The Standells

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Standells
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre = Garage rock
Years_active = 1962-1968
Associated_acts = The Bel-Airs
Little Feat
The Walker Brothers
Current_members = Tony Valentino
Larry Tamblyn
Dick Dodd
Gary Lane
Past_members = Lowell George
Gary Walker

The Standells were a 1960's garage rock band from Los Angeles, California.

History

The band was formed in 1962 by guitarist Tony Valentino and organist Larry Tamblyn. After the addition of vocalist & drummer Dick Dodd and bassist Gary Lane, The Standells' had their first hit single with "Dirty Water," which reached #11 on the Billboard charts on June 11, 1966.

Other popular tracks included "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" (later covered by Washington, D.C. hardcore band Minor Threat), "Why Pick On Me," "Riot On Sunset Strip," and "Try It."

Earlier in the 60's, Dick Dodd was the original drummer for The Bel-Airs, known for the hit surf rock song "Mr. Moto". Dodd is also a former Mouseketeer. Larry Tamblyn is the brother of actor Russ Tamblyn and uncle of Amber Tamblyn, star of "Joan of Arcadia". Lowell George, who would go on to play with Little Feat, briefly played guitar in The Standells prior to their breakup in 1968. Gary Walker, later of The Walker Brothers, was also a member of the band.

The group appeared in several low budget films of the 1960's, including "Get Yourself a College Girl" and "Riot on Sunset Strip". The Standells also made an appearance on the television sitcom "The Munsters" in the episode "Far Out Munster," wherein the band performed "Come On and Ringo" and a version of The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

Despite the references to Boston and the Charles River in "Dirty Water," The Standells are not from Massachusetts. "Dirty Water" was actually written by record producer, Ed Cobb. Nevertheless, "Dirty Water" is still played after every home victory won by the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Boston Bruins.

In 1999, the original band members got together for a live show at the Cavestomp festival, and their performance was subsequently released as an album called "Ban This!"

The band continues to play shows occasionally, having performed at the second game of the 2004 World Series as well as the first game of the 2007 American League Division Series at Fenway Park.

Discography

*"Dirty Water" 1966
*"Why Pick On Me" 1966
*"Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" 1966
*"Hot Ones" 1967
*"Try It" 1967
*"Riot on Sunset Strip" 1967
*"Rarities" 1984
*"Recorded live at PJ's San Francisco 1964, 1990
*"Ban This!" (1999 live recordings) 2000
*"The Live Ones" (1967 live recordings) 2001

External links

* [http://www.phinnweb.org/retro/garage/standells/ The Standells @ pHinnWeb]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjkAAaGCdEk The Standells perform "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" at Cavestomp, 1999]