The Trashmen – Live Bird 1965-67

Sundazed   SC110066 1990   46 mins
Format: FLAC (tracks+covers)

Although marketed as a surf band, Minnesota's Trashmen were decidedly landlocked
by geography, but not by spirit. The group's odd mix of surf, R&B, sneering garage pop,
and psychotic instrumentals made them one of the most eccentric and interesting of the
'groups that sprang up around the surf craze of the early '60s. This delightful collection
of rare live tracks shows the kind of offhand, humorous dementia that they channeled
into their shows, climaxing in a near six-minute version of their wacky masterpiece, the
manic "Surfin' Bird." But this was a surprisingly versatile and nimble band, and their
versions here of Booker T and the MGs' "Green Onions" and James Brown's "Mashed
Potatoes" spotlight a funky little R&B groove, while "Same Lines" sneers along with
the best of 1960s garage punk, and "Keep Your Hands off My Baby" is skillfully e
xecuted faux doo wop. Two of the songs here ("Bird Dance Beat," "King of the Surf")
were recorded at the Home School for Girls at the Saux Centre in Minnesota in 1966,
and the mere thought of young, impressionable girls listening to this band of goofy
maniacs is a sobering one.

Tracklist:

01. Let's Go Trippin'  2:58
02. Baja   2:28
03. Lovin' Up a Storm  3:43
04. Malagueña   2:51
05. Green Onions  3:11
06. Surfin' Bird   5:49
07. Henrietta   3:01
08. Rumble   2:39
09. Bird Dance Beat  3:10
10. King of the Surf   2:47
11. The Trashmen Report  1:56  
12. Mashed Potatoes  3:07
13. The Trashmen Report  3:08
14. Ubangi Stomp  2:19
15. Dal Winslow Interview   1:08          
16. Same Lines     2:21                                                                                                                                            
17.Keep Your Hands off My Baby  2:39

Bob Reed – Bass, vocals
Steve Wahrer – drums., vocals
Tony Anderason – Lead Guitar, vocals
Dal Winslow – rhythm guitar, vocals


1 to 8 recorded live at Proaches Popular Ballroom, Ellsworth, Winsconsin, on August 8, 1965.
9 & 10 recorded live at The Home School For Girls, Sauk Centre, Minnesota, September 17, 1966.
11 (With Bob Reed And DJ Bill Diel, On Wdgy Radio, March, 1964)
12 recorded live at the Whiskey A Go-Go, St. Paul, Minnesota, September 20, 1966.
13  With Tony Andreason And DJ Bill Diel, On Wdgy Radio, March, 1964)
14 recorded live at the Whiskey A Go-Go, St. Paul, Minnesota, September 26, 1966.
15  (With Host Dino Day, On Ksmp TV, August, 1965)
16 & 17 recorded live at the Airway Bar, Marshfield, Wisconsin, January 1, 1967.

Tracks 7 & 8 are CD-only bonus tracks.