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The Standells

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The Standells
OriginLos Angeles, California, USA
GenresGarage rock
Years active1962-2011
MembersLarry Tamblyn
John Fleck
Adam Marsland
Greg Burnham
Past membersDick Dodd
Tony Valentino
Gary Lane
Dave Burke
Jody Rich
Benny (King) Hernandez
Lowell George
Gary Walker

The Standells are a 1960s garage rock band from Los Angeles, California, often referred to as the "Godfathers of Punk Rock" [1][2][3]

History

The band was formed in 1962 by vocalist and keyboardist Larry Tamblyn [4] along with Tony Valentino, Jody Rich and Benny (King) Hernandez [5]. Larry created the name [6] which was derived from Stand ing around booking agents' offices trying to get work. Benny and Jody left the group and were replaced by bassist Gary Lane and drummer Gary (Leeds) Walker, later of The Walker Brothers. In late 1962 the group's name was changed to "Larry Tamblyn and the Standells" [7], but then reverted back to "Standells" in 1963. Gary (Leeds) Walker left the group in 1964 and was replaced by vocalist & drummer Dick Dodd. In 1966, the Standells had their first hit single with "Dirty Water," which reached #11 on the Billboard charts on June 11, 1966, #8 on the Cashbox charts on July 9, 1966 and #1 on the Record World charts. Gary Lane left the group in 1966, and was replaced by bassist Dave Burke. Bassist John (Fleckenstein) Fleck, formerly of Love, replaced Burke in early 1967.

Other popular tracks included "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" (later covered by Washington, D.C. hardcore band Minor Threat and Swedish garage band The Nomads), "Why Pick on Me," "Riot on Sunset Strip," and "Try It.", which was later covered by Ohio Express. Picked by Billboard Magazine to be the Standells' next hit, the song was banned by reactionary Texas radio mogul Gordon McLendon who deemed the record as having sexually-suggestive lyrics[8]. The Standells were asked by Art Linkletter to debate Mr. McLendon on his House Party TV show in 1967. By most accounts, McLendon was handily defeated. But, by then, most radio stations had followed McLendon’s suggestion not to play the record.

Several members of the band had noteworthy careers outside the Standells. In the late 50’s and early 60’s, Larry Tamblyn was a solo performer, recording several 45 singles, including “Dearest”[9], Patty Ann”[10], “This Is The Night”[11], "My Bride To Be"[12] and “Destiny”[13] for Faro Records. Larry is the brother of actor Russ Tamblyn and uncle of Amber Tamblyn, star of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. In the 60's, Dick Dodd was the original drummer for The Bel-Airs, known for the hit surf rock song "Mr. Moto". Dodd is also a former Mouseketeer. Lowell George, who would go on to play with Little Feat, briefly played guitar with the Standells in 1968.

Prior to their success on the Capitol Records label Tower;

  • (1963) they recorded one single for Linda Records (crediting Larry Tamblyn & The Standells). This wasn’t released until 1966.
  • (1964) they signed with Liberty in 1964 and issued 3 singles and an album "The Standells In Person At P.J.'s". The album was later re-issued as “The Standells Live and Out of Sight”.
  • (1965) they signed with Vee Jay in 1965 for two singles
  • (1965) they signed with MGM for one single.

Some rumors persist that the band had a relatively clean image and performed only cover songs before being teamed up with producer Ed Cobb and signing with Capitol (Tower). However, early 1964 photos counter that notion, showing the Standells with long hair, making them one of the first American rock groups to adopt that style. In order to work in conservative nightclubs like PJ’s nightclub, the group members were forced to cut their shaggy locks. Like the Beatles, early rock groups did mostly cover songs in nightclubs. Also rumored was that Cobb dramatically changed the Standells sound. Some of their earlier recordings like “Big Boss Man” Vee Jay sound remarkably similar to “Dirty Water”, including almost the same exact harmonica solo.

The group appeared in several low budget films of the 1960s, including Get Yourself a College Girl and cult classic Riot on Sunset Strip. The Standells played the part of the fictional rock group the “Love Bugs” on the television sitcom “Bing Crosby Show” in the episode “Bugged by the Love Bugs”. They also appeared as themselves on the television sitcom The Munsters in the episode "Far Out Munster," wherein the band performed "Come On and Ringo" and a version of The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand." In addition to performing an instrumental in the background in a Ben Casey episode "Three 'Lil Lambs", the Standells performed incidental music in the Connie Francis movie "Follow the Boys", which coincidentally co-starred Larry Tamblyn's brother Russ Tamblyn. The band also performed the title song in the movie "Zebra in the Kitchen"[14].

Despite the references to Boston and the Charles River in "Dirty Water," the Standells are not from Massachusetts. However, in 2007 the original group members were deemed honorary citizens of Massachusetts by official decree by the Massachusetts State legislature. Although "Dirty Water" was written by record producer, Ed Cobb, members of the Standells participated in the arrangement of the song. In 2007, "Dirty Water" was decreed the "official victory anthem" of the Boston Red Sox, and is played after every home victory won by the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Boston Bruins as well as at Northeastern Huskies' hockey games.

In 1999, the Standells appeared at the Cavestomp festival, and their performance was subsequently released as an album called Ban THIS!. As the title suggests, the Standells were thumbing their noses at McLendon. The band is still actively performing. They appeared at the second game of the 2004 World Series, appearing at Fenway Park again in 2005 and 2006, celebrating the anniversary of "Dirty Water". In 2007, the Standells performed the National Anthem at the first game of the 2007 American League Division Series at Fenway Park [15]. More recently, the Standells have stepped up appearances, appearing in such venues as the Cannery Casino and Hotel, Amoeba Records, Echoplex and the Whisky a Go Go . In 2010 the Standells toured in Europe, performing before enthusiastic audiences in over half-dozen countries [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] and are scheduled for a second European tour at the end of 2011. Presently, the band is recording a new record album [21], the first in over forty-six years. Today, the Standells lineup features Larry Tamblyn, John (Fleckenstein) Fleck, Adam Marsland and Greg Burnham[22].


Discography

  • The Standells In Person At P.J.'s. 1964
  • Dirty Water 1966
  • Why Pick On Me Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White 1966
  • The Hot Ones! 1967
  • Try It 1967
  • Riot on Sunset Strip (sound track from the movie of the same name) 1967
  • Rarities 1984
  • LIve and Out of Sight (The Standells in Person at P.J.'s with two bonus songs) 1966, 1990
  • Ban This! (1999 live recordings) 2000
  • The Live Ones (1967 live recordings) 2001

References

  1. ^ http://articles.latimes.com/2004/oct/31/sports/sp-plaschke31
  2. ^ http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8369147
  3. ^ http://www.factbites.com/topics/The-Standells
  4. ^ http://ibdbooking.de/v1/?p=1624
  5. ^ http://www.garagehangover.com/?q=Standells
  6. ^ http://tess2.uspto.gov/
  7. ^ http://www.last.fm/music/Larry%2520Tamblyn%2520%2526%2520The%2520Standells
  8. ^ http://www.klifhistory.com/pgthree.html
  9. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB_zpmfT_Lo
  10. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2HFBN9kbK4
  11. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUm5AFrmeJc
  12. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RPd9JnJqvI
  13. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QbUIL8qjdU
  14. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKib2i7BhKM
  15. ^ http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/10/03/beckett_pumps_up_boston/
  16. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROP-Xvst1ww
  17. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2JTQBxtxyc
  18. ^ http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Standells%2C+Cafe+Mono&aq=f
  19. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDHHmpfcld4
  20. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3rXCm4chIk
  21. ^ http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/258002155/garage-punk-legendsthe-standells-to-record-new-alb
  22. ^ http://www.freepresshouston.com/music/testify-larry-tamblyn-of-the-standells/
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