Dave Reistrick and Julio Fernandez host the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Just in its second year, the Keystone State Northern Soul Weekender has become America’s premier annual soul music event east of the Mississippi. This year it took place on November 3, 4 and 5 at the Elks Lodge Hall in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, hosted by Dave Raistrick and Julio Fernandez–just like last year.

Mr. Raistrick is a British cat who is from Skegness, a beach town about a hundred and thirty miles north of London. It is there he lives much of the time, and runs the Tamla Coffee Bar and Record Shop. For some reason, he also spends nearly half the year in Lancaster. Julio Fernandez is a Spaniard, who also somehow ended up in Lancaster. He founded the Red Rose Soul Club (a red rose is the official symbol of Lancaster) a few years ago and it has been doing bang-up business since. He is also the drummer for a hip rocksteady band called The West Kensingtons, based in Philadelphia.

For the second year in a row, these two gentlemen were able to round up some of the finest soul music DJs in the world to spin records at the Keystone State Northern Soul Weekender. They also asked Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus to play a few platters. Records were sold and traded in the bar and the great soul singer Eddie Holman dropped by on Saturday afternoon to sign autographs.

Gene Merideth and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus shop for records from dealer Rick Noll.

Among the DJs chosen to spin this year were: Andrew Turner (Reading, PA), Bruno Jerez (France), Connie T Empress (Empire State Soul Club), Kevin & Denise Draper (Huntingdon, UK), Jason & Stacey Thornton (Massachusetts), Eric Svirida (Long Island), Tom Dechistofaro (Cleveland), Ian Friend (Pittsburg), Andy Powell (Loughborough, UK), Dave Moore (Hitsville International Soul Club), Micheal Robinson (Dig Deeper), George Rodriguez (Minnesota), Gene Merideth (Allentown) and the amazing Thing With Two Heads (Dallastown, PA).

Tom Dechristofaro, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Mr. Robinson swing at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Bruno Jerez, Andy Powell and Kevin Draper were here last year, so it was exciting to hear them again. These guys are long-time staples of the Northern Soul scene in Europe and it was thrilling to have them spin records in this country. It’s amazing how folks from way on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean can latch on to something so American as soul music and be so adept at playing records that are so fabulously unheard of in this country; records that sound so fabulously good. Our fez is off to them!

Bruno Jerez prepares to start the record as Andy Powell announces it at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

The Boogaloo Bag writers were happy to see some DJs that didn’t appear last year: Andrew Turner, Michael Robinson and Eric Svrida. Although he doesn’t claim to be a DJ, Mr. Turner played some great records and the Boogaloo Bag writers were on the floor dancing whenever he appeared, playing favorites as well as obscuros. Mr. Robinson is a man who shouldn’t need an introduction in the Boogaloo Bag. He has spun records many times at the Subway Soul Club. The Dig Deeper series of soul music extravaganzas that he and his partner DJ Honky used to present in Brooklyn a few years ago will never be forgotten. Mr. Robinson is the proud owner of some of the rarest soul records of all time, so when he selects the sounds, you want to be around! Over the last couple of years, Mr. Svirida has been hosting soul nights in Long Island and recently has started to break into the scene in New York City. He is a pure Northern Soul DJ, and he kept the faithful satisfied on the dance floor. His action was hip, so dig him if he comes to your town.

Andrew Turner selects a hot tune to play at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Gene Merideth is another fine DJ that we are very familiar with. He has also been a guest many times at Subway Soul Club–and a very popular and respected one, too. Since moving to the Allentown area, he has begun soul nights there that are sure to be special.  Mr. Merideth can recognize a swingin’ sound, that’s for sure and when he spins a record, it stays spun! Also, if you are the proud owner of a Vespa or Lambretta scooter in need of repairs, Mr. Meredith can fix that. His Scooters Originali is known internationally as the place to have your scooter refurbished. Some of his work is even displayed in the Museum of Modern Art.

Gene Merideth digs for the perfect record to play at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

One guy we were very impressed with was George Rodriguez. He co-hosts a heavy funk and rare soul night in Minneapolis called Hipshaker that has been in operation for fifteen years. He has also been a guest DJ at various all-nighters and weekenders around the world, including Dig Deeper in Brooklyn. The records he played can only be described one way: Boss!

George Rodriguez boosts the level on another boss record at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Speaking of “boss,” last year the Boogaloo Bag writers arrived on the scene too late on Friday night to dig the sets put down by Tom Dechristofaro and Ian Friend. This was a shame because they are our kind of DJs: cats who don’t mind mixing an R&B or Latin soul number into their sets. With about twenty DJs to fill about thirty 40-minute slots, the hosts had to work a bit of math. Several DJs ended up being paired together and such was the case with these two. And it worked.

Tom Dechristofaro and Ian Friend team up for a fabulous set at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Among those who were paired off were Jason Thornton and Dave Moore on both Friday and Saturday nights. These two also conspire to write and edit There’s That Beat, a rare soul fanzine issued quarterly. Recently, they fried bigger fish by writing and publishing The Philly Sound – Philadelphia Soul Music and its R&B Roots: From Gospel & Bandstand to TSOP. This is a giant, nearly 700 pages book devoted to the great soul music that was recorded in the City of Brotherly Love. It is an overload of facts and figures and photos and fun stuff that will prove to be the definitive book on the subject for many years to come. Congratulations, mates, on a work extremely well done! …and you know that they played a lot of Philly soul records during their sets.

Jason Thornton and Dave Moore display the fine book they have written at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

The Empress and Denise Draper team up for boss sounds at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

One of the things that set this Keystone State Soul Weekender apart from last year was the inclusion of so many women DJs. Last year, the only one was X-tine 16, but as a part of the DJ duo The Thing With Two Heads (along with partner Bazooka Joe). This time the hosts invited several others: Denise Draper, Stacey Thornton and Connie T Empress. Although Ms. Draper and Ms. Thornton are wives of DJs, they each came with their own impressive records and their own respective styles. Ms. Draper played some of the toughest R&B records you’ll ever hear. Ms. Thornton sweetened things by playing mostly women singers. Clearly they belonged. That goes double for the Empress of Soul, Ms. Connie. During the Eighties and early Nineties she was deeply involved with the Empire State Soul Club, New York City’s original Sixties soul dance party. She recreated that magic with every record she played.

Stacey Thornton swings with another fine girl group record at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

The Thing With Two Heads played a set on Friday night that was sublime. The Thing’s thing is not Northern Soul, but rather hard soul and R&B. This is something that the hosts wanted to throw into the mix on purpose in order to shake things up. This The Thing did, in a most magnificent way. (The Boogaloo Bag writers and the good people at Wang Dang Doodle Productions have been trying to lure The Thing to swing at a Wham-O Watusi. Hopefully that will happen in the near future.)

The Thing With Two Heads await its turn to spin records at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Another DJ who may not be considered a Northern Soul DJ is Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. However, he is a dance DJ, and he has been playing Sixties soul records at parties and dances and concerts and assorted celebratory events since the early Seventies. He plays a “Northern” song from time to time as he digs the music, and plays quite a bit of them when spinning at the Subway Soul Club, at which he is the resident DJ; but he will always mix in something that throws a listener for a loop, yet keeps that listener on the dance floor. On Friday night, he was paired with The Empress of Soul. They executed their 40-minute set by splitting the first ten minutes, then playing every-other record for the final twenty. Working with Miss Connie is always a delight.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Connie T Empress, the Empress of Soul, swing at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the 2nd Keystone State Northern Soul Weekender:

Friday

• Ronnie Kole Trio–Batman Theme (White Cliffs)
• Jay and the Techniques–Dancin’ Mood (Smash)
• The Charmaines–Eternally (Date)
• Lee Andrews & the Hearts–Never the Less (Crimson)
• Lee Andrews & the Hearts–Can’t Do Without You (Lost Nite)
• Nicoletta–Vis Ta Vie (Riviera; France)
• The Hesitations–Soul Superman (Kapp)
• The Sherwoods–Ice Cream (Kapp)

Saturday

• Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames–Last Night (Imperial)
• The Jay Walkers featuring Mickey Holiday–Can’t Live Without You (Swan)
• The John Schroeder Orchestra–Agent OO-Soul (Cameo)
• Dave and Ansil Collins–Double Barrel (Techniques; UK)
• The Prophets–I Got the Fever (Smash)
• The Gladiators–Girl Don’t Make Me Wait (Direction; UK)
• Jessica James & the Outlaws–We’ll Be Makin’ Out (DynoVoice)
• Shirley J. Scott–Goose Pimples (Stephanye)
• Los Albas–Bugulu (Vergara; Spain)
• The Ambassadors–Too Much of a Good Thing (Pee Vee)
• Donnie Elbert–Along Came Pride (CBS; UK)
• Chubby Checker–Karate Monkey (Parkway)
• The Jammers–Where Can She Run To (Loma)
• Little Anthony and the Imperials–Gonna Fix You Good (Every Time You’re Bad) (Veep)
• Cliff Nobles & Co.–Is It the Way (J-V)
• Trade Martin–Moanin’ (RCA Victor)
• The Mohawks–Mony Mony (Pama; Netherlands)

None of these records are for sale. Click on the links in order to dig the tunes.

Here are more scenes from the 2nd Keystone State Soul Weekender:

Dave Raistrick digs one of Mr. Robinson’s spins at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Andrew Turner plays “Down in the Basement” on Sunday afternoon at the Keystone Soul Weekender.

Tom Dechristofaro, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Stacey Thornton swing at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Andy Powel and Bruno Jerez team for a set of great Northern Soul records at the Keystones State Soul Weekender.

Andy Powell has been doing Northern Soul all-nighters and weekenders for about as long as anyone in the world. It was a pleasure to have him at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

A be-fezzed Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Bruno Jerez plays another tasteful Northern Soul track at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Connie T Empress brought her own MC, Brother Weems, another Empire State Soul Club associate, to the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Dave Raistrick and Julio Fernandez keep the party going at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Denise Draper killed the place when she played Big Mama Thornton’s version of “Wade in the Water” at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Connie T Empress shows why she is truly the Empress of Soul at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Eric Svirida plays a favorite at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Gene Merideth works the turntables at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

George Rodriguez keeps things moving with another top tune at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Jason Thornton and Dave Moore played mostly records from Philadelphia at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Kevin Draper announces one of his favorite spins at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Mr. Robinson checks out some acetates for possible purchase at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Connie T Empress and Julio Fernandez discuss groovy soul records with DJ Salinger on the Sunday afternoon of the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

Congratulations to Julio Fernandez and Dave Raistrick for pulling off another very successful Keystone State Soul Weekender. Thank you for the all the work you do to make this a happening. We will see you next year!!!

The Elk who watched over the Keystone State Soul Weekender!

Last October, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was asked to DJ the dance party section of the Internet Archive’s annual celebration in San Francisco. It went so well, that he was asked back this year for its celebratory event held on October 11.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus works the dance portion of the Internet Archive Party.

The Internet Archive is a non-profit entity whose mission is to make as much information available on the internet as possible, for free. Or, as they like to put it, universal access to all knowledge. This year’s theme was The Twentieth Century, and the Archive touted its vast gathering of all sorts of information from that time period now on its website–books, movies, news papers, sound recordings, etc.–during its gathering of affiliates, partners, employees and associates in the Great Room on Funston Avenue.

Chas Gaudi swings his 78s at the Internet Archive party.

One of the fine things that the Internet Archive is responsible for is the Great 78 Project. The IA is sponsoring the digitization of tens of thousands of 78s (most of them funneled to the project by the ARChive of Contemporary Music). In order to emphasize this, our pal Chas Gowdy played 78s in the back yard during the early portion of the evening. Also going on there was George Blood, the man responsible for digitizing the 78s in Philadelphia, showcasing his four tone-armed turntable, one of the ones used for this project. There were taco trucks, drinks and hands-on demos of such things as old computer games and virtual reality.

George Blood’s 4 tone-armed turntable.

And there were taco trucks. Gooood taco trucks!

The Boogaloo Bag writers were busy getting ready for the dance portion of the evening and did not see very much of the presentation in the Great Room, but suffice it to say, the Wayback Machine that was built for the event was a genius addition to the program. It is difficult to describe, but we will try: it looked like a great big box with a curtain. The host Jason Scott, or a speaker,  would adjust a nob until it read a date, then lights would blink, smoke would come out of the top and a guest speaker would walk through the curtain and discuss something that happened on that date. The whole program can be checked out at the Internet Archive blog.

Chas Gaudi gets a vist from Alec Palao at the Internet Archive party.

Chas Gaudi, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Otto Von Stroheim swing at the Internet Archive Party.

After the presentation, all attendees were given a gift (knit caps with IA logo) and ice cream bars and directed to the back yard, where Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played some swingin’ records and was very pleased that some of his local friends were able to come out and dig the scene, including Otto Von Stroheim, Big Kahuna of the Tiki Oasis; and Alec Palao, genius reissue maven for Ace Records (UK).

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the 20th Century Time Machine – The Internet Archive’s Annual Celebration on October 11:

• Jimmie Haskell–The James Bond Theme (Capitol)
• Richard Anthony–Baby (Out of Time) (Pathé; Canada)
• The 5th Dimension–Sunshine of Your Love (Liberty; Germany)
• Muguette–Ces Bottes Sont Faites Pour Marcher (Fantastic; Canada)
• Alan Copeland–Mission: Impossible Theme / Norwegian Wood (ABC)
• Enoch Light & the Brass Menagerie–Theme From Shaft (Total Sound/Project 3)
• Ananda Shankar–Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Reprise; France)
• Lord Sitar–Black Is Black (Capitol)
• James Brown and the Famous Flames–Night Train (King)
• Los 5 del Este–Satisfaccion (Satisfaction) (Odeon; Spain)
• Powers of Blue–(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (MTA)
• Les Pharaons–Je Ne Peux Pas Te Satisfaire (Satisfaction) (Ideal; Canada)
• Lee Moses–Day Tripper (Musicor)
• Jacky Moulière–Lam’di Lam’ (Mickey’s Monkey) (Disques Salvador; France)
• Shorty Long–Here Comes the Judge (Soul)
• Judy Carne–Sock It To Me (Reprise)
• King Coleman–The Boo Boo Song (Part 1) (King)
• Ozz & His Sperlings–Somebody to Love (M.I.O.B.)
• Jimmy Brown–Chain of Fools (A-Bet)
• Dave and Ansil Collins–Double Barrel (Big Tree)
• J.J. Jackson–But It’s Alright (Calla)
• Candy & the Kisses–The Last Time (Scepter)
• Willie Hobbs and the Dirte Four–Gloria (Mercury)
• Sonny Ace & the Twisters–Wooleh Booleh (Atlantic)
• Las Moskas–Mony Mony (CBS; Mexico)
• The Cincinnati Music Co.–Let’s Do the Thing (Kapp)
• The LaSalles–La La La La La (V.I.P.)
• The Fabulous Flippers–Harlem Shuffle (Cameo)
• Jose Luis Y Los Maloos–Confesiones de Media Noche (Cap Latino)
• The Golden Toadstools–Silly Savage (Minaret)
• The Soul City–Everybody Dance Now (Goodtime)
• Quincy Jones and His Orchestra–Soul Bossa Nova (Mercury)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to the youtubes clips so you may dig them in the privacy of your own head!

On October 7th, the WHAM-O WATUSI rolled into Bushwick’s notorious Bootleg Bar with guest DJ Mr. Vacation.

Mr. Vacation swings at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Mr. Vacation is one of our favorite DJs. He’s the kind of cat who can diversify at a needle drop; going from a cool funk track to a psyche rock number to a hot reggae groove. He has just come off of residency at the Commodore, where he rocked the joint for about five or six years. Currently he is taking on guest spots when ever he can. Folks, if you are in the market for a swingin’ DJ, Mr. Vacation is your man. On this night, Mr. Vacation played an overwhelming amount of top-deck soul records, turning the place into a soul party most of the night. Mr. Vacation is a long-time resident of Bushwick and it was a real opportunity to witness his excellent DJ work in his own backyard.

Bootleg owner Bobby Rich and Mr. Vacation compare notes at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

For October, the Bootleg Bar was all decked out in scary cobwebs and goblins in anticipation of the upcoming Halloween season. Indeed, a spook was hanging above the middle of the dance floor! PLUS… the Boogaloo Bag’s very own photographer, Miss Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner made some delicious caramel thumb-print cookies that were quickly devoured.

Miss Jeannie is shown here with her excellent cookies!

Everyone who attended could tell that the host, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, was having fun with the night, trying to out-Mr. Vacation Mr. Vacation with his own eclectic selections. He played New Wave records, some heavy metal, a couple of reggae tracks, frog records, popeye records, power pop, even a coke commercial!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Mr. Vacation swing at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Here is a complete list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the WHAM-O WATUSI that night:

Spook!

• Menahan Street Band–Bushwick Lullaby (Dunham)
• The Frogmen–Tioga (Swift Waters) (Candix)
• The Bel Airs–Mr. Moto (Arvee)
• Sonny Thompson–Loco Limbo (Bethlehem)
• Kaye Keys Band–Number Three (Start)
• The Mixtures–Olive Oyl (Linda)
• James Brown And His Orchestra–Caldonia (Smash)
• Blue Öyster Cult–Cities on Flame With Rock And Roll (Columbia)
• Thin Lizzy–Little Darling (Decca; UK)
• Raspberries–Ecstacy (Capitol)
• Capitol City Rockets–Little Bit o’ Fun (Elektra)
• Ginette Sage–Le Kangourou (Dinamic; Canada)
• Sir Frog and the Toads–The Frog (Downey)
• Kriss Anderson–The Sloopy (Old Town)
• Doc  Jazrock–Fish & Chips (Warner Bros.)
• Roy Orbison–Things Go Better With Coke [from EP Let’s Swing the Jingle for Coca-Cola] (McCann-Erickson/Coca-Cola)
• The Undisputed Truth–What It Is (Gordy)
• Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band–Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys (Roulette)
• The Jam–The Dreams of Children (Polydor; UK)
• The Undertones–Jimmy Jimmy (Sire; UK)
• Los Brincos–Baila La Pulga [from EP ¡Brincosis!] (NoVola; Spain)
• Michel Polnareff–Time Will Tell (4 Corners of the World)
• The Mystery Trend–Johnny Was a Good Boy (Verve)
• Herman’s Hermits–Got a Feeling (M-G-M)
• Tom Jones–The Lonely One (Parrot)
• The Ron Thompson Trio–I’m Shakin’ (Fingerpoppin Records of California)
• Kaleidoscope–Killing Floor (Epic)
• Howlin’ Wolf–Mama’s Baby (Chess)
• Gate Wesley & Band; vocal: Billy LaMont–(Zap! Pow!) Do the Batman (Atlantic)
• Lowell Fulsom–Tramp (Kent)
• The Rationals–Leavin’ Here (A-Square)
• The Who–I’m a Boy (Reaction; UK)
• Ruff Francis & the Illusions–Misery Loves Company (Essica)
• (no artist listed)–Bed Rock Rock [from the EP Favorite Songs of Johnny Quest] (HBR)
• Ian Whitcomb–Boney Moronie (Jerden)
• Rick Nelson–Milk Cow Blues (Imperial)
• Bunny Sigler (Mr. Emotion)–Family Dance (V-Tone)
• Dave and the Triumphs; Jerry Anderson vocal–Soul-Shout (Boswick)
• The Conservatives–Crunchin Song (Ebonic Sound)
• Danny Wagner and the Kindred Soul–Harlem Shuffle (Imperial)
• Big Youth–Hot Cross Bun (Jaguar)
• Creator & Norma–Come on Baby (Randy’s: UK)
• Pace-Setters–Push on Jessie Jackson (Kent)
• Jimmy Bee–Funky Way (Kent)
• Betty Barney–Momma Momma (GWP)
• Charles Wright–Soul Train (Warner Bros.)
• Mary Lou Williams Quartet; vocal by Sonny Henry–Let’s Do the Froggy Bottom (Mary)
• Larry Harlow–That Groovy Shingaling (Fania)
• (no artist listed)–The Gold Coast (Hoctor)
• Honey Boy Martin–Have You Ever Seen the Rain (Harry J; UK)
• The Sammy Bryant Group featuring Sonny Harris–Popeye Dance (Roulette)
• The Individuals–Jungle Superman (Show Time)
• The Riverboat Soul Band featuring Tony Derringer–Mess Up (Mercury)
• Bruna Modigliani–Un Piede (Carosello; Italy)
• Stevie Wonder–Non Sono Un Angelo (Tamla/Motown; Italy)
• James Hunter Six–(Baby) Hold On (Datpone)
• Thurston Harris–Be Baba Leba (Aladdin)
• The Undertakers–Just a Little Bit (Pye; UK)
• Mud–The Cat Crept In (RAK; UK)
• The Versatones–Bikini Baby! (RCA Victor)
• Warm Sounds–Nite Is Coming (Deram)

None of these records are for sale! Some of them have links to clips on the youtubes in order for the reader to get a grip on what happened.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

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.