ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW : YOUNGSTOWN

Here's a rare soul 45rpm by Odds Against Tomorrow. On the SWEET AS label....found this one several years ago but never gathered much info on it other than what's listed on the label.

Odds Against Tomorrow-Point of No Return (pt1)

STIV BATORS : YOUNGSTOWN

Here's an obiturary from the Youngstown Vindicator:


Probably the BEST front-man to come out of Y-town...ever! There are several sites devoted to Stiv...so Google away for the scoop. My favorite years from him were with the Dead Boys. Unfortuneately, I didn't get to see them in thier heyday ('76 + '77) but did catch up with them on their reincarnation in '88 at the famous Cedars Lounge. Also, got to meet Stiv backstage after a Lords of the New Church show in Cleveland. He was very nice...as were his parents who were there as well. Sadly, as in rockstar fashion...he checked out of this crazy mess way too early. R.I.P Stiv.

Stiv Bators-It's Cold Outside

SISTER RAY : YOUNGSTOWN

Back in my college years, stuck in Ohio….one of my favorite bands to catch at the infamous Cedar’s Lounge was Sister Ray. Though they never hit the big time, not sure if they wanted it anyway, the band did record a boatload of material. Most recorded in Sam’s basement and distributed via cassettes. They were lucky enough to score a recording deal with Germany’s RESONANCE label for a few releases. They also managed to release a good number of singles, mostly on the band’s label at first (SAD) but others as well including SUB-POP!. Included here is a track from their very limited live cassette. Be sure to check out the comment section for an added BONUS!!!

Here’s a good interview from a few years back:

SISTER RAY

UPDATE: decided to dig out/post the show poster from the overseas tour (see Dave's comment for the inspiration!)





Sister Ray-I Can Only Give You Everything

HUMAN BEINZ : YOUNGSTOWN

In the mid 60's The Human Beinz placed focus on Y-town with their national hit "Nobody But Me". That song still gets lots of play these days, a true classic! They signed with a major label, CAPITOL, but never was able to follow up. Check out the band's web site HERE. From the ultra rare live in Japan LP comes a few cuts:

The Human Beinz-Hold on Baby

The Human Beinz-I've Gotta Keep on Pushin'(studio outtake)

ILLUMINATUS! : YOUNGSTOWN

From the Y-town/Sharon area, Illuminatus! was a band I would check out at the famous Cedars lounge. Band members include Tom Sailor, Tony Mentzer, Brian Johnson and Dan Sebastian. Check out more info on the band via their MySpace page HERE

Illuminatus!-Widow's Garden

Illuminatus!-Set Fire To This Town

A rare video glimpse of the band! :

THE TRICK : YOUNGSTOWN

I really don't have much info on this one. I was told that The Trick were from Y-town and that's it. Judging from the sound, I'm guessing an early '70s release. A good funk/rocker none the less!

The Trick-Free As A Bird

THE BOYS 'N IVY : YOUNGSTOWN

Not much info on this sole release by Y-town's The Boys 'N Ivy. Released in 1968 on the PAMPA label, side 1 has a nice cover of the Doors' tune. Label lists Dee Bltzy and Jim Toti as members.

The Boys 'N Ivy-Soul Kitchen

The Boys 'N Ivy-Summer Time

THE REACTIONS : YOUNGSTOWN

Staying in Y-town for this holiday offering by The Reactions. Recorded at Peppermint Studios in 1987, The Reactions were David Lemasters on lead vocals, guitars, bass & percussion ; Michael D'Allessandro on drums, keyboards , percussion & harmony vocals. They had lots of additional help on the "It's Christmas" cut.

The Reactions-It's Christmas Time

The Reactions-I'm Here For You

THE EIGHT BALLS : YOUNGSTOWN

Back in the day (late '70s to late '80s) me & my friends were "regulars" on the weekends at a dive in downtown Y-Town named the Cedars Lounge. Many a local as well as national (& international !!) acts played there. Some of the local favs from the era are doing a get together this weekend, see HERE...wish I could attend. Here's the only offering (I know of) from the lengendary..... 8 Balls. Released in 1984 on the UNDERDOG RECORDS label (where have you heard that name before??? {hint...search the blog!!}). The band consited of Timmy guitar & vocals ; Dave lead guitar & vocals ; Bob bass and Sandy drums.

The 8 Balls-Science Gone Too Far

The 8 Balls-When The Spirit Moves Me


UPDATED BONUS!!:

Ah, the great YOUTUBE... from the Dec. 22. 2007 reunion:

THE UNCALLED FOR : YOUNGSTOWN

Heading back into the Mahoning valley for this lone release from The Uncalled For. Originally released in 1967 on the DOLLIE label, then later picked up by LAURIE. This classic can be found on several reissue garage compilations.

The Uncalled For-Do Like Me

The Uncalled For-Get Out Of The Way

THE SQUIRES : YOUNGSTOWN

One would have to look long & hard for this 45rpm. Circa 1966 on the PENQUIN label comes The Squires. Featuring a very young Phil Keaggy on guitar!

The Squires-Batmobile

The Squires-I Don't Care

THE PIED PIPERS : YOUNGSTOWN

Consisting of: Dennis Sesonsky - vocals, Pete Pompura - Bass, Les Moro - Guitar and Lenny Krispinsky - Drums, The Pied Pipers first release is represented here. A classic... circa 1966 on the WAM record label. Much info about the band can be read at the Buckeye Beat site (see side bar link) plus MySpace. Wild frontman Dennis would later front Left End in the '70s.... more on that band in a later post.

The Pied Pipers-Hey Joe

The Pied Pipers-Hold On I'm Coming





The Pied Pipers-Stay in My Life

THE TODD : YOUNGSTOWN

THE TODD reportedly were named after Todd Rundgren as founding member Ron "Sonny" Hrenovcik was a big fan of. Recorded at the famous PEPPERMINT studios which was home to countless other Y-Town bands.

Sonny went on to form Sacksville Rhythm and Blues band. He also owns a cool record shop called UNDERDOG RECORDS in which I have spent much time & money in.

The Todd-Mystifying Me

The Todd-Be My Lover Tonight

JOHNIE 3 : YOUNGSTOWN

Sounding much like the Ramones, Johnie 3 is current and could be seen at my old stomping grounds The Cedars Lounge. Check out the band's MySpace site HERE

Johnie-3-Over Her

THE EXECUTIONERS : YOUNGSTOWN

The Executioners hailed from Youngstown. The band consisted of ANDY GLISTA on bass , TERRY GRIMM drums , DICK STRONEY keyboards, ED WASACZ lead guitar, RICHARD YEAGER sax & vocals and ROGER LEWIS guitar. They released four 45s, this being their final in 1966 and on the nationally distrubuted SWAN label. I originally posted this earlier on my other site but decided to add it here after diggin' up more info on the band.

The Executioners-I Want The Rain


The Executioners-Don't Put Me On

TINY BRADSHAW : YOUNGSTOWN

Myron "Tiny" Bradshaw was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1905 and was a jump blues artist. I would become aware of him many many years later as I discovered he wrote & originally performed a rock & roll classic, one that I first heard done by Aerosmith, The Yardbirds and Johnny Burnette and the Rock n' Roll Trio. Tiny's release of "The Train Kept A-Rollin'" was on the Cincinatti based KING record label in 1952. I was amazed that a song I had many a-times rocked out to as a teen, had it's roots in my hometown!

Included here are a couple more of his KING releases to highlight his style.

Tiny Bradshaw-The Train Kept A-Rollin

Tiny Bradshaw-Bradshaw Boogie

Tiny Bradshaw-Breaking Up The House