Mc Phee

McPhee

2019 - McPhee (SOOM047), 1971

Link: wv

Solid hard bluesy psych rock from this Aussie band. Good guitar work by Tony Joyce and a raging Hammond by Jim Deverell add much to this long play of mostly covers.

I love those drum solos on recordings from 1971, the best year for music ever and Terry Popple's solo is terrific. If you can dig that time and "place", you will like this "one and done" recording.

The cover for this album is very disturbing.

RIP Larry Duryea

rod45 013

Highway

Highway (Epoque Records EP1415), 1975

Link: wv

Highway

Formed

1972, Fairmont, MN, United States

Disbanded

1976

Members

Dan Cammarata (drums), Eric Bannister (bass), Steve Murphy (guitar)

Related Artists

The Epicureans

Genres

Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Highway are from Fairmont, in far south central Minnesota, near the Iowa border. The music is guitar fronted hard rock, with traces of radio friendly vocal lines, and the odd progressive meter. Not too far in sound from Iowa's Truth and Janey actually (same time period and region), though Highway aren't quite as testosterone fueled. It's a prototypical mid 70s Midwest American private press from the rural fruited plain known locally as "fly over country". Great melodies, killer guitar, frantic rhythms, and a hope for a better tomorrow.

ashratom Mar 09 2011

Grit

2023 - Grit (PLP-7938), 1972

Link: wv

Grit

Formed

1972, London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Disbanded

1973

Members

Frank Martinez (guitar, vocals), Paul Christodoulou (bass, vocals), Tom Kelly (drums, vocals), Jeff Ball (vocals)

Genres

Psychedelic Rock

The first 3 tracks (about 20 minutes), taken from an acetate, are very good studio recordings. The band were better than average, the music was the typical hard-rock trio plus singer, but it had some interesting time changes, nice acoustic intros, some good ideas.

Gordian

2016 - Madeka (ARLP70-71)1973-1974

Link:wv

A lost gem found

Gordian - Madeka is a unique and great rock treasure found and resurrected by legendary Reinhold Mack. Heavy progressive 70s-rock original sound with a blend of greek folk music. Shame it wasnt released back on the day, but hey, its never too late!

Holy Shit

V.A. - Holy Shit from the Past

2024 - Jugoslavia Files (1972 - 1977)

Link: wv

Holy Shit

2024 - The Ex Yugo Files (1972 - 1979)

Link: wv

A compilation of files from fantastic JUGO ROCK FOREVER page

Grannie

2022 - Grannie (SCLP 007), 1971

Link: wv

A very enjoyable obscure record. If you like Wishbone Ash and 1972-era Blue Oyster Cult it will probably please your taste. The longer tracks are the best ones in my opinion - solos are very tasteful, inventive and driving in both longer songs (though solo in Tomorrow Today reminds of 21 Century Schizoid Man). And Coloured Armageddon is obviously a highlight here. Right after you think the song gave you it all these guys churn out yet another great solo to keep the listener interested.
Saga of the sad Jester has a great riffage.
All other songs are at least decent, too. YurkspbDec 04 2017

White Summer

White Sumer (OUT-SIDER OSR040), 1976

Link:wv

This private press album from 1976 was the only LP by these guys from Chicago. The band plays hard rock with psychedelic elements and also some funk influences can be heard in some of the songs. I dig their sound quite much and most of the time this album sounds enjoyable. The lengthy album closer "Omega" might be the biggest highlight of this quite balanced record but all in all I can say that all of the tracks are entertaining.

Fortunately this album has been reissued by Out-Sider and Void Records because the original pressing is damn rare and valuable. If you like guitar driven hard rock you might wanna give this only White Summer record a try. But be aware of the fact that their sound is quite melodic mid 70's hard rock instead of late 60's or early 70's heavy psych.
CooperBolan Mar 10 2019

Panta Rei

Panta Rei, 1973 (GP1004LP)

Link: wv

This S/T album from 1973 was the only album this Swedish band ever made. It's almost totally an instrumental release with some strong guitarwork. Their music is mostly progressive rock with clear psychedelic elements and jam band feeling. All of these five track are enjoyable but especially I like the B-side. "The Knight" is a lengthy 13 minutes long piece which is probably the highlight of the album. "The Turk" is a nice closing track with it's eastern and ethnic sound. The opening track "Five Bells" is the weakest song here.

Panta Rei's first and only LP is an enjoyable record. The songwriting isn't that impressive but as a jam band record this works pretty well. The instrumental work is solid but not exceptional. Overall I think this record deserves 3,5 stars out of five. Worth checking out if you're into progressive/psychedelic jamming.

Bastard

Back To The Nature (Nova 6.23288 AO), 1977

Link: wv

Formed

1977, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany

Disbanded

1983

Members

Karl-Heinz Rothert (vocals, bass), Günther Gruschkuhn [Keith Kossoff] (guitar), Ulli Meissner [Theo Tremolo] (guitar), Thomas Korn [Toto Petticoato] (drums), Ullus Steinvorth (guitar, 1980-81), Fritz Randow (drums, 1980-81)

Related Artists

Alex Oriental Experience, Harvey Cooper Band, Eloy, Epitaph, Jane, Joal, Moon'Doc, One Day Blues Band, Petticoat, Saxon, Sinner, Victory

Genres

Hard Rock

Strongbow

Strongbow (SWS 6401), 1975can

Link: wv

Having formed in Columbus, Ohio in 1970, by 1973 the Strongbow line-up featured singer Bill Bendler, bassist John Durzo, lead guitarist Michael Shortland, drummer David Smith, and keyboardist John Stelzer.

In spite of extensive touring throughout the mid-west and some Southern states, the band was unable to interest a record label in their talents. They subsequently opted to record and release a single on their own Epodus label:

- 1973's 'If You're Going To the City' b/w 'Changes' (Epodus catalog number E 773 A/B)

Between touring the band recorded a series of demos at Columbus' Owl Studios. Those demos attracted the attention of Buddah's small Southwind subsidiary which signed them to a recording contract. For whatever reason Buddah/Southwind executives demanded the demos be recorded, teaming the band with producer Alan Lorber. Released in 1975, "Strongbow" offered up a surprisingly enjoyable set of mid-western rock and progressive moves. With all eight tracks credited to singer Bill Bender, it was an odd album to describe. Listening to tracks like 'One Armed Bandit' and 'Move Over' it was easy to picture these guys slogging through the mid-west playing more conventional REO Speedwagon-styled rock. In fact, while his voice wasn't bad, singer Bendler probably would have been better suited handling more conventional rock numbers. On tracks like 'Move Over Gloom' and 'How Can I Be Loving You' he actually reminded me a bit of Randy Bachman. And that was actually a good musical baseline for describing these guys. Imagine BTO (yes I know they were Canadian), REO, Styx, or maybe even Grand Funk Railroad had they shifted their focus from rock to a more progressive orientation. Admittedly, nothing here was creatively groundbreaking and as hard as they might have wanted to become ELP, or Yes, their mid-western roots weren't going to allow them to abandon more traditional rock and roll structures.

With virtually no support from Southwind the band continued to tour on their own resources. Strongbow apparently even began recording material for a planned follow-up album, but called it quits in 1977. RDTEN1Nov 29 2021

Landslide

Fantasy

Two Sided Fantasy

Link: wv

"Two sided fantasy" (1972) was the only one album of the US band Landslide from New York. Good bluesy hard rock with an heavy psych vein. Quite crude sound, wha wah guitars and so-so lead vocals. A mix of Tin House, Head Over Heels and Jamul. roquecolorNov 30 2021

Foutanihead

Fountainhead

1981 - Live (TRT 001)

Link: wv

Fountainhead was an obscure band from Connecticut. This live album, released back in 1981, offers an unusual mix of styles: a rural melodic rock with some solid rock'n'roll numbers. "How Blue Can You Get" is a good slow/mid-tempo blues songs with nice guitar riffs and use of saxophone. The Steppenwolf's cover "Born to Be Wild" could have been better.

roquecolor Feb 24 2024

Bleak House

Chase The Wind (1980-82)

Link: wv

Bleak House, a band from England. Solid NWOBHM, with an epic/doom influence. Talented band. Imagine a mix of early Iron Maiden, Angelwitch and Arc.

Billy Bond

1971 Billy Bond y La Pesada del Rock and Roll

Link: wv

Here we have a picturesque, Peronist rock album recorded by Billy Bond y La Pesada, a troupe congregated around the rotund figure of singer Giuliano Canterini (AKA "Billy Bond"), featuring Pappo and Spinetta among other musicians.

The songs are catchy or attractive enough to hold the attention of the listener, bluesy and psychedelic for the most part, heavy for their time, reminding one of early Hawkwind and Manal, while the lyrics (in Spanish) tend to be sarcastic or combative.
"Salgan al sol" (penned by Manal's drummer Javier Martínez), Pappo's "Divertido (Reventado)", and Spinetta's "El parque" are the standouts from this "Billy Bond y La Pesada del Rock and Roll".

In the end, the album sounds old, and the production leaves something to be desired, but the intrinsic humor of this Argentine 'supergroup', and some heavy rockers included make it a pioneering artifact for the local rock scene

death_metal_dollSep 29 2015

Elaine

Too Black (Eastcoast-Records ER 0816),1981

Link: wv

Currently

Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Members

Mike Weimann (bass, vocals), Jürgen Mangels (lead guitar), Nils Stöhvaase (rhythm guitar), Norbert Butz (drums), Dirk Oliver Strempler (acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar)

Genres

hardrock

Old posts still living...

Montes

1974 - Cuando brille el tiempo

Link: wv

Excellent hard rock album from Argentina with psych influences, like many other bands from that land. The lead guitars are really cool and the songs are catchy for an hard rock album from 1974. LP reissued in 2020.

Oda

2024 - Oda (EZRDR-166), 1973

Link wv

Oda was a band from San Francisco, CA. Good US hard rock indie with impressive lead guitars by Randy Oda. A mix of Poobah and Highway Robbery, but not on the same levels. (roquecolorOct 19 2021)

A stellar underground rare as hen’s teeth private hard rock album. The stunning ‘Gabriel’ has wicked galloping guitar riffs with echo effects. ‘Chance’ kicks off with deep guitar riffs and doesn’t let up. Closer ‘How Do You Feel’ just blows it out with all sorts of riffing, killer. (recorddiggerAug 19 2018)

KASTORES

Kastores

1973 - Single 320

Link: ROCK ON

Kastores was an obscure band from Greece. They recorded this only one single in the early seventies, but it was released only in 2005 as an archival. Solid and enjoyable heavy psych, with brilliant guitar, a bit in the vein of Jimi Hendrix and Socrates Drank the Conium.

Chameleon

2013 - Rising (1974-1978)

Link: wv

Had Houston's Chameleon hailed from two states farther north, they could have easily qualified for my USA Midwest / Ontario Progressive Rock (1970's/early 80s) list. Their musical approach is smack dab in the middle of the movement, with thoughtful radio friendly numbers juxtaposed against much more complex chart structures, and intricate songwriting. The majority of the album comes from two sessions, one from 1976 and the other 1978. There are also a couple of songs from 1973 and '74 when they were still known as Lorien. The latter track (nearly 10 minutes) opens the CD, and is one of the more overt progressive tracks found on the anthology, with some strong Hammond work in particular. I'm reminded slightly of Polyphony here but with the addition of piano. From there, the material alternates between the 1976 and 1978 recordings, before closing with the sole 1973 representative, which is a folky number and crudely recorded. Despite what might be a natural inclination, the '76 & '78 material is very similar - both are well written and the latter is no more commercial than the former. Synthesizer is now more predominant than the organ, as was the norm of the era. The band knew how to pen a composition, and it really is too bad they weren't able to secure a major label recording contract. By 1981 the band decided to call it a day, without ever releasing a proper album. Don't miss this gem if you like the American style of progressive rock mixed with hard rock and AOR material.ashratomMar 13 2014

J. Teal Band

1977 - Cooks

Link:wv

Cooks is another great moment-in-time album, perfectly representing the era from which it came: 1977 interior America. Not the effeminate sissy coasts, where the mainstream media resides. This is the part of America that same media flippantly refers to as "fly over country". Or what people here know as "the real America". Back in 1977, all the guys still had long hair, hated disco, chased chicks relentlessly, and of course had their own band - properly formed in a garage. And every one of them ended up with broken dreams. Unless you were willing to "sell out" for radio airplay - and even if you did that - odds were slim to none you would find stardom. And it was just too early for the arrival of the rebellious independent heavy metal movement that would lift the hopes of the authentic rocker. But dammit, that didn't stop anyone from playing hard night after night in dingy, smelly, smoky, and darkened roadhouses along the rural state highways that are now highly revered with rose colored glasses. But the reality was far different. The sad part is there were literally 1000's of bands like J Teal running around this fine nation. But the clueless major labels turned a deaf ear, and only a tiny fraction of these bands managed to privately release their own product. Which remained long forgotten until collectors started digging them up years later.

There is no one named J Teal in the band, who were based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Jonathan Teal was a gold prospector from the western hills of North Carolina, and yet another obscure historical figure was chosen as a band name - a very curious 70s tradition.

While ostensibly this album is labeled "Southern Rock", I would submit that is strictly because of its regional association, not its resemblance to bands more established in that genre. 'Country Girl', 'Lost Love', and 'The Cure' are brilliant hard rock numbers, with well crafted melodies, and just the right amount of jamming. Other than the rather mundane two short tracks with city-state names, the entire album is superb.

Essential piece of late 70s "real America". For fans of hard rock, this is a can't miss item. ashratom 04 2016

Cool Feet

1976 - Burning Desire

Link: BD

In late 1968, Rich Ruppel (drums) formed Cool Feet. The drummer was initially joined by Mike Nash (bass, vocals) and Romain Goergen (lead guitar, vocals).

The trio Cool Feet mainly played hard rock. In 1970 Luke Haas joined cool feet for a short time. Rom Goergen left the band and was replaced by Renee Wagner. When drummer Richard Ruppel went to Germany for a year in 1971, the group was disbanded for a while. After his return, Richard Ruppel formed a larger formation with Romain Goergen. The members were, Venant Schmit (Sax ), Jacques Perl (trumpet), Steve Massart (trumpet), Chouch Schintgen (bass), Paul Hamer (guitar) and Mike Nash (vocals). But after a short time the brass instruments were abolished. Paul Hamer left the band and back Rich, Rom, Chouch and Mike stayed.Guitarist Joe Buchari joined in 1974, but left the band after a short time.

In mid-1975, Cool Feet recorded their first single, entitled "Mister" and "Woman".
(76.11804-00-1 Luxembourg Sound). After many tours in France and Germany. The band was so popular abroad that they no longer performed as much in Luxembourg. Guy Heintz replaced Mike Nash who became a disc jockey abroad. In 1978 cool feet recorded their first lp in the "Dierks-Studio" in Cologne. Title: "Burning Desire"

After a television appearance on Rtl, Guy Heintz left the band again. The old members Rich, Rom and Chouch recorded their last single for the time being in 1980 with the title: "To hell and back" and "Alone in your cage". The record was released under her own label (LMC-Rec. Luxembourg Music MC 30 002). In 1992 Guy Heintz rejoined the band.
Today's formation of the band is:

Rom Bernard (vocals, guitar)
Chouch Schintgen (bass)
Guy Heintz (guitar)
Merten Versall (drums)