Garage rock is a raw and energetic style of rock and roll that flourished in the mid-1960s, most notably in the United States and Canada, and has experienced a series of subsequent revivals. The style is characterized by basic chord structures played on electric guitars and other instruments, sometimes distorted through a fuzzbox, as well as often unsophisticated and occasionally aggressive lyrics and delivery. Its name derives from the perception that groups were often made up of young amateurs who rehearsed in the family garage, although many were professional.
Pebbles is a compilation of US underground and garage single record releases from the mid- to late-1960s. It had a limited original release in 1978 and a more general release in 1979. It was followed by several subsequent Pebbles compilations and albums. This album is nowadays known as Pebbles, Volume 1 and was originally issued in 1978 as Pebbles, Volume One: Artyfacts from the First Punk Era, an obvious riff on Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, a similar, groundbreaking compilation from 1972.
Garage punk is a rock music fusion genre combining the influences of garage rock, punk rock, and often other genres, that took shape in the indie rock underground between the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bands drew heavily from 1960s garage rock, stripped-down 1970s punk rock, and Detroit proto-punk, and often incorporated numerous other styles into their approach, such as power pop, 1960s girl groups, hardcore punk, blues and early R&B, and surf rock.
Teenage Shutdown! I'm Down Today, sometimes referred to as "Volume 6," is the sixth installment in the Teenage Shutdown! series of garage rock compilations put out by Tim Warren of Crypt Records, which is available on both LP and compact disc formats. This volume was released on December 29, 1998 and is composed largely of moody songs and somber ballads, reflecting the darker and more introspective side of the genre, as indicated in the sub-heading, which reads "Moody & Brooding Teen Misery Lowdown." Like all of the entries in the series, the collection was compiled and mastered by Warren, using original 45 rpm records selected from the collection of noted garage rock archivist, Mike Markesich. The photograph which appears on the front cover is of the Chargers from Wenatchee, Washington, who perform the fifteenth track, "I'm so Alone." The packaging includes liner notes providing information about the songs and bands.
Garage Beat '66 Volume 7: That's How It Will Be! is the seventh installment in the Garage Beat '66 series of garage rock compilations issued by Sundazed Records, which is available exclusively on compact disc. Like all of the entries in the series, which is noted for good sound quality, all of the tracks are mastered from the original studio master sources and contain well-researched liner notes written by knowledgeable authorities.
Back from the Grave, Volume 6 (LP) is the sixth installment in the Back from the Grave series of garage rock compilations assembled by Tim Warren of Crypt Records. It was released in 1986. In keeping with all of the entries in the series, and as indicated in the subheading which reads "17 Loud Unpsychedelic Wild Mid-60s Garage Punkers," this collection generally excludes psychedelic, folk rock, and pop-influenced material in favor of basic primitive rock and roll, usually consisting of songs displaying the rawer and more aggressive side of the genre often characterized by the use of fuzztone-distorted guitars and rough vocals. The packaging features well-researched liner notes written by Tim Warren which convey basic information about each song and group, such as origin, recording date, and biographical sketches, usually written in a conversational style that includes occasional slang, anecdotes, humorous asides. The liner notes are noticeably opinionated, sometimes engaging in tongue-in-cheek insults directed at other genres of music. The packaging also includes photographs of the bands, and the front cover features a highly satirical cartoon by Mort Todd which depicts the customarily vengeful deeds of revivified zombies, but this time, in a version of the future based on a retro-vision from the past, replete with flying saucers, these defiantly "earthly" creatures have taken Crypt records' makeshift fighter-plane for a joyride into orbit for the purpose of not-so-safely depositing their "musically heterodox" victims into the outer reaches of space.
Green Crystal Ties is an extensive series of compilation albums focusing on obscure and relatively unknown psychedelic and garage rock musical artists that recorded during the 1960s and early 1970s. Released on Collectables Records, Green Crystal Ties features ten total albums, all of which were issued in 1998. For the most part, the albums expand on past series distributed by Collectables Records and its contemporary Cicadelic Records, and as with Nuggets employ original master source elements when possible and arrange the various installments along contextual and conceptual lines. The music tends to be more refined in the earlier volumes of the series, progressively venturing out into more obscure and unknown material later much in the same fashion as the Pebbles or Back from the Grave series. The various installments are not ordered chronologically, but instead place emphasis on certain regions or musical styles. Although most of the music was recorded by American groups, there are a few exceptions such the heavy metal band Black Sabbath and King Richard and the Knights. Green Crystal Ties pays homage to the band the Zakary Thaks and their song of the same name. All of the entries are housed highly colorful packaging designed by Nicole Ruhl Fichera and each features a photograph of one of the compiled bands on the front cover. The packaging for all entries includes well-researched liner notes written by Steve Kaplan and Matt Wendelken which provide helpful biographical information about the bands and their songs.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 10: 60s Garage Band Flashback is a compilation album featuring psychedelic and garage rock musical artists that recorded in the 1960s and early 1970s. It is the tenth and final installment of the Green Crystal Ties series and was released on Collectables Records on April 7, 1998. The album arguably features the most obscure musical artists featured in the series.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 9: The Great Lost Psychedelic Garage Bands is a compilation album featuring obscure American psychedelic rock musical artists that recorded in the 1960s. It is the ninth installment of the Green Crystal Ties series and was released on Collectables Records on April 7, 1998. The album is considered one of the series best showings of psychedelic music.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 6: Rarities from the Psychedelic Vaults is a compilation album featuring obscure psychedelic rock bands that recorded in the 1960s. It is the sixth installment of the Green Crystal Ties series and was released on Collectables Records on April 7, 1998. Though Volume 6 focuses specifically on psychedelia, the album is commended for featuring a wide-diversity of musical styles intertwined in the genre.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 7: Mind-Expanding Punk of the 60s is a compilation album featuring American psychedelic and garage rock musical artists that recorded in the 1960s. It is the seventh installment of the Green Crystal Ties series and was released on Collectables Records on April 7, 1998. The album is not so "Mind-Expanding"—alluding to psychedelic music -- Volume 7 does offer the most hard-edged musical stance within the series.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 1: Garage Band Rebels is the first installment in the Green Crystal Ties series of psychedelic and garage rock compilations issued by Collectables Records. It was released on April 7, 1998 and focuses on bands from Texas who were active in the 1960s and early 1970s such as the Zakary Thaks, The Bad Seeds, the Liberty Bell from Corpus Christi. Like all of the entries in the series, the highly colorful packaging is designed by Nicole Ruhl Fichera and on this occasion features a photograph of the Zakary Thaks on front. The inner sleeve includes through liner notes written by Steve Kaplan and Matt Wendelken which provide helpful biographical information about the bands and their songs.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 3: Gloria Meets 96 Tears is the third installment in the Green Crystal Ties series of psychedelic and garage rock compilations issued by Collectables Records. It was released on April 7, 1998 and features songs by obscure American musical artists who recorded in the 1960s. Like all of the entries in the series, the highly colorful packaging is designed by Nicole Ruhl Fichera and on this occasion features a front cover photograph of Yesterday's Children, who are included in this set. The inner sleeve includes well-researched liner notes written by Steve Kaplan and Matt Wendelken which provide helpful biographical information about the bands and their songs.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 4: Mind-Expanding 60s Psychedelia is the fourth installment in the Green Crystal Ties series of psychedelic and garage rock compilations issued by Collectables Records. It was released on April 7, 1998 and like volume 1 features songs by Texas garage and psychedelic bands who recorded in the 1960s. The series is known for good quality mastering and sound quality. Like all of the entries in the series, the highly colorful packaging is designed by Nicole Ruhl Fichera. The inner sleeve includes well-researched liner notes written by Steve Kaplan and Matt Wendelken which provide helpful biographical information about the bands and their songs.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults is the fifth installment in the Green Crystal Ties series of psychedelic and garage rock compilations issued by Collectables Records. It was released on April 7, 1998 and like volume 1 features songs by obscure bands who recorded in the 1960s. The series is known for good quality mastering and sound quality. Like all of the entries in the series, the highly colorful packaging is designed by Nicole Ruhl Fichera. The inner sleeve includes well-researched liner notes written by Steve Kaplan and Matt Wendelken which provide helpful biographical information about the bands and their songs.
Green Crystal Ties, Volume 8: Stomping Garage Band Legends is a compilation album featuring garage rock musical artists that recorded in the 1960s. It is the eighth installment of the Green Crystal Ties series and was released on Collectables Records April 7, 1998. The album, for what it lacks in complex lyricism, centers around frantic performances alluding to teenage alienation and angst toward society.
The North Atlantic Invasion Force was an American garage rock band from New Haven, Connecticut who were active in the 1960s. They were led by vocalist and principal songwriter George Morgio, many of whose song lyrics were concerned with interpersonal relationships or were otherwise topical in nature, focusing issues such as free speech and the ongoing war in Vietnam.
Oh Yeah! The Best of Dunwich Records is a garage rock compilation issued by Sundazed Records featuring music made by acts who recorded for Dunwich Records in Chicago during the 1960s. Dunwich quickly became one of the top independent labels in Chicago and, with national distribution through Atco Records, enjoyed hits by artists such as the American Breed and the Shadows of Knight, who were some of the best-known acts in garage rock, and are included here, along with the Del-Vetts, another well-known act. The set represents the stylistic diversity of the genre, featuring cuts that range from harder-edged and blues-based numbers to more pop-oriented fare. Some of the tracks display folk rock and psychedelic influences and there are a few advertising jingles, which appeared local radio stations, as well as an interview with the Shadows of Knight thrown in for good measure. The packaging includes thorough and we-researched liner notes by Jeff Jarema that provide information for the acts and their songs.
It Came from the Garage! Nuggets from Southern California is a garage rock compilation that features music made by acts who recorded for Downey Records in Downey, California during the 1960s. The label was founded by brothers Jack and Bill Wenzel, who had previously owned a local music shop. The compilation contains 24 tracks and was issued in 1997 by Big Beat Records, making it the third collection offered by Big Beat to feature material from the Downey archives. The set represents the diversity of the genre ranging from typical three-chord fare to psychedelic, as well as soul-influenced garage.
