Psycho-Sonic

How do you keep a band as good as The Sonics secret for so long? Ok, I'm not from the Northwest and maybe I haven't been doing my homework, but it took me 50 years to discover this gem of a band. The music industry has done us all an injustice keeping the Sonics from the stardom they deserved. But thank you Wailers and Etiquette Records for letting these boys absolutely rip it up in the studio back in 65-66.I strongly disagree with one of the reviewers here that said the Sonics were just like so many bands playing in American towns back in the 60's. From what I remember back in the 60s/70s, NOBODY played like this. The Sonics music was simple, they weren't subtle, they didn't have fancy lyrics, they had a standard lineup, but MAN, their visceral attack is unlike anything I have ever heard. The Sonics didn't write too many original songs, but the ones they have on this collection are top notch. Psycho, Strychnine, The Witch, He's Waitin', Cinderella, The Hustler, and generally the first 30-35 minutes of this collection are so intense and so fun it is hard to believe. I reserve as my favorite none other than "Shot Down". That song was so well played, so well sung (and screamed!) and so well arranged it defies description. Why Shot Down did not crack the top 40 back in '66 is a mystery to me. The Sonics had a top tier rhythm section, a great singer/howler in Jerry Roslie, an awesome saxophonist, and great guitar work. These guys were the real deal with real talent. And I must say that Jerry Roslie is the greatest screamer in the history of rock and roll, which only adds to the Sonics' mystique. Too bad they didn't go much farther after the Etiquette sessions, but thank goodness we have this landmark recording from one of America's greatest, albeit short lived bands.The roots of punk and grunge seem to trace right back to The Sonics. I was unaware of their immense influence until recently, and I am glad I am catching up.

Without a doubt THIS was the precursor to punk of the 70s. It is raw, visceral at so many levels and it rocks! How did I not know about them??? I heard HAVE LOVE WILL TRAVEL while watching Guy Richie's film ROCK N ROLLA and I thought it was a some new group...the song sounds like it have been recorded now as a second new punk wave. When I researched, I found out so much about them I had to get something, so I purchased this. You will not go wrong. I grew up with the music scene of the late 50s/early 60s and embraced punk in 1973 in NYC with The Ramones. This is even more raw than that. Think the dynamic and vocal of Little Richard with a sound of the Dave Clark 5 (sax), it is a MUST TO OWN. You will not regret it.

The folks at Big Beat did a great job putting this anthology together. The sound quality is excellent. If you remember the Sonics, or if you're into stripped down mid sixties garage rock, this is the album for you. There are a lot of R&B covers that groups of the period were doing at that time & are covered on this album. But no one did them with the same amount of passion that the Sonics did.Get ready to blow out the windows with their own compositions like, "The Witch (Live)," & "Cinderella," Or, their cover of the 1959 Richard Berry song "Have Love Will Travel." This is an album I give 3 R's. Real! Raw! Rock!

"Have love, will Travel", GREAT song.

Possibly one of the first bands to exhibit true punk attitude, The Sonics should be required listening to any rock and roll fan. This compilation album is a great starting place. You hear the hits (Psycho; Strychnine; The Witch), the covers (Have Love Will Travel; Good Golly Miss Molly; Roll Over Beethoven; Walkin' The Dog) and even a few extras.Bow down to what Kurt Cobain called the hardest hitting drummer of all time.

Great collection. Great songs. They were 10 years ahead of the curve.

Great band

These guys are rock and roll from the drums to the voice. Where do you get a bass sax and a piano playin 100 mile an hour rock? HERE

I am new to the Sonics music, having heard a track on TV I decided to investigate further and glad I did. Came across more stuff online and this cd has blown me away. As others have said " the songs boast attitude, aggression and tunes". Wow. The Grandfathers of punk. You have been warned.

Wow! If ever a CD deserved an exclaimation mark it is this one. What a riot of a CD. This is raw boned rock'n'roll garage heaven. All the songs boast attitude, aggression and tunes. Truly, I could not sit still whilst this was playing and had to boogie on woogie all over the house. If you love this you will also like anything by Swedish garage legends The Nomads or English legend Graham Day  Triple Distilled Even my wife started to shake her booty to this CD - so catchy was it. Triple Distilled

Only 4 stars out of 5 only because the seller handwrote my address and the house number wasn't very clear, so I ran the risk to miss the delivery as the postman couldn't read it properly. Never understimate the matter of quality packaging. The devil always hides in details.Apart from this, the item was good as described.I'd like to give 5 stars next time.

Some filthy guitar work, frenetic songs and basic production. I loved it. If you like this then check out their recent album This Is The Sonics which is great considering they are in their sixties.

this album is amazing !!! raw garage rock from the kings of punk (60s punk of course!) some of the tracks are not quite "hi fi" but don't let that put you off. its all pukka stuff. buy it and play very loud !!