Sat 11/9 @ 9PM
The Flamin’ Groovies were one of those early ’70s power pop bands who earned fawning adulation from a sub-culture of music writers and collectors desperate to see increasingly indulgent rock music return to its innocent, simple roots in the ’50s and early ’60s. These were the same people who made icons of Cleveland’s Raspberries and Youngstow’s Blue Ash.
The San Francisco ensemble released several albums that were objects of worship to that particular clique — 1969’s Supersnazz, 1970’s Flamingo, 1971’s Teenage Head. After coasting on those albums, collecting accolades but not much success, a slightly different lineup recorded 1976’s Shake Some Action with producer Dave Edmunds, whose roots in stripped-down pub rock meshed nicely with the Groovies’ good ol’ rock & roll bent.
The band actually carried on into the ’90s with hardly any recognition or attention, although their tune “Shake Some Action” appeared in the 1995 film Clueless, covered by Camper Van Beethoven’s David Lowery.
It’s more or less the Shake Some Action lineup that’s currently doing a reunion tour, featuring founding members guitarist/vocalist Cyril Jordan and bassist George Alexander, guitarist/vocalist Chris Wilson, who joined in 1971, plus drummer Victor Penalosa.
A rare appearance by veteran Cleveland band the New Salem Witch Hunters opens their Cleveland show at the Beachland Ballroom.
Tickets are $25.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFlaminGroovies