"You Must Be a Witch" by the Lollipop Shoppe was one of the most ferocious garage punk singles of the 1960s, a savage blast of paranoia and electric guitar that became a sought-after collectable among garage fanatics and one of the high points of the Nuggets box set. The tune was powerful enough that one had to wonder how a group so fierce would come up with a name as silly as the Lollipop Shoppe, and the truth is they didn't: they were known as the Weeds until their manager scored them a deal with Uni Records, who found their original moniker too outré (the marijuana reference didn't help) and saddled them something a bit more "mod."
The Lollipop Shoppe cut just one album, 1967's Just Colour, and "You Must Be a Witch" is easily the most hard-edged cut on the record, but if the Lollipop Shoppe don't hit quite as hard on the other 11 tunes, the material is strong enough to impress any fan of vintage garage or psychedelia. Fred Cole's vocals boast an emotional urgency and force that set him far apart from most of his contemporaries, and the band's blend of garage rock thunder, folk-rock melodies, and psychedelic introspection puts this in the same league as Love and the 13th Floor Elevators.
Within a year of releasing Just Colour, the Lollipop Shoppe were history, and years later Cole went on to front one of the finest bands in the garage punk underground, Dead Moon; this album offers a powerful early confirmation of his talents, and if Cole's music got leaner and more muscular with time, he'd already learned how to play rock & roll that was as urgent and heartfelt as anything you're likely to encounter.
by Mark Deming
Tracks
1. You Must Be A Witch (F. Cole) - 2:44
2. Underground Railroad (F. Cole, R Buzzell) - 7:43
3. Baby Don't Go (B. Atkins, F. Cole) - 2:38
4. Who'll Read The Will (B. Atkins, F. Cole) - 2:28
5. It's Only A Reflection (E. Bowen) - 3:07
6. Don't Look Back (F. Cole) - 2:29
7. Don't Close The Door On Me (F. Cole, R Buzzell) - 4:25
8. It Ain't How Long (E. Bowen, F. Cole) - 2:42
9. It's Makin' It (E. Bowen, F. Cole) - 2:29
10.I'm Gonna Be There (B. Atkins, F. Cole) - 2:41
11.You Don't Give Me No More (B. Atkins, F. Cole) - 2:14
12.Sin (F. Cole) - 2:25
13.Someone I Know (Bonus Track) (Unknown) - 4:03
14.Through My Window (Bonus Track) (Unknown) - 2:39
The Lollipop Shoppe
*Bob Atkins - Bass
*Ron Buzzell - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
*Ed Bowen - Lead Guitar, Vocals
*Fred Cole - Vocals
*Carl Fortina - Accordian
*John the Greek - Keyboards
*Tim Rockson - Drums
Free Text
Text Host
Thanks very much for this expanded edition...
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot !
ReplyDeleteChris
an amazingly uninspired review of the band. Sadly Fred Cole past away earlier this year leaving a continuation of his legacy. His post Lollipop shop band Dead Moon continued the Saga. But my only reason for writing here is to put into words the comparison I seem to be the only one to take note of. The lollipop Shoppe for me is deeply connected to a wonderful little genre they share with Arthur Lees Love -for Loves 1st 2 albums. And what has always interested me was does either band owe a debt of homage to the other? Im sure most will say Love came 1st. But for me, regardles-s Lollipop Shoppe perfected the genre as Love moved on to forever Changes and Fred Cole soldiered on an on and on.
ReplyDeletegreetings - any chance of a re-up? connection shows account suspended
ReplyDeleteRevup67, The Lollipop Shoppe - Just ReColoured!!!
ReplyDelete