Ugly Things Review of 1964-1974 A Decade of Odd Tales and Wonders
UGLY THINGS REVIEW, SUMMER-FALL
1964-1974: A Decade of Odd Tales and Wonders
1964-1974: A Decade of
Odd Tales and Wonders
Travis Edward Pike
Otherworld Cottage Industries (2018)
9781892900043, $22.95, 363 pp.

     “First published in 2013, Odd Tales And Wonders is all about Travis Pike’s performing years. This new edition boasts a totally different cover, over 100 more pages than before, including an illuminating interview by Harvey Kubernik, and features upwards of 170 photographs in total.
     “Passionately told, it begins with Travis’ early exploits singing and playing around his native Boston. After signing on with the US Navy in the early ‘60s and posted to Germany, he became ‘Teddy die Twist Sensation aus USA’—his new friends couldn’t pronounce the name Travis, so he shortened his middle name Edward to Teddy.
     Back in the States recovering from injury and learning guitar, he played for the fellow wounded in Massachusetts’ Chelsea Naval Hospital.
     “Film director father James A. Pike put together a crash action featurette Demo Derby in 1964 that needed a theme tune. Travis duly supplied ‘Demo Derby’ and, played by the Rondels, it proved suitably hip and cool. Pike senior’s next film required more rock ‘n’ roll assistance, so Travis composed a barrow-load of songs he could use.
     Alas, censors deemed the film, Feelin’ Good, too controversial to show due to scenes showing multi-race group the Montclairs. With financiers backing out, the film had no chance. One song, ‘Watch Out Woman,’ a terrific rocker featuring Travis backed by the Brattle Street East—in reality Boston combo Oedipus & His Mothers—would, decades later, rise phoenix-like.
     “Most readers will be aware that this exhilarating teen beat gem, trailed on the internet last year or so, would see a release on seven-inch through UK label, State — something that should’ve, but didn’t happen in 1966.
     “Travis’ ‘60s story plays out with a superb run of home gigs by Travis Pike’s Tea Party, before a move to California proved their undoing. The group’s hopelessly obscure 45 ‘If I Didn’t Love You Girl’ would be rediscovered in the late 1980s through the Sixties Rebellion and Tougher Than Stains garage compilations, and is proving popular once more through the London mod scene.
“Odd Tales is a thorough exploration of Travis’ world in the ‘60s, and beyond. It’s a dramatic, fun and dynamic reflection detailed through narrative, poetry, rhyme and the many lyrics included.”
                                           (Lenny Helsing)

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