The Hollywood Persuaders - "Drums A-Go-Go" - Original Sound, 1965

Today it's a pounding dance floor orgy from The Hollywood Persuaders!

Mick and Mallory dig that crazy beat!

You may remember this song from the prison riot sequence in Natural Born Killers, and the tune's frantic intensity certainly fits.

Mastermind Paul in the middle

The Persuaders were primarily Paul Buff, he wrote most of the songs and even played many instruments on the recordings. His first hit, "Tijuana Surf", was pressed with buddy Frank Zappa's “Grunion Run" on the flip. The success of that tune started Paul's career, and he linked up with Original Sound records for plenty more tunes.
From the "Drums A Go Go" album liner notes:
"...Paul Buff was working on an idea which showcased drums in the arrangement. Buff’s first attempt was entitled “Drums” and simply featured drums with his wife Allison’s backing vocals. This version was released on an extremely rare promotional single with “Yes, I Want To Dance” as the B-side. Paul Buff went back and completely re-recorded the track with an extremely powerful drum presence, more instrumentation and a sax replacing Allison Buff’s vocal. This version became “Drums A-Go-Go,” and it was an even bigger local success."

Art working the boards in a promo shot

Original Sound is run by Art Laboe, and I believe this is still an active studio in Hollywood. Check out his website here for the full info.

Current pic of the studio

Now start bouncing!

The Ramrocks - "On The Rocks" - Antler Records, 1959

I love these kinda silly, kinda lounge-y, kinda drunken instrumental jams from the late-50s. Middle-aged men at the club, drunkenly leering at the cocktail waitresses.  This one's spiced up with a little latin edge.
Wasn't able to dig up any info on the Ramrocks out there. I was able to find a discography for Antler Records, which suggests they were only active from '59 to '60. I don't see too many names familiar to me in the lineup aside from the Teen Queens. The label indicates they were based out of NYC.  I believe this tune was on one of the wonderful "Las Vegas Grind" comps.

Jon Thomas - Hard Head Pt.1 - Mercury, 1957

This week I've got a nice piece of wax to grind to - a proper titty-shaker from Jon Thomas. Born February 21, 1918 in Biloxi, Mississippi, his family relocated to Cincinnati in 1921. He got his start beating on chairs to make music as a child, and worked his way up to the piano. From an early age he knew - he wanted to play music for a living. In '55 he put together his first quartet, and in '56 he began popping up on records for local label King.  Shortly after he started releasing his own material on Mercury - at first a few singles and culminating in an album in 1960 with an appearance on Dick Clark's show. After touring around to promote the album, he seems to have slowed down.  The next thing I can find is an ad for a restaurant in Cincinnati in 1978, touting his organ skills as a reason to dine there.

I couldn't find a picture of the man or any further info, so if you have some, please pass it along!
Today's song was probably one of his first singles, and it sounds to me like the perfect accompaniment to a smokey gentleman's club.  This song also has the distinction of one of the longest recorded horn blasts I've heard - that's some serious honkin'!
I don't think we've covered a single from Mercury here before. Founded in Chicago in 1945 by Irving Green, Berle Adams and Arthur Talmadge, Mercury released a ton of jazz, blues, rock, even country.

You may also know them by on of their subsidiary labels: Blue Rock Records, Cumberland Records, EmArcy Records, Fontana Records, Limelight Records, Philips Records, Smash Records and Wing Records. In the 80's, Mercury was folded into PolyGram, and then into some kinda Seagram, Universal, Island, DefJam mashup.  As a larger label with a broad spectrum of sounds released, you'll find music ranging from sublime to shit on Mercury 45s - but you're certain to see them again and again in those dusty bins.
Now, let's listen to the clip and get our strip-tease on!

The Originals - Sleepless Hours - Jackpot, 1958

I guess I'd call this R&B, but this is one sleazy piece of wax! This song would be right at home in a 50's era Vegas strip-club.  The crowd hoots and hollers while the ladies shake it dangerously!
I'm having a heck of a time finding info on The Originals. BUT - I'd like to note, "Awesome name!" I can't help but think of that bit in the Spinal Tap movie:

Nigel Tufnel: "And then, we looked at each other and said..."

David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean): "Said, look, why not?"

Nigel: "...we might as well join up. You know?"

David: "So, we became the Originals."

Nigel: "Right."

David: "And, uh, we had to change our name, actually."

Nigel: "Well, there was another group, in the east end, called the Originals and we had to rename ourselves."

David: "the New Originals."

Nigel: "the New Originals."

David: "Yeah."

Nigel: "And they became..."

David: "...the Regulars. They changed their name back to the Regulars. And we thought we could go back to the Originals, but what's the point?"

But I digress..
The only info I could find on The Originals was that they did a release, also on Jackpot/Challenge, with the legendary Danny Flores AKA Chuck Rio.

Danny Flores was known for his hit "Tequila" - which he wrote and performed sax on (which was famously used in one of the best scenes in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"). Later Danny and The Originals put out a tune called "Margarita" which is in the vein of "Tequila" but dare I say - superior! If you see it, grab it! There's a good chance Mr. Flores did the sax on today's tune, but I can't be certain.

The info I have on Jackpot is from the fine folks at Color Radio:
Jackpot records was a Hollywood based label, with offices out of 6920 Sunset Boulevard. It had a fairly short life span, turning out 21 records in about a year and a half. And what a variety those 21 records turned out to be! Instrumentals, vocal groups, pop, and country. They were also a subsidiary of the Challenge label located on La Brea Avenue in Hollywood. Owners of the label included Joe Johnson, Johnny Thompson, Bernie Solomon, and most famously, Gene Autry - The Singing Cowboy himself! He was the main shareholder and certainly an executive with high visibility. He was part of JAT music publishing which you see listed on many of the Jackpot sides, that included Johnson,Autry and Thompson. He recorded several sides for Challenge, but none for Jackpot. His interest in the label lasted only five months, and he was bought out by the other partners.
And now, the clip! Feel the sleaze oozing from your speakers!