LOCAL SIXTIES ROCK BANDS ON RECORD

[mike kuzmin]

I"m a collector of60's regional rock n roll records issued by American bands. In addition to collecting, I enjoy tracing down former members of these teen combos to learn more about the bands behind the records as well as their hometown mid sixties music scene. I've been collecting these local sounds for about 25 years and became so fascinated by them that I decided to put together a book on the subject. I titled it SOUNDS FROM THE WOODS. Since I've lived in Pennsylvania all of my life I decided to concentrate material on the subject of rock bands from the Keystone state, covering the years 1964 to 1970. These were the peak years of the teen band, later referred to as garage bands. The music style I cover is that which was chiefly influenced by the Beatles and other British Invasion bands. The bulk of my book, as humble looking as it is, consists of a listing of these Pennsylvania records as well as some band history, trivia and band photos. Although my book is now in print, my research continues. I'd like to hear from anyone who played in sixties Pennsylvania bands or anyone who can me fill me in on your local sixties music scene in general such as clubs, recording studios, etc. If enough new information surfaces , a future rewrite of my book is possible. My book covers the Pennsy sound, but I'd like to hear from sixties band members from anywhere in the USA if they released at least one mid to late sixties regional rock record.
I'm not a writer by trade, but the results of my book are pretty satisfying. Comments and reviews in web sites have been positive.
A few Altoona area bands covered so far are Society's Children, Beaus OF Beethoven, the Showmen and JD & the Expressions. Please help me learn of more. Here are some bands and people I need help learning more about: The Esquires, Young Rebels / Phuzz, Fugitives, Renegades, Reactions, Weyds, Midnight Riders, Magic Mushroom, Mother Heads Family Reunion, Barry Aungst, George Rehart and a fellow named Filipiak.
I could also use more info on the State College scene.
Please contact me if you can help me learn more about Pennsylvania's rock sound on record in the sixties. Thank you. MIKE KUZMIN

[Jim Price]

Hey Mike, can that book be obtained locally? If so, where?

[Big Jim]

If you could publish a copy of the index, that could help us identify some bands that may have been overlooked, or at least we could give some info that could be considered for further study.

[Jim Price]

(Note: Mike emailed me some additional information; since he is still learning this site, I'm posting the info for him.)

My Pennsylvania sixties rock book at this time is only available by mail at MIKE KUZMIN, PO BOX 52, AVONMORE, PA 15618-0052. Copies are $12 each plus $3 postage in USA.

All records in my guide both confirmed and suspected as Pennsylvania based are alphabetized by band name regardless of what part of the state they may have been from. There is no index per se. Some of the bands listed in my first posting released records. For those I need to know their home base. Some I've been told had at least one single and need home base and record data such as label, song titles, release year. Others are band names listed in night club ads in the Altoona newspaper 1968 editions. The names of the individuals listed in my previous list to you were somehow involved in the local music scene. Some of this partial info was picked up while speaking to people in the Altoona area. To break it down again:

ESQUIRES - mentioned in the Altoona newspaper in 1968
Phuzz / YOUNG REBELS - same band. Mentioned in newspaper
FUGITIVES - issued at least one single. Need data. One member was George Rehart who later managed the Renegades. Possibly Huntington based.
REACTIONS - I have an acetate by them. Songwriiter lists a Hollidaysburg address in copyright. His name: Filipiak
WEYDS - Had a single on the Williamsport based Empire label. That's the same label as the Altoona 68 LP. need home base.
MIDNIGHT RIDERS - Mentioned to me by someone in Altoona area. Barry Aungst may have been a member.
RENEGADES - Possibly from Huntington. Had at least one single. need data and home base. They supposedly recorded in Nashville.
These bands appeared on the Altoona 68 album:
YOUNG LORDS
SYMBOLS OF TIME
DAY AFTER
INMATES
AFTERMATH
QUESTIONS
INSPIRATIONS
CRY
The next 2 released records and may be Penn State related:
MOTHER HEADS FAMILY REUNION - Possibly from State College. Need confirmed
MAGIC MUSHROOM - I'm told they were based in State College. Need more info.
I could use more history on all of these groups.

[moxham123]

3 Johnstown area bands from the late 1960's that had records out were:

Kindred Spirit - (2) 45 records. Under My Thumb and Peaceful Man both charted nationally.

The Instigations - (1) 45 record. I Don't Want To Discuss It was the local hit.

Satrycon - (1) 45 record. Leave It was the local hit.

I have all these records and happen to know some of the musicians.

[jangel]

Mike here is some info on my group "The Instigation". it was formed in 1967 with 5 musicians and later went to 8 , adding horns. we recorded the record in NY city at Musicor record studios in the summer of 1969. the record on the local level was T-Bird records and was bought by and distributed by the GRT label. It actually had 10 record companies bid on the rights. But GRT was not aggressive and the record didn't do much in America but has been on a long ride in Europe. As I write this, on Ebay the promo copy of this record is selling for $69.00. Go check it out. It has been a collectors item in Northern England and Ireland for yrs. The songs on the record are Little Richards "I Dont't want to Discuss it" and a Joe Tex tune called "The Letter Song". About 6 to 8 months after the record was released the band split over problems with the records producer & so called manager. We were fans of a band from Pgh called the Jaggerz. we used to go to the staircase lounge and watch them perform. The record is listed as Northern Soul genre.
any more info needed just let me know. also in 1962 a band called the "Intrigues" from Johnstown charted with an instrumental called Belly Dancer on the Brunswick label.
John