The Wild Oats - The Oak EP

(This review first appeared in issue 58 of Shindig! magazine)
 

Big Beat 10”

In the early '60s Liverpool had The Beatles, London The Stones. In deepest Suffolk it was The Wild Oats who tore up the local dancehalls with blues-based rock 'n' roll. After hooking up with EMI publicist David Nicholson, then hoping to break through as an independent record producer, the band recorded an EP to sell at gigs. With only 100 copies pressed on the custom Oak label, an original 1964 copy could seriously damage your bank balance. More affordable is this 10”, expanded with a further five tracks from a later session.

With their choice of R&B and photo shots the band would go on to inspire acts such as Dr. Feelgood, The Milkshakes and The Strypes. There would be no world changing concept albums to follow, but for the sound of pre-rock boom Brits making music with youthful, joyous abandon look no further. The Wild Oats still play live locally on select special occasions.

http://acerecords.co.uk/the-wild-oats-1

 

The Creation Factory - Let Me Go / You Got It (Ltd. 7")

Limited edition 7” from LA's hottest underground psych band!

In a week where, on both sides of the Atlantic, the political shit heads towards its proverbial fan, it's reassuring to know that America still makes great music. And it's similarly reassuring that a small record label on our side of the pond is willing and able to press this music onto black vinyl. The Creation Factory are the latest Los Angeles band to have the kudos of a 7” release on Market Square Records, the small but perfectly formed bespoke label based in West Sussex.

The band's sound harks back to an earlier period in the city's musical history, a time when fuzzy guitars, reedy organ, three chords and a whole lotta snotty attitude was the order of the day. The A-side is pure riot on Sunset Strip, the sound of US teens' take on Them & The Rolling Stones. (Who were themselves imitating US blues musicians! Hell what's the point in nativism and shoring up borders when internationalism sounds this good!) Shot through with that garage-punk vibe we all dig, the track culminates in a band freak-out complete with wailing police sirens. Get diggin' it!

The flip-side is an altogether different beast. A dancefloor instrumental containing funky drummer beats, organ and guitar solos. A surefire smash down your local garage club-night. Don't leave it too late to bag a copy of this 7”, it's limited to 300 copies only and I'm not having you coming round here a-cryin' on my shoulder if you miss out!

Click here for The Creation Factory's website.

Click here for The Creation Factory on Facebook.

Click here for Market Square Records.