Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I picked up some CD's today and imagine my surprise to find this pair of Rickenbacker's inside the liner notes:



When I saw them live, in '66 they had a new bass player, he used a Guild. Their two hits from this album prominently featured that Rickenbacker Jangle.

The Gretsch looks pretty saucy, too!

(Oooh, am I allowed to say that around here? *ducks*)

Well, Bear, that reminds me of my first stint in the upper midwest in the late 60s. And I remember these guys, I'm pretty sure they're the Cryan Shames. From Chicago, right? Obviously someone has put out a CD, can you fill me in?

Nice call Dave.
Sundazed Records has released all three of their Albums. Each has the original album cuts plus the usual radio edit version and a few other previously un-released tracks. This particular shot was from the first release: Cryan' Shames "Sugar & Spice".

BTW if anyone is looking for some of the 60's type psychedelic artists or compilations try looking through or ordering a free catalog at


Sundazed Records


usual disclaimer, I don't work there or have any affiliation or incentives to post this.

Next order is the Knickerbockers, The Boxtops, and the Beau Brummels.

Sundazed is the company that released all of those gorgeous 180 gram Vinyl Byrds "sanctuary" series.

Thanks. I haven't looked a Sundazed or Bear Family in a long while, and then it's usually only when I've already heard something's being reissued.

The Cryan Shames had a big regional following, at least in the Chicago - Milwaukee - Minneapolis region. I remember "Sugar & Spice" as their big hit, but they were more than just a one-shot pop harmony group.

Jim Fairs was their lead guitar player. I believe he had a reputation for playing a RIC 12, tho the one time I saw them at the Cellar in Arlington Heights, he was playing a 12 from another manufacturer.

I love Sundazed. They've issued a lot of stuff by Chicago area bands like the Shadows of Knight, New Colony Six, and others. The New Colony Six was known for their use of Rickenbackers as well.

I always thought that was a great name the Cryan' Shames. J.C. Hook sounded vaguely familiar as did some of the other names but I never would have gotten that name in a million years. Did you tour with them Dave? Are they the ones that had the big hit here in the states with Sugar and Spice?
I have always loved The Beau Brummels, the Knickerbockers and The Boxtops. Great stuff.

Me? I never toured with anyone, just played little bars when I was in college for fun and a little extra dough.

Yes, these are the Sugar & Spice guys.

Sugar and Spice by the Cryan Shames is also included on the great "Nuggets" anthology. Good job of it, too. I think I know band member Tom's brother, Howdy.

What'd you play back then Dave, a doghouse? they didn't have electric basses back then did they? har de har har! Playing the little bars is the most fun. (and I still do much of the time) Too loud and too fast is my motto, works great in little bars.

Actually it was a Vox violin bass, sort of a micro-doghouse.

I saw one of those for sale a few weeks ago somewhere. I like the doghouses myself, now that's a bass.

Doghouses? Are you talking about the hollow bodied teardrops like Phantom now makes (re-issues)?

Wait forget it. I just remembered.

No it's an old name for an upright. A doghuse bass, you gotta be old like us to know it, haha! Or maybe be blues players.
I like those old Vox tear drop basses and pentagon shaped basses. I always think of Brian Jones and his Tear drop. How did the basses sound? Fang used one too didn't he? How did they sound?