Articles by: Beverly Paterson

Vinyl

Guilty pleasures: The Mind Expanders – What’s Happening? (1967)/ Psychedelic Guitars (1968; 2011 reissue)

More than a few clueless shoppers, when purchasing albums like these, were fooled into thinking they were buying a brain-melting slice of sonic revelations from a new groovy group primed to rival their paisley-attired Carnaby Street cousins in England or their lysergic-lathered peers in San Francisco. Although the folks behindRead More

Vinyl

Forgotten series: Impala Syndrome – Impala Syndrome (1969; 2012 reissue)

Previously known as Los Impalas, this Venezuela-based group eventually moved to Spain where they met with great success. The band’s discs, which encompassed a mix of different styles, were well received and are now relished by collectors throughout the world. In tune with the changing times, Los Impalas then switchedRead More

Vinyl

Cosmic Michael – Cosmic Michael (1969)/ After a While (1970; 2012 reissues)

No matter how much research has been expended on Cosmic Michael, he remains an enigmatic figure. But thankfully, the pair of albums he recorded back in the day, which appeared on the Bliss imprint, have survived and have recently been reissued by the Gear Fab label. Initially released in 1969,Read More

Vinyl

Rock ’n’ Roll Monkey and the Robots – Spooky Kooky Attic Static (2012)

Stationed in Detroit, Michigan, this peculiarly named band simply defies classification! Pouring countless influences into a single blender, Rock ’n’ Roll Monkey and the Robots have truly conceived a style that’s all their own. Spooky Kooky Attic Static (Rock ’n’ Roll Monkey/Motor Sounds) marks the band’s fourth full-length album, whichRead More

Vinyl

One Track Mind: The Squires of the Subterrain, "Idling in the Sun" (2012)

For the past two decades, the Squires of the Subterrain has been putting out some of the coolest sounds one could hope to experience. Not a band, but an individual artist, who also frequently records under the name Christopher Earl, the Rochester, New York-based multi-tasking musician has often and deservedlyRead More

The Eddies, "Jungle Beat" + "Don’t Know Where To Start" (2012): One Track Mind

The Eddies, “Jungle Beat” + “Don’t Know Where To Start” (2012): One Track Mind

The Eddies’ “Jungle Beat” bubbles over with the kind of exuberance rock and roll music was originally built on.

Vinyl

Forgotten series: Food – Forever Is A Dream (1969)

Chicago, Illinois was the address of this enigmatic band that cut one album before dissolving into the depths of even further obscurity. Initially distributed by the Capitol label in 1969, Forever Is A Dream bleeds with ambition and adventure You May Also Like: Illinois Speed Press – ‘Illinois Speed Press’Read More

Vinyl

The Surfin’ Criminals – Greetings From The North-East Motorspeedway (2012)

“As the shadows of darkness creep upon us, the Surfin’ Criminal on his 350 Scrambler, rides the north-east motor speedway in search of his revenge,” states this Italy-based band in the inner sleeve of their most recent effort. Considering Greetings From The North-East Motorspeedway contains no lyrics, as it isRead More

Vinyl

Forgotten series: The Candy Skins – Space I’m In (1991)

Founded in 1989, the Candy Skins specialized in a stirring stripe of psychedelic salted pop rock that was actually a few years ahead of the times. Although the Oxford, England band never attempted to camouflage their influences, which touched base on the tasty tones of Revolver-era Beatles, the Hollies, theRead More

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Cheap Perfume, "Boys" (2012)

No matter how tolerant we think we are, there’s still a degree of sexism in the weird, wonderful and wild world of rock and roll. Although it’s hardly shocking to see women playing the music now, the industry continues to be dominated by males. Back in 1978, which was whenRead More