Episode 019: To Be Nineteen Again

The Who - Our Love Was (UK 1967) One of the most famous exports from the UK who are more known for their bombastic 70's anthems, Pete Towsend and co spearheaded the mod sound and broadcast it to the world with their debut anthem "My Generation". Their lone psychedelic effort "Sell Out" yielded gems such as this one, a tale of a love once stale that is now revived and soaring.

The Gibsons - City Life (Australia 1967) A snooty mod pop big city anthem with an inexplicable feline inspired middle eight by an little known outfit from Australia that relocated to the UK. They released a handful of singles during their brief two year career.

The Tony Hendrik 5 - Said My Say (Germany 1968) Quintessential freakbeat by this obscure band from Cologne, Germany that features a prolific singer-songwriter and producer at the helm. They released one album and many singles during their career, all of which are worth investigating.

The Creation - Midway Down (UK 1968) The UK's finest mod art combo and an unsung influence on many a guitar hero, this 1968 single - a cover of an even more obscure US psych act John Wonderling - catches the band winding down before their eventual demise. This vivid single was the closest the band would get to psychedelia and is one of the last they'd record and release.

The Loot - Baby Come Closer (UK 1967) The sound and feel of this song captures the mood of the mod love song like no other. A stomping beat and catchy riff lead way to a too cool to care vocal that still oozes a desire for his love's affection. The band would release stellar examples of the genre during their brief two year career.

Spooky Tooth - Do Right People (UK 1968) A non-album b-side that shows just how serious this band's chops were, the Spooky's definitely took a page from Traffic's sound and turned it up a notch on this one. One part bass and organ driven soul stomper and one part proto-prog mind melter, this is a perfect example of a band showing off it's roots while showing us a vision of the future.

State of Micky and Tommy - With Love From 1 to 5 (UK 1967) A truly classic mod pop anthem by this clever duo and a song that deserved to be a hit worldwide. This unsung duo only released two singles in their time, but both of such high quality that they are known as staples of the era and are often compiled.

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera - Flames (UK 1967) Freakbeat in the truest sense in that this is essentially a turned up and blown out version of a Motown riff. The classic eighth note bass notes that kick it off is an instant nod to their influences before launching the sound into the stratosphere. The band's two albums are essential listening.

The Twilights - Cathy Come Home (Australia 1967) One of the most prolific and successful bands from down under, this proto-powerpop number displays the wonderful songwriting and harmonies of this tight unit

Somebody's Image - Hide and Seek (Australia 1968) Another obscure Australian band that only released three singles during their time - of which this pop-sike beauty is their last - and featured a young Russell Morris who would go on to solo fame.

The Consortium - The Day the Train Never Came (UK 1969) A shortened version of UK pop group The West Coast Consortium, this band released a handful of singles through the late 60's and early 70's that featured a pristine harmony pop sound as evidenced here. The half time middle break is truly a stand out moment in an already magical genre.

The Cedars - For Your Information (Lebanon 1968) Lebanon's prime freakbeat export that combined their native sound with the burgeoning UK freakbeat/pop-sike sound to great effect.