Bohemian Vendetta
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Bohemian Vendetta was an American
garage rock Garage rock (sometimes called garage punk or 60s punk) is a raw and energetic style of rock music that flourished in the mid-1960s, most notably in the United States and Canada, and has experienced a series of subsequent revivals. The style is ...
and
psychedelic Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips") and a perceived "expansion of consciousness". Also referred to as classic halluci ...
band from
Long Island Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...
,
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...
, who were active from 1966 to 1968. In addition to recording two officially released singles and several previously unissued demos, they cut a self-titled album, ''Bohemian Vendetta,'' released by
Mainstream Records Mainstream Records is an American record company and independent record label founded by producer Bob Shad in 1964. Mainstream's early releases were reissues from Commodore Records. Its catalogue grew to include Bob Brookmeyer, Maynard Ferguson, ...
in 1968.


History

Bohemian Vendetta was formed as the Bohemians in 1966 in Long Island, New York. Their original lineup consisted of Arthur Muglia (also known as Brian Cooke) on lead vocals and organ, his cousin Victor Muglia on bass, Randy Pollock on rhythm guitar, Richard Martinez on lead guitar, and Richie Sorrento on drums. Initially the band had a strongly blues-based sound, reminiscent of Pretty Things, and the Shadows of Knight. Under this line-up the band recorded two demo acetate singles in 1966 at Ultrasonic Studios in Hempstead (on Long Island), "Irresistible" b/w "Petrified, Like Stoned" (later referred to as "Like Stoned") and "I Don't Go that Way" b/w "All Kinds of Lows and All Kinds of Highs". The band recorded demos of several more songs and released the single "Enough" b/w "Half of the Time" on the
United Artists United Artists (UA) is an American film production and film distribution, distribution company owned by Amazon MGM Studios. In its original operating period, it was founded in February 1919 by Charlie Chaplin, D. W. Griffith, Mary Pickford an ...
label. While the single got a spot on the "Rate a Record" segment of Dick Clark's ''American Bandstand,'' it failed to chart. However, the band's demos came to the attention of Bob Shad's
Mainstream Records Mainstream Records is an American record company and independent record label founded by producer Bob Shad in 1964. Mainstream's early releases were reissues from Commodore Records. Its catalogue grew to include Bob Brookmeyer, Maynard Ferguson, ...
, a company known for minimal production values and promotion, often releasing albums by unknown bands targeted for the underground FM radio market, and who released the first album by
Big Brother and the Holding Company Big Brother and the Holding Company are an American rock band that was formed in San Francisco in 1965 as part of the same psychedelic music scene that produced the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Jefferson Airplane. After ...
and the first three albums by
the Amboy Dukes The Amboy Dukes may refer to: * ''The Amboy Dukes'' (novel), 1947 American novel about juvenile delinquents * The Amboy Dukes (band), American rock band founded 1964 ** ''The Amboy Dukes'' (album), 1967 album by that band {{disambig ...
, Ted Nugent's early band (including their popular hit "Journey to the Center of the Mind"). From Long Island's Lynbrook, future member Nick Manzi had played in a number of bands in the area, including the Cavaliers. He and Faine Jade had formed the Rustics who recorded "Cant' Get you Out of My Heart" b/w "Look at Me" for the Ye Old King Label. After the Rusics broke up Manzi joined the Bohemians, replacing lead guitarist Richard Martinez, who went on the join the Cats Meow, who recorded a few singles for
Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, record label * Decca Gold, classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, musical theater record label * Decca Studios, recording facility in West ...
. In 1967 the Bohemians changed their name to Bohemian Vendetta. More personnel changes were to come that year. After Nick Manzi's entry, Randy Pollock switched from guitar to bass, and Chuck Monica replaced Richie Sorrento on drums. Bohemian Vendetta played at venues such as the Action House with such bands as
the Vagrants The Vagrants were an American, Long Island-based rock and blue-eyed soul group from the 1960s. The group was composed of Peter Sabatino on vocals, harmonica, and tambourine, Leslie West on vocals and guitar, Larry West (Leslie's brother) on ...
and
Vanilla Fudge Vanilla Fudge is an American rock band known predominantly for their slow extended heavy rock arrangements of contemporary hit songs, such as their hit cover of the Supremes' " You Keep Me Hangin' On". The band's original line–up was vocali ...
. Bohemian Vendetta had already recorded demos of most of the songs intended for their album to be released on Mainstream, but Bob Shad insisted that they re-record all of the songs, so they cut new versions in 1968. However, some have noted that the results did not capture the feel of the demos, which were more representative of the band's actual sound. Nearly all of their material was written by the band, but Shad asked them to record the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction". Bohemian Vendetta's self-titled album, finally came out in the fall of 1968. The album reflected both psychedelic and R&B influences an included standout tracks such as "Riddles & Fairlytales," "Paradox City," "I Wanna Touch Your Heart," and "Love Can Make Your Mind Go Wild," not to mention renditions of songs previously recorded by other artists, such as " Satisfaction," and "
House of the Rising Sun "The House of the Rising Sun" is an American traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues". It tells of a person's life gone wrong in the city of New Orleans. Many versions also urge a sibling or parents and children to avoid the ...
." However, Mainstream did little to promote the album or its single, "Riddles and Fairytales" b/w "I Wanna Touch Your Heart," resulting in disappointing sales. That year, the band also backed Faine Jade on his ''Introspection'' album. In late 1968 Bohemian Vendetta broke up. Over the intervening years since their breakup, Bohmian Vendetta's work has been included on several anthologies. Their song "Enough" was included on the 1979 '' Ear-Piercing Punk'' compilation put out by Greg Shaw's Bomp! Records, then later on ''
Essential Pebbles, Volume 1 ''Essential Pebbles, Volume 1'' is the first compilation album in the Essential Pebbles series. Although subtitled Ultimate '66 garage classics!, not all of the recordings on the album were originally released in 1966. Release data This album ...
''. "All Kinds of Highs" has also been reissued on compilations. In 1998 the band's complete work, including their 1968 album and all of their acetates, was released on the ''Enough'' anthology.


Membership


1966

*Arthur Muglia (also known as Brian Cooke) (lead vocals and organ) *Victor Muglia (bass) *Randy Pollock (rhythm guitar) *Richard Martinez (lead guitar) *Richie Sorrento (drums)


1967-1968

*Arthur Muglia (also known as Brian Cooke) (lead vocals and organ) *Victor Muglia (bass) *Nick Manzi (lead guitar) *Randy Pollock (rhythm guitar), *Chuck Monica (drums)


Discography


Singles

*"Irresistible" b/w "Petrified, Like Stoned" (later referred to as "Like Stoned") (unissued acetate, rec. 1966) *"I Don't Go that Way" b/w "All Kinds of Lows and All Kinds of Highs" (unissued acetate, rec. 1966) *"Enough" b/w "Half of the Time" (United Artists UA 50174, 1967) *"Riddles and Fairytales" b/w "I Wanna Touch Your Heart," (Mainstream, 1968)


Album

*''Bohemian Vendetta'' (Mainstream Stereo: S/6106 Mono: 56106, 1968)


References

{{Authority control Garage rock groups from New York (state) Psychedelic rock music groups from New York (state) Musical groups established in 1966 Musical groups disestablished in 1968 Musical groups from Long Island