Flamin' Groovies
The Flamin' Groovies story goes all the way back to 1965 when the band began as the Chosen Few in their hometown of San Francisco, California. After a name change and a self-released 10-inch album called Sneakers, the band caught the attention of Columbia Records, who signed them and sent them into the studio with a big budget to record their first full-length album, Supersnazz, for the Epic label. Their next two albums were on Kama Sutra (home of their heroes, The Lovin' Spoonful): Flamingo, and the now revered classic Teenage Head.
Lead singer Roy Loney left the band at that point, and lead guitarist Cyril Jordan moved the group to England with Chris Wilson (formerly of Loose Gravel) taking over as front man. They continued their style of straight-ahead guitar-driven rock ‘n' roll, but this time with a more 60's rather than 50's influence. A few singles on United Artists, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with Dave Edmunds producing, followed in the early 70's. In '76 they signed to Sire Records, who released three true gems of power pop: Shake Some Action, Flamin' Groovies Now, and Jumpin' In The Night.
Another lineup change ensued in the next decade with Wilson moving to England and joining the Barracudas. The Groovies continued on through the 80's and into the early 90’s touring Australia and Europe, putting out a fine but overlooked album called Rock Juice and then finally calling it quits. Jordan formed a new band called Magic Christian while Wilson released solo albums in Europe.
Then, in 2013, Jordan, Wilson and original founding member and bass player George Alexander reunited for the first time since 1981. With new drummer Victor Penalosa, a fine musician in his own right, the foursome has not only recorded fresh material but has also completed earlier material that has never before been captured.
They recently toured Japan and Australia, returning home to San Francisco to headline a show that sold out in less than 24 hours. Fans have been delighted with what is being called "a dream set list,” including original songs the band has never performed before onstage. Newcomers are asking, "Why haven't I ever heard of this group?"
It's hard to say just why the group hasn't gotten the attention they deserve (at least in the USA), but they're back to give everyone another chance at hearing and seeing just why those in the know consider them one of the greatest rock n' roll bands of all time.
Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers
Forsaking an early experience as an actor, Loney turned to music during the folk boom of the early 60s. Impressed by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, he later formed the Chosen Few, a high school band which evolved into the Flamin’ Groovies. Loney’s voice and compositions provided the focal point for this cult-favourite act during its early history, but internal tension led to his departure in 1971. Roy then retired from professional music until 1977 when various ex-colleagues backed him on Artistic As Hell, an EP invoking the artist’s love of classic rockabilly. The following year he formed the Phantom Movers with James Ferrell (guitar) and Danny Mihm (drums), plus two further ex-Groovies’ alumni, Larry Lea (guitar) and Maurice Tani (bass). Out After Dark fully captured the spirit and style of the singer’s former group and was the subject of critical acclaim. Despite innumerable changes in personnel, Loney continued to pursue his unique blend of 50s rock ‘n’ roll and tongue-in-cheek humour through successive, often excellent albums and a powerful stage show. The singer disbanded his backing group in 1981 following the artistic failure of Contents Under Pressure, a flawed ‘power pop’ experiment. A second period of retirement ended with the release of Scientific Bombs Away, which also marked the reinstatement of the ‘Phantom Movers’ name. Although denied widespread popularity, Loney has nonetheless retained a small, but highly loyal, following.
Peter Case
As a member of the Nerves, he released one of the first seven-inch singles in the punk and new wave era and set out all across the U.S.A. as an opening act for the Ramones in 1977. Following that band's end, Peter and Paul formed the Breakaways, till finally Peter launched the Plimsouls and scored a hit in the '80s with "A Million Miles Away." Case's former bands continue to enjoy rediscovery by rock's new generations, but it his solo career that his proven to be most enduring, earning him accolades and die hard fans. As a rocker turned acoustic player, Case opened a door through which others have walked ever since 1986 when his self-titled T-Bone Burnett-produced solo album earned him year end honors and his first Grammy nod. Set to a tribal-folk percussive blend of blues, country and rock n' roll, its essences pour through everything he's recorded since, from "Poor Old Tom" and "Two Angels" to "Beyond the Blues" and "Blue Distance."
show less
The Flamin' Groovies story goes all the way back to 1965 when the band began as the Chosen Few in their hometown of San Francisco, California. After a name change and a self-released 10-inch album called Sneakers, the band caught the attention of Columbia Records, who signed them and sent them into the studio with a big budget to record their first full-length album, Supersnazz, for the Epic label. Their next two albums were on Kama Sutra (home of their heroes, The Lovin' Spoonful): Flamingo, and the now revered classic Teenage Head.
Lead singer Roy Loney left the band at that point, and lead guitarist Cyril Jordan moved the group to England with Chris Wilson (formerly of Loose Gravel) taking over as front man. They continued their style of straight-ahead guitar-driven rock ‘n' roll, but this time with a more 60's rather than 50's influence. A few singles on United Artists, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with Dave Edmunds producing, followed in the early 70's. In '76 they signed to Sire Records, who released three true gems of power pop: Shake Some Action, Flamin' Groovies Now, and Jumpin' In The Night.
Another lineup change ensued in the next decade with Wilson moving to England and joining the Barracudas. The Groovies continued on through the 80's and into the early 90’s touring Australia and Europe, putting out a fine but overlooked album called Rock Juice and then finally calling it quits. Jordan formed a new band called Magic Christian while Wilson released solo albums in Europe.
Then, in 2013, Jordan, Wilson and original founding member and bass player George Alexander reunited for the first time since 1981. With new drummer Victor Penalosa, a fine musician in his own right, the foursome has not only recorded fresh material but has also completed earlier material that has never before been captured.
They recently toured Japan and Australia, returning home to San Francisco to headline a show that sold out in less than 24 hours. Fans have been delighted with what is being called "a dream set list,” including original songs the band has never performed before onstage. Newcomers are asking, "Why haven't I ever heard of this group?"
It's hard to say just why the group hasn't gotten the attention they deserve (at least in the USA), but they're back to give everyone another chance at hearing and seeing just why those in the know consider them one of the greatest rock n' roll bands of all time.
Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers
Forsaking an early experience as an actor, Loney turned to music during the folk boom of the early 60s. Impressed by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, he later formed the Chosen Few, a high school band which evolved into the Flamin’ Groovies. Loney’s voice and compositions provided the focal point for this cult-favourite act during its early history, but internal tension led to his departure in 1971. Roy then retired from professional music until 1977 when various ex-colleagues backed him on Artistic As Hell, an EP invoking the artist’s love of classic rockabilly. The following year he formed the Phantom Movers with James Ferrell (guitar) and Danny Mihm (drums), plus two further ex-Groovies’ alumni, Larry Lea (guitar) and Maurice Tani (bass). Out After Dark fully captured the spirit and style of the singer’s former group and was the subject of critical acclaim. Despite innumerable changes in personnel, Loney continued to pursue his unique blend of 50s rock ‘n’ roll and tongue-in-cheek humour through successive, often excellent albums and a powerful stage show. The singer disbanded his backing group in 1981 following the artistic failure of Contents Under Pressure, a flawed ‘power pop’ experiment. A second period of retirement ended with the release of Scientific Bombs Away, which also marked the reinstatement of the ‘Phantom Movers’ name. Although denied widespread popularity, Loney has nonetheless retained a small, but highly loyal, following.
Peter Case
As a member of the Nerves, he released one of the first seven-inch singles in the punk and new wave era and set out all across the U.S.A. as an opening act for the Ramones in 1977. Following that band's end, Peter and Paul formed the Breakaways, till finally Peter launched the Plimsouls and scored a hit in the '80s with "A Million Miles Away." Case's former bands continue to enjoy rediscovery by rock's new generations, but it his solo career that his proven to be most enduring, earning him accolades and die hard fans. As a rocker turned acoustic player, Case opened a door through which others have walked ever since 1986 when his self-titled T-Bone Burnett-produced solo album earned him year end honors and his first Grammy nod. Set to a tribal-folk percussive blend of blues, country and rock n' roll, its essences pour through everything he's recorded since, from "Poor Old Tom" and "Two Angels" to "Beyond the Blues" and "Blue Distance."
Flamin' Groovies
The Flamin' Groovies story goes all the way back to 1965 when the band began as the Chosen Few in their hometown of San Francisco, California. After a name change and a self-released 10-inch album called Sneakers, the band caught the attention of Columbia Records, who signed them and sent them into the studio with a big budget to record their first full-length album, Supersnazz, for the Epic label. Their next two albums were on Kama Sutra (home of their heroes, The Lovin' Spoonful): Flamingo, and the now revered classic Teenage Head.
Lead singer Roy Loney left the band at that point, and lead guitarist Cyril Jordan moved the group to England with Chris Wilson (formerly of Loose Gravel) taking over as front man. They continued their style of straight-ahead guitar-driven rock ‘n' roll, but this time with a more 60's rather than 50's influence. A few singles on United Artists, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with Dave Edmunds producing, followed in the early 70's. In '76 they signed to Sire Records, who released three true gems of power pop: Shake Some Action, Flamin' Groovies Now, and Jumpin' In The Night.
Another lineup change ensued in the next decade with Wilson moving to England and joining the Barracudas. The Groovies continued on through the 80's and into the early 90’s touring Australia and Europe, putting out a fine but overlooked album called Rock Juice and then finally calling it quits. Jordan formed a new band called Magic Christian while Wilson released solo albums in Europe.
Then, in 2013, Jordan, Wilson and original founding member and bass player George Alexander reunited for the first time since 1981. With new drummer Victor Penalosa, a fine musician in his own right, the foursome has not only recorded fresh material but has also completed earlier material that has never before been captured.
They recently toured Japan and Australia, returning home to San Francisco to headline a show that sold out in less than 24 hours. Fans have been delighted with what is being called "a dream set list,” including original songs the band has never performed before onstage. Newcomers are asking, "Why haven't I ever heard of this group?"
It's hard to say just why the group hasn't gotten the attention they deserve (at least in the USA), but they're back to give everyone another chance at hearing and seeing just why those in the know consider them one of the greatest rock n' roll bands of all time.
Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers
Forsaking an early experience as an actor, Loney turned to music during the folk boom of the early 60s. Impressed by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, he later formed the Chosen Few, a high school band which evolved into the Flamin’ Groovies. Loney’s voice and compositions provided the focal point for this cult-favourite act during its early history, but internal tension led to his departure in 1971. Roy then retired from professional music until 1977 when various ex-colleagues backed him on Artistic As Hell, an EP invoking the artist’s love of classic rockabilly. The following year he formed the Phantom Movers with James Ferrell (guitar) and Danny Mihm (drums), plus two further ex-Groovies’ alumni, Larry Lea (guitar) and Maurice Tani (bass). Out After Dark fully captured the spirit and style of the singer’s former group and was the subject of critical acclaim. Despite innumerable changes in personnel, Loney continued to pursue his unique blend of 50s rock ‘n’ roll and tongue-in-cheek humour through successive, often excellent albums and a powerful stage show. The singer disbanded his backing group in 1981 following the artistic failure of Contents Under Pressure, a flawed ‘power pop’ experiment. A second period of retirement ended with the release of Scientific Bombs Away, which also marked the reinstatement of the ‘Phantom Movers’ name. Although denied widespread popularity, Loney has nonetheless retained a small, but highly loyal, following.
Peter Case
As a member of the Nerves, he released one of the first seven-inch singles in the punk and new wave era and set out all across the U.S.A. as an opening act for the Ramones in 1977. Following that band's end, Peter and Paul formed the Breakaways, till finally Peter launched the Plimsouls and scored a hit in the '80s with "A Million Miles Away." Case's former bands continue to enjoy rediscovery by rock's new generations, but it his solo career that his proven to be most enduring, earning him accolades and die hard fans. As a rocker turned acoustic player, Case opened a door through which others have walked ever since 1986 when his self-titled T-Bone Burnett-produced solo album earned him year end honors and his first Grammy nod. Set to a tribal-folk percussive blend of blues, country and rock n' roll, its essences pour through everything he's recorded since, from "Poor Old Tom" and "Two Angels" to "Beyond the Blues" and "Blue Distance."
read more
The Flamin' Groovies story goes all the way back to 1965 when the band began as the Chosen Few in their hometown of San Francisco, California. After a name change and a self-released 10-inch album called Sneakers, the band caught the attention of Columbia Records, who signed them and sent them into the studio with a big budget to record their first full-length album, Supersnazz, for the Epic label. Their next two albums were on Kama Sutra (home of their heroes, The Lovin' Spoonful): Flamingo, and the now revered classic Teenage Head.
Lead singer Roy Loney left the band at that point, and lead guitarist Cyril Jordan moved the group to England with Chris Wilson (formerly of Loose Gravel) taking over as front man. They continued their style of straight-ahead guitar-driven rock ‘n' roll, but this time with a more 60's rather than 50's influence. A few singles on United Artists, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with Dave Edmunds producing, followed in the early 70's. In '76 they signed to Sire Records, who released three true gems of power pop: Shake Some Action, Flamin' Groovies Now, and Jumpin' In The Night.
Another lineup change ensued in the next decade with Wilson moving to England and joining the Barracudas. The Groovies continued on through the 80's and into the early 90’s touring Australia and Europe, putting out a fine but overlooked album called Rock Juice and then finally calling it quits. Jordan formed a new band called Magic Christian while Wilson released solo albums in Europe.
Then, in 2013, Jordan, Wilson and original founding member and bass player George Alexander reunited for the first time since 1981. With new drummer Victor Penalosa, a fine musician in his own right, the foursome has not only recorded fresh material but has also completed earlier material that has never before been captured.
They recently toured Japan and Australia, returning home to San Francisco to headline a show that sold out in less than 24 hours. Fans have been delighted with what is being called "a dream set list,” including original songs the band has never performed before onstage. Newcomers are asking, "Why haven't I ever heard of this group?"
It's hard to say just why the group hasn't gotten the attention they deserve (at least in the USA), but they're back to give everyone another chance at hearing and seeing just why those in the know consider them one of the greatest rock n' roll bands of all time.
Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers
Forsaking an early experience as an actor, Loney turned to music during the folk boom of the early 60s. Impressed by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, he later formed the Chosen Few, a high school band which evolved into the Flamin’ Groovies. Loney’s voice and compositions provided the focal point for this cult-favourite act during its early history, but internal tension led to his departure in 1971. Roy then retired from professional music until 1977 when various ex-colleagues backed him on Artistic As Hell, an EP invoking the artist’s love of classic rockabilly. The following year he formed the Phantom Movers with James Ferrell (guitar) and Danny Mihm (drums), plus two further ex-Groovies’ alumni, Larry Lea (guitar) and Maurice Tani (bass). Out After Dark fully captured the spirit and style of the singer’s former group and was the subject of critical acclaim. Despite innumerable changes in personnel, Loney continued to pursue his unique blend of 50s rock ‘n’ roll and tongue-in-cheek humour through successive, often excellent albums and a powerful stage show. The singer disbanded his backing group in 1981 following the artistic failure of Contents Under Pressure, a flawed ‘power pop’ experiment. A second period of retirement ended with the release of Scientific Bombs Away, which also marked the reinstatement of the ‘Phantom Movers’ name. Although denied widespread popularity, Loney has nonetheless retained a small, but highly loyal, following.
Peter Case
As a member of the Nerves, he released one of the first seven-inch singles in the punk and new wave era and set out all across the U.S.A. as an opening act for the Ramones in 1977. Following that band's end, Peter and Paul formed the Breakaways, till finally Peter launched the Plimsouls and scored a hit in the '80s with "A Million Miles Away." Case's former bands continue to enjoy rediscovery by rock's new generations, but it his solo career that his proven to be most enduring, earning him accolades and die hard fans. As a rocker turned acoustic player, Case opened a door through which others have walked ever since 1986 when his self-titled T-Bone Burnett-produced solo album earned him year end honors and his first Grammy nod. Set to a tribal-folk percussive blend of blues, country and rock n' roll, its essences pour through everything he's recorded since, from "Poor Old Tom" and "Two Angels" to "Beyond the Blues" and "Blue Distance."
show less
Date/Times:
The Chapel
33 Upcoming Events
777 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
The Best Events
Every Week in Your Inbox
From Our Sponsors
UPCOMING EVENTS
Great suggestion! We'll be in touch.
Event reviewed successfully.