Founded 1964 in Plainfield, New Jersey, the Doughboys experienced a good deal of regional acclaim until calling it quits at the end of the decade.
When the Doughboys staged a reunion in 2000 for drummer Richie Heyman’s birthday party, the guys had so much fun they decided to keep the band going. Now here it is, nearly 20 years later and the Doughboys have produced a plethora of recordings, enjoy ample airplay, maintain a busy tour schedule and are worshipped by both the public and the press.
Consisting of Myke Scavone on lead vocals and harp, Gar Francis on guitar, organ and vocals, Mike Caruso on bass and Heyman on drums and vocals, the band is a real live wire, fireworking their way through slabs of smoking hot blues-baked rock and roll grounded in the vein of the Yardbirds, the Shadows of Knight, the Rolling Stones and the Pretty Things.
By no means mere imitators, the Doughboys have always concentrated primarily on self-composed material. Yet Running For Covers (RAM Records), their most recent and sixth studio album, keys in as a salute to some of their favorite songs and artists, with cover tunes indeed the theme. But rather than deliver these selections note for note, the band soaks them in their own special sauce.
Pronounced by Scavone’s mighty and menacing pipes, hammering riffs, crying harp fills, bopping organ drills, catchy choruses and powerhouse drumming, Running For Covers registers as the ultimate garage rock groove-a-thon. Each and every track vibrates with infinite energy and exuberance, making for a lightning bolt of a listen.
Offering a mix of well known songs and obscurities, Running For Covers launches off to a roughened and toughened take of ? and the Mysterians’ “96 Tears” followed by equally pumped up versions of Neil Diamond’s “Solitary Man,” Mose Allison’s “Your Mind Is On Vacation” and Joe South’s “Yo Yo,” which was popularized by the Osmond Brothers.
Herman’s Hermits’ “My Reservation’s Been Confirmed” races along to a foot-stomping Chuck Berry boogie-woogie styled beat. Dave Essex’s slinky and sultry “Rock On” is transformed into a gritty and grinding rocker, while the Rolling Stones’ moody “Play With Fire” is reincarnated into a blazing ball of force of fury.
The jazz standard, “Moanin’,” the Kinks’ “The Hard Way,” the Band’s “The Shape I’m In” and the Beatles’ “It’s All Too Much” are also given the Doughboys’ dynamic touch and treatment.
As an additional surprise, the band revamps the A-sides of two singles they issued in 1967. A bit of extra muscle pads the tipsy pop rock of “Rhoda Mendelbaum” and the bluesy folk-oriented “Everybody Knows My Name” sounds like the Beau Brummels having a hootenanny with Bob Dylan.
Unbelievably tight and constantly in the zone, the Doughboys may just be the greatest rock band around today. Their intentions are pure and honest, as their love for what they do shines ever so brightly. A cool and varied choice of songs, Running For Covers honors the band’s influences with respect and imagination. Crank the volume and prepare to rock hard and wild!
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