On no other merit than a name, we easily dismiss some bands. With our perfectly calibrated understanding of what hip musicians should call themselves, we routinely disregard groups like the Flamin' Groovies. Let this be a lesson that we should be conscious of our silent typecastings.
Formed in 1965 in San Francisco by Ron Greco, Cyril Jordan, and Roy Lonely, the Flamin' Groovies are recognized primarily for their contributions to the power pop movement of the 1970s. But their music is actually best defined by the way it creeps into other adjacent genres.
"Whiskey Woman", from 1971's Teenage Head is a sound example. Seductive swells in the opening sequence frame the contrasts heard later on. A pair of guitars carry bluesy themes and riffs that punctuate the refrain. These dueling instruments come together in a rugged pop coda that brings the tune to its close. Suspend your expectations and give it a listen. <TM>
