Leppotone

Yeah, I'll be curious to hear some of this. 

For more info on this go here:

http://www.rimpo.de/fenton.htm

My frist attempt at a website was Grand Rapids Rocks: http://www.grandrapidsrocks.com/

I rarely update it anymore, but lots of members of the original bands add comments all the time.

 I was happy to hook up the label who's putting out that comp with some of the original band members, who provided unseen photos (and permission).  It's a great comp.  So many badass songs.

The GR scene was definitely poppier than the punk Detroit scene, but it's still great.  Not all of the Fenton-related bands were from GR; some were from as far away as Grand Ledge and Traverse City.

"I'm Tempted" by the Quests (mp3) is one of my favorite songs of all time (definitely my favorite stalker/daterape song): "I'm tempted to take you...NOW!"  My other fave 60s GR track was left off this comp: "Ya Ha Be Be" by the Bel-Aires (mp3).

Back in the Fleepside days, there was a Rickman resident who was a regular—very quiet, retiring guy, huge fan of classical music (as well as inexplicable subject of a Br*ce Wh*te poem that went “T*rry P*tts has lots of spots.”).  He looked rather like a really tall version of young Truman Capote.  Anyway, one time some little 60’s scene fanzine came in that had an article about a Michigan group from this side of the state called THE AARDVARKS.  There were photos of said edentata on the beach at Lake Michigan, etc., and one of them looked extremely familiar.  In fact, the photo was labeled with his name….the name of the fellow whom Br*ce Wh*te claimed to have “lots of spots.”  When asked, T*rry denied that it was him, but Sc*tt and I are still convinced……the Aardvarks experience was somehow tied in with his mental downfall…Love to hear the stuff sometime!

I...forgot

Not yet but I so want this.   As Useless mentioned they have like 10 copies of this on vinyl but they're $65 a pop.  Keep in mind only 900 copies were pressed on vinyl.  Going to get up there in the next week or so with a few things to trade.

When I get it I will be sure to let yall know.

Our good friend Michael Hurtt just reviewed this set in Mojo 162.  The review gives some nice background info on the Fenton operation:

... (In 1963,) Dave Kalmbach decided it was high time he expanded his budding recording operation beyond his basement.  By setting up shop at the Our Theater in nearby Sparta, he inadvertently followed in the footsteps of Memphis's Stax and Hi, who had recently located their studios in former cinemas... (W)hen Great Lakes Recording Studio moved in, the Our Theater was still screening movies, so Kalmbach and his sundry bands did business between the latest western and beach flicks.  With recording equipment crammed into the projection booth and bands blasting forth from between the screen and the first row of seats, they recorded either before the first matinee or late at night, after the popcorn had been swept up.

Again, if you missed Jake's earlier post, his Grand Rapids Rocks site offers even more Fenton info and interviews with participants.  Not even a month ago, someone offered this info in a comment on one of the interviews:

In 1965 you would take your band's tape and money to the rear of a storefront on Division in downtown Sparta. They would then place the order for your records with the "American Record Co." pressing plant in Owosso, MI. The plant would put whatever label name you wanted on the product. The Fenton name was the most requested one. That wonderful factory burned to the ground in a massive fire on October 29, 1972. So sad! In 2002 I went to the corner where the plant once stood and poked around. Found some surviving burnt remnants of old 45's at the edge of the foundation! Some pieces still had some readable print on them. (Sigh!)

Does Corner still want $65 for the LP, Mickey?

Came across this thread quite by accident. In 1964ish I lived in South Haven, MI next door to I believe his name was Paul Nabb of The Mussies and actually took guitar lessons from him but I was very young at the time (around 5 or 6) and was friends with his younger brother Neal. He gave me a copy of their demo 45 of  A side "Louie Go Home" B side "12 O'Clock July" which I have had ever since. It is in pretty rough shape and certainly hasn't seen any play since the 1970's. I am going to put it up for sale on Fleabay and see what I can get for it. Anyone know what happened to these guys??? 

Give us the link to your 45, and I bet someone would buy it.

Belly up and start bidding, boyeeez.

Just to let anybody know but the vinyl version of the Fenton box is sold out(then again they only pressed 900 copies which is probably why it was so expensive).  You can still get this on CD.  You probably wouldnt have to go to Corner, I imagine you could get it online.

Its worth it to me!