Ugly Ducklings, The


Band members               Related acts

- Glynn Bell - rhythm guitar (1965-68)
- Robin Boers - drums, percussion (1965-68)
- David Byngham - vocals, harmonica (1965-68)
- Ron Cameron - bass (1982)
- John Hamilton - drums (replaced Robin Boers) (1980)
- Dave Kindred - guitar (replaced Mike McKenna) (1968)
- Roger Mayne - lead guitar (1965-68)
- Mike McKenna - guitar (replaced Glynn Bell and 

  Roger Mayne) (1968)
- Ray Novack - keyboards (1968)
- John Read - bass (1965-67)
- Howie Smith - bass (replaced John Read) (1967-68)

 

 

- Luke & the Apostles (Mike McKenna)
- McKenna Mendelson (Mike McKenna)

 

 


 

Genre: garage

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

Title:  Somewhere Outside

Company: Yorktown

Catalog: YT 50,0001

Year: 1966

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+

Country/State: Scarborough, Canada

Comments: name on cover; writing on back cover; minor staining on back cover; minor edge and corner wear

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $350.00

 

Every bit as good (and in many cases better) than their south of the border American counterparts, we're always amazed at how many talented '60s Canadian bands are simply overlooked by collectors. In spite of the fact they released one of the best garage albums of the mid-'60s, outside of collector circles, Toronto's Ugly Ducklings remain largely virtually unknown.

Guitarist Glynn Bell, singer Dave Byngham, drummer Robin Boers, guitarist Roger Mayne and bassist John Read were all classmates attending Cedarbrae high school in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough. With a common interest in rock and roll, by 1965 they'd formed their first band The Strolling Bones. The quintet began playing coffee houses and local clubs, including Charlie Brown's Place as a Rolling Stones-styled cover band (Bell even bore a resemblance to Brian Jones). Morphing into The Ugly Ducklings, they attracted the attention of local Yorktown Records label which released the band's 1966's debut "Nothin'" b/w "I Can Tell (Yorktown catalog number 45001)". A bruising slice of in-your-face garage aggression, the single proved a minor Canadian chart hit. 

Having been tapped to open for the Rolling Stones' June 1966 performance at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens (they reportedly blew the Stones off the stage), Yorktown rushed the band into the studio to record a supporting album. Given most supporting albums are little more than opportunities to repackage the hit single with two sides of throwaway covers, the Bill Huard produced "Somewhere Outside" was a major surprise. Recorded at sessions in Toronto and New York City, the LP featured a collection of mostly original material (there were two covers). A stunning mix of garage (the previously mentioned "Nothin'" boasting a explosive guitar solo), pop ("That's Just a Thought That I Had In My Mind") and light psych ("Hey Mama (Keep Your Big Mouth Shut)"), the collection is simply an overlooked classic. There's simply not a single throwaway track here! Anxious to expand the band's commercial breakthrough, Yorktown tapped the set for three additional singles - "She Ain't No Use To Me" b/w "10:30 Train" (Yorktown catalog number 45002), "Just In Case You Wonder" b/w "That's Just a Thought That I Had In My Mind" (Yorktown catalog number 45003) and "Postman's Fancy" b/w "Not for Long" (Yorktown catalog number 45004). The first two provided the band with minor Canadian chart hits, though they failed to break nationally, or in the States. (There are actually two versions of the original album - one sporting a multi-colored label, the other a plain white label).

"Somewhere Outside" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Nothin' (Dave Byngham - Roger Mayne) - 2:28
2.) Do What You Want (Dave Byngham - Glynn Bell) - 3:01
3.) She Ain't No Use To Me (Dave Byngham - Roger Mayne) - 3:01
4.) Just In Case You Wonder (Dave Byngham - Glynn Bell) - 2:54
5.) Not for Long (Dave Byngham - Roger Mayne) - 2:54
6.) Ain't Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore (Sawyer - Burton) - 2:50

(side 2)

1.) Hey Mama (Keep Your Big Mouth Shut) (McDaniel) - 2:56
2.) 10:30 Train (Dave Byngham - Robin Boers) - 2:34
3.) That's Just a Thought That I Had In My Mind (Dave Byngham - Roger Mayne) - 2:40
4.) Postman's Fancy (Dave Byngham - Glynn Bell) - 2:35
5.) Windy City (Noise At the North End) (instrumental) (Dave Byngham - Glynn Bell - Roger Mayne - John Read) - 6:02

Frustrated with Yorktown's inability to break them nationally, the band underwent a stream of personnel changes. First to leave was bassist Read, who was quickly replaced by Howie Smith. Maynes and Bell subsequently headed out the door, replaced by former Luke & the Apostles guitarist Mike McKenna. Amidst the turmoil the band managed to release two more singles "Gas Lamp" b/w "Rimb Nugget" (Yorktown catalog number 45013) and "Epilogue" b/w "I Know What To Say" (Yorktown catalog number 45017). Another round of personnel changes saw the addition of keyboardist Ron Novak and McKenna replaced by Dave Kindred. The band soldiered on, finally calling it quits in early 1969.


Genre: garage

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

Title:  Off the Wall

Company: Razor

Catalog: RAZ 003

Year: 1980

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Country/State: Scarborough, Canada

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $30.00

 

RE-FORMED GROUP ON CANADIAN RAZOR STEREO LP # RAZ 003 FROM 1980.DAVE BYNGHAM,GLYNN BELL,JOHN READ,ROBIN BOERS,ROGER MAYNE.NOTHIN',THE PAIN IS ALRIGHT,SCARRED,NO ACCOUNT WOMAN,HEY MOMMA KEEP YOUR BIG MOUTH SHUT,JUST ANOTHER ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND,ALL DRUGGED OUT,YESTERDAY'S CHILD,REALITY,THE BAND PLAYED ON.

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