I don't find a lot about The Sixpentz/The Sixpents/The Fun & Games Commision/The Fun And Games. They were a Texas Garage pop band from Houston and played the music clubs of the town. In 1964-'65 they became the house band in the ''La Maison'' club. A club who a lot of bands had played and played (also the kings of the garage movement, the Elevators had played the club.
The band recorded some singles.
After their first
single, the Six Pents became The Sixpentz, and signed with Mainstream
Records. The Sixpentz released two singles on Brent, a subsidiary of
Mainstream (the label also released material by Word, who became
Euphoria after they moved to L.A.). Eventually, the Sixpentz learned
there was already a band called Sixpence, so, to avoid future confusion,
they decided another name change was due, and became the Fun And Games
Commission. Their first single -- "Someone Must Have Lied" -- was issued
under this name before the group finally decided to shorten their name
to the Fun And Games.
They eventually came to the attention of Los
Angeles-based singer/songwriter/producer Gary Zekley, who, in the spring
of 1967, had written a song called "Yellow Balloon" for Jan and Dean
while producing a concept album of theirs, Save For A Rainy Day. Zekley
knew the sunshine pop confection was a potential hit, so he re-recorded
it -- under the group name Yellow Balloon -- with several of session
musicians, and actor/musician Don Grady (who had already been recording
for the Canterbury label with his own group, the Windupwatch Band). This
group's soft-rock version scored a Top Thirty hit, while Jan and Dean's
version failed to chart. Sensing he could find similar success with the
Fun And Games, Zekley helped them secure a new record contract with
Russ Regan's UNI Records. Shortly before signing, John T. Bonno and D.
J. Greer were replaced by Joe Dugan (keyboards) and Joe Romano, on bass.
Joe Romano went on to play with A 440 with future Jesus Christ
Superstar actor/singer Ted Neeley. Zekley wrote and produced the Fun And
Games' first single, and produced their 1969 album, Elephant Candy,
co-writing seven of the twelve tracks with songwriting partner Mitch
Bottler (in 1969, Zekley and Bottler would also pen "I'd Wait A Million
Years", a huge hit for the Grass Roots).
The Fun And Games' "Grooviest
Girl In The World" climbed to 78 in the U.S. Top 100. During this same
time, Regan unveiled the group at a huge music industry showcase at a
club in Los Angeles, but -- once onstage -- singer Sam Irwin proceeded
to insult many of the UNI staffers. Shortly after this obvious display
of poor judgment, Regan completely pulled the plug on promoting the
band. They dissolved not too much later. Rock Romano went on to form
Doctor Rockit and the Sisters of Mercy. After he and the Sisters
eventually split, and he continued to front Doctor Rockit. He also
played guitar and bass with the Sheetrockers and bass with Duck Soup, an
Austin, Texas group fronted by former Fun And Games vocalist Irwin. ~ (
Bryan Thomas, Rovi)
These guys were great with fine songs between catchy lines and a little (very litttle) garage sound.
If you like the sixties and sweet melodies take a listen here.
Kind regards
SB1 Flac




Thanks for upload The Sixpentz.
ReplyDeleteYou're a great collector, and I would like to make you a question because I have been searching that for a long time:
Do you known a group from the sixties called The Shades of Blue? They have a CD in Collectables, I think, but it's out of stock in Spain.
Can you reupload or say me something about them?
Thanks a lot!
Jaume from Barcelona.
Hello Jaume, i only know two bands from the sixties with this name. I think this could be the one you are searching for: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Classics-SHADES-BLUE/dp/B00000091E
ReplyDeleteThe other band is from Essex and they are a mod band as far as i know.
The one on amazon is the only one with a Collectables release as far as i know. But i don't owe it. I hope this help a little and kind regards,
Frank