British Imposters: The Last Laugh

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:38 am

As I reflect upon the countless achievements of famous British Groups of the 1960s, I am reminded that in my enthusiasm to hear "all things British" I was fooled by a number of recordings.

By way of example, I was swept away by the cresting wave of "Laugh Laugh" around 1964 that I accepted as being part of the British Invasion. But alas, in reality it was surf that washed ashore from the Pacific coast and was not from the murky Mersey.

"Laugh, laugh I thought I'd die" the Beau Brummels were a group from the San Francisco area. My question for visitors here, is what other songs swept you away as being British that turned out to be imposters from elsewhere?

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:22 am

Here is even a bit of a British look from the Beau Brummels' official site.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:23 am

Not sure if that counts - in fact, here it was vice versa at the time. My Dad told me that back in 60s, many people believed the Beatles & many other bands were actually from US.
On the other hand, some Chicago garage bands may be another example. As a friend of mine once said, "they sound too British to be American".

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:30 am

Yes Sheena, of course it counts. Everything we do counts.

The quote from your friend begs the central question here. What makes the British sound? The short answer to some may be a group comprised of three guitars and drums, no horns and original material that includes harmonies. But it is the interpretation that has always sold me on music from the UK.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:46 am

The Buckinghams come to mind.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:20 am

"Lies" by The Knickerbockers sounded a lot like a British Invasion tune. Several bands like The Chocolate Watchband and The Standells from California played covers of obscure British tunes by The Kinks and The Yardbirds and dressed in Carnaby Street style. The Left Banke from New York sounded nearly British with the baroque pop sound of "Pretty Ballerina" and "Walk Away Renee"

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:28 am

The Buckinghams and Knickerbockers are two classic examples of the US emulating the UK artists.

Stan: The Buckinghams always had a hint of The Fortunes in them to my way of thinking.

Randy: Lies is an outstanding number with lead guitar work that was captivating in the day with brilliant harmonies and a great "angst" theme with a cheery melody. Beatle-like in this respect, happily singing along about love gone bad.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:31 am

We Five's (I think!) "You Were On My Mind" was one I thought to be British. Turns out they were a folk group from Orange County.

Other bands I just automatically assumed to be British (by the sound) were The Merry Go Round and The Left Banke.

On the other hand, many British groups fooled me in the opposite way! The Nashville Teens (Tobacco Road) were one. Only recently I found out they weren't "yanks".

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:24 am

Some could say the Sir Doug Quintet, but they were more in name and dress than in sound. She's About A Mover was kind of Tex-Mex meets Picadilly.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:00 am

I loved the Beau Brummels, Just a Little was also a great one (better to me). I think to get airplay back then you had to have that "sound"
Lies definitely sounded British.

winston · Post by **winston** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:11 am

When I first heard Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock I thought that perhaps it was a British group.

They were in fact from California. They even dressed the part. Kaftans etc, just like the Beatles at the time.

tim · Post by **tim** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:18 pm

The Byrds tried mock British accents on their Elektra single "Please let Me Love You". Even using the name The Beefeaters (Tower Of London and all that) to add to the impression.

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 2:59 am

A good one Tim. Thanks for this observation. The attempt at an accent by the Byrds is interesting. Was this tongue in cheek?

I was always amazed that the accent almost but disappeared on many of the British Invasion recordings.

Your comments underscore the transparency of attempts by American groups to sound British and again begs the fundamental question, what made for the British sound in the 1960s? I would very much appreciate your thoughts on this.

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:02 am

Well I got in late here, but I agree with The Knickerbockers and The Byrds. Both an attempt to jump on the British bandwagon either by trying to sound like & look like an Invasion band.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:13 am

An interesting comparison here if you check it out, The Five Americans and the searchers versions of same song.

http://www.mytempdir.com/744223