So far, 2016 has seen an avalanche of new and re-released Fuzztones' vinyl and discs. Germany's Houndgawd label has re-issued two versions of The Fuzztones' classic 'Lysergic Emanations,' the original UK version and the subsequent US version (two seperate covers)with bonus tracks. HOUNDGAWD
U.S. label, Cleopatra, has re-issued Screamin' Jay Hawkins 'Live With The Fuzztones'on red vinyl with bonus tracks and brand new cover. CLEOPATRA
Mexican label, Dark Zone, has released a CD compilation of The Fuzztones' darkest ditties entitled 'Dark Zone.' DARK ZONE
And finally, U.K.'s Easy Action label has released 'Psychomania,' a seven disc boxset of previously out-of-print Fuzztones' classics plus EP and DVD - with plans to re-release several classic Fuzztones' albums on vinyl this year. EASY ACTION
Single, Vinyl and CD (Stag-O-Lee)
In September 2013, German label Stag-O-Lee released the Tribute album "In Fuzz We Trust," nothing short of the Greatest Tribute Album Ever Recorded. Nowhere in history have as many legendary performers appeared on one record, for the purpose of saluting another artist. In this case, the artist is the band that instigated the 80's Garage Revival that continues to this day - The Fuzztones. This album is the last of a three-part trilogy of Fuzztones tribute albums that began with "Fuzztones Illegitimate Spawn 1" and it's successor, "2." Both double CD collections featured bands from all around the world, paying homage to the band that inspired them. Now we come full circle with a collection of Fuzztones classics, covered by the legendary bands that inspired The Fuzztones! Among the bands present are The Pretty Things, The Monks, The Strawberry Alarm Clock, Davie Allan & The Arrows, The Vanilla Fudge, Question Mark & The Mysterians, Sky Saxon, Sean Bonniwell, The Vagrants, Gonn, Electric Prunes, Shadows Of Knight, John Zacharle, The Tropics, The Shy Guys and Arthur Lee. The single was released before the album as an appetizer, and features Shadows Of Knight and The Electric Prunes. Have a listen:
In 2013, Israel's Third Ear label released "Snake Oil," a double CD collection of ultra-rare Fuzztones tracks representing the entire 31 year career of the band. Like 'Creatures That Time Forgot', this amazing collection features unreleased studio and live tracks and interview snippets from radio and TV appearances. Highlights include live tracks from the original pre-Lysergic line-up fuzzin' CBGB's in 1981, Lysergic line-up in 1985, and Fuzztones Gonn Primitive (with Gonn's Craig Moore) in 2005 - and all songs never appearing on previous Fuzztones releases! Several unreleased studio tracks too, as well as guest appearances by Ian Astbury, Question Mark, Sean Bonniwell, and Mark Lindsay!
A guaranteed necessity for all Fuzz Freaks!!!
Absolutely The Fuzztones' most adventurous album features was recorded and mixed entirely in analog. Almost every imaginable garage or psych style has been incorporated in the 13 originals. It was released in Europe on Germany's Stag-O-Lee label, and in the States on Cleopatra Records in 2011. Have a listen:
"Interviewers laughed in 1987 when we called
ourselves the Johnny Appleseeds of Rock 'n' Roll,
and confided that our mission was to spread our
seed all over Europe, insuring future generations
of Fuzztones. It's now 2009. The Fuzztones' Illegitimate
Spawn are all grown and ready to breed. Who's laughing NOW?"
Rudi Protrudi, THE FUZZTONES
2005 marked the 25 year anniversary of garage-punk legends,
The Fuzztones. During their career they inspired countless bands,
and their influence is still being felt today. It then only seemed
logical that the timing would be right for a tribute to the Gurus of
Garage Grunge, and Germany's Sin Records saw to it. Once the concept
of the album was realized, a message appeared on The Fuzztones website,
requesting submissions from interested bands. As it turned out, the
response was overwhelming. Tribute albums are commonplace these days,
but how many bands can actually claim enough material for a TRILOGY?
And all the tracks are killer - no filler! Released in 2005,"FUZZTONES
ILLEGITIMATE SPAWN," a double CD collection, featured 42 bands from Peru
to Australia, all interpreting Fuzztones classics in their own unique and
personal style.
Many of the bands featured have shared stages with The Fuzztones,
and in fact one band (Lysergic Love) provided the idea for this album
when they gave head Fuzztone Rudi Protrudi a CD filled with Fuzztones covers.
More well known contributors include transgender punk icon Jayne County, who
offers "You Tarzan, Me Jane," a sassy answer to The Fuzztones' "Me Tarzan You Jane."
80's garage legends, The Morlocks, perform "Black Box," originally written by singer
Leighton Kozumi and Fuzztones guitarist Jordan Tarlow. Psych pioneers Plasticland's
version of "Ward 81" may just outcreep the original. 80's garage mainstays
Marshmallow Overcoat deliver a goth-psych "Skeleton Farm," and death-country
crooner Hank Ray's meloncholy "Ghost Clinic" may just inspire a suicide or two.
Of special note is Berlin's late, great Nikki Sudden, whose interpretation of
"Just Once," which happens to be the last recording he made, is so personal,
he deserves co-writing credit
Click on cover for more info about EVERY single band!
-----------VOLUME I--------------------VOLUME II-----------
"FUZZTONES ILLEGITIMATE SPAWN VOL. 2," a
double CD set released 2010 on UK's Twist label!
Artists featured this time around include the Cult's Ian Astbury,
Italy's Sick Rose, Berlin's Magnificent Brotherhood, What For, and
Queensgang Orchestra (delivering an astounding swing version of "She's Wicked"!),
Australia's Doll Squad, Ireland's Urges, Mad Mike's Live Ones, Dortmund's Cheeks,
Italy's Hangee V and the Preachers, with Rudi Protrudi guesting on lead vocals for
a song especially written for this album! Original Fuzztones' guitarist, Elan Portnoy,
checks in with his 80's entourage, The Headless Horsemen, and last but not least,
sixties garage legends, Gonn, kick out the jams with their voluminous version of
"Shame On You"!
Clueless journalists have often referred to The Fuzztones as merely a 60's cover band, but one listen to this compilation will strongly attest to their superb songwriting skills. Almost every song included on these albums is a Fuzztones original, with a few exceptions such as The Hamburg Ramones "Long Black Hair," and "Tantric Pretender," by the Prancing Ponies, both of which salute Rudi and The Fuzztones. Spain's Harla Horror take it one step further with "At The Fuzztones Bar," a tribute to the bar in Valladolid named in the Fuzztones' honor!
-----------VOLUME I--------------------VOLUME II-----------
Clueless journalists have often referred to The Fuzztones as merely a 60's cover band, but one listen to this compilation will strongly attest to their superb songwriting skills. Almost every song included on these albums is a Fuzztones original, with a few exceptions such as The Hamburg Ramones "Long Black Hair," and "Tantric Pretender," by the Prancing Ponies, both of which salute Rudi and The Fuzztones. Spain's Harla Horror take it one step further with "At The Fuzztones Bar," a tribute to the bar in Valladolid named in the Fuzztones' honor!
Cleopatra Records released LYSERGIC LEGACY on CD and vinyl in 2013! The CD features 25 classic Fuzztones tracks, while the LP features 14. For sale and download!
This Fuzztones' masterpiece, recorded at Candybomber Studio, has been released on CD and Vinyl
(Electrique Mudd/No Fun Records) and is IN STORES NOW!No doubt Fuzztones' fans expected to ogle sexy strippers onstage when they attended last years "Horny As Hell" tour, advertising "Very Special Horny Guests!" What they got instead was the mighty Fuzztones with a HORN SECTION! To top it off, the line-up featured the return of veteran Fuzz-monster "Mad" Mike, beating the crap out of the drums, just like he did from 1986 to 1992, and together with bassist Screamin' Bo Pille's steady throb, creating the rhythm section from Hell! The huge new sound went over so well that Rudi decided to take the band in to a recording studio at the end of the tour, and record the set. To emphasize the new arrangements, Lana switched to wailing Hammond C3 organ, while Rudi Protrudi and Lenny Silver trade stinging leads and driving rhythms throughout! And finally, as if that's not enough, a four piece female backing group was utilized to provide the sassy backing vocals. The band recorded 17 songs, including future favorites "Garden of My Mind" and the Pretty Things' "Alexander" (which will feature Pretties' bassist and occasional lead singer Wally Waller harmonizing with Rudi) as well as brand new versions of Fuzztones classics (wait 'til you hear "Ward 81" and "She's Wicked" done "Big Band" style)! Last but not least, Rudi's unique vocal delivery - just as energetic and vital as when he began the band 28 years ago! The new album will be released this summer as a special tour souvenir. Title? "Horny As Hell," of course! Listen to soundbites!
