Giant Crab (aka A Giant Crab Comes Forth)
Band members Related acts
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line-up 1 (1967-69) - Dennis Fricia
-- drums, percussion, horns
- Ernie Orosco (aka Ernie Joseph) -- vocals, guitar keyboards
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- Big Brother (featuring Ernie Joseph) - The Dovers - Brian Faith Band
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Genre: psych Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: A Giant Crab Comes Forth Company: Uni Catalog: 73037 Year: 1968 Country/State: Santa Barbara, CA Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear Available: 1 GEMM catalog ID: 4 Price: $30.00 Cost: $1.00
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Santa Barbara, California's A Giant Crab Comes Forth featured the talents of siblings Ernie (vocals and guitar), Raymond (bass) and Ruben (drums) Oroscoe. With the line up rounded out by Dennis (drums) and Kenny (keyboards) Fricia, the group began playing local dances and clubs, eventually finding a mentor in local DJ Johnny Fairchild. With support from Fairchild the group debuted with a series of three little heard singles on the local Corby label:
- 1967's "Listen Girl" b/w "Summer Breezes" (Corby catalog number CR-216) - 1967's "Day By Day (It Happens)" b/w "Kind of Funny" (Corby catalog number CR-217) - 1967's "It Started with a Little Kiss" b/w "The Answer Is No" (Corby catalog number CR-221)
While the singles
failed to sell, outside of Southern California, they attracted the attention
of Uni Records, which promptly signed the quintet to a recording contract. 1.) A Giant Crab
Comes Forth (Johnny Fairchild - Bill Holmes) - 2:18
(side 2) 1.) Lydia Purple
(D. Dorin - T. McCashen) - 2:42
Ernie and the Emperors were a rock band from Santa Barbara, California. They were an example of 1960s rock and pop, influenced by the British Invasion with songs that employed rich harmonies, instrumental hooks, and upbeat lyrics. Their biggest hit was their single "Meet Me At The Corner", a hit for them as Ernie and the Emperors. In later years, they also released materials as The Giant Crab, as Big Brother Ernie Joseph, Faith and as the Brian Faith Band. History Ernie and The Emperors started their career as the opening act for the Isley Brothers at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. Soon after, having won numerous Battle of the Bands competitions, they were made the official house band for the venue. After signing a deal with Reprise Records in 1965, they enjoyed a hit, "Meet Me At The Corner" in the California Gold Coast locale of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. The Emperors carried out a performance schedule that took them all over the country. When bass man Randy Busby left, Denny and Kenny Fricia stepped in and the band changed their name to the Giant Crab. As each of the members were drafted into the military the band changed, but upon returning they re-reformed, releasing a string of singles and two LPs. In 1968 Greg Munford, lead vocalist in the Strawberry Alarm Clock hit, Incense and Peppermints, also joined the Giant Crab as a studio artist and performed with the band in Wolfman Jack's California College Tour. Later, Greg Munford also performed in the Southeast Tour with the band.
Band members Ernie Orosco (Ernie Joseph) Ray Orosco (Cory Orosco) "Ruben the Jet" Orosco (Brian Faith) Randy Busby Discography Meet Me At The Corner/Got A Lot I Want To Say (Reprise Records 45, 1965) Listen Girl/Soft Summer Breezes (Corby Records 45, 1967) Thru the Fields/Shimmy Like Kate (UNI 45, 1967) Day By Day (It Happens) /Kind of Funny (UNI 45, 1967) A Giant Crab Comes Forth (UNI LP, 1968) Believe It or Not/Lydia Purple (UNI 45, 1968) Hi Ho Silver Lining/Hot Line Conversation (UNI 45, 1968) Cool It/Intensify My Soul (UNI 45, 1968) Hot Line Conversation/E.S.P. (Uni 45, 1969) It Started With a Kiss/The Answer is No (UNI 45, 1969) Cool It...Helios (UNI LP, 1969) Confusion (All-American LP, 1969) South East Tour (All-American LP, 1970) An All-American Emperor (Akarma LP, 1968 - not released until 1999)
Ernie and The Emperors started their career as the opening act for the Isley Brothers at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. Soon after, having won numerous Battle of the Bands competitions, they were made the official house band for the venue. After signing a deal with Reprise Records in 1965, they enjoyed a hit, "Meet Me At The Corner" in the California Gold Coast locale of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. The Emperors carried out a performance schedule that took them all over the country. When bass man Randy Busby left, Denny and Kenny Fricia stepped in and the band changed their name to the Giant Crab. As each of the members were drafted into the military the band changed, but upon returning they re-reformed, releasing a string of singles and two LPs. In 1968 Greg Munford, lead vocalist in the Strawberry Alarm Clock hit, Incense and Peppermints, also joined the Giant Crab as a studio artist and performed with the band in Wolfman Jack's California College Tour. Later, Greg Munford also performed in the Southeast Tour with the band.
From santa barbara and known as 'ernie & the emperors' with one single released on reprise 1965 (on the channel) they were recruited by corby records owners steve walter & partner doug cox to front a band called 'giant crab' after they had released a single by session players under that name but now needing a group to front it..that too happened to san francisco band 'the bedouins' who were called upon to be 'the grassroots' in los angeles! they returned to san francisco a short time later though and were calling themselves 'the unquencable thirst' oh the sixties eh? so as the 'giant crab' several singles came and went plus two albums...this track is from that second and a fun track reaking of and drenched in psychedelic nonsense that only now we can enjoy for what it is! the rest of the album follows their normal path of pleasant pop-rock...the group were : ernie orosco with brothers ray & ruben plus the two brothers kenny/dennis fricia...the first album has its moments with 'directions & hot line conversation' standing out (directions on the channel)...when the military called the band split with earnie forming the ultra heavy 'big brother & ernie joseph' with drummer steve dunwoodie/brother ruben & cory colt...an album on 'all american records' was released in 1970 'confusion'....(we have a track on the channel).p.s.check out the bottom left of the poster to see the fifth member looking up!
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sychedelic band from Santa Barbara, California, USA, 1960s. The first Giant Crab single was a Corby Productions release recorded by Steve Waltner and Doug Cox. After that release, the members of Ernie & The Emperors were recruited to take over the name. They then released a string of singles and two LPs in quick succession, quickly gaining a reputation as a hard rocking band. Where the Emperors were best known for their live stage shows, the Giant Crab were known for their records. In 1969, Ernie, Cory, and Brian teamed up with Steve Dunwoodie to tour the southeastern United States as Big Brother Ernie Joseph, a significantly heavier-sounding band.
Ernie and the Emperors were a rock band from Santa Barbara, California. They were an example of 1960s rock and pop, influenced by the British Invasion with songs that employed rich harmonies, instrumental hooks, and upbeat lyrics. Their biggest hit was their single "Meet Me At The Corner", a hit for them as Ernie and the Emperors. In later years, they also released materials as The Giant Crab, as Big Brother Ernie Joseph, Faith and as the Brian Faith Band. History Ernie and The Emperors started their career as the opening act for the Isley Brothers at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. Soon after, having won numerous Battle of the Bands competitions, they were made the official house band for the venue. After signing a deal with Reprise Records in 1965, they enjoyed a hit, "Meet Me At The Corner" in the California Gold Coast locale of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. The Emperors carried out a performance schedule that took them all over the country. When bass man Randy Busby left, Denny and Kenny Fricia stepped in and the band changed their name to the Giant Crab. As each of the members were drafted into the military the band changed, but upon returning they re-reformed, releasing a string of singles and two LPs. In 1968 Greg Munford, lead vocalist in the Strawberry Alarm Clock hit, Incense and Peppermints, also joined the Giant Crab as a studio artist and performed with the band in Wolfman Jack's California College Tour. Later, Greg Munford also performed in the Southeast Tour with the band. Band members Ernie Orosco (Ernie Joseph) Ray Orosco (Cory Orosco) "Ruben the Jet" Orosco (Brian Faith) Randy Busby Discography Meet Me At The Corner/Got A Lot I Want To Say (Reprise Records 45, 1965) Listen Girl/Soft Summer Breezes (Corby Records 45, 1967) Thru the Fields/Shimmy Like Kate (UNI 45, 1967) Day By Day (It Happens) /Kind of Funny (UNI 45, 1967) A Giant Crab Comes Forth (UNI LP, 1968) Believe It or Not/Lydia Purple (UNI 45, 1968) Hi Ho Silver Lining/Hot Line Conversation (UNI 45, 1968) Cool It/Intensify My Soul (UNI 45, 1968) Hot Line Conversation/E.S.P. (Uni 45, 1969) It Started With a Kiss/The Answer is No (UNI 45, 1969) Cool It...Helios (UNI LP, 1969) Confusion (All-American LP, 1969) South East Tour (All-American LP, 1970) An All-American Emperor (Akarma LP, 1968 - not released until 1999) Notes n 1942-1943, on a troop ship in Guadalcanal a young man, fearing that he, like so many of his buddies, would die in this terrifying and bloody war uttered one prayer: "Lord, I want to live, I want to go home, I want to get married and have three sons, I want them to be musicians." Joseph Orosco's prayer was answered. He came home, married a wonderful girl and they did have three sons. Ernie, Cory and Brian. And the Orosco brothers have been playing music since 1963. Ernie was at Santa Barbara Junior High School when he started singing and playing. He joined the Cordells and soon formed his own band The Emperors. As Cory and Brian grew and also became proficient in their instruments they joined their big brother Ernie and the band became "Ernie and the Emperors." This was probably one the earliest Rock 'n Roll bands on the Central Coast. This was a time when only single artists were on the bill. The Orosco brothers witnessed the birth of Rock 'n Roll and were willing participants in helping this new style of music flourish and grow. In the forty-eight years they have performed together, they have met and played with the great and near-great. They have toured in a van, a pickup truck with a camper and trailer and, finally, a tour bus. In between gigs they formed a recording studio where countless young musicians came to practice, record, and get encouragement and advice from the brothers. - Lillimar Pictures
Their story begins in 1942 when their father, a young sailor on a troop ship in Guadalcanal, fearing that he would die in this terrifying war uttered a prayer: "Lord, I want to live, I want to go home, I want to get married and have three sons, I want them to be musicians." His prayer was answered. Ernie joined The Cordels, Santa Barbara’s first band, and soon with his brothers formed his own band Ernie and The Emperors. This was one of the earliest Rock 'n Roll bands on the Central Coast of California. The Orosco brothers witnessed the birth of Rock 'n Roll and were willing participants in helping this new style of music flourish and grow. In the forty-eight years they have performed together, playing their original compositions, they have met and played with the great and near great and garnered contracts with major labels. They have toured in a van, a pickup truck with a camper and a tour bus. Between gigs they established a recording studio where countless young musicians came to practice, record and get encouragement and advice from the brothers. Today they continue to entertain under the name The Brian Faith Band, playing their unique brand of music. http://ernieandtheemperors.blogspot.com/
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Genre: pop Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Cool It ... Helios Company: Uni Catalog: 73057 Year: 1969 Country/State: Santa Barbara, California Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $40.00 Cost: $1.00
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Released a year
after their debut, 1969's, "Cool It ... Helios"
found Giant Crab seemingly opting to release a concept album.
Well, that was certainly the case for the opener 'The Invasion of Helios'
which was seemingly based on Greek mythology, though the
plotline and relationship to the rest of the album has long alluded me. From that point on the
album all but abandoned
any semblance of the band's earlier pop-psych moves in favor of straight-ahead radio-friendly pop. Curiously, while the
debut featured a largely original collection of material, this time out not one of the
s (side
1) I
guess I am older than I care to admit given I recognize Johnny Fairchild's
voice. For some reason I equate his unique voice with the '60s (yes, I was
just a child). Anyhow, 'The Invasion of Helios'
was nothing more than an extended, rambling Fairchild narrative built on the
Greek God of Sun - Helios. It was all set to throwaway '60s
"B" music soundtrack psych moves. Lots of storm sound
effects and rambling electric sitar ... The age of Aquarius is near
... yech.. Also recorded by The American Breed, the title track showcased the band's shift to catchy, commercial top-40 pop. Complete with Latin percussion, punchy horns and an ear-candy refrain, the song has always me think of a West Coast version of The Young Rascals. Great choice as a single, though it did little commercially:
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1969's 'Cool It' b/w 'Intensify My Soul' (Uni catalog number 55134)
3.) Hello Yesterday (Scott English - Stephen Schlaks) - 2:12 rating: *** stars Anyone
who bought this album thinking they were in for a psychedlia treat was going
to be extremely upset when hearing the radio friendly pop-ballad 'Hello
Yesterday'. On the other hand, anyone into '60s pop-psych was likely
to find it charming. Great chorus that doesn't want to leave your
internal play list. Remember
my comments about bubblegum pop? Well,
the bouncy, blue-eyed soul-ish 'Trust Somebody' was one of those tracks that
would not have sound out of place on an Archies LP, or for that matter
something released by The Banana Splits. I'm sure it was nothing more
than coincidence that co-writer Mark Barkan had been musical director for
both of those television shows. The
most amazing thing about the horn power pop tune 'Don't Make Me Leave You'
was Ruben Oroscoe's hyperactive bass line. This was another
radio-friendly performance, but how in the world did Oroscoe manage to play
so many notes in two minutes? You
wouldn't have been criticized for mistaking the ballad 'What Became of Yesterday's Hero'
for a track by The Association, or some other harmony vocal group. Not
a criticism since Ernie Oroscoe turned
in one of his best vocals and you also got a taste of his first-rate fuzz
guitar. Shame the song was so short. One
of the tracks that was simply too mainstream, 'Welcome To the World' could
have been mistaken for the theme song for a television sitcom.
Tuneful, but calculated and very close to vapid. The one facet that
saved it from being totally forgettable was Dennis Fricia's
frenetic drumming. Okay,
I dare you to tell me the beaming 'Help Yourself' didn't scream
bubblegum. The funny thing is for years I thought Ernie was
accompanied by female backing singers, but now I think it's the rest of the
band singing in slightly speeded up falsettos.
(side 2) 1.) It's Getting Harder (Scott English - Kenny Young) - 2:20 rating: *** star Well
I loved the edge to Ernie's voice on this one. Also loved the cheesy
synthesizer sounds. Another one that reminded me of a West Coast
Rascals. Harpsichord
and Coral electric sitar ... two of my favorite sounds. A
lysergic-tinged ballad, 'Who Can Teach the Songbird How To Sing' bore more
than a passing resemblance to The Fab Four's 'Strawberry Fields
Forever'. Admittedly it was a touch precious, but it was a shame there
wasn't more stuff like this on the LP. 'Everything Comes Sooner or
Late' was a good example of pop music as a commodity like deodorant, or
toothpaste. Sure it was catchy (so are STDs), but one suspects it was
also a good indication of why the Orosco
brothers were starting to feel hemmed in by their pop-oriented catalog. The
ballad 'Cleo' was simply awful. Sappy, MOR this is the kind of stuff
record labels wanted to sell to mom and dad and the grandparents. I
can easily image this being performed on The Merv Griffin Show. it's
hard to imagine even harmony bands like The Association would have stooped
this low. Wrapped
in Claus Ogerman's string and horn arrangements, 'Don't Jump To Conclusions'
found the band stepping back from the MOR edge. It was still a top-40 pop
tune that The Spiral Staircase could have recorded, but at least the melody
and chorus were memorable. I
think The Searchers and a guy by the name of Tim Wilde had previous recorded
'Pop Corn Double Feature'. Not quite as folk-rocky as The Searchers version,
their Baroque-pop take was still impressive. (The late Mark Smith and The
Fall recorded a nice version for their 1990 "Extricate"
album.) The
Castaways, The Peppermint Rainbow and The Elves (with a young Ronnie James
Dio) all recorded 'Walking In Different Circles'. Giant Crab's take
wasn't a major departure from the basic melody, underscoring the song's
folk-rock roots. And like most of the album, "I Don't Want To Live This Way' was a decent pop tune with a nice chorus, but it simply blended into the fabric of this album. Yeah, sixteen tracks was a lot to sit through.
- 1969's 'ESP' b/w 'Hot Line Conversation' (Uni catalog number 55155)
It isn't particularly detailed, or active, but James Gardner has a Giant Cran blog at: http://cagoldcoastdreamin.blogspot.com/search?q=a+giant+crab
Cory Orsco passed on from cancer in November 2017.
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ixteen songs was an original composition.
In fact this came off as a covers album. The Cowsills had recorded 'Who Can Teach the Songbird How To Sing'.
The Peppermint Rainbow had recorded 'Walking In Double Circles'. The
Searchers released 'Pop Corn Double Feature'.
Horn-propelled numbers such as the giddy 'Help Yourself', 'Hello
Yesterday' and 'Welcome To the World' were highly commercial, radio friendly
performances that occasionally came too close to MOR sensibilities. Not to throw shade, but you were
left with the impression the band had given up their creative ghosts and
opted to go for the cash, throwing their lot and reputations in with professional songwriters like Mark
Barkan, Scott English and Kenny Young. For their part those
songwriters were more than willing to churn out an album of cheerful pop
ditties that could occasionally be confused with bubblegum pop.
Important to point out I'm a big fan of bubblegum so that wasn't necessarily
a bad thing. It was just an odd choice for a group that had so much
talent. It was even stranger given the direction the Orosco brothers
would pursue in a couple of months. Admittedly there were a couple of exceptions to the
album's pop diection.
There was the just plain weird opener featuring Los Angeles DJ Johnny
Fairchild's spoken word narrative. With it's sitar
lead, 'Who Can Teach the Songbird How To Sing' and a cover of 'Pop Corn Double Feature'
were among the few
numbers harkening back to their psychedelic roots. I also have to
admit Ron
Wolin's fractal cover art was kinda' neat. I hate to admit it, but it
was one of the reasons I originally bought the album.
