Gear Fab Records Releases Psychedelic State: Mississippi in the '60s

Gear Fab Records is one of the greatest reissue labels in the country. Continuing their series focusing on garage rock era bands from across the country, Gear Fab now concentrates on the southern state of Mississippi with their eighteenth release in the series. There are twenty-nine songs by twenty two artists encompassing cities from all over the state from 1964-1969.

Most of these songs have never been heard past the borders of the state while other were huge national hits. The state also produced several talented song writers who found fame and awards such as the Grammys. When listening to these seventy-three minutes of pure garage rock and pop, there is a certain joy in hearing these small bands that gave their all for a shot at fame and fortune. Some certainly found their niche, but it is sometimes the forgotten gems that really shine. Al the artists and thier songs are listed below. Some are listed with interesting facts that are listed in the liner notes of the album by Jeff Lemlich, Mike Markesech, Max Waller, Ray Ehman, and Barry Wickham with the editing and compilation by Roger Maglio of Gear Fab Records.

Artists:

Ravin' Blue (Starkville, MS) "Love" "Colors" "It's Not Real"

Ravin' Blue was founded by students from the University of Mississippi and released these three songs with mild success which included all the way to Europe with a French release.

The Lancers (Greenville, MS) "Somebody Help Me" "You've Got To Forget Her"

The Missing Links (Oxford, MS) "Come Inside My Heart"

The Missing Links were wildly popular in and around Oxford, Mississippi recording in their self made home studio, but disbanded in 1966 when the members of the band graduated high school.

Soule Survivors (Biloxi, MS) "Good-Bye" "Shadows"

The Sandypypers (University, MS) "I Wanna Be Your Man"

Strags (Meridian, MS) "Psychedelic Soul" "Seven Different Ways"

Kicks (Meridian, MS) "Go Away, Go Away" "Love is a Necessary Evil"

James and the James Gang (Hattiesburg, MS) "Hey Girl"

The Soul Shakers (Jackson, MS) "It Really Works" "Catch That Girl"

The Herdsmen (Meridian, MS) "Fed Up"

The Kelts (Meridian, MS) "Don't Go Away"

Flower Power (Gulfport, MS) "Mt. Olympus"

The Phinx (Booneville, MS) "My Baby Don't Care"

Substantial Evidence (Biloxi, MS) "Death Angel"

Recorded in a condemned house in New Orleans, "Death Angel" was the number one local song on several radio stations in Biloxi and Bogalosa.

Bob Morrison (Biloxi, MS) "I'm the Place"

Morrison earned a nuclear engineering degree from Mississippi State University but instead chose a career in music where he wrote songs for several country singers including Dickey Lee and Reba McEntire which have made him a Grammy winner.

The Riviaries (Oxford, MS) "Bad Girl"

Joe Frank and The Knights (Jackson) "Can't Find A Way"

Joe Frank went on to much national success in bands like T-Bone; the Frank namesake of Hamilton, Joe, Frank, & Reynolds; and a late incarnation of Paul Revere and the Raiders.

Rick's Continentals (Meridian, MS) ""You Can Live It Up"

This song peaked at #67 on the Billboard Music Charts.

Bridge (Booneville,MS) "I Don't Think I'll Call You Again"

The Reets (Cleveland, MS) ""When You Brought Me"

The Continentals (Greenville, MS) "No Other Love"

The One Way Street (Biloxi, MS) "Yard Dog"

Psychedelic States: Mississippi in the 60's will be released November 17,2009 on Gear Fab Records