Scott Wittenburg - Apple, The Retros, The Tickets

   Every now and then, while researching a seemingly unknown record; I’m fortunate to stumble onto  some truly interesting individuals. Scott Wittenburg, without question falls into that category. Besides the musical body of work featured below; Scott teaches Photography and is an accomplished Author, with a dozen published novels to his credit.

   Apple was a three-piece from Portsmouth Ohio that formed in 1976. The band originated as a Beatles cover band, heavily influenced by the British Invasion. Upon moving, original guitarist Alan Huff was replaced by Jack Vetter in 1978. One single, “Holes in the Ceiling b/w Going Back” was released in 1979. 500 copies were pressed, they were sold at shows. Apple disbanded in 1979.

♫♫►►Now It's Started To Rain◄◄♫♫

Line Up –

Scott Wittenburg – Bass, Vocals
Jack Vetter – Guitar, Vocals
Jeff Porter - Drums

   Scott’s next venture was a three piece, also from Portsmouth called The Retros. The band formed in 1980 and lasted for 9 months. During that span, they wrote and recorded 33 original songs. I’ve included a few for your listening pleasure. If you want to hear the rest, there’s a disk titled The Retros Retrospective, you can purchase. I'll leave the links below.

Line Up –

Scott Wittenburg – Bass, Vocals
Mike Bry1an – Guitar, Vocals
Jeff Porter – Drums

♫♫►►I Wonder How Much More I Can Stand◄◄♫♫

   After The Retro’s called it quits, Scott moved to NYC and started yet another three piece called The Tickets. The band lasted for three years and released one single in 1982, “People Next Door b/w Turn Me Away”. Of the couple of hundred pressed, 25 came with handmade sleeves. There’s a Tickets anthology titled, “ Local Heroes”. Links for purchase will be left below.

Line Up –

Scott Wittenburg – Bass, Vocals
George Fonteboa – Guitar, Vocals
Mario Trombetta - Drums

♫♫►►You've Got Nothing To Lose◄◄♫♫  

   There’s a solo effort as well titled, “ Uno Mono Solo”. A collection of songs written over a 15-year span. Scott played all instruments and sung all vocals.
   

   You can purchase the Retros, Tickets and Solo disks, The Apple and Tickets singles as well as Scott’s novels and Photography books from his Etsy Store, BooksByWitt. Scott's selling original Apple and Ticket's singles; at a fraction of what they're selling for on Ebay and Discogs, shipping included. There's a small amount of the ultra rare Tickets picture sleeves for sale as well. 

Other Links –

Scott Wittenburg.com
Uno Mono Solo on You Tube
Scott Wittenburg Tik Tok
Facebook

Romford Stompers - Mary & Ken - Split Single

   The Romford Stompers were a four piece from Glenton Close, Romford, London. I lifted most of this info from the record sleeve itself. They originally wanted to call the band, The Yorkshire Rippers but ultimately decided against it. There were 1000 pressed, with only a small number having sleeves. The record seemed to have been met with some public outrage; over the band making money off the misery of the victims and their families. I couldn't find anything on the flip, Mary & Ken. Three of the members, ( Harding, Dale and Hanson) ended up in a Electronic, Synth band called Famous Rays. They put out a full length in 1990, titled "Ending Beginning.

Line Up

Phil Harding - Bass, Vocals

Dave Dale - Guitar, Vocals

Mick Hanson - Guitar, Vocals

Chris Brown - Drums

Rott, ( Right Over The Top) Records 1981

1. The Romford Stompers - Dead Girls

2. Mary & Ken - Happy

♫♫►►Safe at Home but not Alone◄◄♫♫

Myron Skau - Too Many Movies Single

a re-post, by request, new rips and scans. Originally posted 8-29-2010, Enjoy!

   Myron Skau were a three piece, from (I'm going to assume) the New England area. Unfortunately, as is the case with allot of bands, little or no info is to be found. Both songs are good, but my favorite of the two is definitely the flip side.

Line Up 

Gilbert Prescott - Skins

Johne Maul - Simulated Ivory Tickler

Kevin Donovan - Vocals, and Strings

Destiny Records 1985

1. Too Many Movies

2. Ritzi Anna

♫♫►►You're Looking For Something To Frighten You◄◄♫♫

The Cads - Do the Crabwalk EP

a re-post, by request, new rips and scans. Originally posted 5-16-2009, Enjoy!

   Guessing this is the only release from this Toronto five piece. I like this record, it's lo-fi production adds to it's charm. These guys have a great sense of humor. Reminds me of releases from midwest bands such as the Gizmo's or the Bizarros. Four members of the Cads are or were in a band called the Lost Anglers.

Line Up

John Korvette - Bass

Chris Terry - Drums

Bag Asteroid - Vocals

John Ford - Guitar

Glen Binmore - Guitar

Bi-R Records 1978

1. Do the Crabwalk

2. You Weren't Born Yesterday

3. Over My Dead Body

4. Sex Was the Only Way Out

♫♫►►I Watched Her As She Picked Her Nose◄◄♫♫

The Rattlers - Singles Plus Bonus

 

a re-post, by request, new rips, same  scans. Originally posted 1-17-2011, Enjoy!

    

   I'm sure most of you are familiar with The Rattlers. The On The Beach Single is a classic, and Definitely a favorite of mine. I never got to see the Rattlers live, but I've been told in their early days as a three piece they did these songs much harder, and faster than the recorded versions. They played a show with 999 around 1980, at a place called The Castle Inn, which was a club in my home town of Phillipsburg NJ. The club has since been renovated, and now serves as The Unemployment office. Anyway, I'm sure you all know the leader of the Rattlers was Mickey Leigh, Joey Ramones younger brother. I think it must have been difficult, being in the shadow of The Ramones, but The Rattlers managed to carve out a nice niche for themselves, and were a great band in their own right. The Rattlers formed in NYC, around 1979. Before parting ways in 1988, they left us with Two Singles, and an LP titled Rattled. I included both of their singles in this post as well as I won't be your victim, from the LP. In my opinion, their best songs. 

Ratso Records 1979

1. On The Beach

2. Livin' Alone

Faulty Products 1982

3. What Keeps Your Heart Beatin'?

4. Let's Move

PVC/Gem Records 1985

5. I won't be your victim

♫♫►►I Don't Care About Savin The World◄◄♫♫

Boulevard - Extended Pop EP

    Boulevard were a Chicago four piece that left us with two, self released efforts; this being the second. Although I've never heard it, I read the 1st record has more of a 60's flare.
   Sometime in the mid 2000's; the band surfaced again as a three piece, minus Scott Murray, under The Boolevards. They released a couple of full lengths; with a 60's pop edge.
   One of the more enjoyable aspects of doing this blog is learning things I didn't know about bands. The full lengths titled, " Real Pop & More Real Pop" sound really good. I'm definitely planning on grabbing them up. If you're interested in checking them out, here's a couple links.

Facebook

The Boolevards

Line Up -

Hugh Murphy - Guitar
Scott Murray - Guitar, Vocals
Joe Nowik - Drums, Vocals
John Nowik - Bass, Vocals

Ranger Records - 1980

1. I Got a Feelin'
2. Radio Romance
3. Yeah, She's the One
4. Moron City
5. Coming On Strong

♫♫►►Set The World On Fire◄◄♫♫

The Toes - Heads

   Not much info on this one. Best I can surmise; The Toes were a Hartford, Connecticut, three piece. I found a comp called, " Homespun WHCN - 106 FM"; that features Heads. The band's pictured on the back as a three piece. I'm guessing this was they're only record and it appears self released. Gil Francis Yaskovic gets writing credits for both tunes.

   Under normal light, the record appears black but if you hold it up to the light; it's a dark, translucent, purple. 

   If anyone has anything to add or correct, please let me know. 

No-Zone Recordings 1979

1. Heads

2. Anyway

♫♫►►We're Livin' Our Lives Anyway◄◄♫♫