Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Michael McMahon discuss the significance of a Piano Red record.

On a hot night in late September, the BIG TEN INCH took place in the cool and friendly confines of the Hi-Fi Bar in the East Village. Although there were plenty of friends and folks on hand to dig the wack shellac, only a few brought actual 78s to play. This gave those who brought ’em plenty of time to play ’em. Host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus got to play just about everything in his box, including the Mr. Goon-Bones record.

Andy the Upsetter swings with Mambo 78s at the BIG TEN INCH!

Andy the Upsetter usually brings mix of genres: mento, jazz, R&B and calypso. This time he brought a ton of mambo records and played nearly every one of them–it was cha-cha city at the Hi-Fi most of the night. We think he may have even turned a couple over when he was starting to run out of records to play.

Becky G displays her Jimmy Lunceford 78 at the BIG TEN INCH!

New comer DJ Becky G brought one 78–but it was a good one! A Jimmy Lunceford on Bluebird with “Jazznocracy” on one side and the legendary “White Heat” on the other. It swung like crazy.  The Upsetter was selling some mambo 78s and Becky G bought a few of them, so we expect her to spin more Cuban rhythms at the next BIG TEN INCH.

Michael McMahon selects another hillbilly bopper at the BIG TEN INCH!

Toward the end of the evening, as both The Upsetter and The Boog were running out of records, Michael McMahon showed up with his box of hillbilly records and saved the day. That was perfect timing on his part. The club turned immediately from claves and bongos to red-neck yodeling!!! There may have been several at the Hi-Fi that were not prepared for such a sharp turn of audio ambience; but all had a great time.

Our pals Ted Barron and Juke Joint Jonny were on hand, but alas, they brought no records and were only present to dig the scene–and partake in pizza and the delicious cinnamon-infused brownies baked by Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner. She even made some glucose-free brownies for Mr. McMahon, who must eat such things to stay healthy. Thank you Miss Nancy.

Host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at the BIG TEN INCH!

Here’s a list of all the 78s played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the September BIG TEN INCH 78 RPM Listening Party:

• Hal “Cornbread” Singer–Buttermilk and Beans (Coral)
• Cal Tjader Modern Mambo Orchestra–Mambo Macumba (Fantasy)
• The Pig Footers–Neck Bones (Mercury)
• Charles Brown Trio–Ooh! Ooh! Sugar! (Aladdin)
• Pepito Torres and his Siboney Orchestra; vocal by Louis Stuckman–Calypso Man (Seeco Serie Hispana)
• Tito Puente & Orchestra; vocal by Vicentico Valdes–Mambo Macoco (Tico)
• Dinah Washington–Big Long Slidin’ Thing (Mercury)
• Earl Bostic and His Orchestra–The Major and the Minor (Majestic)
• Arnett Cobb and His Orchestra–Running With “Ray” (Apollo)
• Tex Williams and His Western Caravan–Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) (Capitol Americana)
• Mr. Ford & Mr. Goon-Bones–Ain’t She Sweet (Crystalette)
• Jack Pleis–Caravan (London)
• Babs Gonzales–Hair Dressen Women (Put Your Business in the Street) (Crazy)
• Eddie Davis and His Be Boppers–Red Pepper (Savoy)
• Ramon Marquez and His Orchestra–Sabroso Pebil (Fiesta)
• Al Sears and His Orchestra–Mag’s Alley (RCA Victor)
• Bill Moore and His Band–Swingin for Pappy (Savoy)
• Wilmoth Houdini and His Royal Calypso Orchestra–The Calypso Way (Decca)
• Rusty Bryant and Carolyn Club Band–All Nite Long (Dot)
• Bill Haley and His Comets–Rock Around the Clock (Decca)
• Curtis Gordon and His Western Band–Don’t Trade (Mercury)
• The Treniers–Go! Go! Go! (Epic)
• Slim Gaillard Quartette–Yep-Roc-Heresay (Atomic Inc.)
• Joe Loco His Piano & His Orchestra–Begin the Beguine (Columbia)
• Mary Lou Williams and Her Modern Music–Caravan (Circle)
• Chris Powell and the Blue Flames–Uh Uh Baby (Grand)
• Noro Morales and His Orchestra–El Sopon (Cuban Stew) (M-G-M)
• Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra–Mambo Mania (Mercury)
• Johnny Otis Orchestra featuring Goucho and His Jungle Drums–Mambo Boogie (Savoy)
• Julian Dash and his Orchestra–Deacon Dash (Mercury)
• Roy Brown–Woman’s a Wonderful Thing (DeLuxe)
• Piano Red–Red’s Boogie (Groove)
• The “5” Royales–How I Wonder (King)
• Joe Houston–Come Back Baby (Modern)
• Moose Jackson–Big Ten-Inch Record (King)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to youtubes clips. Dig it!

The Unrehearsed swing with Christina Caira at the Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to Nuggets IV!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus is the go-to DJ when it comes to the Copycat Cover Song Night annual tribute to the great Nuggets compilation of boss garage rock records. On September 13, he worked his fourth one–of four Nuggets tributes! That’s fine with the Phastman, as he digs the Nuggets album the most, as he digs swingin’ at any Copycat Cover Song Night, hosted by our pal DJ Xerox at Otto’s Shrunken Head on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.

Nuggets, of course, is the coolest two-record set of twitchen Sixties garage rock, compiled by Lenny Kaye. Issued in 1972, it has since become legendary and influential. Mr. Kaye himself appeared as a guest DJ at the first two Copycat tributes. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend this one, however his spiritual presence was definitely felt.

And what bands: The Unrehearsed, The Flying Insects and The Serpentones all played.

The Unrehearsed in action at the Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to Nuggets IV!

The Unrehearsed is comprised of some local Sixties music aficionados who happen to be excellent musicians. They never rehearse, but they know this music so well that they can just get up and play it. Their repertoire consisted of all sorts of Sixties garage rock nuggets, which they played with authority. The Boogaloo Bag writers were especially wowed when the group played “Fight Fire,” the excellent Golliwogs song (not on the original Nuggets, but included in the incredible four-disc Nuggets box set; a sort of tribute to the original, right?). Our pal Christina Caira (of Quitty & the Don’ts) sang lead on “Stop Get a Ticket” and banged tambourine on another song.

The Flying Insects swing with a decidedly British Beat at the Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to Nuggets IV!

Nuggets II is a four-CD compilation of mostly British recordings from the same era–1964 to 1969. Like its predecessor, it is packed full of the sounds of flash and pow! These days the kids call it Freakbeat. We can dig that. Apparently, so can The Flying Insects, who performed songs from that box set. Stand out song was The Smoke’s “My Friend Jack.”

The Serpentones swing at the Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to Nuggets IV!

The Serpentones opened their set with “Sweet Young Thing” by The Chocolate Watch Band–one of the all time favorite songs here at the Boogaloo Bag. The band proceeded to play mostly original songs, occasionally spicing things up with a track or two from Nuggets, as per the event demanded. The Serpentones were a bit unusual for a modern rock band, as it incorporates a tenor saxophone into its sound. But it was cool and those in attendance seemed to dig it.

DJ Xerox and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus enjoy frothy beverages at the Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to Nuggets IV!

For his part, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played all cover songs; songs from the era performed by other acts from the era. The only exception was the record by The Searchers, which is the first version of “Sugar and Spice,” which was performed by The Cryan Shames on the original edition of Nuggets. After the bands played and DJ Xerox was able to get the bands sorted and his records delivered to the DJ booth, the Phastman handed it over to the host, who always plays the most unexpected cover versions of songs imaginable.

Here is a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Fourth Annual Copycat Cover Song Night Tribute to Nuggets:

• Velvett Fogg–Teslstar ’69 (Pye; UK)
• The Thyme–Time of the Season (A-Square)
• Noel Deschamps–A Six Heures C’est Fini (Five O’Clock World) (RCA Victor – Canada International; Canada)
• The Doors–Back Door Man (Gamma; Mexico)
• Les Bel-Air–Restons Ainsi (You’re So Good to Me) (Télédisc; Canada)
• Skip Battyn–She Acts Like We Never Have Met (Groove)
• Grace Slick and the Great Society–Sally Go ’Round the Roses (Columbia)
• The Goodies–He’s a Rebel (HIP)
• Four Coins–La La La La La (SN Teichiku; Japan)
• The (St. Thomas) Pepper Smelter–In. A. Gadda. Da. Vida (Virrey; Peru)
• The Ventures–Wild Thing (Dolton)
• Los Johnny Jets–Un Poquito de Alma (Little Bit O’ Soul) (CBS; Costa Rica)
• Vivian Reed–Shape of Things to Come (Epic)
• Johnny Johnson & His Bandwagon–Mr. Tambourine Man (Stateside; Netherlands)
• The Soulful Seven–Double Shot of My Baby’s Love (M-G-M)
• Ohio Players–Proud Mary (Top Hit)
• Henry Shed–Bend Me Shape Me (Cream)
• Otis Clay–She’s About a Mover (Cotillion)
• Assemblage–Satisfaction (Westbound)
• The Isley Brothers–Good Things (Tamla/Motown; UK)
• Los Freddy’s (canta: Javier)–Me Siento Bien (I Feel Fine) (Anahuac; Mexico)
• Los Hitter’s–Siempre a La Moda (Orfeon; Mexico)
• Los Yaki–Agente Secreto (Capitol; Mexico)
• Alan Copeland–Mission: Impossible Theme / Norwegian Wood (ABC)
• Willie Hobbs and the Dirte Four–Gloria (Mercury)
• The Shevelles–Oo Poo Pa Doo (World Artists)
• Fabulous Flippers–Turn on Your Love Light (Cameo)
• Johnny Green and the Green Men–Something You Got (Emerald)
• Shadows of Knight–Gloria ’69 (Atco)
• The Wrongh Black Bag–Wake Me Shake Me (Mainstream)
• The Searchers–Sugar and Spice (Pye; UK)
• Nancy Sit–Shakin’ All Over (Squirrel; Singapore)
• The Staccatos–C’mon Everybody (Capitol Canada)
• Danyel Gerard avec Les Champions–Sugar Shake (Vogue; Canada)
• Swamp Rats–It’s Not Easy (Co & Ce)
• Them–Don’t Start Crying Now (Parrot)
• Cathy Young–Spoonful (Mainstream)
• Sonny & Cher–Leave Me Be (Atco)

None of these records are for sale. Some have links to the youtubes for your personal listening pleasure!

Elisse Locomotion, Carlos Rene and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the WHAM-O WATUSI! (photo by Reyes Rodriguez)

The WHAM-O WATUSI takes great pride in featuring DJs and/or records from all over the world. So far, this year alone, The WHAM has had DJs from Mexico, El Salvador, Canada, Venezuela, the Netherlands and even Cleveland; host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus often spins records from such far away places as France and Japan; plus there was a guy who played some rockin’ jams from Thailand! Truly, it is an international affair.

On Saturday September 2, two more DJs were flown in from Mexico City to DJ at the Bootleg Bar in Bushwick for the WHAM-O WATUSI: Carlos René and Elisse Locomotion. They host a fabulous DJ night called Hipshakers and they own a cool record store called Dedos Susios. They were recommended by our pal DJ Rata and they did not disappoint. All night long, these two master disc selectors played some of the bossest records the Boogaloo Bag writers have ever heard; many of them from way south of the border that nobody in this city will ever hear again! They had just come from Montreal, where Señora Locomotion picked up some very cool French Canadian records and proceeded to spin them. Señor René has spent time in Peru and Colombia and he played some incredible records from there.

Unfortunately, the Boogaloo Bag writers finked-out by leaving the official Boogaloo Bag camera at home, thus there are so few good photos of the night available. The one shown above was taken by our pal Reyes Rodriguez (whose own Border Beat night happens on the fourth Saturday of the month at the Bootleg Bar) who showed up to swing for a while. Also in attendance was the lovely Lilly Martini, who is moving back to Spain in a couple of days. Sorry to see her go, as it was always a delight to see her dancing at the Boot. Although the rain fell pretty hard all night, there were still plenty of people in the Bootleg Bar to make it fun. Plus, Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner baked some cinnamon-infused fudge. Man, that was good. With the rain keeping attendance down somewhat, there were plenty for everybody who was there! Yummy!!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the WHAM-O WATUSI:

• The Mar-Keys–Pop-Eye Stroll (Stax)
• Los Aragon–Merida Surf (Musart; Mexico)
• The Rockin’ Rebels–Donkey Twine (Swan)
• Earl Forest–The Duck (Duke)
• Larry Dale–Keep Getting Up (Atlantic)
• Los Belking’s–Setima Patrulla (Virrey; Peru)
• Los Beats–Eres Tu (Orfeon; Costa Rico)
• Toño Quirazco y su Show Cartier–Como Baila Boogaloo [from EP A Ritmo de Boogaloo] (Orfeon; Mexico)
• Sonny Til and the Orioles–The Wobble (Charlie Parker)
• The Fantastics–Blabbermouth (Donna)
• Sonny Jones y los Blackbirds–Do the Bird (Barclay; Colombia)
• Jimmy Jones–Snap My Fingers (Bell)
• Los Javaloyas–Yeh, Yeh (La Voz de Su Amo; Spain)
• Juanucho Lopez and His Orchestra; vocalist: Mon Rivera–El Twist (Spanoramic)
• Chaino–Ubangi Rock (Orb)
• Sonora Santanera; cantan: Juanito, Slivestre y Andres–El Orangutan (Discos Columbia)
• Johnny Scotton–I’m Not Tired Yet (Twain)
• Don Alfio–Smack (UniFunk; Italy)
• Orquesta Joe Cain–Mambo Au Go Go (Mainstream)
• Big Jay McNeely and Band; vocal by Little Sonny Warner–Psycho Serenade (Swingin’)
• The Spiders–Balla Balla (Philips; Japan)
• Gary Walker–You Don’t Love Me (CBS; UK)
• Sir Douglas Quintet–The Rains Came (Tribe)
• Jimmie Haskell and Orchestra–Rockin’ in the Orbit (Space Satellite) (Imperial)
• The Creation–Making Time (instrumental) (Numero)
• Los Salvajes–Soy Asi (Regal; Spain)
• Los Sirex–El Tren de la Costa (Vergara; Spain)
• Ela Laboriel–El Gato Negro (Musart; Mexico)
• Hermanas Benitez–El Monkey (Discophon; Spain)
• Los Stop–Pata Pata (Belter; Spain)
• Los Albas–Bugulu (Vergara; Spain)
• Madness–Un Paso Adelante… (Stiff; Spain)
• Joel Denis–Mirza (Fantastic; Canada)
• The Belfast Gipsies–People Let’s Freak Out (Loma)
• The Chocolate Watch Band–Misty Lane (Uptown)
• The Poor Boys–Wash Board Take 1 (Apollo)
• Jimmie Heap & His Orchestra–Gismo (Dart)
• René Touzet and His Orchestra–Ticklish Mambo (Caquillita) (GNP)
• Willie Rosario and His Orchestra–Watusi Boogaloo (Atco)
• Joe Cuba Sextet–Psychedelic Baby (Tico)
• Los Rebeldes del Rock–Me Quieres Dejar (Orfeon; Mexico)
• Los Johnny Jets–Dracula A Go Go (Discos Columbia)
• Soul & Pepper – The (St. Thomas) Pepper Smelter–Puedes Verme? (Can You See Me?) (Virrey; Peru)
• Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band–Sure ’Nuff ’n Yes I Do (Buddah; UK)
• El Bandido–El Lobo Feroz (The Hair on My Chinny Chin Chin) (Decca)
• Thirteenth Floor Elevators–Slip Inside This House (International Artists)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to youtube clips. Dig it!!

Host DJ Xerox and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the Tenth Anniversary of Copycat Cover Song Night!

Copycat Night is a night of fun and excitement that is held twice a month at Otto’s Shrunken Head and hosted by our friend DJ Xerox. It involves Mr. Xerox picking an act to hail and asking some bands to come play and include several songs by said act in their sets; and by inviting some DJs to play records of artists interpreting other artists’ songs. (Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus has been such a guest many times over the years.)  This activity apparently has been going on for a long enough time for it to celebrate ten years on Wednesday August 13.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, Jonathan Toubin and DJ Xerox celebrate ten years of Copycat Cover Song Night!

For the Copycat Night Tenth Anniversary Extravaganza, DJ Xerox booked Emma Craig and her band to play songs from the movies Grease, Grease 2, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Shock Treatment. DJs selected to select records included Drew Redmond, Jonathan Toubin, Captain Heartlock, MC Huge, Greg-Gory and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. Cat videos played on the TV screen all night and the excellent bar tenders poured rum drinks adorned with plastic monkeys and umbrellas.

Captain Heartlock, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Drew Redmond swing at Otto’s Shrunken Head!

DJ Xerox is congratulated by Captain Heartlock and Jonathan Toubin for presenting ten years of Copycat Night!

Mr. Redmond was first on the scene, and the Boogaloo Bag writers were hoping to catch his set, but the slowest R Train in the world made sure that this would not happen. The Boogaloo Omnibus arrived just in time to start his set, then proceeded to let it rip, playing all New Wave records (ie, records made after 1975), many with involvement by close personal friends. As his allotted thirty minutes were coming to an end, he was asked to spin a little longer as the band had not yet arrived. This he was able to do for a while, but since he didn’t bring very many records–and the last one played was the B-side of an earlier spin–Drew Redmond was asked to return to the turntables. Mr. Redmond always packs plenty of records, and the Boogaloo Bag writers were delighted that they were able to dig him in action after all. He did not disappoint. He played his coveted original pressing of the MC5’s magnificent version of Them’s “I Can Only Give You Everything” on AMG. What a boss record!

Finally, the band appeared and played its 45 minute set, during which our friends Jonathan Toubin, Captain Heartlock and Matt Clarke also showed up and the Boogaloo Bag writers were so busy discussing things with them that not much of the Emma Craig show was experienced. Whaaahhh! But we did get this fine photo…

Emma Craig and her band swing at Otto’s Shrunken head!

After the bands set, Mr. Toubin wowed everybody with Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” as played by the contemporary bluegrass band The Bad Livers. His fabulous set also included an MC5 song–“Ramblin’ Rose,” a song first recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun records, but mostly known by the great soul singer Ted Taylor.

Unfortunately, the Boogaloo Bag writers couldn’t stay much longer than halfway, and through Mr. Toubin’s set they went home (via the F Train).

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus displays his groovy Freddy Cannon with the Gears record!

Here is a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Copycat Night 10 Year Cataversery:

• Screaming Dizbüsters–This Ain’t the Summer of Love (Amigo; Sweden)
• The Zeros–Pushin’ Too Hard (Planet of Noise; Sweden)
• The Zippers–He’s a Rebel (Back Door Man)
• The Fleshtones–Ride Your Pony (I.R.S.)
• Hüsker Dü–Love Is All Around (SST)
• Sea Monkeys–Food Emporium (Vital Music)
• Eli “Paperboy” Reed & the True Loves–Ace of Spades (Q-dee)
• Minutemen–The Red and the Black [from EP Tour-Spiel] (Reflex)
• The Long Ryders–I Want You Bad (Island; UK)
• Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon & the Gears–Move It On Over (Wondercap)
• The Rosalyns–Destroy That Boy [from EP Hide and Seek] (Ugly Things)
• Patti Smith Group–My Generation (Arista)
• The Fall–Victoria (Beggars Banquet; UK)
• Scientists–Clear Spot (Munster; Spain)
• The Dirtbombs–No Expectations (Norton)
• The Pointer Sisters–Wang Dang Doodle (Blue Thumb)
• The Love Supremes–Sing This All Together (Norton)

None of these records are for sale.

DJ Xerox circulated buttons for the event! The top one is courtesy of Juke Joint Jonny.

Connie T Empress does the boogaloo in front of the Robert Bar, emphasizing the magnificence of her tiara. Photo montage by Luis Zuluaga.

On July 27, Joshua White, an owner of the tastefully appointed Robert Bar in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, posted on the Facedog that he needed a DJ for Saturday August 19. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus–living up to his name, for once–saw it and pounced. Maybe a second or two later, Connie T Empress, the Empress of Soul Records, also saw it and asked for the night. Thus, it was decided that the tiara-wearing Empress and be-fezzed Boogaloo Omnibus join forces on this evening in order to present Tiara vs Fez: There’s Gonna Be a Showdown!

Empress at the controls!

As has been written previously in the Boogaloo Bag , Connie T Empress was the den mother of the late, great Empire State Soul Club. Also, that Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus is the resident DJ for the Subway Soul Club. So you just know that when these two get together a few soul records will be played.

And so they were.

Connie T Empress and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus display their respective headgear at the Robert Bar! Photo by Christopher Kay.

The Empress excited all the attendees with her excellent selection of favorites from the Empire State Soul Club days. Those ESSC events were so fabulous and every record that Miss Connie played reminded us all just how so. The Boog, on the other hand, played a bunch of new acquisitions along with a few old favorites and folks seemed to dig it anyway.

Brooklyn Babydoll and her man Jack swing at the Robert Bar!

Another one of the highlights of the night were the yummy oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies baked by Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner. Although she was unable to make the scene, her presence was very much felt! Thank you, Miss Nancy! It was great to see some familiar faces at the Robert Bar and we met some new folks, too, including Christopher Kay and Luis Zuluaga, both of whom took some photos that are presented here in this Boogaloo Bag post. Thank you, people!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Tiara vs Fezz: There’s Gonna Be a Showdown!

• Sam Wright Group–Green Onions (Curio)
• Rudy Robinson–The Mustang – Part One (Wheel City)
• The O’Jays–I Dig Your Act (Bell)
• The Spidells featuring Billy Lockridge–Hmmm With Feeling Darling (Monza)
• Bobby Newton & Tina Blount–Your Love Gets Sweeter Everyday (Intrepid)
• The Dynamics–Dum-De-Dum (Cotillion)
• Sherry Pye–Gimme a Break (Match)
• The Grandisons–Daddy Roll ‘Em (RCA Victor)
• Betty Mabry–It’s My Life (Columbia)
• Les Mersey’s–T’en Fais Pas Jacques (Hit the Road Jack) (Premiére; Canada)
• Carlos and the Rivingtons–Reach Our Goal (Baton Master)
• The Miracles–Happy Landing (Tamla)
• Joe Bataan–Es Tu Cosa (It’s Your Thing) (Fania)
• The Van-Dells–Honeydripper (Stax)
• Oliver Morgan–Hold Your Dog (GNP Crescendo)
• The Four Singing Avalons–The Yankee Dance (Atco)
• Thelma Jones–The House That Jack Built (Barry!)
• The Salem Travelers–Wade in the Water (Halo)
• The Ikettes–Make Em Wait (Pompeii)
• The Dells–There Is (Cadet)
• The Four Larks–Groovin’ at the Go-Go (Tower)
• Johnny Tame–Steak & Cake (Fontana; German)
• The Kittens–Shindig (ABC Paramount)
• Troy Dodds–Earthquake (Baytown)
• Ozz & His Sperlings–Somebody to Love (M.I.O.B.)
• Sly & the Family Stone–Ride the Rhythm [from EP Free Mini LP] (Epic; UK)
• Dave ‘Baby’ Cortez–Fiddle Sticks (Chess; Canada)
• Watson and the Sherlocks–Standing on the Corner (Soulville)
• Larry & the Mighty Storms–Eldorado Suzie (Atco)
• Eddie Bo–Just Like a Monkey (Cinderella)
• The Undisputed Truth–You Got the Love I Need (Gordy)
• Warlock–You’ve Been My Rock (Music Merchant)
• Wilson Pickett–Mama Told Me Not to Come (Atlantic)
• The Intrigues–Let’s Dance (Yew)
• The Mighty Hannibal–Get in the Groove (Loma)
• The Kickapoo Kidd and the Deputies–The Kick-A-Poo Pt. 1 (Soulville)
• Bobby Taylor–Mashed Potatoe Time (Club Long Island)
• The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)
• Marie ‘Queenie’ Lyons–See and Don’t See (DeLuxe)
• Kitty Montgomery–Hey Boy (Sanns)
• The Volcanos–You’re Number 1 (Arctic)
• The Peaches–Music to My Ears (Constellation)
• Kenny Bernard–Ain’t No Soul (Left in These Ole Shoes) (Compass)
• Nicoletta–Vis Ta Vie (Riviera; France)
• Jessica James–We’ll Be Makin’ Out (DynoVoice)
• Jr. Walker & the All Stars–Shoot Your Shot (Soul)
• Johnny Griffith accompanied by Billy Sha-Rae’s Band–Do It (Triple ‘B’)
• Harvey Scales & the Seven Sounds–Broadway Freeze (Magic Touch)
• James Duncan–Too Hot to Hold (King)
• Howlin’ Wolf–Pop It to Me (Chess)

None of these records are for sale. Dig the links to the youtubes and dig the soul sounds!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Connie T Empress swing at the Robert Bar!

Kid Congo and Phast Phreddie swing at the Second Anniversary of WHAM-O WATUSI!

The very first WHAM-O WATUSI took place on July 10, 2015–originally billed as a “one night only” event hosted by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus with guest DJ Rata on hand to spice up the festivities. It was such a success that the owner of the Bootleg Bar, Mr. Bobby Rich, insisted that the WHAM-O return to the club. It did, of course, eventually settling in on the first Saturday of the month–well, usually.

The WHAM-O was advertised as “a whole new scene, concocted in the Wang Dang Doodle laboratory by crazy people. It is the playing of old 45 RPM records containing all sorts of reet sounds: in other words—folks bangin’ on shit and screamin’!!!” Things have not changed since then. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and his fabulous guest DJs have done a very consistent job in spinning only the bossest, wildest, reetest of sounds–in other words, folks bangin’ on shit and screamin’! This has been going on for two years! So a celebration was in order and it took place on Saturday August 5.

Guest DJ for the Two Year Anniversary of WHAM-O WATUSI was the legendary Kid Congo Powers. As you know, The Kid was a guitarist for The Gun Club and The Cramps. Hanging out with Jeffrey Lee Pierce and Lux Interior, you can be assured he was exposed to some fabulous old noise. That is the exact sensibility that the WHAM-O WATUSI strives for and Kid Congo brought it in buckets! He played some super boss records, including some whacked-out rockabilly gassers, rippin’ R&B stompers and plenty of boppers full of East L.A. grease.

Note here that The Kid has been quietly developing his own night, called Sex Beat, at a groovy club called Cafe Nine in his present home town of New Haven, CT.  The event consists of The Kid playing “searing 60’s soul and Garage rockets, psychic surf, 70’s Glam Bam Bam, 70’s Punk peanut shells, and any other wild thing [he] can find.” Sounds like our kind of action. The next one takes place on Sunday August 13. Don’t miss it!

Oh! The Boogaloo Bag writers would be totally lame if we did not mention The Kid’s current day job: leader of a great rock’n’roll group called The Pink Monkey Birds. The band makes an absolutely wicked racket and should be checked out as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, back at the Bootleg Bar, the party was further enhanced by the wonderful and delicious Mexican brownies made by Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner. Miss Jeannie has baked several sweet items for the WHAM-O faithful over the years, so perhaps she should actually be considered as a co-host of the event.

Mexican brownies. MMMM…yummy!!

The WHAM-O Second Anniversary drew a bunch of old pals to the Bootleg Bar, too, including our dear old friend Kevin Long, an original member of the great L.A. Eighties Mod band The Untouchables (dig his story of this fine band here!). The Boogaloo Bag writers were also very pleased that several of Phast Phreddie’s fellow reet music DJs also dropped by to swing, including Mr. Vacation, Drew Redmond and Reyes Rodriguez. Mr. Redmond and his significant other Zuzia Mrozinska proceeded to do the alligator on the floor; Mr. Vacation hopped around in ecstasy; while Mr. Rodriguez was simply happy to meet Kid Congo.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, Kevin Long (Untouchables) and Kid Congo Powers.

Kid Congo Powers, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Drew Redmond.

Kid Congo Powers and Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner.

Kid Congo Powers, Mr. Vacation and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

Kid Congo Powers!

For the occasion, Phast Phreddie dragged out a bunch of his favorite 45s–especially some hot garage rock blasters that, when he played a set of them, Mr. Redmond declared, “Phreddie, you are killing it tonight!” All for the sake of the WHAM!

The Boogaloo Bag writers would like to take a moment here to thank Bootleg Bar owner Mr. Bobby Rich for allowing all this “bangin’ on shit and screamin’” go on for so long. It’s been a stupendous two years. Here’s hoping for another two or so, at least!!

Below is a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Second Anniversary of the WHAM-O WATUSI:

• The Sheppard Sisters–Gettin’ Ready for Freddy (Merucry)
• Frankie Olvera–Huggie’s Bunnies (N.R.M.)
• Eddie Cano & His Quintet–La Bamba (Dunhill)
• Hal Blaine and the Young Cougars–Hawaii 1963 (RCA Victor)
• ‘Frantic’ Johnny Rogers–Ramrod (Cindy)
• The Marcels–Summertime (Colpix)
• Oliver Morgan–Who Shot the Lala (GNP Crescendo)
• Eddie Lovette–Boomerang (Steady)
• The Grandisons–Daddy Roll ’Em (RCA Victor)
• Ann-Margret–Jim Dandy (RCA Victor)
• The Untouchables–Free Yourself (Stiff; UK)
• The Premiers–The Ali Shuffle Part I (Top Dog)
• The Ventures–Swingin’ Creeper (Dolton)
• Godfrey & Friends–Down Whittier Blvd. (Whittier)
• Boy’s Wonder–All Tied Up (Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace) (Lowland; Netherlands)
• The Spiders–Up-Side-Down (Philips; Japan)
• The Troll Brothers–You Turn Me On (SRT Productions; UK)
• Dick Rivers–C’est Ma Vie (It’s My Life) (Pathé; France)
• The Original Emotions–You’re a Better Man Than I (Johnson)
• The Third Rail–Shape of Things to Come(Epic)
• The Elite–One Potato (Charay)
• Freddy Cannon–What a Party (Swan)
• Debbie & the Darnels (with the Passengers)–Santa Teach Me to Dance (Vernon)
• The Fleshtones–Screamin’ Skull (I.R.S.; UK)
• Steppenwolf–The Ostrich (Dunhill)
• Antoine–Les Elucubrations d’Antoine (Disques Vogue; France)
• The Troggs–I Want You (Fontana; UK)
• The Viscounts–Dig (Madison)
• The Jokers–Danube Waves (Polydor; Japan)
• Lesley Gore–Wonder Boy (Mercury)
• Combo Kings–Batman a Go Go (Jamie)
• Don Covay–The Popeye Waddle (Cameo)
• Carl ‘Little Rev’ Lattimore–Carl’s Dance Party (Capitol)
• Bobby Taylor–Mashed Potatoe Time (Club Long Island)
• The Beatles–Drive My Car (Odeon; France)
• Los Johnny Jets–Bajate de Mi Nube (Get Off of My Cloud) [from EP Los Johnny Jets A Go-Go] (CBS; Mexico)
• Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra–Gesundheit (A-Choo! Cha-Cha) (RCA Victor)
• The Aces–Reggae Motion (The Loco-Motion) (Sire)
• Alpha Zoe–Da Doo Ron Ron (Hit)
• The Us Four–The Alligator (Rising Sons)
• The Young Executives–Everybody Do the Duck (Merucry)
• The Primitives–The Ostrich (Pickwick)
• The Velvet Underground–White Light/White Heat (Verve)
• Freddy Cannon–20th Century Fox (Warner Bros.)
• Lu Parks Singers–Zap Pow Ee Yow (Ambassador)
• The Who–Batman [from the EP Ready Steady Who] (International Polydor Production; France)
• Lincoln Chase–Miss Orangatang (Columbia)
• The Nite-Niks–Shawnee (Lawn)
• The Terri-Tones–Go (Cortland)
• The Saxons–Camel Walk (Part One) (Sho-Biz)
• Fantastic Dee-Jays–Fight Fire (Tri Power)
• The Chiefs–Tom Tom (Valiant)
• Teddy and His Patches–Suzy Creamcheese (Chance)
• The Thirteenth Floor Elevators—-Fire Engine (International Artists)
• Pepper & the Shakers–Semi-Psychedelic (It Is) (Coral)
• The Other Half–Mr. Pharmacist (G.N.P. Crescendo)
• The Squires–Going All the Way (Atco)
• Underdogs–Get Down on Your Knees (Hideout)
• The Fire Escape–Love Special Delivery (GNP Crescendo)
• The Creations–Shang Shang (Jamie)
• Them–One, Two Brown Eyes (Parrot)
• The Bunnys–Hey! You Stop! (Seven Seas; Japan)
• The Sparkles–Hipsville 29 B.C. (I Need Help) (Hickory)
• Rita Chao–Wooly Bully (Glycos; Singapore)
• Edwin Starr–Agent Double-O-Soul (Ric-Tic)
• Dick and Libby Halleman and Their Society Orchestra vs Tom and Ray–Pizza Sure Is Good (Summit)
• Link Cromwell–Crazy Like a Fox (Hollywood)
• Dale Jay acc. by The Storms–Shaken All Over (Raven)
• Henri Salvador–Mais non Mais Non (Mah-Na Mah-Na) (Rigolo; France)

None of these records are for sale. Click on the links to the youtubes and dig yourself!!

Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner distributes her wonderful chocolate chip cookies at the BIG TEN INCH.

Very often, mid-summer events are attended very poorly–due to folks going on vacation; folks not wanting to deal with the heat; too many other things to do. Not so for the BIG TEN INCH, held on July 30 at the Hi-Fi Bar in the East Village of Manhattan. There was a lovely crowd of folks, old friends and new, who came to dig the spinning shellack discs. Everybody had a great time, diggin’ the old noise, eating pizza and man, those chocolate chip cookies that Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner made were super yummy! She even went so far as to bake some gluten-free brownies for one of the regulars, who has a health issue with that sort of thing. It was really incredible of her to be so thoughtful. How many other DJ nights can boast such hospitality? Folks, if you are not making it to the BIG TEN INCH, you are not making it anywhere!!

Adam Lore swings with a hot blues on the Cobra label.

Alex De Laszlo heats up the joint with a mambo!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus searches for a disc that the crowd will dig!

First-timer Josh Mackie played some swing records, then gave them away!!

Smart-ass Juke Joint Jonny played a set of all 12-inch 78s!! Great stuff, too!

Justin CollectorScum played a bunch of new acquisitions.

Michael McMahon always plays hot Hillbilly records!

Tony Salvaje displays his cool Sonny Boy Williams 78 on Decca!

So who was there–who brought 78s to spin? Well, along with host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, there were several regulars: Juke Joint Jonnny, Adam Lore, Justin CollectorScum, Michael McMahon, Alex De Laszlo and Tony Salvaje. Newcomer Josh Mackie not only played the 78s he brought, but he gave many of them away! If you dig 78s, you gotta come by, because someone is always trying to find a new home for old discs. (The Boog scored a great calypso record and played it!)

Here’s a gallery of some of the 78s that were played:

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus:

• Nano Rodrigo and His Orchestra; vocal by Don Ares–Perfidia (Tonight) (Decca)
• Lynn Hope & Orchestra–Morocco (Aladdin)
• Merle Travis–So Round So Firm So Fully Packed (Capitol)
• Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra–Mambolete (Mercury)
• Sarah Vaughan–Hey Naughty Papa (Mercury)
• Dave Pell Orchestra–Root Beer (United Artist)
• Joe Holiday Quartet–I Told You So (Federal)
• The Original Calypso Boys featuring Joe Richardson–Matilda (Abbey – Calypso Series)
• Ralph Marterie and His Orchestra–Maybellene (Mercury)
• Mary Lou Williams and Her Modern Music–Yes, We Have No Bananas (Circle)
• Curtis Gordon and His Western Band–Chopsticks Mambo (Mercury)
• Arnett Cobb and His Orchestra–Chick She Ain’t No Where (Apollo)
• Washboard Sam & His Washboard Band–Diggin’ My Potatoes (Bluebird)
• Don Cherry with Ray Conniff and his Orchestra–Rumble Boogie (Columbia)
• Roy Brown–Special Lesson No. 1 (DeLuxe)
• The Treniers–Doin’ ‘Em Up (Epic)
• The Champs–Tequila (Challenge)
• Earl Bostic and His Orchestra–All On (Majestic)
• Slim Gaillard Quartette–Atomic Cocktail (Atomic Inc.)
• Moose Jackson–Big Ten-Inch Record (King)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to the youtubes or the George Blood collection at the Internet Archive so you can dig the action in the privacy of your own mind.

Binky Griptite and His Incredible Jumping Orchestra!

The first of July was no holiday for Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. He had two DJ gigs scheduled for that day: First was the Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Second was WHAM-O WATUSI at the Bootleg Bar in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Although the gigs were on opposite sides of town, it was made a little easier with Midsummer Night Swing starting and ending early and the WHAM going way into the wee hours. But things weren’t as simple as they should have been–they never are.

Binky Griptite plays the blues guitar at Midsummer Night Swing!

The featured performer at Midsummer Night Swing was Binky Griptite and his incredible jumping orchestra. Mr. Griptite, as the astute Boogaloo Bag reader knows, was the guitarist for The Dap Kings, the funky band behind the late, great Sharon Jones. After Ms. Jones‘ sad passing last November, Mr. Griptite proceeded to reinvent himself as a modern day T-Bone Walker–singing and playing guitar in front of a swingin’ and rockin’ little big band…and he does it really well. The Boogaloo Bag writers witnessed a performance at a high school gymnasium about a month earlier and dug the scene. At his Midsummer Night Swing gig, his band was augmented with a couple more horns, a female singer and our pal Eli “Paperboy” Reed on harmonica. The Boog was on hand in order to provide the spinning of jump blues 45s between sets.

Eli “Paperboy” Reed and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus dig the Clarence Gatemouth Brown record!

However, Mother Nature had other plans. After The Boog‘s short opening set, dance instructors took over in order to show the many folks in attendance how to dance to blues music. They got maybe 10 or 15 minutes into it when it started to rain…really hard…thunder and lightning! That put the end to that real fast. However, the show was only delayed, not stopped. The Boog‘s first set was severely edited and Mr. Griptite and his orchestra performed two 45-minute sets, instead of the usual two one-hour sets a band normally does at these events.

Our pals April Palmieri and Phillip James swing at Midsummer Night Swing!

During the rain delay, The Boog was able to get together with Mr. Griptite to make sure he does not play any song that the band may perform that night. That may prove to be embarrassing…or at least, redundant. Mr. Griptite was able to show The Boog his list of songs for the first set.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Midsummer Night Swing!

The second set was another thing. Having not seen that set list, The Boog played “Honey Hush”  between the band’s sets. It was the second or third song that Binky Griptite and His Orchestra played! Mr. Griptite is a talented and gracious human being who probably doesn’t care about such things. The Boog, on the other hand, was totally embarrassed and apologizes to Mr. Griptite, his great musicians, the nice people who put on Midsummer Night Swing every year, and the fine multitudes who were in showed up to dance. After this, The Boog packed his stuff and headed to Brooklyn, a cloud of shame hovering over his head the whole way.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Sir Charles Gaskins compare notes at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

When we got to the Bootleg Bar in deep Bushwick, guest DJ Sir Charles Gaskins was already set up and goin’. He was playing hot punk rock records for those who arrived early. Sir Charles always has great records and he played a ton of them on this night, including some hard rock numbers we haven’t heard in a long time. Sir Charles has appeared in the Boogaloo Bag several times before, so make sure you dig him here, and here!

Sir Charles Gaskins cues a hot number at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus started his first set with five Popeye records in order to pay tribute to Sir Charles, who has a fondness for Popeye’s Chicken–one sits across the street from the Bootleg Bar. The Boog then proceeded to spice his sets with some of the jump blues records that he didn’t have time to play back at Lincoln Center, along with the usual WHAM-O fare–garage rock, R&B, surf and soul records.

Charles Gaskins and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at the WHAM-O WATUSI.

[The next day, The Boog took a jet to San Francisco where he spent two weeks, thus the late posting of this Boogaloo Bag entry.]

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Midsummer Night Swing in Lincoln Center featuring Binky Griptite and his Orchestra:

Don’t forget to click on the links to the youtubes in order to dig the tracks!

• Gatemouth Brown–Summertime (Cue)
• Ann Cole with the Suburbans and Orchestra–Got My Mo-Jo Working (But It Just Won’t Work on You) (Baton)
• Willie Mabon–The Seventh Son (Chess)
• Little Willie John–Heartbreak (It’s Hurtin’ Me) (King)
• Big Maybelle–That’s a Pretty Good Love (Savoy)
• Rosco Gordon–Just a Little Bit (Vee-Jay)
• Rudy Moore–Step It Up and Go (Federal)
• Freddy King–The Stumble (Federal)
• Amos Milburn–Chicken Shack Boogie (UA Silver Spotlight Series)
• Johnny Otis and Orchestra–Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! (Dig)
• Joe Houston–All Night Long (Modern Oldies)
• Tiny Bradshaw–Walk That Mess (King)
• B.B. “Blues Boy” King and His Orch.–Let’s Do the Boogie (RPM)
• Floyd Dixon and Band–Tight Skirts (Swingin’)
• Roy “Bald Head” Byrd–Rockin’ With Fes (Federal)
• Joe Turner–Honey Hush (Atlantic)
• Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson–Hold It Right There (Bethlehem)
• Wynonie Harris–Good Rockin’ Tonight (King)

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the WHAM-O WATUSI that very same night:

• Little Caesar and the Romans–Popeye One More Time (Del-Fi)
• The Robins–Doing the Popeye (New-Hit)
• Hughie Garrity and the Hollywood Playboys–Too Pooped to Popeye (Duel)
• Sammy Reynolds–Olive Oyl (Dore)
• George Hudson–I’m Popeye the Sailor Man (Capitol)
• J.B. Lenior–Don’t Touch My Head (Checker)
• Guitar Slim and His Band–Oh Yeah (Atco)
• Smiley Lewis–Bumpity Bump (Imperial)
• Della Thomas with Hopeton Jonson Orch.–Let It Roll (Everybody) (Monitor)
• Boogaloo and his Gallant Crew–Talk About a Party (Crest)
• Roy Montrell and His Band–Oooh-Wow (Specialty)
• Rosco Gordon–The Dilly Bop (Duke)
• Howlin’ Wolf–Howlin’ for My Darling (Chess)
• Screamin’ Jay Hawkins–Little Demon (OKeh)
• Nino Ferrer–Alexandre (Rivera; France)
• The Taffys–Bongo Man (Amy)
• Dale Hawkins–Susie-Q (Checker)
• Carla Thomas–Something Good (Is Going to Happen to You) (Stax)
• Joe Simon–Say (That Your Love Is True) (Vee Jay)
• The Jives–I Want You (Tear Drop)
• Prime Mates–Hot Tamales – Part 2 (Sansu)
• Jimmy Robins–Waitin’ on You (20th Century-Fox)
• Dell Mack–You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover (Goldband)
• Etta James–I Just Wanna Make Love to You (Argo)
• Swamp Rats–Louie Louie (St. Clair)
• Dick Dale and the Del-Tones–Surf Beat (Deltone)
• The Pyramids–Pyramid’s Stomp (Best)
• The Marketts–Tarzan (Tarzan’s Dance) (Warner Bros.)
• The Karvals–Batman Theme (Succés Match Hits; Canada)
• Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich–Hard to Love You (Star-Club; Germany)
• The Clungels–Do the Dog (Artone; Netherlands)
• The Scorpions–Ain’t That Just Like Me (CNR; Netherlands)
• Galaxies–On the Beach (Etiquette)
• The ‘In’ Crowd–Sha-La-La-La-Lee (Star Club; Germany)
• Ray Anthony–C’mon and Swim (Capitol)
• Johnny Parker and the Zirkons–Oongawa (CT)
• Boots Brown y Sus Blockbusters–Cerveza (RCA Victor; Mexico)
• Angel & Johnny Orchestra–Jumpin’ Around (Mardi Gras)
• The Snapper–The Pig (Worthy)
• Tom Dooley & His Lovelights–Keep Kickin’ Out the Jams (TRX)
• The Foundations–Back on My Feet Again (Uni)
• The Majorlettes–Too Hot to Hold (Mercury)
• Roy Brown–Slow Down Little Eva (Imperial)
• Jean Knight–Dirt (Dial)
• Veniece–Yesterday Man (Hi)
• Jimmy Daley and the Ding-A-Lings–Bongo Rock (Decca)
• Darrell McCall–(What’ll I Do) Call the Zoo (Capitol)
• Tony Smith and his Aristocrats–Wiggle Waggle Walk (Mercury)
• The Sugar Canes–Sioux Rock (King)
• Billy Boy–I Wish You Would (Vivid)
• Muddy Waters–Close to You (Chess)
• Larry Dale–Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee (Atlantic)
• Bobby “Blue” Bland; Ike Turner and His Orchestra–Love You Baby (Kent)
• Redd Foxx–The Crazy House (Dooto)
• Jimmie McCracklin–I’m Gonna Tell Your Mother (Kent)
• Ruth Brown with Orchestra–(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean (Atlantic)
• Don Julian–Big Mama Wants to Rock (Dootone)
• Fats Domino–Ain’t That Just Like a Woman (Imperial)
• Billy Bland–The Fat Man (Old Town)
• King James with the Basic Things–Party Time (Cotton)
• Hully Gully Boys–Yabba (Amy)
• Steve Gibson and the Red Caps–Peppermint Baby (Band Box)
• Laurel Aitken and the Blue Beats–Mash Potato Boogie (Blue Beat; UK)
• Afsheen–Rangeh Shad (Happy Color) (Ahang Rooz; Iran)
• The Touch–Pick and Shovel (Lecasver)
• The Kinks–Till the End of the Day (Reprise)
• Andre Williams (Mr. Rhythm) and his New Group–Bacon Fat (Epic)

None of these records are for sale.

Disreputable Shaman, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, Grace of Spades, Rata and Wig Doctor swing at Shake It Up Sunday!

For the last several years, our pal DJ Rata has been hosting fabulous parties at Rockaway Beach on certain select Sundays during the summer. Called Shake It Up Sunday, it takes place at Caracas, an open-air Venezuelan restaurant located along the boardwalk at the beach (the coconut smoothie is godhead!). The place has a huge patio, and that’s where the festivities took place on June 25. The date was close enough to Rata’s birthday (the 29th) that it was celebrated, too. Since Rata is a big Batman fan, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus (who was invited to play a few rekkids) and Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy Jeannie Gardner surprised him with a batch of Batman cupcakes, Batman napkins and Batman balloons. Oh, did we mention that The Boog wore his Batman socks?

Tony Salvaje, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Rata swing at Shake It Up Sunday!

Rata also invited a few other boss jocks: Grace of Spades, Wig Doctor and Disreputable Shaman. (There may have been one or two others, but they must have left before the Boogaloo Bag writers arrived, or else they kept low profiles. Tony Salvaje was in the house, but forgot to bring records!). Plus, The David Hillyard Quintet played two sets of funky, vibes-driven, soul jazz.

DJ Rata plays some hot mambo records at Shake It Up Sunday!

But let’s start the Sunday the way we should–at Field Number One in Prospect Park, where Phast Phreddie pitched a 9-4 win game in the early afternoon. (One of the players on his team, Joel Wilhelmi, showed up with his family to make the scene at Shake It Up Sundays later that day. Mr. Wilhelmi played a key roll during the game when: while playing short stop, he went for a ground ball, tripped, knocked the ball toward the second baseman, who picked it up, stepped on the bag and threw to first base for a 6-4-3 double play!). Then, after the game and a quick presto-change-o, The Boog and Nancy Jeannie were off: F Train to the A Train that will take them to Rockaway Park. However, the wait at the Jay Street station was a l-o-n-g forty minutes. Plenty of trains came and went, but not the train to Rockaway. However, the wait was made quite pleasurable by a fellow playing a steel drum and singing Bob Marley songs on the platform.

A steel drummer plays for the people in the subway.

Finally the train came and the hour or so trip was completed. The Boogaloo Bag writers showed up at Caracas around 5:30–just in time for The Boog to sneak in about 30 minutes of 45 RPM records before the jazz combo played.

The David Hillyard Quintet featuring Larry McDonald really swing at Shake It Up Sunday. That’s star softball player Joel Wilhelmi with his daughter riding piggy-back in the background.

And what a jazz combo! It was lead by David Hillyard, an excellent tenor saxophonist who also plays with the ska/reggae influenced rock band The Slackers as well as The Rocksteady 7, a Jamaican jazz outfit that also features Larry McDonald. Mr. McDonald is a legend among Jamaican music aficionados, as he has played on a myriad of rocksteady and reggae records. In fact, that very day, The Boog had a record in his box that Mr. McDonald played on–one by Carlos Malcolm. The David Hillyard Quintet also included a talented vibraphonist and the group spiced its improvisations with Latin and reggae rhythms for an exciting mix of grooves.

Grace of Spades hits the decks with heavy, heavy dub and rocksteady beats at Shake It Up Sunday!

Grace of Spades has been mentioned in the Boogaloo Bag a couple of times. Once when she worked with him at an Out of Sight night at the Beauty Bar. Another time, she invited The Boog onto her radio show, Watch This Sound, for a tribute to Sam Cooke and Etta James. She has great reggae records and The Boog’s vinyl glands salivate when she plays them!

Wig Doctor acts casual as he spins another exciting record at Shake It Up Sunday! Don’t believe the sign; the Wig Doctor did NOT play any trash!!!

The Wig Doctor is a cat we met through the ubiquitous and inimitable Drew Redmond (they often DJ together at the Bootleg Bar). He played some fabulous records.

Disreputable Shaman expertly cues an off-center Colombian 45 at Shake It Up Sunday!

Disreputable Shaman is a fellow we met that day. He specializes in South American rhythms and often plays them at Club Barbes in Park Slope. He is said to have one of the finest collections of Peruvian and Colombian records in the Northern Hemisphere. Indeed, he played several tremendous ones that day.

Rata and Jamaican music legend Larry McDonald.

After the second set of the jazz combo, the DJs took turns playing two songs apiece until the Caracas people turned the lights off and kicked everybody out. It was about as magical as any night could have possibly been in the borough of Queens. The Boogaloo Bag writers all had a blast and they wish Rata a very happy birthday.

Nancy Jeannie Gardner’s Batman cupcakes made quite a yummy scene at Shake It Up Sunday! That’s Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus in the background, yearning for another taste!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Shake It Up Sundays:

• Johnny Dupont–Caravan (Columbia)
• Frankie Brent Revue featuring Little Linda Lou–Summertime (Epic)
• The Spotlights–Batman and Robin (Smash)*
• The Swingin’ Apolloes–Summertime Blues (White Cliff)
• The Revels with Barbara Adkins–Church Key (Impact)
• The Pygmies–Don’t Monkey With Tarzan (Liberty)
• “Baby” Earl & the Trini-Dads–Back Slop (S.P.Q.R.)
• Millie Small–Carry Go Bring Come (Fontana; UK)
• Jack Costanzo Mr. Bongo–Chicken and Rice (Discomoda; Colombia)
• Olé Jose and the Golden Leaves–Tequila ’68 (Challenge)
• Eddie Bo–We Like Mambo (Ace)
• Carlos Malcolm–Ska-Ramouche (Amy)
• Los Yetis–Cumbia A Go-Go (Fuentes; El Salvador)
• Grupo Guerra – 78–Soul Makossa (Discoland; Venezuela)
• Eddie Lovette–Boomerang (Steady)

None of these records are for sale. Many of the songs have links to the youtubes so you can dig them in the privacy of your own head!

* After it was played, this record was presented to Rata as a birthday gift.

Seiji Sato swings at Rebel Night!

How often do we have to say it: Rebel Night is BOSS and we dig it! Hosted by a host of crazy Japanese kids–Seiji, Hiromo and Junichi—Rebel Night features some of the rockin’est rock’n’roll music you will ever hear: loud, pure, simple, perfect for dancing and with a heavy emphasis on the rockabilly. On Friday June 23, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was asked to guest DJ at its first event at a new location: Diviera Drive. At one time, the location was a gas station/auto repair shop, but it had been closed for a very long time and about a year ago some folks turned it into a swingin’ Italian restaurant where, on weekend evenings, they pull out the tables and chairs and let folks swing. Thus was the room when the Rebel Night took place.

Hiromu Yanagiya is at the controls at Rebel Night!

Our good friend DJ Jumpy was also on the scene and along for the ride. Each DJ was allotted 30 minutes, as per an hourglass (or half-hourglass, as the case may be) that was employed to keep each disc-spinner honest.

Junichi Matsuzaki cues another boss jam at Rebel Night!

Hiromo commenced the evening with fine set of rockin’ tunes. Then The Boog was up and he kept the house hoppin’. Seiji continued with the rockin’ sounds. I don’t know how he does it, but at every Rebel Night, Seiji proves himself to be one of the finest rock’n’roll DJs around. Next up was DJ Jumpy, who benefitted from the breakdown of the hourglass–he had been at the turntables for well over 45 minutes before anyone realized that the sand in the hourglass was stuck! That’s OK, though, because his set had to be one of Jumpy’s best the Boogaloo Bag writers had ever witnessed. Folks were dancing the entire time.

DJ Jumpy attempts a clean cue at Rebel Night!

The official Rebel Night hourglass was fixed and Junichi–another guy with great records–took his turn at the DJ booth. Lead-off batter Hiromo followed with an even better set than his earlier one. During The Boog’s second set, he was praying that the hourglass would jam up again; he was having such a gas playing records for the dancers that he didn’t want to quit. Seiji, on the other hand, took full advantage of the generous amount of drink tickets dispensed by the club, and when it was his second turn, he declined, lest he ruin one of his rare records. Judging by his second set, Jumpy must have also taken advantage of his allotted drink tickets; nearly every one of his offerings was mis-cued!!! Yeowzah!! (Though it should be noted that the PFL system was less than optimal.)

Junichi finished off the night with another fine set of rockabilly madness. The night ended way too soon. Folks were still dancing when the club announced it was time to go home. WHAAAHHHH!!! But what a night was had and anyone who would like to re-live it can always refer to this here Boogaloo Bag.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus greases his hair back for Rebel Night!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swung with Fifties and Sixties hits and hot ones. He got a request to play a couple soul records, so he played the rockin’est soul records he had in his box! It’s always a pleasure to play for the people when the people are twistin’ to the beat. Dig it all the records he played at Rebel Night here:

• Link Wray and the Raymen–Batman Theme (Norton)
• Dale Hawkins–Tornado (Checker)
• Hueylyn Duvall–Three Months to Kill (Challenge)
• Vince Taylor et ses Play-Boys–Lovin’ Up a Storm (Barclay; France)
• Pat the Cat and His Kittens featuring Vic Fontaine–Little Rock Special (BSD)
• Wanda Jackson–Rock Your Baby (Capitol; Canada)
• The Castle Kings–You Can Get Him – Frankenstein (Atlantic)
• The Girlfriends–My One and Only Jimmy Boy (Colpix)
• Butlers–She Tried to Kiss Me (All I Could Do Was Run) (Liberty Bell)
• The Fabulous Peps–With These Eyes (Wee 3)
• Chubby Checker–Karate Monkey (Parkway)
• Wild Child Gipson with Freddie Tieken and the Rockers–Uncle John (Hit)
• Sonny Day & the Rare Breed–Tarzan (Jubilee)
• The Trashmen–Bird Dance Beat (Garrett)
• Mac Rebennack–Storm Warning (Rex)
• Rufus Brown with Herbie Layne’s Orch.–Sweet Little Sixteen (Gateway Top tune)
• Billy Adams–Got My Mojo Workin’ (Sun)
• The Paul Butterfield Blues Band–Mellow Down Easy (Elektra)
• Billy Fury–Nothin’ Shakin’ (But the Leaves on the Trees) (Decca; UK)
• The Dave Clark Five–Reelin’ and Rockin’ (Epic)
• Wailers–Out of Our Tree (Etiquette)
• The Teemates–Moving Out (Audio Fidelity)
• The Poor Boys–Wash Board Take 1 (Apollo)
• King Coleman–The Boo Boo Song (Part 1) (King)
• Los Locos Del Ritmo–Chica Alborotada (Dimsa; Mexico)
• Don and Dewey–Justine (Specialty)
• The Rockin’ Chairs–Come on Baby (Recorte)
• Tom Tall and His Tom Kats–Stack-A-Records (Crest)

Every song has a link to the youtubes. Dig it!! None of these records are for sale.