North Down Sound

07/09/2024

Knocked out to have this BEAST back in stock at State Records—gracious thanks to Oktay Gürbüz AND Mike Stax at Ugly Things Magazine!

The first recordings by the legendary pre-Alice Cooper garage band THE SPIDERS!! In 1965, Jack Curtis took the Spiders into Floyd Ramsey’s Audio Recorders studio in Phoenix, Arizona, where they recorded two fantastic tough garage band versions of “Why Don’t You Love Me” and “Hitch Hike.” Curtis released the songs on his Mascot label in September 1965 on a now insanely rare 45. Sourced from the original master tapes, this new album presents the entire, uncut Spiders session, including alternate takes and tracking session highlights of “Why Don’t You Love Me” and “Hitch Hike” along with a fantastic, previously unreleased version of “Don’t Blow Your Mind” recorded by Curtis in 1966 prior to the version that appeared on their second single.

Limited edition of 1000 copies pressed on red vinyl—includes liner notes by Dwayne Witten of Mascot Records and Mike Dugo, with insert plus a numbered repro of the Spiders’ original business card, and a repro of a 1965 Spiders button!! What an incredible set!

£28 + shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW! As usual, our stock is VERY limited so strictly first come, first served. Don't sit on the fence and miss out!

04/09/2024

29/08/2024

Last copies in stock at State Records, with gracious thanks to our good friends, Spoke Records.

TAMMY ST. JOHN / 21st CENTURY £7.50
Concerning Love b/w Hard Act To Follow
Killer '69 blue-eyed soul from Tammy St. John, originally issued on the highly collectable Tangerine label, co-written and arranged by the legendary Alan Hawkshaw. Flip it over for some mysterious '73 psych, a promo-only 45 on the Era label.

RKM MUSIC LIBRARY £8
4 slices of funky jazz library music from Roland Kluger's RKM label, originally issued in 1980 on the 'Beat - Action' and 'After Eight (Romantic And Pastorale Scenes)' LPs

STANDARD MUSIC LIBRARY £8
4 titles taken from LPs originally released between 1971 and '78 ('Heavy Group Activity', 'Industrial', 'Pop/Rock Sounds' and 'Small Pop Group') and feature the work of legendary session man Herbie Flowers, Harry Rabinowitz (a major force at SML), Martin Kershaw and in-house band, Midas Touch.

Prices exclusive of shipping. Can do all 3 for £21 (+ shipping). PM or comment below to secure these killers NOW!

27/08/2024

A slightly revised tour poster for The Embrooks' upcoming Euro jaunt. We are now being 'presented' by ByteFM, a rather cool indie radio station based in Hamburg. Should hopefully mean a little more promo and publicity, get a few more muckers through the door and buying our hot new merch! 1st gig in Bremen is exactly 2 weeks today!! Mach dich bereit Deutschland!!!

27/08/2024

Check out these spunky new stickers for The Embrooks' upcoming tour, with dynamite artwork from our good friend, Darryl Hartley!

26/08/2024

Just to clarify and clear up any possible confusion or misunderstanding, The Jack Cades ARE NOT splitting up. Simply a change of rhythm section. In fact, they've got a gig with the new line-up in just about a month down at The Elmer's Arms in Bristol!

16/08/2024

Happening soon... The Embrooks are coming to a town near you (if you happen to live in Belgium or Germany 😉)!!

14/08/2024

New in stock at State Records, muchos gracias to our buenos amigos at Discos Quilombo!

Killer 1965 "música de las esferas" (music of the spheres) from Mexican beat punkers, Los Monjes (The Monks)! Reverb-drenched organ-led corkers with suitably hysterical vocals—what's not to dig? Check out the clips below for reference.

https://youtu.be/yo6y1oN16Yc?si=-cynyVn7pCKp10gK
https://youtu.be/gTl0U96zFto?si=3euWTcV0bWdN4pj4

£12.50 + shipping. PM or comment below to reserve your copy NOW! We also have 3 other killer titles from DQ currently in stock (Los Laser, Grupo 606 and Los Signos/Malinches split)—why not combine and save on shipping? 😉

31/07/2024

New in stock at State Records, courtesy of our good friends at Kaleidoscope Sounds!

New(ish) reissue of Kaleidoscope's 5-star 1967 debut, utilising Pete Sonic Boom Kember's 2017 remaster, 1000 copies pressed on high quality orange/black splatter vinyl in gatefold sleeve + inner bag.

£35 + shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copy now; as usual our stock is very limited, so no snoozin' or there'll be losin'!

27/07/2024

In just under 5 hours, it's the return grudge match of the century, as The Embrooks and The Beatpack once again go head-to-head at What's Cookin'! BP are on around 8, Embrooks around 9. It could be massive, could get messy—see you there?
https://www.facebook.com/events/969267894660701

25/07/2024

I guess it was almost 5 months since the last issue of Ugly Things Magazine, but it feels like it just came out!! The elasticity of time, eh?

Anyhoo, State Records will—as usual—be stocking this latest issue, shipping early next month. To say it's a corker is probably a given; they all are, right? This issue's cover story is an epic interview with Michelle Phillips, which Mike described as "without a doubt one of the most memorable, revealing and emotional interviews I’ve ever conducted". It’s illustrated with some amazing photos from Michelle’s personal collection!

Part 2 of the Subway Sect story is another mind-blower, a brilliant, myth-puncturing perspective on the 1976-77 UK punk scene by guitarist Rob Symmons. Also: the history of Peru’s greatest psychedelic band, Traffic Sound; Peter Stanfield goes deep on the MC5’s 1972 UK sojourn; ‘60s garage punks the Emperors from Long Beach, California ("I Want My Woman") and the Traits from Pelham, NY ("High On A Cloud", just recently issued for the first time on 45 by Mojo-Bone Rekkids and also available from State); soul music songwriting supremo Dan Penn; Japanese Mod power pop trio the Badge; Canadian ‘60s garage/psychsters the Fringe—and lots more, including, as always, an expansive and essential review section covering all the latest vinyl and CD reissues, and rock ‘n’ roll-related books.

£15.95 inc. UK shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW! Feel free to enquire for back issues—we have a few copies of #62 and others are available.

25/07/2024

There was definitely something in the air in Latin America in 1965. Subsequent to (yet distinct from) the British Invasion of the US in 1964, groups seem to have sprung up in relative isolation from each other, with a particularly savage take on beat music: Los Saicos' "Demolición" and Delai Alamos Con Los King Stay's "El Ritmo Del Go, Go" spring to mind.

Those 2 groups emanated from Peru, while way up north in Mexico, Los Monjes (The Monks) were producing their own "música de las esferas" (music of the spheres), and here are 2 superb examples, freshly reissued by our buenos amigos at Discos Quilombo, and available soon in the UK from State Records. Check out the audio clips below—these dudes ROCK!!

https://youtu.be/yo6y1oN16Yc?si=ZCjEpH2ZBlzgoAF7
https://youtu.be/gTl0U96zFto?si=3-VXh2-XDa2DWr1n

£12.50 + shipping. PM or comment below to reserve your copy NOW—we still have a few copies of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th releases from DQ (Los Laser, Grupo 606 and the split single from Los Signos/Los Malinches); why not throw those in and save on shipping costs? 😉

24/07/2024

Humbly, State Records offers you the colours...and more...again!

Legendary UK psychsters KALEIDOSCOPE may not have been commercially successful back in the day, but their work sure is held in high regard these days—you'll not see much change out of a bag of sand for decent copies of either of their Fontana LPs!!

A recent warehouse find (or sideboard rummage, depending on your preference) has yielded a few copies of 2 of their Record Store Day 45s issued in 2015 and '18, featuring previously unissued sides from the band's own personal archives, as follows:

1—Faintly Growing (Alternative Unreleased Album Mixes)
Alternate mixes of "Black Fjord" and "If You So Wish" on green vinyl in a hand-numbered sleeve

2—Faintly Blowing
Alternate takes of "Faintly Blowing" and "Jump In My Boat", remastered by yer man Sonic Boom!

£12 a shot + shipping. PM or comment below to reserve your copies NOW, but be quick—as usual, our stock is VERY limited!

11/06/2024

More goodies back in stock at State Records, muchos gracias to our good friends at Top Sounds Records UK.

Here's a FANTASTIC 10" EP from Billy Fury—seven PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED BBC radio recordings, originally broadcast on Saturday Club between February '68 and January '69. Includes great versions of Bowie's "Silly Boy Blue" and the Bee Gees' "One Minute Woman". Sound quality is tops, as is the presentation: a front-laminated full-colour sleeve + 24-page booklet featuring many previously unpublished photos!

£17 + shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW!

11/06/2024

While State Records continue to wait for our Rogue Records shipment, we do at least have some killer titles just back in stock, courtesy of our top buds at Top Sounds Records UK. Here are some MONSTER 45s:

THE KIRKBYS Five From The Kirkbys—5-track EP, 4 songs PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED and the 5th in far superior sound quality, in front-laminated flipback sleeve + 8-page booklet

THE SYN Created By Clive—restored from an undocumented 1967 acetate, pre-single demo of "Created By Clive" plus a fast-paced Mod-styled raver called "I’m Following You"! Company sleeve + postcard

THE KONTAX Near Me—repro of a super-obscure uncomped 1967 private press, with a dynamite Association-influenced original top side and freakbeat-y take on Sam & Dave's "Hold On I'm Coming" on the flip! Company sleeve

GOLDIE Could It Be—3-track EP feat. fantastic PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED blue-eyed soul stormer taken from an Emidisc acetate, coupled with both sides of her rare Immediate 45! Front-laminated sleeve + 8-page booklet

Kirkbys £12.50 / Syn £11 / Kontax £9 / Goldie £7

All prices exclusive of shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copies NOW, and as usual choppity-chop: our stock is VERY limited!

16/05/2024

It's almost that time once again, as Rogue Records prepare to unleash 2 new killers next week. As usual, copies will be available in the UK from State Records.

Inspired by the sights, sounds and creative experimentation of the mid to late 60s, The Crystal Teardrop, with their distinctive blend of garage rock and psychedelia, came together in early 2023. Based in Stoke on Trent, the band have quickly gained a reputation for their high energy live performances and this release is their 2nd single. ‘Running Out Of Time’ is a powerful garage fuzzer featuring layered harmonies, classic Farfisa and razor sharp guitar while ‘Apres Jeudi’ is a heavy dancer inspired by the band’s love for yé yé, Jacques Dutronc and The MC5.

Child of Panoptes is a collaboration between several French musicians gathering around Alexandre Besson, drummer in Le Chiffre Organ-ization, with influences including late 60s UK freakbeat, US garage, and psychedelia. After a first single in 2021 and LP on Soundflat Records in 2023, Rogue Records is very proud to release their newest EP. It features two of Alexandre’s works, “Un Petit Morceau De Buvard” and “Love”, plus two covers of The Fox (the club classic "Hey! Mr Carpenter") and Andy Forray ("Dream With Me")!

Both are limited to 500 copies, and come in Rogue's by now trademark laminated flipback card sleeves (it's the pinched spines that get me! 😉). £8.75 a pop + shipping: PM or comment below to secure your copies NOW!

14/05/2024

New in stock at State Records, many thanks to our good friends at You Are the Cosmos.

LES MARQUIS Fire Horses b/w Silence On The Shore

Formed in 1967, this obscure Salzburg, Austria combo released their only 45 in April 1969 on the tiny VRC label, but what a monster 2-sider it is, with both sides written by bass player, Hannes Stiegler. Fantastic 12-string riff and sumptuous harmonies combine on the topside, while the groovy flip has an almost traditional folk vibe to it, but filtered through a sugar cube. A planned follow-up, "Nick Nack Man", only got as far as the test pressing stage, and the band eventually folded in 1971.

Over the years, various tracks have appeared on compilation LPs (most recently in 2023 on "Schnitzelbeat Volume 3"), but this is the first time in more than 50 years that the single has been released in its entirety! Check out some audio:
https://youtu.be/P3I1AVQa_1s?si=DBJ9LGnpK7DCtrw0
https://youtu.be/_C6YOMtVT40?si=BK3dP2Gb0IAcuWrm

£11 + shipping; PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW!

14/05/2024

New in stock at State Records, thanks to our good friends at Calico Wally.

LA's garage supremos The Killing Floors unleash their 2nd 45 onto an unsuspecting public! "Little Triss" is an organ-fuelled ode to a badass honey with a killer chorus ("Little Triss won't you give me a call, I want your love...or nothin' at all!") and MONSTER solo, while flipside "Be My Girl" has some super-melodic guitar and gorgeous harmonies! These mofos recently wowed at Hipsville A Go Go, and this new 45 does 'em justice! Only 500 copies pressed with super-cool postcard!

£10 + shipping—PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW!

14/05/2024

New in stock at State Records—gracious thanks to our good friends at Calico Wally!

We're talking Canadian Garage Royalty here!! The Gruesomes were formed in Montreal, Quebec in 1985, one of the earliest Canadian bands to recreate the North American garage band sounds from the 60s! The Capellas had the mighty good fortune to share a stage with these mofos last week, and they were on FIRE!! These 2 sides are total killers, full of fuzz and snot, just the way we like 'em! Top liner notes from Spanish garage legend Juan Arlandis Guerra aka Juanito Wau, the 45 also comes with a postcard and super-cool 8-page mini-comic!!

£11 + shipping; PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW!

14/05/2024

Back in stock at State Records, muchos gracias to our buenos amigos at You Are the Cosmos.

UK R & B misfits David John & The Mood from Preston, Lancashire only issued 3 45s in their brief lifespan ('63-'66), and sadly they disappeared pretty much without trace at the time, being small fish in a very crowded pond. As is often the case, though, down the decades their work has come to be held in VERY high regard, particularly the 4 sides they cut with legendary/infamous producer Joe Meek in 1965, and subsequently issued on 2 Parlophone 45s.

Now, You Are The Cosmos have done the decent thing and compiled those 4 Meek-produced sides onto one fantastic 7" EP, so save your hard-earned cash (you'll not see much change out of £1000 for top condition original copies) and score this wee gem TODAY!

£11 + shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW!

14/05/2024

Out now on Groovie Records and available soon in the UK from State Records—the mighty PUSSYCATS!!!

Superb new limited 7" vinyl edition of their rare Portuguese EP, originally released on CBS in 1966. Combines all four sides of their 2 fantastic Columbia 45s, inc. the all-time girl-garage MONSTER, "I Want Your Love". Original copies are darn hard to find, especially in their super-cool picture sleeve, lovingly recreated for this new version. Only 300 copies pressed and shifting FAST!

£12 + shipping—PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW!

30/04/2024

New in stock at State Records, muchos gracias to our buenos amigo, Discos Quilombo.

The 4th instalment in DQ's ongoing mission to bring rare and obscure Latin American sounds from the 60s and 70s to a wider audience, but this new issue is slightly different: 2 bands, 1 song!

Emerging from the same 'Nueva Onda Boliviana' (New Bolivian Wave) as Los Laser and Grupo 606 (the 2 previous releases on DQ, and also available from State), Los Signos formed in 1968, and by the end of 1969 positioned themselves as one of the most famous in the city of La Paz, managing to conquer local stages such as "Galey" and also at the new wave festivals that took place every Sunday in the Outdoor theatre. "Hechicera" was originally issued as part of their 3rd EP in 1972.

Formed in Murcia in 2016, and with three albums behind them, Los Malinches are one of the bands that best represent a psychedelic revival movement inspired by the 60s and 70s, but with a current look that has evolved and taken on its own personality; their rendition of "Hechicera" is testament to their authentic approach.

Check out the audio here:
https://youtu.be/WIjrW0s08rw?si=yYN6E60FY-20geUR
https://youtu.be/KTvhvJvixLk?si=PjTqUH1pzImSUFKH

Limited to 500 copies on 7" vinyl. £13 + shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW!

26/04/2024

New in stock today at State Records, courtesy of our bons amis at Rogue Records. Dynamite new limited edition 7" 45s wrapped in sumptuous laminated flipback card sleeves!! 🍆

The On and Ons were formed in 2015 by Glen Morris (Screaming Tribesmen), his brother Brian Morris, and Clyde Bramley (Minuteman, Hoodoo Gurus) in Sydney, Australia. These garage/power-popsters have a back catalogue of 5 well-received releases through Citadel Records, and one single on Get-Hip.
Rogue Records is very proud to release their new single. "Looking Out Of A Mirror" is arguably the more 'Sydney'-sounding of the two sides with its up-tempo beat and raucous guitars, while the flip side "Hey, What’s Going On?" is a mid-tempo, garage thrash with touch of jangle in the outro.

The Night Times come from Los Angeles and already have 3 singles and one LP under their belts. They return with their much-anticipated newest release since 2019: a hit single on Rogue Records! "I’m Leavin' You" starts with a fuzz-filled guitar, Farfisa, and a drum roll to lead you into a song filled with harmonies and killer organ solos. "Tell Me" is a toe-tapper for sure! Tremolo rhythm, Farfisa and a mellow lead guitar; this song is guaranteed to have you start the needle from the top again!!
Check out some audio here: https://roguerecords.bandcamp.com/
£8.75 a shot + shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copies NOW!

19/04/2024

Recorded RIGHT HERE at NDS, the new KILLER LP from beat/punkers The Baron Four is out TODAY on Soundflat Records / Beluga Records. 12 dynamite new tracks in glorious MONO! Grab it from the Bandcamp link below, or direct from Soundflat, or catch the band in person at the Margate Mod & Sixties Festival 2024 on 25th May, or the official LP launch at Paper Dress Vintage on 22nd June. Wherever you get it from, JUST GET IT!!!

12/04/2024

Once again, The Fratcave do us all proud with a stunning line up for this year's Beatwave! As with previous years, it's at The Pig Hastings and it won't cost you a penny to get in! Daytime and evening events, a host of groovy DJs (inc. yours truly 😉), stalls (State Records will be on hand with their patented Mobile Pound Extractor®)...what's not to dig?? See you there!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2676638585833868

09/04/2024

Out soon (April 15th) on Rogue Records and available in the UK from State Records. Two more KILLER limited edition 45s, wrapped in sumptuous laminated flipback sleeves!! Ils sont magnifiques, non?

The On and Ons were formed in 2015 by Glen Morris (Screaming Tribesmen), his brother Brian Morris, and Clyde Bramley (Minuteman, Hoodoo Gurus) in Sydney, Australia. These garage/power-popsters have a back catalogue of 5 well-received releases through Citadel Records, and one single on Get-Hip.
Rogue Records is very proud to release their new single. "Looking Out Of A Mirror" is arguably the more 'Sydney'-sounding of the two sides with its up-tempo beat and raucous guitars, while the flip side "Hey, What’s Going On?" is a mid-tempo, garage thrash with touch of jangle in the outro.

The Night Times come from Los Angeles and already have 3 singles and one LP under their belts. They return with their much-anticipated newest release since 2019: a hit single on Rogue Records! "I’m Leavin' You" starts with a fuzz-filled guitar, Farfisa, and a drum roll to lead you into a song filled with harmonies and killer organ solos. "Tell Me" is a toe-tapper for sure! Tremolo rhythm, Farfisa and a mellow lead guitar; this song is guaranteed to have you start the needle from the top again!!

Check out some audio here: https://roguerecords.bandcamp.com/

£8.75 a shot + shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copies NOW!

09/04/2024

Out this Friday (12th) on You Are the Cosmos, and available in the UK shortly thereafter from State Records! Limited edition of 400 copies.

MONSTER Austrian beat/psych from this obscure Salzburg combo, originally released in April 1969 on the tiny VRC label. Fantastic 12-string riff and sumptuous harmonies combine on the topside, while the groovy flip has an almost traditional folk vibe to it, but filtered through a sugar cube. Check out the clips below!

https://youtu.be/P3I1AVQa_1s?si=Bn850d5GsWKob764
https://youtu.be/_C6YOMtVT40?si=qWSGwKxgGCtY-JP5

£11 + shipping. PM or comment below to secure your copy NOW!

05/04/2024

Slightly more readable version of The Galileo 7's recent corker of a review in this month's Shindig! Magazine... the latest!. There's a very nice article on us on the same issue. Highly recommend an immediate purchase!

27/03/2024

Back in stock at State Records, thanks to our bon amis at Rogue Records.

San Diego's finest exponents of garage/psych, The Loons, should need no introduction, issuing records for close to 30 years! “High & Lonesome (Like Jimmy Reed Said)” is a mind-melting psychedelic blues rave-up that journeys into the life and inner world of the Mississippi/Chicago blues hero. On the flipside, “Daffodils or Despair” is an upbeat Kinks-inspired sw***er with a humorous tip of the hat to Philip Larkin.

Spain's R&B/beat maniacs The Liquorice Experiment issued their 1st LP and 45 last year (both tracked at State's custom-built 8-track recording facility, North Down Sound); they snuck back into NDS last summer to record the 2 tracks on offer here. "Pretty Baby" is a three-chord tune that recovers the rawest blues spirit from the British R&B bands. On the flip "Rattlesnake" evokes the Bo Diddley riff drenched with a reverbed slide guitar that wakes up the most primary instincts!

Both titles are limited to 500 copies, and are beautifully housed in fully laminated flipback card sleeves, reminiscent of the classic French EPs from back in the day!

£8.75 a pop + shipping; PM or comment below to reserve your copies NOW!