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BREAK NEWS JUNE 2009

Quiet a long time since the latest update unfortunately. Two new releases came out since our last update and the JAGGED EDGE – OFF SET CD release is due soon. Please scroll down for more info. For the nearer future we are glad to announce, a vinyl collection of rare 45´s by The JUJUS of “You Treated Me Bad“ fame as well as a collection of early garage & psych 7“ and unreleased recordings by Kansas Sixties Kings “MORNING DEW“. Both these are planned for Autmn release. More details soon to come.

But it´s not only good news that reached us during the last months. Bill Lynn, drummer of the Ringers, died in Colombia (more details below), Mike „Muff“ Comfort, long time drummer for the Fifth Order died in Florida after a longer illness and also Allan Mattson, organist of the Trenchmen passed away in early 2009.

Thanxs to everyone who passes informations and pictures. Special thanxs goes to Paul Steger, brother of Fifth Order Rhythm Guitar player Gary Steger for sending a couple so far unseen photos. Also thanxs to Tom Fallon for a cool shot by the Fifth Order in particular and his ongoing support of the Break-A-Way label in general.

July 2009, Wolfgang Voelkel, Break-A-Way Records

JAGGED EDGE-OFF SET CD

A Change Is Gonna Come

Break-A-Way Records (Break CD 019)
AVAILABLE: July 15th

Part of the mystique of the '60s garage legacy is that the bands seemed to put all of their considerable talents into one or two singles, and that was it. But behind every 45 there often lurked a handful of equally killer tunes – performed or even recorded, but never released at the time. So many bands had the potential to make it but there was very little room at the top. The Jagged Edge from Brooklyn, New York, seemed to have it all - the chops, an excellent and decent-selling debut 45, and even competent management. They'd performed with a veritable who's who of big-name artists, and they seemed poised for better things. But it all went downhill suddenly, beginning with a threatening lawsuit over their name. Crucial momentum was lost and the Jagged Edge never reached the prominence they deserved.

Now the exposure they warranted all along is finally here. Break-A-Way presents the bands first complete long player incl. their two sharp 45s and for the first time a fistful of six vintage demos. The LP has the bands 1966 all-time garage classic debut 45, “You Can´t Keep A Good Man Down b/w How She’s Hurtin Me“ and their second single release “A Change Is Gonna Come“ b/w their wild psychedelic raga classic “Xanthia“ recorded under the moniker “Off-Set“. Additionally there are two alternate takes of single tracks and four completely unreleased 1965/66 recordings such as the dramatic psych/punker “Lies I Spoke“ completely with psychy effects and a raga-esque break; the strong moody folkrocker “Look In Her Eyes“ as well as “Reflections“ and “Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself“, two tracks from the poppier side of the band. This collection proves : the Jagged Edge were way ahead of their times and finally carve out their slice of rock history.

All tracks are painstakingly remastered for the garage connoisseurs listening pleasure. CD comes with an 8- page booklet featuring rare pics and the bands complete and detailed history as told by former members Art Steinman and Harley Wishner.

UNITED TRAVEL SERVICE LP
WIND AND STONE

Break-A-Way Records
(Break 018)

AVAILABLE since June 10th
VINYL ONLY RELEASE

Dateline 1966 – the Pacific Northwest of the USA – a hotbed for numerous local and regional bands following the tradition of the renowned North West Fratrock of the Kingsmen or the uncompromising Rock & Roll of The Sonics and Wailers. Not so the United Travel Service. They were sadly overlooked at the time but are now revered for their two brilliant, killer folkadelic 45 releases “Wind And Stone b/w Drummer Of Your Mind” and “Gypsy Eyes b/w Echo Of You”. The UTS were mainly influenced by the San Francisco scene, Garage Rock and the Byrds. Their high quality repertoire, written by guitarist Ben Hoff and produced by New Tweedy Brothers producer Rick Keefer, would have made a classic local psychedelic album if released back then. But it was not to be.

Break-A-Way presents for the first time, a collection of the band’s rare 45s, along with five more, until now unreleased studio recordings, plus three home demos. There is also included a detailed history of the band stuffed with rare photos and labels from the member’s scrapbook. All that is on a 4-page LP sized insert printed on fully glossy paper. LP comes in a full coloured cover and is mastered at Klangstudio Leyh. At last, here is the long overdue legacy of one of the Northwest’s finest psychedelic bands.

Tracks included:

1. Wind And Stone
2. Drummer Of Your Mind
3. Snow
4. Like Me
5. The Slightest Possibility
6. Ytilibissop tsethgils eht

SIDE TWO

7. Gypsy Eyes (45 version)
8. Echo Of You
9. Gypsy Eyes (Version One)
10. Beyond The Rainbow
11. Crystal Land
12. Plastic Paradise

THE JAGGED EDGE aka THE OFF-SET

A Change Is Gonna Come
(Break 017)

VINYL RELEASE
AVAILABLE NOW

All tracks are painstakingly remastered for the garage connoisseurs listening pleasure. The 10-track vinyl LP comes in a full colour cover and with an LP sized insert featuring rare pics and the bands complete and detailed history as told by former members Art Steinman and Harley Wishner.

NICE ADDITIONS TO OUR GREAT SELLING

FIFTH ORDER LP / CD RELEASE

Surprisingly we did receive a nice mail from Paul Steger, brother of Fifth Order member Gary Steger. Paul sent a very nice picture of the band taken in 1966 showing from left to right: Jim, Gary, Jeff Johnson, Muff, and Billy on top laying down. It is the one of the first Fifth Order photos shot before Gary left the band and Jeff Fenholt took his place.

Also from Gary we did recieve the below business card by pre Fifth Order Band The Elektras as well as a picture of the very first 45 by the Fifth Order on Counterpart. Thanxs very much for all that – it´s more than appreciated.

Another cool shot by the Fifth Order was sent by Tom Fallon from Ohio, who helped a lot to put out the LP/CD release. The shot is from the Marion, Ohio 1967 yearbook and shows the band playing at their prom dance! Thanxs Tom!

SAD RINGERS NEWS

Early 2008 sad news reached us about Bill Lynn, who had played drums for Elvis Presley and the Ringers from 1964-1969. Aged 73, Bill died on January 5, 2006 in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, a scenic town 200 kilometres north of Bogota, after suffering from a lung problem. In Bogota, Bill owned a bar called “Legends and Superstars“, featuring Elvis memorabilia. The "drummatic" Bill Lynn was born in Bogota but grew up in the United States.

Cristina Alarcon, a friend of Lynn's, and the culture and tourism secretary for the department of Boyaca said: "He had a strong flu, which got worse in the early morning, and he died. The towns people are very sad because Bill was one of those people who would come and stay. He had become one of Villa de Leyva's attractions."

Bill visited the home of Break-A-Way Records several times during the past few years. I had the pleasure of spending several evenings with him, and had a good time talking about Elvis, the Ringers, the '60s and Bill's life as a musician. I saw Bill in 2002 in a show in Basel, Switzerland shortly after 9/11. Due to the difficult situation following this, most of the musicians for the show were not able to leave the United States in time for the concert. Bill saved the show with his professionalism and perfect showmanship. He was a great drummer and a great guy.

Thanks, Bill – Rest In Peace

Wolfgang Voelkel,
Break-A-Way Records

ALLAN MATTSON OF THE TRENCHMEN DIED

Mike Barnes a friend and co-worker of Allan Mattson, organist of the Trenchmen informs, that Allan passed away in early 2009. The Trenchmen / Lost Souls release, was done in co-operation with Jim Mackey. By the time the 10“ came out, Allan Mattsons whereabouts were unknown. Hopefully, he heard about the release and had the possibility to enjoy his old music again. Thanxs for letting us know Mike.