Standells

Artist Information

Biography

“Best known for their hit ‘Dirty Water’, The Standells released a string of snotty, aggressive garage singles in the mid to late 1960s which are now rightly regarded as proto-punk classics. ‘Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White’, ‘Why Pick On Me’, ‘Riot On Sunset Strip’ – the songs of The Standells have been covered by everyone from Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith and U2 to Spacemen 3, Minor Threat and a million ’77 punk bands as well as many subsequent scene bands.”
- Pat Long

The Standells are considered by many to be the 'godfathers of punk rock' and the 'originators of garage rock'. The group was formed in 1962 by keyboardist and lead vocalist Larry Tamblyn. Their first hit single on Tower Records "Dirty Water" reached #11 on the Billboard charts, #8 in Cashbox, and #1 in Record World. Other chart records include "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White", "Why Pick On Me," and "Riot On Sunset Strip.", which is featured as the kick-off song in the new Rhino Records boxed CD set Where the Action Is.

Prior to their success on Tower Records, the group was signed by Liberty Records and issued an album "The Standells In Person At P.J.'s" in 1964 (later re-released as “The Standells Live and out of Sight”). After having no success with Liberty they signed with Vee Jay in 1965 for two singles, one of which was produced by Sonny Bono Sonny & Cher. Cher did backup vocals on one of the songs “The Boy Next Door”.

The group appeared in several movies, including “Get Yourself a College Girl, performing their first Liberty recording “The Shake” and “Riot on Sunset Strip”, performing the film’s title song. The Standells also frequently appeared on television. The Standells guest starred as themselves in an episode of the The Munsters. They were also featured in an installment of The Bing Crosby Show, and as a nightclub band on an episode of Ben Casey. In addition to TV shows like Shindig, American Bandstand and Where the Action is, they were featured on Art Linkletter's House Party, debating moral majority broadcasting mogal Gordon McLendon who banned their recording “Try It”. McLendon deemed the song’s lyrics to be obscene. (By all accounts, the Standells defeated him pretty handily.)

Despite the references to Boston and the Charles River in "Dirty Water," The Standells are not from Massachusetts. Nevertheless, "Dirty Water" is still played after every home victory won by the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Boston Bruins as well as at Northeastern Huskies' hockey games. One would be hard-put to find either a sports fan or rock music lover in Massachusetts who had never heard of the Standells.

The band still actively performs in concert. Recent performances were given in Los Angeles (Whisky A Go Go, Echoplex, Amoeba Records), along with headlining for the June Lake Mountain Music Festival. The band toured Europe June-July, 2010, playing to wildly enthusiastic crowds in Madrid, Bordeaux, Rennes, Paris, London, Oslo, Berlin, Athens, and Frankfurt. In March of 2012, the Standells performed at the SXSW Festival, and in September the group headlined at the Monterey Summer Festival of Love Festival.

The Standells were guests of the Red Sox for Game 2 of the 2004 World Series, performing "Dirty Water" at Fenway Park; they are frequent guests of the Red Sox, including a performance of the National Anthem before the start of the 2007 AL playoff series.

Dirty Water is listed in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that shaped Rock & Roll.. A biography titled “Love that Dirty Water – The Standells and the Improbable Red Sox Victory Anthem” is currently available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Target, and in other retail outlets.

Today, the Standells consist of original members Larry Tamblyn (lead singer & keyboard), Dick Dodd (lead singer, percussion & guitar), John Fleckenstein (bass), plus Mark Adrian (co-lead singer & guitar) and veteran drummer Greg Burnham. They have just finished a new record album, the first in over 45 years.

Some news articles and comments about the Standells recent concerts:

Pasadena Star News 3/21/13
Steve Smith -
In the pantheon of garage rock bands, The Standells are in the holy of holies. Formed in Los Angeles in 1962 by lead singer-keyboardist Larry Tamblyn, the band is best known for three 1966 singles, "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White," "Why Pick On Me" and their biggie, "Dirty Water."
Last year, among the group's handful of concerts was a well-received show at the SXSW festival in Austin. Original and long-time members Tamblyn, drummer Dick Dodd and former Love bassist John Fleckenstein, are still with the group today. The Standells will appear at the 12th annual Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans, Oct. 4-5, according to the event's website and The Standells Facebook page.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/weekend/ci_22831964/steve-smith-van-halen-manager-what-euro-tour


Uptown Nightclub 10/19/12

Terry Lewis -
As for the Standells - they absolutely blew everyone away with their total professionalism, preparedness, spontaneity and perfect renditions of their songs - new and old - many surprises from the past and excellent new material as well! Their total dedication to their audience and the excitement and enjoyment of this Class Act is undeniable! They obviously had a blast and so did everyone present - they played with such energy and conviction it had to be SEEN to be believed! Fortunately they filmed the performance - it was a Night to Remember and the Uptown was the perfect place for it!!

Cal Cali -
Standells RULE!!

Jen Dunjen -
Awesome show!!!

Deborah Joyce Windisch -
Awesome! You guys were so energized and the audience seemed to feed off of your vibes. I'm glad I was a part of it. Love to all of you and best of health to all of you. RIP Korg Keyboard. ;)

http://www.facebook.com/events/229923560469475/?fref=ts

Andrew Trice -
You guys blew the roof off at the Uptown. What a great night to have a crew filming! Next time I see you I'll ask you to autograph this piece of Larry's destroyed keyboard...

Patrick Flynn -
Just saw this show, the guys rocked and destroyed a keyboard on stage, That was a first!! I've never seen a keyboard smashed on stage before and I have been to many shows!! Rock on Boys!!

Brian David Vaughan -
I was there for the performance at the Uptown, it was awesome, great energy & sound! I had the gift of being there, but do look forward to seeing the DVD when it's out

http://www.facebook.com/Standells

Monterey Summer Festival of Love 9/30/12

Jaime Rodriguez -
With all due to all the great bands that performed at Monterey 2012 especially BBHC (Big Brother and the Holding Company) , however the STANDELLS rose to the ocassion and kicked some (@#$%^) ass.

Rob Beltz -
Well Standells fans, our boys came and conquered the Monterey Summer of Love Festival!! They were spectacular and clearly owned that show.

Tim Emerich -
Thank you for rocking the West Coast! Awesome show! Hopefully will catch your November show in Oakland.

http://www.facebook.com/Standells

Killer show last night!!
— Robert Allee

Great show!!! Had a blast! Come back again....soon!
— Genie Warley

Yes! Come back soon, y'all.
— Alice Berry

Other past shows

The Tucson show was great! A very professional, energetic, tight, tight performance, but also very loose and cool! They're not called the Godfathers of Punk for nothin'. And super friendly, cool dudes too. Highly recommended!
— Scott Perry

These guys ARE garage rock.
— Jaime Widder?

Awesome!!
— Psychedellic Central psychedeliccentral1

This is absolutely one of the best bands ever!!! -- Jerrica Lee

The band played what can only be described as a blinder of a set…
— Minty And The Beeb Go Gigging

Standells in Portland were incredible, played everything I wanted to hear and then some. They were having a great time too! They haven't missed a step, see 'em if you ever get a chance!

— Jerry Bennett, Radio Host From Here To Obscurity on KSER 90.7 FM in Everett, Wa on the web: www.kser.org.

Instrumentation

Larry Tamblyn (original member) - Lead Vocals and Keyboard
Dick Dodd (original member) - Lead vocals/ percussion/ guitar
John Fleck (original member) - Bass & Vocals.
Greg Burnham - Drums / Vocals
Mark Adrian - Co-lead vocal and guitar

Discography

ALBUMS

The Standells In Person at PJ's (LP)
Liberty 1965

Dirty Water (2 versions)
Tower 1966

Dirty Water (LP, Album, mono)
Tower 1966

Dirty Water (CD, mono)
Sundazed Music 1994

Why Pick On Me / Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White
(4 versions)
Tower 1966

Why Pick On Me / Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White
(LP, mono)
Sparton 1966

Why Pick On Me / Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White (LP)
Tower 1966

Why PIck On Me / Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White
(LP, mono)
Tower 1966

Why Pick On Me / Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White (LP)
Eva Records 1988

The Hot Ones (2 versions)
Tower 1966

The Hot Ones (LP, mono)
Tower 1966

The Hot Ones (CD, mono)
Sundazed Music 1994

The Standells: Live And Out Of Sight (LP)
Sunset Records 1966

Try It (LP)
Tower 1968

Try It (LP, stereo)
Eva Records 1988

Try It (CD, mono)
Sundazed Music 1994

The Best of the Standells (LP)
Rhino Records 1983

Rarities (LP)
Rhino Records 1983

Rarities (CD)
Big Beat 2009


SINGLES

The Shake (7”)
Liberty Records 1964

I’ll Go Crazy (7”)
Liberty Records 1964

Linda Lou (7”)
Liberty Records 1964

The Boy Next Door (7")
Vee Jay Records 1965

Dirty Water / Rari (3 versions)
Tower 1966

Dirty Water / Rari (7")
Tower 1966

Dirty Water (7")
Rhino Records 1984

Dirty Water / Surfin' Bird (7")
Trip Records

Why Pick On Me (2 versions)
Tower 1966

Why Pick On Me (7")
Tower 1966

Why Pick On Me (7")
Uptown 1966

Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White (7")
Tower 1966

Try It / Poor Shell Of A Man (7")
Tower 1967

Can't Help But Love You (7")
Tower 1967

Poor Boys Born In A Rubble (2 versions)
Sundazed Music 1995

Poor Boys Born In A Rubble (7" EP, Mono, Pur)
Sundazed Music 1995

Poor Boys Born In A Rubble (7" EP, Mono, Gre)
Sundazed Music 1995

The Live Ones! (10", EP, Mono)
Sundazed Music 2001

Barracuda (7", Ltd, EP)
Eva Records 1990

COMPILATION

The Best of the Standells (2 versions)
Rhino Records 1989

The Best of the Standells (LP, Comp)
Rhino Records 1986

The Best of the Standells (CD, Comp)
Rhino Records 1989

Dirty Water + The Hot Ones (CD, Comp, Mono)
Eva Records 1990

Dirty Water / Why Pick On Me / Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White (CD, comp, RM, Mono)
Big Beat Records 1992

The Hot Ones / Try It (CD, Album, Comp)
Big Beat Records 1993

Riot On Sunset Strip (LP, Comp, Mono)
Eva Records 1990

Dirty Water (LP, Comp, Mono)
Eva Records 1990

Where The Action Is: Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968
Rhino Records 2010

Dirty Water: The Birth Of Punk Attitude
Year Zero 2010

Official Website

http://www.standells-official.com

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter
• YouTube - Standells concert at SXSW 2012
• YouTube - Samples of new Standells songs
• YouTube - Sample of new recording "She's Just 18"
• You Tube - Listing of all of Standells video clips
• YouTube - 2011 concert at Whisky A Go-Go

Audio

• Standells Hits
  Listen   Download
• Riot on Sunset Strip - Live on BBC6 Radio, 2010
  Listen   Download
• Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White
  Listen   Download
• Try It - Live on BBC6 Radio, 2010
  Listen   Download
• Mr. One Percent
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• A Million Miles Away: Billy Altman's SXSW 2012 Diary Wrap-up? [+ Show ]
  

  By nightfall, all roads inevitably led back to East Sixth Street, where over the course of the eveni...By nightfall, all roads inevitably led back to East Sixth Street, where over the course of the evening's endless club crawling I witnessed the following highlights: ‘60s garage rockers the Standells at Buffalo Billiards snarling their way through their banned-in-Boston classic “Dirty Water” and their banned-everywhere illegal substance-promoting ditty “Try It.”?

• Clash @ SXSW 2012 – Day Five [+ Show ]
  

  We then head back to one of our favourite hang outs, Buffalo Billiards for some grub and to see old ...We then head back to one of our favourite hang outs, Buffalo Billiards for some grub and to see old punks The Standells. For saying they must all be in their sixties, they look good and they're clearly having a blast.

• GZO: SXSW Day Five [+ Show ]
  

  The Standells, yes, those Standells, have a new record coming out and they did a few songs from it d...The Standells, yes, those Standells, have a new record coming out and they did a few songs from it during their Buffalo Billiards set. But the fun came with the garage nuggets “Riot on Sunset Strip,’ “Good Guys Don’t Wear White” and the classic “Dirty Water.”??

• Ahh, but they're cool people [+ Show ]
  

  "Unlike most of their peers in the '60s garage rock scene, the Standells continue to play blistering..."Unlike most of their peers in the '60s garage rock scene, the Standells continue to play blistering sets today."

• Standells [+ Show ]
  

  The band played what can only be described as a blinder of a set which included “Dirty Water”, “Some...The band played what can only be described as a blinder of a set which included “Dirty Water”, “Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White” , “Mr Nobody” and a great cover of “Hey Joe, Where You Gonna Go.”
  
  As they finished their set, they left the stage to calls for more, and then Gary Leeds (the Standells original drummer, and later of Walker Brothers fame) came on stage to bring the guys back for an encore.
  
  The audience completely loved it and we were just as thrilled to see their first ever UK show. The timelessness of this music was shown by the age range of the audience. From young students to the band’s peers, and everyone getting off on it.
  

• David Chase Hits Nostalgic Notes in Not Fade Away [+ Show ]
  

  “When Doug finds his voice, it comes completely unexpected. He doesn’t have great pipes, but his nas...“When Doug finds his voice, it comes completely unexpected. He doesn’t have great pipes, but his nasal, gravelly tone is a perfect 1960s garage band voice, soulful but limited, as unpolished as any Stones wanna be of the time and kind of reminiscent of the Standells.”

• Steve Smith: Van Halen manager: 'What Euro tour? Prince closes SXSW with six-encore gig [+ Show ]
  

  NOW PLAYING Classic acts from the '50 s, '60 s and &#39...NOW PLAYING
  Classic acts from the '50 s, '60 s and '70 s continue to perform. Here's what one of them is doing.
  In the pantheon of garage rock bands, The Standells are in the holy of holies. Formed in Los Angeles in 1962 by lead singer-keyboardist Larry Tamblin, the band is best known for three 1966 singles, "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White," "Why Pick On Me" and their biggie, "Dirty Water."
  Even though "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White," and "Why Pick On Me" didn't chart well, No.'s 43 and 54, respectively, the two records did receive substantial AM radio play, and remain beloved of garage rock fans.
  Another 45, "Riot on the Sunset Strip," the title song to the 1967 American International drive-in flick, is considered a garage band cult classic. A 1967 single, "Try It" was banned by many radio stations because of its perceived sexually suggestive lyrics and that killed any chance it may have had of becoming a hit, but for a good week or two, "Try It" also received solid AM radio airplay.
  "Dirty Water" became a major hit, reaching No. 11 on Billboard's Hot 100. The song was a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the city of Boston, and since then has been adopted by several Boston teams, including the Patriots, the Bruins, the Celtics and the Red Sox, who play it after home victories. It is listed in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll."
  Hollywood discovered The Standells early on. In 1964, they appeared in the 1964 teen film, "Get Yourself a College Girl," starring Mary Ann Mobley, Chad Everett and Nancy Sinatra that also featured The Animals, The Dave Clark Five and jazz saxman Stan Getz. That year, they also appeared on "The Munsters" in an episode that still airs. On the show, they didn't perform any of their own songs, but rather with Beatlemania in full swing, they did "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and, here it comes, "Come On and Ringo." In 1965, they performed the title song for the comedy, "Zebra in the Kitchen," starring Jay "Dennis the Menace" North, Martin Milner, Andy Devine and Jayne Meadows.
  Through the decades, The Standells have performed rare gigs on and off.
  Last year, among the group's handful of concerts was a well-received show at the SXSW festival in Austin. At various times its members included Little Feat leader Lowell George and drummer Gary Leeds, who left the band and became Gary Walker of The Walker Brothers.
  Original and long-time members Tamblyn, drummer Dick Dodd and former Love bassist John Fleckenstein, are still with the group today. The Standells will appear at the 12 th annual Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans, Oct. 4-5, according to the event's website and The Standells Facebook page.
  

• I love that dirty water ... and everything else about Boston [+ Show ]
  

  “A lot of people associate the Neil Diamond song "Sweet Caroline&am...“A lot of people associate the Neil Diamond song "Sweet Caroline" with the Boston Red Sox (at least those people unconnected to Pitt), and they think of it as a Boston theme song. I've never been a huge fan of that song, to be perfectly honest, and it doesn't really say anything about Boston itself.
  To me, the truest anthem of Boston is The Standells' 1966 song "Dirty Water" (you may recall Boston Harbor hasn't always been the cleanest body of water, hence the song's title), which has the line: "I love that dirty water ... Boston, you're my home."
  Despite its flaws, its faults, its inability to pronounce the 18th letter of the alphabet properly, I love that dirty water, that hard-edged friendliness, that devotion to the Red Sox, the open-armed welcome I always receive whenever I return. My heart aches for my hometown, but I know it's going to be OK. I'll be at next year's marathon, whatever it looks like, because now, I can't stay away.
  I love that dirty water ... awww, Boston, you're my home.”
  

• My love letter to Boston [+ Show ]
  

  “Boston is the Standells singing "Dirty Water," now the city's all-purpose...“Boston is the Standells singing "Dirty Water," now the city's all-purpose sports anthem. It celebrates the Charles River before it was cleaned with a little help from Tip O'Neill and Ted Kennedy. I most associate the song with Red Sox victories at Fenway and played it in my car the other night. I started to cry.”
  - E.J. Dionne
  

Setlist

Combination of hits, popular album cuts, and songs from new album.

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Performance Rider_Backline.pdf

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