock hit with its Stonesish riff, lecherous vocal, and combination of raunchy guitar and organ. While they never again reached the Top Forty, they cut a number of strong, similar tunes in the 1966-67 era that have belated been recognized as '60s punk classics. "Garage rock" may not have been a really accurate term for them in the first place, as the production on their best material was full and polished, with some imaginative touches of period psychedelia and pop. The Los Angeles band were actually hardly typical of the young suburban outfits across America who took their raw garage sound onto obscure singles recorded in small studios. They'd been playing L.A. clubs since the early '60s, with a repertoire that mostly consisted of covers of pre-Beatle rock hits. Drummer (and eventual lead singer) Dick Dodd had been a Mouseketeer on television, organist Larry Tamblyn was the brother of noted film actor Russ Tamblyn, and Tony Valentino was a recent immigrant from Italy. Gary Leeds (later to join the Walker Brothers) was an early member (though he was replaced by Dodd). The Standells' pre-"Dirty Water" history is a little vague and confusing; they recorded some ordinary albums and singles for Liberty, MGM, and Vee Jay, appeared in the movie Get Yourself a College Girl, and did a lot of television work (most notably a well-remembered guest appearance on The Munsters, where they did a woeful version of "I Want to Hold Your Hand"). There were flashes of gritty inspiration on early cuts like "Big Boss Man" and "Someday You'll Cry," but the group didn't really hit their stride until teaming up with producer Ed Cobb, formerly of the clean-cut vocal group the Four Preps. It was Cobb who wrote "Dirty Water," which marked quite a change of direction from their previous clean-cut image. In fact, the group didn't even like the song, which took about six months to break into a hit. Their image now considerably toughened, the group churned out four albums in 1966 and 1967, as well as appearing in (and contributing the theme song to) the psychedelic exploitation movie Riot on Sunset Strip. Cobb, in addition to writing "Dirty Water," also penned their other most enduring singles, including "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White," "Why Pick on Me," and 'Try It" (the last of which was widely banned for its suggestive delivery). The group did write some decent material of their own, such as the tense "Riot on Sunset Strip," and the psychedelic "All Fall Down," which bears an interesting similarity to some of Pink Floyd's early work. Their albums were quite inconsistent — in fact, one of them, consisting of covers of big mid-'60s hits, was altogether dispensable — which makes it advisable for all but the truly committed to look for greatest hits compilations that selectively weed out the best stuff.The Standells never had a stable lineup; bass players were constantly leaving (John Fleck, aka John Fleckenstein, who was briefly in an early version of Love, held the spot for a while), and Dick Dodd went solo in 1968, the year they released their last single. Tower, as was the case with most of its artists, didn't apply intelligent long-range planning to the band's career, issuing too many albums at once. The group didn't help their own cause by issuing an awful vaudeville-rock single, "Don't Tell Me What to Do," under the transparent pseudonym of the Sllednats. They didn't record after 1968, though the group dragged on in one form or another until the early '70s (Lowell George was even a member briefly).

THIS BAND IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ONES ... SO HERE`S AN OPINION THAT I DON`T AGREE MUCH... BUT IT`S TRUE IN SOME POINTS !

"In person at P.J.'s (1965) - Their debut album, and a rather mediocre affair. Mostly throwaway collage-rock cover version inc. Bony Moronie and Louie Louie. Not bad songs actually, but miles away from what they'd do later."(60s rockguide)

LINK: Ooh Poo Pah Doo