STEEPLE PEEPLE Green Plant 1967 FUZZ GARAGE PSYCH HEAR

$

30

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS…

THE STEEPLE PEOPLE "Green Plant" b/w "Ol Man River"

Original 1967 pr0m0 45 on the B.T. PUPPY label

Vinyl:  Plays VG++

I’m wondering if anyone ever put out a compilation featuring various bands’ takes on one song.  There are certainly enough renditions of “Hey Joe” or “Mister You’re a Better Man Than I” for example to warrant such a full-length exploration;  I’m just not exactly sure if anyone would actually shell out money for such a thing.  Well, if you’re keeping score at home, here’s the fourth version of the Tokens’ bizarre “Green Plant” to grace the psych-punk world, and in many ways, it might just be the best one.  Or at least the closest to how Nirvana might’ve covered it.

That’s right, if grunge had happened, oh, about 25 years earlier, you’d be worshipping the Steeple Peeple today.  And their slowed-down, fuzzed-up, echoed-out, f**ed-up rendition of “Green Plant” would be the “Lithium” of its generation, heavier than the Majic Ship’s version, and pretty much the AntiChrist compared to the Cherry Smash.  Thanks in part to an angry, filthy, ripping fuzz guitar that kicks things off and never once lets up.  Not to mention vocals practically buried beneath an avalanche of echoplex.    If only the Steeple Peeple had put together enough material for a full album (they didn’t), and if only Courtney Love had been born 30 years earlier (she looks it), grunge might’ve started right here, wherever these kids were from, and Eddie Vedder might never have existed.  Hey, we can dream, can’t we?

So, what could possibly be more sick and twisted than a raunchy, slowed-down, mucked-up cover of the Tokens?  How about the flipside, a super lightweight, harmony-pop take on the old Showboat standard “Ol’ Man River.”  I kid you not, that’s exactly what we have here, complete with old black blues singer intro and outro, while the Steeple Peeple in the middle seem to be infatuated with the pop craft of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  I can’t imagine what a concert with these guys must’ve been like – heavy sludge rock one minute, old show tunes the next.  I’ve seen Guns N’ Roses shows that were more predictable than this. 

Still, in a way, that even further solidifies the proto-grunge ethic of these early musical pioneers.  Even back in 1967, there were kids on a semi-major label (White Whale) who thumbed their nose at the system and did whatever the hell they felt like doing.  You might not like both sides of this single (and frankly, I can’t think of anyone who would), but you appreciate their nerve for releasing it.  And it’s still infinitely more entertaining than a Hole album.

 HEAR IT!

The less exciting stuff

First class shipping is $4.00 in the US, with each additional record only $1 additional shipping.  Delivery confirmation included in the shipping costs.  Air mail shipping to Canada starts at $6 US, each additional record $2 shipping.  Air mail shipping everywhere else in the world starts at $8 US, with each additional record only $3 shipping.  Proof of shipment REQUIRED for all foreign orders, an extra $1.10.  

I try to grade as best as I can, and I list as many blemishes/imperfections I can find (writing, ringwear, scuff marks, etc.) – Also, please note that I DO listen to these albums – I may not listen to every track, but my grades are based on LISTENING, not just looking at it, since chances are you’ll be listening to the record you buy, not just looking at it.  Most of the albums I sell are the ones I’ve enjoyed for years – and I treat my records with kid gloves.  But sounds speak louder than words, so check out the sound clips below – they’re from the actual record you’re bidding on. 

SHIPPING AND PACKAGING

Listen, I buy a bunch of records too (when I’m not getting outbid at the last second, which is more often than not) – and I know what it’s like to get a rare, one-of-a-kind album packaged dangerously in a flimsy bubblewrap package.  I hate that too.  So rest assured, I ALWAYS package albums with stiff cardboard reinforcements, same for 45s.  And yes, the records are removed from the sleeves (for albums).  I ship out once a week, every Friday, because I have a regular day job.  But I’d be willing to give that up if you’d all be so kind as to bid my items up to stupidly high amounts. 

And finally, I include delivery confirmation on all shipments inside the US.  This is my proof of shipment, and also helps us to track your package if it doesn’t arrive when it should.  I will email you within 2 days of shipment and give you the confirmation number at that time.  Insurance is always optional, but for larger orders, it’s highly recommended.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a cost-effective way of tracking parcels to foreign countries yet, and shipping times vary depending on your country’s postal system.  Italy in particular seems to be really bad at delivering packages quickly, or delivering packages at all, now that you mention it.  I will always email you when your package ships, but once it’s on its way, please don’t ask me when it will arrive because I don’t know.  If the world’s postal systems can ever agree on a universal tracking system that’s affordable, I’ll be the first to use it.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

I will always leave positive feedback for successful transactions, and would appreciate the same in return.  All I ask of you is the following – please pay for your items within 14 days of the close of auction.  Compared to other sellers, that’s a generous amount of time, so if you don’t pay within 2 weeks, then I have to assume something’s wrong.  You’ll get an Ebay payment reminder at that point, and possibly a decapitated horse head in your bed.  If, after 30 days, you still haven’t forked up the cash, I’ll relist the item and yell at you if I ever see you in town.