There are two
kinds of girls,
Beaver. There
are good girls
like your mother...
Yeah, and then
there are the
FUN kind,
right dad?
THE BITTERSWEET
The Buckeye state has spawned more than
its share of great yet little known girl groups.
One of Ohio's best was The Bittersweet, a
band from Dayton. The act also came to be
known as The Bittersweets (plural) when
the record company mistakenly added an
S to their name on the label of their single,
"Hurtin' Kind." Recorded in Cleveland
in 1967, "Hurtin' Kind" is a cover of a
song originally waxed by a Cleveland
boy band called The Tulu Babies.
song originally waxed by a Cleveland
boy band called The Tulu Babies.
This groovy tune might remind you
of the Kinks' hit "Tired of Waiting
For You." Listen and enjoy the
cool, minty fresh sound of
The Bittersweet!
of the Kinks' hit "Tired of Waiting
For You." Listen and enjoy the
cool, minty fresh sound of
The Bittersweet!
"Hurtin' Kind"
The Bittersweet
The Bittersweet
(1967 uncharted)
LORI BURTON
WHYTE BOOTS
The songwriting team of Lori Burton
and Pam Sawyer gave us the pop-rock composition "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out
My Heart Anymore," the first hit for
The Young Rascals. The record was
covered by the garage girl group
The Puppets. Burton and Sawyer
also penned songs for various
Motown artists and wrote
"All or Nothing," a minor
pop hit for Patty LaBelle
And The Blue Belles.
and Pam Sawyer gave us the pop-rock composition "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out
My Heart Anymore," the first hit for
The Young Rascals. The record was
covered by the garage girl group
The Puppets. Burton and Sawyer
also penned songs for various
Motown artists and wrote
"All or Nothing," a minor
pop hit for Patty LaBelle
And The Blue Belles.
In 1967 Lori Burton released Break Out!, an album of songs co-written by her
and Pam Sawyer. The standout track on the album was "Nightmare," a dark,
dangerous, dramatic ditty inspired by the Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack."
and Pam Sawyer. The standout track on the album was "Nightmare," a dark,
dangerous, dramatic ditty inspired by the Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack."
No boy's worth the
trouble that I'm in!
trouble that I'm in!
"Nightmare" was released on a 45
and credited to The Whyte Boots,
a fictitious group that consisted
of lead singer Lori along with
Brill Building session singers.
With her tough Whyte Boots
single, Lori tried to match the
success of the Shangs, but the
record didn't chart. Sometimes
dreams come true, and today
"Nightmare" is hailed as a
classic of the genre - a groovy
example of girl power run amok
in the Psychedelic Sixties!
and credited to The Whyte Boots,
a fictitious group that consisted
of lead singer Lori along with
Brill Building session singers.
With her tough Whyte Boots
single, Lori tried to match the
success of the Shangs, but the
record didn't chart. Sometimes
dreams come true, and today
"Nightmare" is hailed as a
classic of the genre - a groovy
example of girl power run amok
in the Psychedelic Sixties!
"Nightmare" - The Whyte Boots
Lori Burton aka Lorie Burton aka Laurie Burton
(January 1967, uncharted)
THE
PLEASURE
SEEKERS
From rock mecca Detroit, Michigan,
they came. The Pleasure Seekers was
their name - an all girl garage band
made up of Suzi Quatro & her sisters.
they came. The Pleasure Seekers was
their name - an all girl garage band
made up of Suzi Quatro & her sisters.
Playing the kind of rough, raw, raunchy
rock usually reserved for boy bands,
The Pleasure Seekers developed a
rock usually reserved for boy bands,
The Pleasure Seekers developed a
loyal following in the Motor City in
the 60s while still in their teens.
Listen to this 1966 release and
you'll know why the Quatro
sisters rocked Rock City.
the 60s while still in their teens.
Listen to this 1966 release and
you'll know why the Quatro
sisters rocked Rock City.
"What a Way to Die"
The Pleasure Seekers
The Pleasure Seekers
(1966, uncharted)
Check out this cool piece of trivia:
The oldest of the Quatro sisters dropped out of the
Pleasure Seekers, started a family and gave birth
to Sherilyn Fenn, the actress best known for her
role as "Audrey Horne" on Twin Peaks!
SUZI
QUATRO
When The Pleasure Seekers disbanded
in the early 70s, Suzi Quatro emerged
as a solo artist and established herself
in the glam rock arena. Suzi was the
first female bass player to become a
in the early 70s, Suzi Quatro emerged
as a solo artist and established herself
in the glam rock arena. Suzi was the
first female bass player to become a
major rock star. Ironically, for several
years she was more popular in the UK
& Australia than she was in the states.
years she was more popular in the UK
& Australia than she was in the states.
In the late 70s Suzi Quatro finally broke
through and became popular in America
when she appeared on the hit television
series Happy Days in the recurring
role of Leather Tuscadero.
through and became popular in America
when she appeared on the hit television
series Happy Days in the recurring
role of Leather Tuscadero.
In 1980 Suzi's cool cover of the
Dave Clark Five hit "Glad All Over"
was issued on her album Rock Hard.
Dave Clark Five hit "Glad All Over"
was issued on her album Rock Hard.
"Glad All Over" was released as a
single and charted in Germany and
Scandinavia but not in England,
Australia or the U.S. Go figure!
single and charted in Germany and
Scandinavia but not in England,
Australia or the U.S. Go figure!
"Glad All Over"
Suzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro
(1981 single from
1980 album Rock Hard)
1980 album Rock Hard)
Patience is a
virtue, Beaver.
I know, dad.
We gotta wait
30 whole seconds
to hear more cool
girl tunes!
Sugar and spice and
all things nice, Beaver.
That's what little girls
are made of.
Yeah, and the
big girls in this
post are made of
Tabasco sauce
Tabasco sauce
and jet fuel.
THE 5.6.7.8'S
When director Quentin Tarantino discovered
this next act he hired them to perform in his
movie Kill Bill. It's an all girl Japanese band
called, are you ready? ..... The 5.6.7.8's!
These Fugiyama mamas play a bitchin'
blend of garage, surf-rock and
frenzied psychobilly.
To sum it up, the 5.6.7.8's
are a perfect 10.
are a perfect 10.
Check out this red hot number
as the girls shoot the curl on
"Pinball Party," a high velocity
retro surf rock instrumental
from their 1993 album
Can't Help It. Shady sez
these Kamikaze cuties
put down the most
put down the most
dangerous sound
since Link Wray!
"Pinball Party"
The 5.6.7.8's
The 5.6.7.8's
(from 1993 album
Can't Help It)
Can't Help It)
ALICE IN CHAINS
MEYTAL COHEN
To wind up this musical journey though
the history of girl power zingers and
zongs, I am proud to present a pair of
viral YouTubers. You might remember
Chris Griffin's 2017 hosting stint on the
old blog, SDMM, in which he introduced
German drummer girl Sina. Now meet
Meytal Cohen, an Israeli-American
heavy metal drummer and founding
member of the band Meytal. Watch
and listen as Meytal tickles the skins
to "Man In The Box," the 1991 hit by
Seattle alt-rock grungers Alice in Chains!
"Man In The Box" - Alice In Chains
drum cover by Meytal Cohen
KISS
AMI KIM
Last, but not least, check out the tricky sticks of South Korean drum sensation Ami Kim. I can picture Gene Simmons' bloody tongue wagging as Ami beats her kit into submission doing the Kiss Klassik "War Machine." The woman's got Seoul! (Sorry about that, Chief!)
"War Machine" - Kiss
drum cover by Ami Kim
Well Beaver, I hope
you learned something
today about girls.
Wull, yeah...
I learned that I like
girls a lot more
than I thought!
It was a mistake ever to let Suzi Quatro on Happy Days. She was so cool she made Fonzie look like a poseur. Did not know she was related to the girl who tied that cherry stem up with her mouth on Twin Peaks.
ReplyDeleteBefore Johnny Rotten got hold of the term, didn't "punk rock" originally apply to U.S. garage rock bands that emerged in the late '60s? The first three bands you play seem to fit that bill.
“Aaay! - nobody touches The Fonz!”
DeleteHi, Kirk!
By golly, you claim early bird honors again this week. Congratulations, good buddy, and thanks for coming over!
Truth be told, I had already bailed out on Happy Days by the time Suzi joined the recurring cast in season 5 in 1977. That means I also missed Crystal Bernard (Helen on Wings) who started appearing on the series in 1982.
Audrey Horne - gotta love her! Little known fact: June Cleaver also had the ability to tie a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue.
Yes indeed, the punk rock of the mid-70s is rooted in garage rock of the 60s. By the way, this post was scheduled months ago to run on this date. It is merely a coincidence that the first girl band, The Bittersweet, is from Dayton, a fact that I forgot until a couple of days ago when I proofread the post prior to publication.
Thanks again for hustling over early, good buddy Kirk, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Very cool stuff, Shady Cleaver! I think any boy at an impressionable age would appreciate this display of to do, and/or not to do, haha!
ReplyDeleteI was a huge fan of the Tuscadero sisters! I liked Pinky and Leather. Pinky came across as rough and gruff, but was a gorgeous sex symbol. Leather was a real cutie, and delivered a mean singing performance! She really does a fabulous cover of "Glad All Over". It was good to be reminded of Suzi Quatro!
Haha! Love the Hai Karate commercial...I remember the aftershave, but not the scent of it. You pulled some great drummers out of the Youtube files, "Ward"! Both girls do their jobs effortlessly, and with grace! I like them both, and their song choices paved the way to really showcasing their talents. It's amazing how two different persons, with different styles can present such talent! I also agree where 5.6.7.8.'s "Pinball Party" shows unbelievable guitar talent! Love this number, it is so impressive and "over the top". Wow!
I think The Beaver would agree that the Bittersweet's song and video, "Hurtin Kind" is kind of spooky and creepy. That's not to say it's a terrible song, it actually made me think of Debbie Harry's style, but, it just seems a bit out there! Haha, sorry! But, we agree that the Whyte Boots group style does bring forth a similarity with Leader of the Pack. I actually liked the song-very strong vocal and music.
All of these groups, and the two drummers are worthy of recognition in their own rights! Even though they may not have charted, I think their efforts are worth mentioning, and I appreciate Mr. Cleaver and Mr. Del Knight bringing these talents to the forefront!
Excellent post, guys! Hope you are doing well, Shady! Scootie and I are just about ready for school. Registration done, supplies, and most of his school clothes. He starts 5th grade on the 19th. I'm getting excited!
Have a great week, dear friend! Thank you for a fun post with all girls of different backgrounds and styles! ♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for coming over to experience "When Girls Attack" presented by Ward and The Beav!
As I told Kirk (above) I stopped watching Happy Days before Leather showed up, but I do remember Pinky. I read that actress Roz Kelly had some run-ins with the law beginning in the late 90s. That's a shame. I'm delighted that you enjoyed Suzi Quatro's cover of the Dave Clark Five hit "Glad All Over," a classic in its own right.
Influenced by the wildly popular ad campaign, I bought Hai Karate by the gallon and splashed it on liberally, but never got the reaction from women depicted in the commercials. They just stood there and said, "What the hell's that smell?" :)
I am also pleased that you appreciated the drumming of those YouTubers. Many talented young rock musicians are putting their performances on Y/T these days and I will be bringing you more of them as time goes by. I am also happy to know you dug the Japanese band The 5.6.7.8.'s and their blistering surf rock instrumental "Pinball Party."
I like your evaluation of "Hurtin' Kind." It is a dark downer of a ditty and does bring to mind some of Debbie Harry's punk recordings. Another great tough times, tough girl number is "Nightmare" by Lori Burton as The Whyte Boots. Well into the 21st century the recording continues to get lots of buzz and discussion among 1960s music enthusiasts.
Wow, Scootie is entering 5th grade! That's hard to believe. He's growing up fast, isn't he? He was just a little boy when I first started following you. I wish him a great school year filled with learning and fun.
I'm excited to know you got so much enjoyment from this post featuring some of my favorite girl rock anthems. Thank you again for coming by and enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Suzanne!
I remember Leather Tuscadero - watched Happy Days all the time.
ReplyDeleteI can see someone doing a cover of The Pleasure Seekers' song.
Hi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for popping in, good buddy. Ward & Beaver also thank you!
You guys are making me wish I had stuck with Happy Days long enough to catch the acting and singing performances of Suzi Quatro as Leather T. I don't know what I was watching instead in that time slot, probably reruns of My Mother The Car. Thanks for bringing up "What a Way to Die" by the Pleasure Seekers. I looked on YouTube and found a couple of bar bands covering the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmuRPAN50Gg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-1Mm9PfqI4
Thanks again for reporting in, good buddy Alex, and enjoy the rest of your week!
I took a short audio stroll through your selection today, Shady. Thank you. What was it in the 60s about boots anyway? And Beaver is still adorable. Ah for those innocent days before social media took over the world.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cheryl-Lee!
DeleteThanks so much for coming by, dear friend!
To answer your question, as a fashion statement of the 60s, boots were intended make a man or woman appear bold, tough and hip. The high, tight-fitting style of boot worn by city women, often in combination with mini skirts, was very different from the Western style boots worn in rural areas, although there was and still is cultural appropriation of country style clothing among city dwellers of both sexes. Without doing further research and relying solely on my memory and personal experiences, that is my assessment.
Yessum, this week especially, I long for those innocent days before social media took over the world and made communication instantaneous, allowing hateful rhetoric to spread like wildfire and motivate mentally unbalanced people to act out and commit heinous acts against mankind.
Thank you again for dropping in, dear friend Cheryl-Lee, and enjoy the rest of your week and month!
Most of this is foreign to me this time, Shady. I do recognize the name Suzy Quatro, but can't remember if I was still watching Happy Days when she appeared on it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought of Hai Karate in years! 😂
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? It's great to see you, and thanks for coming!
How's my buddy Pat? :) I never asked you this, but ever since I found out he's a boy dog, I've been wondering. Did you name him after pop/gospel singer Pat Boone?
I'm glad you are here to bear witness to what happens to your eyes and ears "When Girls Attack." I missed the seasons Suzi was on Happy Days. At first I was enthused about the series, thinking it would be much like American Graffiti, a movie I loved, but it wasn't. I stopped watching after three seasons.
That Hai Karate campaign is one of the most memorable and successful in advertising history. I bought that brand of after shave/cologne regularly along with another scent of the 60s called Hawaiian Surf. Ever hear of it? I avoided Old Spice because, as a teen, I didn't want anything to do with "old." Then there was Brut by Faberge which I am sure you and your nose recall.
Thank you again for joining the fun, dear friend Kelly, and enjoy the rest of your week!
No, no.... Pat's name comes from a long line of Boston Terriers named Pat. It was a no-brainer on our part in coming up with a name for him.
DeleteI don't recall Hawaiian Surf, but do remember Brut and have to admit I always liked Old Spice. Maybe my Daddy wore it. ;) Another I remember well is Aramis. Aftershaves and cologne tend to assault my senses these days, so I'm fortunate my husband doesn't like them, either.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteThanks for answering my question about Pat. It is quite possible you became anchored in a positive way to the scent of Old Spice if it happened to be the brand your father wore. I don't know how well fragrances are selling these days, but I have stopped wearing them. Three years ago when I went for a haircut, I was actually denied service by a barber who told me he is allergic to aftershave, cologne and perfume and asked me to leave the shop. It was humiliating and I have not used a fragrance since.
Thanks again for chatting with me, dear friend Kelly!
None of these songs speak to me much, friend Shady … but dat ok cuz can't have everything, where would I put it, hmmm? … smiles. Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteHow are you today, dear feline friend? Thanks for coming over to sample the garage punk sounds of Sixties girls and 21st century viral YouTubers doing their drum covers of hard rock hits. I'm sorry the type of music offered in the post doesn't stoke your fire. Maybe next time.
I do appreciate your visit and comment, dear friend cat. Take care and have a great Thursday, Friday and weekend!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interesting backstory on the Pleasure Seekers. Suzi was always a favorite – especially after her first appearance on Happy Days. I recall wondering if perhaps Fonzi’s days were numbered in light of Leather’s popularity ;-)
Hai Karate? Oh, I don't know. There's just something about an Aqua Velva man. However, ever since a hug from an elderly gent once left the lingering scent of Brut on my clothing, my husband has had a lifetime supply of it ;-)
Ironically, I’ve been listening to Meytal Cohen a lot this summer as my grandson uses her cover of Dream Theater – as well as Sina’s cover of Black Betty - for his own practice sessions. I can’t wait to show him the shoes that Ami Kim wears!
Happy August!
Hi, diedre!
DeleteI am very happy to see you, dear friend. Thanks for coming over!
I'm glad you enjoyed reading about the various girl bands and solo artists as well as listening to the recordings they made. The sound quality isn't great on some of them because they were recorded and released by tiny independent labels. Even so the lack of state of the art high fidelity actually adds to the rough, raw, primitive, punk sensibilities of these bands, qualities they and their fans found desirable. I was shocked to learn that one of The Pleasure Seekers gave birth to Sherilyn Fenn, the actress who gained fame on Twin Peaks and later appeared in David Lynch's Wild At Heart, had a substantial role in Of Mice and Men and portrayed Elizabeth Taylor in the TV movie Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story.
I forgot all about Aqua Velva. Commercials for that old school fragrance for men aired frequently throughout my boyhood. After seeing those Hai Karate commercials, I couldn't resist buying the stuff to find out if it really had that effect on women. It didn't, at least in my case, but the mosquitoes loved it! :)
I am excited to know you were already familiar with Meytal Cohen and Sina. I subscribe to their channels and they provide substance for many future posts. Cool that your grandson uses their drum covers as tutorials to improve his musicianship. Ami Kim is famous for having perhaps the largest, most elaborate drum kit anywhere. It is truly impressive.
Thanks again for dropping by, dear friend diedre. I wish you a safe and happy weekend and hope the rest of your month goes well, too!
As I said on Kirks Blog between You and Kirk, you have the most crazy interesting posts.
ReplyDeleteSo much research and enjoyment.
parsnip
Hi, Gayle!
DeleteThanks for coming, dear friend! I read your comment on Kirk's blog and thank you for supporting his copious research and blogging style as well as mine. It is always a pleasure to entertain and educate you, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn as I go along.
I'm delighted that you enjoyed "When Girls Attack." Please give Winston and Agatha a hug for me and have a safe and happy weekend, dear friend Gayle!
Shady,
ReplyDeleteThis put a smile on my face, especially after the week I had. I remember a few years ago they used a Suzy Quatro song for a car commercial and I loved her sound. I really like the video you posted!
I also loved the Bittersweets and Whyte Boots!I love 60s sounds and they rocked
So did Meytal. I was singing along and remembering the concert last week.
Have a rocking weekend, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for taking a look and a listen as Ward and The Beav present "When Girls Attack!"
I'm glad you enjoyed this introduction to "Girls in the Garage" - the rough, raw, primitive sounds of 60s girl bands. I use that exact expression because I found a 12 volume CD series on Amazon called Girls in the Garage. It contains songs by The Bittersweets, Whyte Boots and similar artists including The Liverbirds, an English girl band I introduced on SDMM a few years ago, along with girl bands from around the world including France and Japan.
I figured "Man In The Box" would attract your eyes and ears. I'm glad you enjoyed Meytal's exciting drum cover and that it brought back happy memories of the AIC concert you attended last week.
It makes me happy to know that the post put a smile on your face. Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend JM, and have a safe and happy weekend!
I love your blog entries for this reason, dear friend. Music brings me joy... I might start blogging similar content.
ReplyDeleteHi again, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI enjoy musical posts on your blog because we share similar taste. I look forward to listening to your picks and I'm glad mine bring joy into your life.
Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteBetween finance because I now see that even though "money is the root of evil," having it and having a healthy relationship with finances, contributes a lot to happiness and well-being in general. The best things in life are still free, but even that adds to the whole picture.
I look forward to having more music on my blog and incorporated in my Happiness Box Initiative. Music transcends race, religion, sex, and everything else - it brings joy to us all.
Have a great rest of your weekend as well, dear friend.
Nicely expressed, Jessica Marie! I look forward to your musical posts.
DeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteThis post made me smile ear to ear with the skit between Beaver and his dad about girls. The only mewsican I knew by name is Suzi Quatro. I had no idea she started her mewsic career as a teen and I really liked her DC5 cover 'Glad All Over'. I am blown away that it didn't chart in the US. She did a fab job on it! Oh wait...I do know the all girl band 5, 6, 7, 8 but I'm not sure if I'd ever seen them before now. I remember them being in Quentine's film but didn't realize they were a real mewical group. :) Thanks for pulling together such a fun post and for sharing the dance floor with me yesterday. Have a boogietastic week, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteIt's great to see you on this Monday morning, dear friend. Thanks for coming to the party! I'm happy to learn that the content of the post made you smile from ear to ear.
I should clarify what I wrote about Suzi Quatro's cover of "Glad All Over," originally a hit for the DC5. Suzi's version wasn't even released as a single in the U.S., so there is no way it could have made the chart. That shocks me. It seems a no-brainer that it would have been a hit in the U.S. if issued as a single. Suzi's "Glad All Over" was released as a single in the UK in January, 1981, but somehow failed to reach the chart in that country. It was released as a single in Germany a year later, February, 1981, and only made it to #70. It was also released in Yugoslavia in 1980 and in Portugal and Zimbabwe in 1981 but apparently didn't chart in those countries either. I don't get it! Despite it's poor release record and chart showing at the time, Suzi's version of the song seems to have grown on fans over the years to become a favorite and a classic in its own right.
I'm glad you recognized those Fugiyama mamas, The 5.6.7.8's, from the Kill Bill soundtrack and now know they are indeed a real band.
It also pleases me that I tickled your funny bone with the verbal exchanges between Ward Cleaver and The Beaver.
Thank you again, very much, for coming by, dear friend Cathy, and have a super week!
Ahh yes, the Beaver. June was always telling her husband not to be too hard on the Beaver. These were very fun to listen to and love those white boots made for walking! I am not one for the heavy metal but that little gal really knows how to play the drums. OMG...forgot about leather Tuscadero, only recall Pinky. Fun listening but that commercial never made sense because what man would run away from a voluptuous woman?
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for submitting comment #2 out of 3, dear friend! :) Yessum, that old joke in which June asks Ward if he wasn't a little rough on the Beaver last night has been circulating for years. :)
Yessum, those Whyte Boots are made for walkin'... and one of these days they're gonna walk all over Shady. In fact, he's willing to pay dearly for that type of service. :)
You make a good point about those Hai Karate commercials. If the guy didn't want to be attacked and groped by beautiful women, why didn't he simply stop using that brand of after shave? Problem solved! :)
Thanks again for coming to play, dear friend BB!