The Shames

Last updated
The Shames
Origin Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States
Genres Garage rock, rock and roll, protopunk
Years active1965 (1965)-1967 (1967)
LabelsRFT Music Productions
Past members
  • Denis Trudel
  • James "JB" Amero
  • Patty "Beetle" Germoni
  • Gerard Trudel
  • Joey Amerault

The Shames were a garage rock band from Ipswich, Massachusetts who were active in the mid-1960s. [1] [2] [3] [4] They are known amongst collectors for two songs which are highly regarded: "Special Ones" and especially "My World is Upside Down," which has been mentioned as a classic in the genre. [1] [2] [4]

Contents

The Shames formed in 1964 as the Dimensions. Later they changed their name to the Cryin' Shames, as a comment about the disparaging remarks they would receive about the length of their hair (something to the effect of "...what a cryin' shame..."). [2] Their membership consisted of Denis Trudel on lead vocals, James "JB" Amero on lead guitar, Patty "Beetle" Germoni on keyboards, Gerard Trudel on bass, and Joey Amerault on drums. [3] After the success of the Chicago band with the same, they dropped "Cryin'" from the title and became the Shames. They became a popular draw in the New England and upstate New York region, doing frequent gigs at a number of venues and played regularly at the Sillouette Club in Beverly, Massachusetts. [2] Their manager was Charles L. Larrivee. The Shames recorded a single for RFT Music Productions in 1966, featuring "My World is Upside Down," written by J. Amero and R. Beauleir, b/w "The Special Ones," by D. Trudel. [3] For the first batch of pressings, which appeared on a red label, the printers forgot to not put the band's name on the label. [3] So, the record had to be re-pressed in a second batch—this time with a yellow label. [1] [3] Both songs are now compiled on the Back From the Grave Vol. 6 LP (and Vol. 3 CD) series, released on Crypt Records. [5] [6]

Their song "My World is Upside Down" has been noted as a garage rock classic and "Special Ones" is also highly regarded. [1] [2] In Mike Markesich's Teenbeat Mayhem, both songs are mentioned in list of the top 1000 garage songs of all time (out of the over 16,000 records included in the book) decided on by a panel of garage rock experts and writers, both are in the upper quarter of rankings. [1] "My World Is Upside Down" is ranked in the top 200 at the position of #197 and "Special Ones" at #220 respectively. [1] Remarking on "My World is Upside Down", Tim Warren of Crypt Records has called it "...by far the best garage record out of the entire New England area." [2]

Membership

Discography

"My World is Upside Down" b/w "The Special Ones" (RFT Music Productions, 1966) [1] [2] [3]

Related Research Articles

The Savages (Bermuda band) Bermuda garage rock band

The Savages were a garage rock band from Bermuda that were active in the mid-1960s. They are best remembered for their album, Live 'n Wild, which was composed largely of self-penned tunes and recorded in front of a live audience, has been mentioned as a seminal work in the genre, and features the song, "The World Ain't Round It's Square". This song has become regarded as a classic 1960s anthem of youthful defiance.

<i>Live n Wild</i> 1966 live album by The Savages

Live 'N Wild is a live album released in 1966 by The Savages, a garage rock band from Bermuda, which was recorded live at the Hub, a nightclub at the Princess Hotel in their native country. Consisting of mostly self-composed songs, the album is considered a seminal work in the garage rock genre, and features the song, "The World Ain't Round It's Square," which has come to be regarded as a classic '60s anthem of youthful defiance.

The Gentlemen (Dallas band) American garage rock band

The Gentlemen were an American garage rock band from Dallas, Texas, who were active from 1964 to 1968. They are best known for their 1966 song, "It's a Cry'n Shame", which has been recognized as one of the greatest songs in garage rock. The band is noted for the contributions of guitarist and songwriter, Seab Meador. Jimmie Vaughan, later a member the Fabulous Thunderbirds and brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan, served a brief stint for several months in the Gentlemen in late 1965 and early 1966, but did not appear on any of their recordings. He went on to play in another Dallas garage rock band, the Chessmen.

"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 and 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.

<i>Teenage Shutdown!</i> (series) 1998 compilation album series by Various Artists

Teenage Shutdown! is a series of garage rock compilation albums assembled by Tim Warren of Crypt Records, best known for his Back from the Grave series. Most of the volumes in the Teenage Shutdown! series, gravitate towards the more raw and aggressive examples of the genre, but some volumes also reflect different aspects of garage rock, such as frat rock, soul-influenced rock, as well as folk rock and psychedelic. The series currently consists of fifteen LP's and CD's, which unlike the Back from the Grave series, are identical in both formats. The first ten installments were released in 1998 and the remainder in 1999 and 2000. The first volume Jump, Jive and Harmonize, was culled from the collection of 45-rpm singles owned by Mike Markesich. The series tends to follow the packaging format employed by other garage compilation series such as Pebbles and Back from the Grave: each volume includes detailed liner notes, for this series written by Mike Markesich, which include basic information about each song and group, such as origin and recording date. The information that they present reflects thorough research, including information about the circumstances of the recordings and brief biographical sketches of the groups. The various albums in the series occasionally include photographs of groups not actually included on the track listings, sometimes even going as far as to have such bands pictured on the front sleeves. Currently, there are fifteen volumes in the series.

<i>Back from the Grave, Volume 3</i> (CD) 1996 compilation album

Back from the Grave, Volume 3 (CD), is the third installment in the Back from the Grave compact disc-edition series of garage rock compilations assembled by Tim Warren of Crypt Records. It was released on August 23 1996. Its track listing differs from that of the LP version, which is part of the Back From the Grave LP-edition series, also on Crypt. In keeping with all of the entries in the series, and as indicated in the subheading which reads "Raw 'n' Crude Mid-60s Garage Punk!," this collection consists of many songs which display the rawer and more aggressive side of the genre and are often characterized by the use of fuzztone-distorted guitars and rough vocals. Accordingly, the set generally excludes psychedelic, folk rock, and pop-influenced material in favor of basic primitive rock and roll. The packaging features a booklet containing well-researched liner notes written by Tim Warren which conveys 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 booklet also includes photographs of the bands, and the front cover features a highly satirical cartoon by Mort Todd depicting revivified "rock and roll" zombies who have just emerged from the grave to "drop in a pit" all adherents of supposedly "heretical" pop and progressive music which have come to prominence over the years.

<i>Back from the Grave, Volume 4</i> (CD) 2000 compilation album

Back from the Grave, Volume 4 (CD), is the fourth installment in the Back from the Grave compact disc-exclusive series of garage rock compilations assembled by Tim Warren of Crypt Records. It was released on October 10, 2000. Its track listing differs from that of the LP version, which is part of the Back From the Grave LP-edition series, also on Crypt. In keeping with all of the entries in the series, and as indicated in the subheading which reads "Raw 'n' Crude Mid-60s Garage Punk!," this collection consists of many songs which display the rawer and more aggressive side of the genre and are often characterized by the use of fuzztone-distorted guitars and rough vocals. Accordingly, the set generally excludes psychedelic, folk rock, and pop-influenced material in favor of basic primitive rock and roll. The packaging features a booklet containing well-researched liner notes written by Tim Warren which conveys 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 booklet also includes photographs of the bands, and the front cover features a highly satirical cartoon by Mort Todd depicting revivified "rock and roll" zombies who, on this occasion, with the help of Batman's sidekick, Robin, have taken the 1966 TV series Batmobile out for a "wild joyride" and are intent on causing as much mayhem as possible and "lassoing" unsuspecting bystanders—only on this outing, their "victims" are more "randomly selected" than as customarily portrayed on Back from the Grave sleeves.

<i>Back from the Grave, Volume 6</i>

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.

Harbinger Complex American garage/psychedelic rock band

Harbinger Complex was an American garage rock/psychedelic rock band from Fremont, California, who were active in the mid-1960s. In the years since their breakup, their work has come to the attention of garage rock fans and collectors and has appeared on several retrospective compilations including the Nuggets 4-CD box set. They are best-remembered for their 1966 song, "I Think I'm Down."

The World Aint Round Its Square 1966 single by The Savages

"The World Ain't Round It's Square" is a song recorded in 1966 by The Savages, a garage rock band from Bermuda and was written by Howie Rego and Bobby Zuill. It was recorded live at the Hub, a nightclub at the Princess Hotel in Bermuda and appeared on their live album taped from the event, Live 'n Wild. The song has been mentioned as a landmark anthem of 1960s youthful defiance and is ranked #4 in the list of the 1000 greatest garage rock records in Mike Markesich's Teenbeat Mayhem. It has been featured on the Teenage Shutdown! The World Ain't Round, It's Square! compilation as well as included the reissue of Live 'n Wild.

The Outsiders were an American garage rock band from Tampa, Florida who were active in the 1960s. They are not to be confused with the better-known group, the Outsiders, from Cleveland, Ohio, nor with The Outsiders from the Netherlands, both of whom were active at the same time.

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.

<i>No No No</i> (compilation) 1998 compilation album

No No No is a compilation of garage rock recordings from the 1960s issued by Arf! Arf! Records, and is available exclusively on compact disc. In keeping with the sub-heading that reads "28 Moody, Somber and Tragic '60s Garage Rock Sagas", the set features mostly somber and downcast examples of the genre, many of them ballads in contrast to Arf! Arf!'s subsequently released companion piece, Yeah Yeah Yeah, which instead features upbeat, driving, and hard-rocking songs. There are no liner notes included, but the cover artwork nonetheless displays photographs of the labels of the original singles from which the tracks were taken.

<i>Last of the Garage Punk Unknowns, Volumes 1 & 2: American Teenage Garage Hoot 1965–1967</i> 2015 compilation album

Last of the Garage Punk Unknowns, Volumes 1 & 2: American Garage Teenage Hoot 1965-1967 is a compilation album of 1960s garage rock available on compact disc and is the first installment in the CD version of the Last of the Garage Punk Unknowns series created and compiled by Tim Warren for Crypt Records. It was released and 2015 and combines volumes 1 and 2 of the LP counterparts in the series. As indicated on the front sleeve, most of the songs were recorded by American groups between 1965-1967. Packaging includes detailed liner notes that include basic information about each song and group, such as origin and recording date. The albums also include photographs of included groups, and cover artwork reflects the mid-1960s style graphic presentation popular on record sleeves of the time.

The Dagenites American garage rock band

The Dagenites were an American garage rock a band from Oxon Hill, Maryland near Washington, DC, who were active in the 1960s. They shared management and frequent billing with noted guitarist and performer Link Wray. In recent years their work has become highly regarded amongst garage rock enthusiasts and collectors and has been included on several compilations. The Dagenites are especially known for their proto-punk anthems, "I Don't Want to Try it Again" and "I'm Gone Slide", both of which have been mentioned as garage rock classics.

The Kings Ransom American garage rock band from Pennsylvania

The Kings Ransom were an American garage rock band from Allentown, Pennsylvania who were active from 1965-1968 and were a popular act in the Lehigh Valley area, as well as around Philadelphia. Their record "Shame" became a hit in Milton, Pennsylvania and received airplay in Michigan. In the intervening years the Kings Ransom's music has come to the attention of garage rock enthusiasts with the release of several of their songs on compilations such as Allentown Anglophile and Teenage Shutdown! Teen Jangler Blowout!

The Humans (New York band) American garage rock band

The Humans were an American garage rock band from Albion, New York who were active in the 1960s. They were popular in the region, touring throughout the Northeast, and enjoyed a regional hit, with the single "Take a Taxi" b/w "Warning", that received airplay in other markets around the country. "Warning" has become especially valued amongst garage rock enthusiasts and was included on the Back from the Grave compilation series.

The Brymers American garage rock band

The Brymers were an American garage rock band from San Joaquin Valley, California, who were active in the 1960s. They had a regional hit with the song "Sacrifice", which also received distribution overseas and managed to garnish airplay in parts of Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Although they only released one single, they recorded numerous unissued tracks that would subsequently be released on CD between 2007 and 2008. The group reunited in 2007 and have since been active on stage and in the studio, releasing five CDs containing old and new material. "Sacrifice" and their version of "The House of the Rising Sun" were both featured in the film Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher. Their song "I Want to Tell You" was included in a scene from the ABC TV series Once Upon A Time.

The Tamrons were an American garage rock band from Concord, North Carolina, near Charlotte who were active in the 1960s. They became one of the most popular bands in Concord and the Charlotte area during the mid-1960s and enjoyed a regional hit with their single, "Wild Man" backed with "Stop, Look, Listen" recorded at Arthur Smith's studio in Charlotte and released on his Pyramid label. They broke up in 1968. In the intervening years their work has become highly regarded by garage rock enthusiasts and has appeared on several compilations.

<i>Last of the Garage Punk Unknowns, Volumes 7 & 8: Heartbroken American Garage Jangle Misery 1965–1967</i> 2015 compilation album

Last of the Garage Punk Unknowns, Volumes 7 & 8: Heartbroken American Garage Jangle Misery 1965–1967 is a compilation album of 1960s garage rock available on compact disc and is part of the Last of the Garage Punk Unknowns series created and compiled by Tim Warren for Crypt Records. It was released and 2015 and combines volumes 7 and 8 of the LP counterparts in the series. Most of the set focuses on downcast and moody rock songs and ballads. Several of the tracks display folk rock influence. Packaging includes detailed liner notes that include basic information about each song and group, such as origin and recording date. The album also includes photographs of musical groups, and cover artwork reflects the mid-1960s style graphic art popular on record sleeves of the time.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Markesich, Mike (2012). Teen Beat Mayhem (First ed.). Branford, Connecticut: Priceless Info Press. pp.  214, 376, 377. ISBN   978-0-9856482-5-1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Warrren, Tim. Liner notes to Back From the Grave Vol. 3 CD. Crypt Records.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bishop, Chris. "The Shames". Garage Hangover. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
  4. 1 2 "New England Spotlight: The Shames - The Special Ones and My World Is Upside Down". On the Flip Side. On the Flip Side. October 21, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  5. Phares, Heather. "AllMusic Review: Back From the Grave Vol. 3 (CD)". AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC.
  6. "Back From the Grave Vol. 6 (LP)". Discogs.