The Standells

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The Standells were a 1960s rock and roll band from Los Angeles, California who, like The Seeds, exemplified the garage rock style.

[edit] Career

The band was formed in 1962 by guitarist Tony Valentino and organist Larry Tamblyn. The Standells' first hit single was "Dirty Water," which reached #11 on the Billboard charts on June 11, 1966.

Other hits included "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White," (later covered by Minor Threat) "Why Pick On Me," "Riot On Sunset Strip" (about the 1966 riots resulting from police attacks on hippies), and "Try It."

Singer/drummer Dick Dodd, founding drummer of The Bel Airs ("Mr. Moto" and "Squad Car"), who sang the lead on "Dirty Water", is a former Mouseketeer, and singer/keyboardist Larry Tamblyn is the brother of actor Russ Tamblyn and uncle of Amber Tamblyn, star of "Joan of Arcadia". The group appeared in several low budget films of the 1960s, including "Get Yourself a College Girl" and "Riot on Sunset Strip". Lowell George, who would go on to play with Little Feat, briefly played guitar in the Standells prior to their breakup in 1968. Gary Walker, later of The Walker Brothers, was also a member of the band.

The Standells also made an appearance on the 1964-1966 television sitcom The Munsters in the episode "Far Out Munster". The band was an integral part of the show, and performed the songs "Come On and Ringo" and The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

Despite the lyrics of "Dirty Water", which states, "Boston, you're my home." The Standells are not from Massachusetts. The song was written by their record producer, Ed Cobb. "Dirty Water" is played after every home victory by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins.

All of the original members are back together, and performed at the second game of the 2004 World Series as well as the first game of the 2007 American League Division Series at Fenway Park.

In 1999, several band members got together for a live show at the Cavestomp festival, and their performance was subsequently released as an album called Ban This!