Flamin' Groovies

Flamin' Groovies
Also known as The Flamin' Groovies
Flamin' Groovier
Origin San Francisco, California, United States
Genres Pub rock, rockabilly, power pop, protopunk, blues rock
Years active 1965–1992, 2004, 2008, 2013–present
Labels Epic, Kama Sutra, Sire
Associated acts The Barracudas
Website Chris Wilson site
Cyril Jordan site
Members Cyril Jordan
Chris Wilson
George Alexander
Victor Penalosa
Past members Mike Wilhelm
Roy Loney
Tim Lynch
Ron Greco
Danny Mihm
James Ferrell
Dave Wright
Paul Zahl
Jack Johnson
Mark Dunwoody
Terry Rae
Michael Stone
Larry Lea
Brad Bufkin
Brad Bryant

The Flamin' Groovies is an American rock music band whose peak was in the 1960s and 1970s. They began in San Francisco in 1965, founded by Ron Greco, Cyril Jordan and Roy Loney.[1] They are perhaps best known for their song "Shake Some Action", a cover version of which, by American band Cracker, was later featured in the 1995 movie Clueless. The group have been called one of the forerunners of punk rock,[2] and they also had a major influence on the power pop genre.[3]

Career

Their first album, 1969's Supersnazz, featured Jordan (guitar, vocals), Loney (guitar, vocals), George Alexander (bass, harmonica, vocals), Tim Lynch (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and Danny Mihm (drums). It contained both re-creations of 1950s rock and roll and more melodic songs that anticipated the power pop movement of the 1970s—a genre to which the Flamin' Groovies would eventually contribute significant work. They then released their second album, 1970's Flamingo. Teenage Head was released in 1971 and is listed in the 2006 book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

In 1971, Loney left the band and was replaced by singer and guitarist Chris Wilson, who, along with Jordan, began to move the group in a more overtly power pop direction. Between 1971 and 1976, little was heard of the group except their 1972 anti-drug song "Slow Death" (co-written by Loney). In 1976, they teamed up with British producer Dave Edmunds, and recorded Shake Some Action.

In 1979, Roy Loney formed the Phantom Movers featuring original Groovies drummer Danny Mihm, former Groovie James Ferrell (guitar), as well as Larry Lea (guitar) and Maurice Tani (bass). The band released a number of well-received albums as well as a greatest hits CD ("A Hundred Miles an Hour 1978-1989" on the Raven label out of Australia). The Phantom Movers (Roy, Larry, and Maurice) continue to play, with the addition of John Moremen on drums; Roy and Larry have been working on new material.

After some re-recordings of their older material featuring only Jordan and Alexander from the original band, the Groovies disbanded in 1992.[4]

The Flamin' Groovies headlined the Azkena rock festival in Mendizabala, Spain, on September 11, 2004.[5] In 2005, Jordan founded a new band, Magic Christian.

In 2008, Loney and Jordan reunited and embarked on a brief tour, backed by members of the A-Bones and Yo La Tengo.

Another larger-scale reunion appears on the recent Chris Wilson album Love Over Money (2010). Roy Loney, George Alexander, James Ferrell and Mike Wilhelm all appear on the CD, as does Procol Harum’s keyboard legend Matthew Fisher and Barracudas guitarist Robin Wills. The album is available on the French Rock Paradise label.

In 2013, the Jordan/Wilson/Alexander line-up played live for the first time since 1981 in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth as part of the Hoodoo Gurus' invitational Dig It Up.[6] They also played a series of sold-out shows in Japan. Their show in San Francisco, at The Elbo Room on May 4, sold out in less than 24 hours. They are currently touring, with the addition of Victor Penalosa on drums.

Keyboardist Mark Dunwoody died of a heart attack on June 12, 2013.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Live albums

Compilation albums

Notes

Book references

References

  1. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 345–346. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  2. ↑ Buckley 2003, p. 322, "The Flamin' Groovies really had more in common with the MC5, who deployed the same twin-guitar assault on white rock. Both would become regarded as forerunners of the punk rock movement,"
  3. ↑ Power Pop: The ’70s, The Birth Of Uncool. Magnetmagazine.com (2002-09-07). Retrieved on 2013-09-01.
  4. ↑ Cyril Jordan.com. Cyril Jordan.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-01.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Eadie, Stu. (2013-01-29) Flamin’ Groovies. Dig It Up. Retrieved on 2013-09-01.
  7. ↑ Shake Some Action - Flamin' Groovies | Awards. AllMusic. Retrieved on 2013-09-01.

External links