The Sonics

In the early-mid 1960s, the Pacific Northwest music scene was ruled by the kings of raunchy rocknroll and r&b, The Sonics. The Sonics followed in the footsteps of the legendary band the Wailers, and played the same rave-ups that the trailblazers had pioneered. In 1964 (?), Gerry Roslie joined the group on lead vocals, and they began to break away from the instro/r&b mold. Roslie was full of energy, had a great voice, and an even greater scream. Songs such as "Strychnine", "The Witch", "Boss Hoss" and "Cinderella" were instant classics and have become Garage staples over the years. Norton Records has just released Busy Body!!! Live In Tacoma 1964, an album comprised of two live radio broadcasts from 1964. The first set is all instrumental, and is overlowing with energy. The second set, from the Red Carpet Teen Club features Roslie on vocals and again, the band is smoking. My only complaint is that the mix isn't stellar, and the vocals are a little buried. Still, it is a record well worth picking up, as it captures a band on their way to greatness.

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

40 years later, Mary Weiss -- the genius lead vocal of The Shangri-Las -- is back. And with a new record.

After a full post-girl-group career as a woman, wife & commercial interior designer, Mrs. Weiss teamed up with the soon-to-be-legendary Reigning Sound and released the fruits of that labor, Dangerous Game. With the Reigning Sound backing & songwriting help from Greg Cartwright (RS, The Oblivians), Dangerous Game harnesses the same no-bullshit, dropdead gorgeous feeling captured on those early Shangri-Las songs. As a band, Cartwright & co. don't shoot to carbon copy the Shangri-Las sound or Shadow Morton's arrangements, and for that we're better off. This is grown-up garage rock, which of course shares its form with early rock & roll, which can also be said for the original Shangri-Las songs.

One way I think about The Shangri-Las is they make you feel like you're having a crush on some aimless someone or something -- you can't exactly place the feeling or what direction it's traveling in. Maybe it's like your first crush (or maybe all crushes feel the same), but when you're in the throes of it nothing feels more terrific. On this new record it's a little different, since this Shangri-La is four decades older. If she wasn't less teenage & less doe-eyed, there'd be cause for concern (see Ronnie Spector at the recent R&R Hall Of Fame induction ceremony).

For me, this Shangri-La offers some proof that puppy love can grow up, marry, live a life & have a career, and come back still sounding like love.

Apparently though, she never had kids.. which is probably the missing variable.

Mary Weiss - "My Heart Is Beating" [written by Greg Cartwright]

Mary Weiss - "Stop and Think It Over" [written by Greg Cartwright]

Mary Weiss - "Tell Me What You Want Me To Do" [written by John Felice]

Special props to the lovely Billy & Miriam of Norton Records for putting in the elbow grease needed to get this record out. After you check-out your online shopping cart (Dangerous Game, QTY 1, $12), look for the in-depth interview they conducted with Mary over on the Norton website.