Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Words Fail Me (An Occasional Series)

From 1968, and their debut album Will Grab You (swear to God), please enjoy SoCal (flower) power trio The Hook and their heartfelt ode to "The Garbage Man."




I had never heard of these guys, but this was actually released on a real label and it's just the damndest thing. Really, the whole album (save for a fairly straight heavy rock cover of John Lee Hooker's "Dimples") is, for want of a better word, wacky; download it, if you dare, over at the invaluable Redtelephone66.

There's a second Hook album over there as well; apparently it adds Hammond organ to the band's distinctive mix, but I'm not completely sure I'm ready for it.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

That drum feel is from a Hendrix track. Can anyone identify?

Kid Charlemagne said...

This sort of reminds me of Blossom Toes, which is equally weird but wonderful.

Kid Charlemagne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
M. Bouffant said...

I remember this, heard the record on the radio in Seattle (late '60s) a few times, & I remember seeing the album in stores. Can't quite remember why I, too, thought the band to be, as you typed, "wacky," but I'm about to refresh my memory.

M. Bouffant said...

Now I remember: "Plug Your Head In," got the radio play. Now stuck in my head & I haven't listened yet.

steve simels said...

I looked them up -- turns out the guitarist was the guy from The Leaves, who earlier had the hit radio version of "Hey Joe."

Over at YouTube, there's also a clip of these guys in a scene from Raymond Burr's post Perry Mason TV show "Ironside."

Gummo said...

That rhythm guitar in the left channel is pure ersatz Hendrix.

But the girly chorus is definitely from Wackyland.

TMink said...

This is quietly ringing a bell in the back of my brain, so I bet I have heard this before, but I sure did not remember it. I love the Who and Hendrix influences.

Trey

Wendy said...

Jesus. You can hear the bellbottoms and paisley shirts.

Noam Sane said...

Awe shucks...Foxy Garbageman!

Unknown said...

Bubblegum Hendrix!