BILL WATKINS : CINCINNATI

Born in Kentucky, Bill Watkins made the short trip to Cinci to record for the LUCKY record label. Close enough to call him an Ohio boy! This release came in 1959, the other two bonus tracks were previously unreleased and found their way onto several later compilation LPs.

Bill Watkins-Missed The Workhouse

Bill Watkins-Red Cadillac


Bill Watkins-Big Guitar

This cut would be later covered by Columbus' Gibson Bros. (featured in a future post)

THE MUPHETS : GERMANTOWN

Here's side B of The Muphets only release from 1965. It does have that certain Beatles' sound typical of the era. The band would update their name to The Muffets & release another single on the COUNTERPART label in 1968. For a boatload of info on the band, see the Buckeye Beat website (link in sidebar).

The Muphets-Why Can't You Go

THE REACTIONS : YOUNGSTOWN

Staying in Y-town for this holiday offering by The Reactions. Recorded at Peppermint Studios in 1987, The Reactions were David Lemasters on lead vocals, guitars, bass & percussion ; Michael D'Allessandro on drums, keyboards , percussion & harmony vocals. They had lots of additional help on the "It's Christmas" cut.

The Reactions-It's Christmas Time

The Reactions-I'm Here For You

THE EIGHT BALLS : YOUNGSTOWN

Back in the day (late '70s to late '80s) me & my friends were "regulars" on the weekends at a dive in downtown Y-Town named the Cedars Lounge. Many a local as well as national (& international !!) acts played there. Some of the local favs from the era are doing a get together this weekend, see HERE...wish I could attend. Here's the only offering (I know of) from the lengendary..... 8 Balls. Released in 1984 on the UNDERDOG RECORDS label (where have you heard that name before??? {hint...search the blog!!}). The band consited of Timmy guitar & vocals ; Dave lead guitar & vocals ; Bob bass and Sandy drums.

The 8 Balls-Science Gone Too Far

The 8 Balls-When The Spirit Moves Me


UPDATED BONUS!!:

Ah, the great YOUTUBE... from the Dec. 22. 2007 reunion:

BOCKY & THE VISIONS : CLEVELAND

From the early '60s comes this mooover by Bocky & The Visions. Check out an interesting (read sad) story HERE

Bocky & The Visions-Spirit of '64

HIGH PLAINS DRIFTERS : AKRON

Picked this 45 up back in the day after seeing the High Plains Drifters frontman waiting in line near me for a Ramones show in Cleveland. They were: Jerry Ramone-vocals, Johnny Dread-guitar, Jeff Deihl-guitar, Kevin Collins-drums and Tod Carper-bass.



Check out the band's MySpace pageHERE

High Plains Drifters-All The Same

High Plains Drifters-City Life

CRASH COFFIN : CLEVELAND

From 1970 comes a rare indie label release from Crash Coffin. The LP has plenty of different styles present, all highlighting Crash's unique writing ability.

Crash Coffin-Masochist Blues

Crash Coffin-God Loves The Loser