The North Atlantic Invasion Force (band)

Last updated
The North Atlantic Invasion Force
The North Atlantic Invasion Force (band).jpg
Background information
Origin New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Genres
Years active1964 (1964)-1969 (1969)
Labels
Associated acts
Past members
  • George Morgio
  • Nick Tirozzi
  • Neil Mitchill
  • Ed Dombrowski
  • Jim Gaffney

The North Atlantic Invasion Force (sometimes referred to as "NAIF") 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.

Contents

The band was formed by George Morgio in New Haven, Connecticut 1964. [1] [2] [3] [4] Their lineup consisted of Morgio on lead vocals (and sometimes guitar), Nick Tirozzi on lead and rhythm guitar (often an eclectic twelve string guitar), Neil Mitchill on bass, Ed Dombrowski on keyboards, and Jim Gaffney on drums. [2] North Atlantic Invasion Force achieved success in the southern Connecticut area, releasing several songs such which became hits on the local charts. [3]

The band's first recordings were made in late 1966 and would result in the 7-inch single, "Blue and Green Gown" b/w "Fire, Wind, and Rain," which appeared on the Congressional label in February 1967. [1] [2] Their next single came out on the Majestic label in September and featured the intensely delivered "Sweet Bird of Love" on the A-side backed with the folk rock novelty "Elephant in My Tambourine." [1] In February 1968 they released the topical song "Black on White," which generated controversy. [1] The song's subject matter dealt with the issue of free speech, but its title led many to falsely assume it was about race. Several radio stations refused to air it. [2] [3] The band's producer suggested that the band to re-record the vocal tracks with different lyrics to appease reluctant broadcasters, so the Morgio wrote a new set of lyrics under a new title and the band re-recorded the vocal tracks. [2] [3] The re-done and re-released version was titled "In the U.S.A." [1] The original version of "Black and White" nonetheless became hit in the southern Connecticut markets, reaching #1 in some towns and received radio exposure in other areas, even being played on American Bandstand . [2] [3] In addition to playing clubs, colleges, and concerts, the NAIF opened for acts such as the Rascals, the Rolling Stones, the McCoys, the Searchers, the Zombies, Vanilla Fudge, and George Carlin. [3] In the intervening spell, the band issued single featuring "Rainmaker." [1] By 1968, the various members of the band graduated from high school and were beginning to move in different directions. [2] Their last release was "Loves No Game," which appeared on Staff Records in 1969. [1] The band broke up shortly thereafter. [2] [3]

Following the breakup, Morgio pursued a solo career, playing original songs in clubs, colleges, and concerts in the early 1970s. [2] [3] In 1973 he took a hiatus from music, which ended up lasting for thirty years. [2] [3] He started a successful antiques business. In 2004, Morgio returned to writing and performing original material. [2] [3] His song lyrics continue to deal with emotional concerns and interpersonal relationships, as well as topical themes reflecting his interest in issues such as world peace and homelessness. [2] [3]

In the intervening years since the band's demise, their work has come to the attention of garage rock collectors and enthusiasts. In 1995 their complete recordings, which include fourteen original works, were compiled on The History of Garage Bands in the 60's: Volume I, put out by Cicadelic Records. Two of their songs appear on Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults , assembled by Collectables Records. [5] [6] [7] [8]

Membership

Discography

Related Research Articles

Green Tambourine 1967 single by the Lemon Pipers

"Green Tambourine" is a song written and composed by Paul Leka and Shelley Pinz. It was the biggest hit by the 1960s Ohio-based rock group the Lemon Pipers, as well as the title track of their debut album, Green Tambourine. The song was one of the first psychedelic pop chart-toppers and became a gold record.

The Choir was a garage rock band largely active in the greater Cleveland area from the mid-1960s into the early 1970s. Originally called The Mods, their largest commercial success came with the release of their first single "It's Cold Outside" in December 1966. The song, considered to be a classic of the garage rock era, was featured on Pebbles, Volume 2, one of the earlier garage rock compilation LPs. The flipside, "I'm Going Home" was included as a bonus track when the Pebbles album was reissued as a CD, and it can also be found on a garage rock compilation LP on Ohio bands, Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 9. The Choir is well known for containing three of the four original members of Raspberries.

The Human Expression

The Human Expression was an American garage and psychedelic rock band from Los Angeles that released three well-regarded singles, and made additional demo recordings between 1966 and 1967.

The Outcasts (Texas band)

The Outcasts are an American garage rock band from San Antonio, Texas that released a total of five singles between 1965 and 1967. Their best-known songs are "I'm in Pittsburgh ", and "1523 Blair". Their recordings have been reissued on a number of compilation albums. According to the Ugly Things compilation album notes, they are the most recognized band of this name that were active in the mid-1960s, including another popular band from Manhasset, New York.

"It's a Cry'n Shame" is a song written by Seab Meador and Mike Kelley and was recorded in 1966 by the Gentlemen, an American garage rock band from Dallas, Texas who were active between 1964-1968. It was originally released as the B-side to "You Can't Be True" but has become by far the better-known song. "It's a Cry'n Shame" has been included in several garage rock compilations and is now recognized as one of the greatest songs in the genre.

Voices Green and Purple

"Voices Green and Purple" is a song by the Bees, an American garage rock and psychedelic band from Covina, California who were active in the mid-1960s. It has been mentioned as an innovative example of early protopunk and has become highly prized by various garage rock collectors and enthusiasts.

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 one 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.

<i>Green Crystal Ties, Volume 10: 60s Garage Band Flashback</i> 1998 compilation album

Green Crystal Ties, Volume 10: 60s Garage Band Flasback 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.

<i>Green Crystal Ties, Volume 6: Rarities from the Psychedelic Vaults</i> 1998 compilation album

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.

The Liberty Bell (band) American rock band

The Liberty Bell was an American garage rock/psychedelic rock band from Corpus Christi, Texas who were active in the 1960s. They specialized in a blues-based brand of proto-punk influenced by British groups such as the Yardbirds. The band failed to reach wider audience in the time, but have come to the attention of garage rock collectors and enthusiasts in the intervening years since their breakup, with their work appearing on several compilations.

The Groupies (band)

The Groupies were an American garage rock-psychedelic rock band from New York City who were active in the 1960s and are known for an innovative approach to primal blues-based rock exemplified in such songs as "Primitive". They were a popular fixture in the New York club scene and recorded for Atco Records, later venturing to Los Angeles. Due to their uncompromising stance the Groupies failed to attract a wider audience outside of their local enclaves. In recent years they have come to the attention of garage rock and psychedelic enthusiasts and their work has been included on various compilations such as the 1998 Nuggets four-CD box set, which was released on Rhino Records. In recent years their material has been re-issued on various garage rock and psychedelic compilations such as the Pebbles, Volume 10 LP and the 1998 Nuggets four-CD box set.

<i>Green Crystal Ties, Volume 1: Garage Band Rebels</i> 1998 compilation album

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.

The Lewallen Brothers Musical artist

The Lewallen Brothers were an American garage rock band formed in Tucson, Arizona in 1962. Combining an element of folk rock, similar to the sound of the Beau Brummels, with the essence of a raw garage band, the group became immensely popular in Arizona. Though the Lewallen Brothers never broke through to a national audience, the band is noted for being one of the longest-enduring garage musical acts to emerge from the 1960s, as the group performed well into the 1990s.

<i>Green Crystal Ties, Volume 3: Gloria Meets 96 Tears</i> 1998 compilation album

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.

<i>Green Crystal Ties, Volume 4: Mind-Expanding 60s Psychedelia</i> 1998 compilation album

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.

<i>Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults</i> 1998 compilation album

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.

The Stumblin' Blox were an American garage rock band from Abilene, Texas who were active in the 1960s. They are known for songs such as "It's Alright." Though they failed to achieve commercial success, their works have come to the attention of garage rock enthusiasts and collectors over the years and have been included several compilations.

Sir Winston and the Commons American garage-rock band, formed 1963

Sir Winston and the Commons were an American garage rock band formed in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1963. The group released two highly regarded singles, which, upon release, earned the band a regional following, and resulted in reinterest in their music over the years. At the height of their popularity, Sir Winston and the Commons were regulars at the teen dance club the Cellar, in Chicago.

Public Nuisance (band)

Public Nuisance was an American rock band from Sacramento, California who were active from 1964-1970, first as Moss & the Rocks, then later as Public Nuisance. In 1965 they recorded the song "There She Goes" as Moss & the Rocks for a single released on the local Icon label. After changing their name to Public Nuisance in 1967, they began to incorporate psychedelic elements into their sound and a series of mostly unreleased songs recorded at various sessions from 1968-1969 that went for years unissued, but finally saw the light of day in 2002 with the release of the Gotta Survive anthology. Since then, their work, both as Moss & the Rocks and Public Nuisance, has attracted the attention of garage rock and psychedelic enthusiasts worldwide.

Danny and the Counts were an American garage rock band from El Paso, Texas, who were active in the 1960s. They were one of the most popular bands in the thriving Latino rock scene in El Paso. They had a local hit with their 1965 R&B-flavored debut single, "For Your Love", but afterward switched their approach to reflect British Invasion influence. In 1966 they released a single on Coronado Records featuring the two songs for which they have become best-known, "You Need Love" and "Ode to the Wind". In the intervening years their work has come to be highly regarded by garage rock enthusiasts.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Markesich, Mike (2012). Teen Beat Mayhem (First ed.). Branford, Connecticut: Priceless Info Press. p.  177. ISBN   978-0-9856482-5-1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Dugo, Mike. "North Atlantic Invasion Force". 60s Garage Bands.com. 60s Garage Bands.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Silverstien, Dave. "Oldies/Band called N.A.I.F." AllExperts. About.com. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  4. "Biography". George Morgio: Singer Songwriter. George Morgio. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  5. Eder, Bruce. "Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults". AllMusic. AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  6. Kaplan, Steve; Wendelken, Matt (1998). Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults. Narberth, PA: Collectables Records.
  7. Paterson, Beverly (October 26, 2013). "Various Artists – Green Crystal Ties Volumes One To Ten (1998) review". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine . Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  8. "Various – Green Crystal Ties, Volume Five: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults". Discogs. Discogs®. Retrieved December 8, 2015.