The Nomads - Something's Bad - Mo Groove

[The Tempest]

One of my all time favourite records , BUT don't know anything about them !!!! , their name seems pretty well used by bands at the time , two examples above in pics , so do we know who they were apart from the Carolina beach scene ?

[Guest Matt Male]

One of my all time favourite records , BUT don't know anything about them !!!! , their name seems pretty well used by bands at the time , two examples above in pics , so do we know who they were apart from the Carolina beach scene ?

There were a lot of groups called The Nomads in the 60s, including one from Keighley in Yorkshire, still going by the way. I always thought The Nomads of Somethings Bad were these guys from near Seattle. They had two saxes and a hammond organ, so could create that big sound.

https://www.pnwbands.com/nomads.html

Edited October 30, 2009 by Matt Male

[The Tempest]

There were a lot of groups called The Nomads in the 60s, including one from Keighley in Yorkshire, still going by the way. I always thought The Nomads of Somethings Bad were these guys from near Seattle. They had two saxes and a hammond organ, so could create that big sound.

https://www.pnwbands.com/nomads.html

Nice reply mate , it would be nice to find THE band and confirm it once and for all , anybody else ?

[Yann V]

There are at least seven documented Nomads groups that were performing during the 60's garage soul era, and this particular group (one of three known South Carolina Nomads), came together in the Greenville, SC area to record one truly significant tune, 1968's SOMETHING'S BAD, for their own Mo-Groov Records. The act, featuring vocalist Sonny Threatt, later morphed into the duo Sunny & Phyllis, cutting some memorable sides for Uni Records and for Major Bill Smith's Soft Records enterprise in Ft. Worth, TX. Most all of their recording endeavors went down at Joe Huffman's Mark V Studio in Greenville

https://web.me.com/yannvatiste/Va-Va-Voom/Welcome.html

Edited October 31, 2009 by Yann V

[Guest Matt Male]

Nice reply mate , it would be nice to find THE band and confirm it once and for all , anybody else ?

I think you are right about the North Carolina beach scene though, they are on a beach CD collection called Heey Baby Days together with lots of Carolina beach scene bands, not sure if it means they were from Carolina or played on the Carolina Beach scene as were Marvin Gaye, Don Cavoy and many others that we consider northern soul. Lots of points of contact between the two scenes.

[The Tempest]

There are at least seven documented Nomads groups that were performing during the 60's garage soul era, and this particular group (one of three known South Carolina Nomads), came together in the Greenville, SC area to record one truly significant tune, 1968's SOMETHING'S BAD, for their own Mo-Groov Records. The act, featuring vocalist Sonny Threatt, later morphed into the duo Sunny & Phyllis, cutting some memorable sides for Uni Records and for Major Bill Smith's Soft Records enterprise in Ft. Worth, TX. Most all of their recording endeavors went down at Joe Huffman's Mark V Studio in Greenville

https://web.me.com/ya...om/Welcome.html

Pity we can't find a picture

[George G]

Lenny Richards and the Nomads were a Canadian 'beat' group with numerous records

The Nomads who did "Be Nice" were a RAW garage band from Texas

There were way more than 7 bands called the Nomads - 700 bands is more like it! I don't know how many made records. At least 30.

[arnie j]

for me,this record has the best intro to a northern soul record ever,still remember tony clayton playing this at the oddfellows club,good good record

[Gene-r]

Is there any truth in the rumour that the single was given away free at one of their local gigs?

[Mal C]

I may have this wrong, but remember reading on the sleeve note to Soulful Kinda music, the eighties soul supply comp, that Phyliss Brown was one half of Sonny & Phyliss, also of Nomad's - Something Bad Fame????

So I assume 'Top Man', aka either Tim Brown or Kev Roberts who wrote the sleeve notes, is saying the pair were part of the Nomads..

Can anybody confirm this?

Mal.C.

[Mal C]

Ahh, ok, both produced by a guy called Sunny Threatt, and he has writing credits on Something's bad...

That said, some times the info on their comps was simply incorrect, I was looking for Soul Bros inc on Emblem on the Boo label for years before I realized it was simply a miss type...but hey tim Brown knows more that I will ever know about soul 45's..

Maybe they are just stating there is a link in production, and writing credits... who knows..

M

Edited November 2, 2009 by Mal.C.

[Mal C]

Is there any truth in the rumour that the single was given away free at one of their local gigs?

Not unusual Gene, but there are quite a few Funk collectables on Mo groove Label, so they deffo had a record deal, it wasn't just a freebie press to give out..

M

[Mal C]

There are at least seven documented Nomads groups that were performing during the 60's garage soul era, and this particular group (one of three known South Carolina Nomads), came together in the Greenville, SC area to record one truly significant tune, 1968's SOMETHING'S BAD, for their own Mo-Groov Records. The act, featuring vocalist Sonny Threatt, later morphed into the duo Sunny & Phyllis, cutting some memorable sides for Uni Records and for Major Bill Smith's Soft Records enterprise in Ft. Worth, TX. Most all of their recording endeavors went down at Joe Huffman's Mark V Studio in Greenville

https://web.me.com/ya...om/Welcome.html

Right, you just gotta read all the posts haven't you.. ??

sorry all, it seems Yann already mentioned the link, but you gotta paint a picture !! laughs

M

[Guest Perception]

There were a lot of groups called The Nomads in the 60s,

I always thought they were a group that contained Sonny and Phyllis.

The record was a massive sound at the Casino for Richard Searling.

Was it covered up when first played ?

[Guest DeeJay]

One of my all time favourite records , BUT don't know anything about them !!!! , their name seems pretty well used by bands at the time , two examples above in pics , so do we know who they were apart from the Carolina beach scene ?

Bit strange but isn't that a young Brian Rae top right?

DJ

[The Tempest]

Copy on ebay at moment for $898.00 and going strong , good luck bidders !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Soul-slider]

Years out of time but here's the group (who are also 'Sunny & Phyllis)...

This group is made up of Sonny Threatt (middle back) and Phyllis Brown (seated), she scored big on the Northern scene with 'Oh Baby!'

[Gilly]

On 03/11/2009 at 19:04, Guest Perception said:

 

 

I always thought they were a group that contained Sonny and Phyllis.

 

The record was a massive sound at the Casino for Richard Searling.

 

Was it covered up when first played ?

No, never covered up. Richard Searling did me a tape and on the tape included "Good-bye Mama" on Fayette which I bought from him and also the Nomads, as yet never been played out. I begged him to use it in his sets and a short while after he did. If anyone has a  Wigan live anniversary tape from the year it was first played he credits me for the discovery or words to that effect. Not a direct discovery for me but I did have influence in it getting played.

[Graham Anthony]

Correction- This Phyllis Brown is not the same as the "Oh Baby" one on Rainbo- she was West Coast and her dad owned Rainbo records which was also a pressing plant

 

[Theothertosspot]

4 hours ago, Gilly said:

No, never covered up. Richard Searling did me a tape and on the tape included "Good-bye Mama" on Fayette which I bought from him and also the Nomads, as yet never been played out. I begged him to use it in his sets and a short while after he did. If anyone has a  Wigan live anniversary tape from the year it was first played he credits me for the discovery or words to that effect. Not a direct discovery for me but I did have influence in it getting played.

Recall it being played around November time in 78 but could have been earlier, but definitely 78.

Regards

[Soul-slider]

20 hours ago, Graham Anthony said:

Correction- This Phyllis Brown is not the same as the "Oh Baby" one on Rainbo- she was West Coast and her dad owned Rainbo records which was also a pressing plant

 

Oh, cheers for the info Graham 

According to the comments on the 'Oh Baby' youtube clip this Phyllis Brown is a white girl also.

 

Edited March 23, 2020 by Soul-slider

[Blackpoolsoul]

On 22/03/2020 at 17:08, Soul-slider said:

Years out of time but here's the group (who are also 'Sunny & Phyllis)...

This group is made up of Sonny Threatt (middle back) and Phyllis Brown (seated), she scored big on the Northern scene with 'Oh Baby!'

Useful link

https://www.broadjam.com/bio/sonnythreatt

[Andybellwood]

Wonder where this one fits in ?

 

[Trev Thomas]

24 minutes ago, Andybellwood said:

Wonder where this one fits in ?

 

this is a stereo mix of chuck cockerham, 

[Blackpoolsoul]

35 minutes ago, Trev Thomas said:

this is a stereo mix of chuck cockerham, 

So what's the story behind this, looks well dodgy IMO, but I know nothing nowadays at my age

B side is The Ellusions "You didn't Have To Leave " ?

It was done a while ago

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by Blackpoolsoul

[Chalky]

5 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

So what's the story behind this, looks well dodgy IMO, but I know nothing nowadays at my age

B side is The Ellusions "You didn't Have To Leave " ?

It was done a while ago

 

Its a boot, it is Chuck Cockerham, another mix/take

[Blackpoolsoul]

On 22/03/2020 at 17:08, Soul-slider said:

Years out of time but here's the group (who are also 'Sunny & Phyllis)...

This group is made up of Sonny Threatt (middle back) and Phyllis Brown (seated), she scored big on the Northern scene with 'Oh Baby!'

Phyllis also had another "hit" on the scene and "with" Sonny

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by Blackpoolsoul

[Andybellwood]

12 minutes ago, Chalky said:

Its a boot, it is Chuck Cockerham, another mix/take

Just read Nev's original post in full . Includes 'As far as i am aware having done some research ..this was done for the Carolina shag music scene'.

(Like Nev , I've sold these in the past ).

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by Andybellwood

[Blackpoolsoul]

4 minutes ago, Andybellwood said:

Just read Nev's original post in full . Includes 'As far as i am aware having done some research ..this was done for the Carolina shag music scene'.

(Like Nev , I've sold these in the past ).

I do a lot of research, but who would cover it up as The Nomads for the Carolina beach/shag music scene ?

Edited March 25, 2020 by Blackpoolsoul

[Andybellwood]

 

40 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

I do a lot of research, but who would cover it up as The Nomads for the Carolina for the beach/shag music scene ?

Good question .

Edited March 25, 2020 by Andybellwood

[Andybellwood]

1 hour ago, Andybellwood said:

 

Good question .

Also ...if it was a 'boot' surely logic would have been to sell as 'Chuck Cockerham ' with facsimile labels macarading as an original to deceive? 

Understood 'Ripete' was a legit company specialising in licensed reissues ? Which begs the question why they didn't release as a Chuck Cockerham re issue or an alternative version? 

[Blackpoolsoul]

1 minute ago, Andybellwood said:

Also ...if it was a 'boot' surely logic would have been to sell as 'Chuck Cockerham ' with facsimile labels macarading as an original to deceive? 

Understood 'Ripete' was a legit company specialising in licensed reissues ? Which begs the question why they didn't release as a Chuck Cockerham re issue or an alternative version? 

Can you direct me to the label please, I think it was someone using it to deceive, like Chalky implied, It might have even been done in the UK.

[Andybellwood]

27 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

Can you direct me to the label please, I think it was someone using it to deceive, like Chalky implied, It might have even been done in the UK.

https://www.discogs.com/label/239088-Ripete

[Trev Thomas]

1 hour ago, Andybellwood said:

Also ...if it was a 'boot' surely logic would have been to sell as 'Chuck Cockerham ' with facsimile labels macarading as an original to deceive? 

Understood 'Ripete' was a legit company specialising in licensed reissues ? Which begs the question why they didn't release as a Chuck Cockerham re issue or an alternative version? 

think ripete was a quasi-legitimate label along the lines of stardust

[Blackpoolsoul]

41 minutes ago, Andybellwood said:

https://www.discogs.com/label/239088-Ripete

 

13 minutes ago, Trev Thomas said:

think ripete was a quasi-legitimate label along the lines of stardust

I am still convinced as Chalky said it's a boot as it makes no sense (to me anyway) to cover up Chuck as The Nomads

The labels similar have a phone number on them (unless I missed one) and this just looks like the name Ripete was copied from another single and used on the label (not difficult to do as we know from all the other bootlegs that have appeared)

[Tlscapital]

Please ignore my opening comments here since I was too quick thinking first that is was a credits 'cover-up' bootleg operation only realizing after that is just was a cover take of the Chuck Cockerham by the 'Nomads' made by and for the American beach-scene.

That 'nomad' playing Chuck bootleg on a semi legit label is just more crap stuffs dished out by some smart ass "joker" minds. No need to dig further into it IMO as it's just another pollution pressing job like many cheap reissues and bootlegs alike that are still being pressed in quantities to O.D. ! 

On the Sunny and Phyllis matter this is a very interesting link with the Nomads on Mo-Groov I find. Finally we have a photo of the band that captures the group alas ! And indeed the duet on Le Cam and Zuma do share similar musical sonorities. The voices work out are different but not of another tone and phrasing. And their later records on UNI sounds could be a match as well and they are 'Mark V' published, so still based in Texas.

Both other Phyllis Brown out LA for Rainbo records and Phyllis Brown (Charity) from Rain 'out of my life' (fame ) are other evidently people.

Edited March 25, 2020 by Tlscapital
correction of intention

[Andybellwood]

Also appears on a compilation cd 

https://www.northernsouldirect.co.uk/i-could-dance-all-night-various-artists-cd-ripete.html

[Andybellwood]

1 hour ago, Trev Thomas said:

think ripete was a quasi-legitimate label along the lines of stardust

Yep , though Stardust trading in Canada taking advantage of relaxed 'copyright' rules whilst Ripete a US co. 

[Blackpoolsoul]

15 minutes ago, Andybellwood said:

Yep , though Stardust trading in Canada taking advantage of relaxed 'copyright' rules whilst Ripete a US co. 

This company ? owner of Stardust

Underground Records Inc. 
P.O. Box 752, Station A, 
Scarborough, Ontario, 
Canada M1K 5C4 

Edited March 25, 2020 by Blackpoolsoul

[Andybellwood]

13 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

This company ? owner of Stardust

Underground Records Inc. 
P.O. Box 752, Station A, 
Scarborough, Ontario, 
Canada M1K 5C4 

https://www.discogs.com/label/446099-Ripete-Records-Inc

[Blackpoolsoul]

35 minutes ago, Andybellwood said:

https://www.discogs.com/label/446099-Ripete-Records-Inc

I don't do face book but perhaps someone could ask them if they were involved

2150 Elliott Hwy

Bishopville, South Carolina 29010

Phone+1 803-428-3358

 

[Andybellwood]

1 hour ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

I don't do face book but perhaps someone could ask them if they were involved

2150 Elliott Hwy

Bishopville, South Carolina 29010

Phone+1 803-428-3358

 

Good call tho i'm not on facebook either. 

[Chalky]

7 hours ago, Andybellwood said:

Also ...if it was a 'boot' surely logic would have been to sell as 'Chuck Cockerham ' with facsimile labels macarading as an original to deceive? 

Understood 'Ripete' was a legit company specialising in licensed reissues ? Which begs the question why they didn't release as a Chuck Cockerham re issue or an alternative version? 

The Carolina scene has many dodgy releases, look at the body of work for Ripete, chess reissues all sorts.  I’d have my doubts about quite a few of those releases being total legit and above board.  Just like many other “dodgy” reissue labels that claim to be legit  

Its Chuck Cockerham as far as I am concerned, just another take, sounds just like him in most parts too. 

[Tlscapital]

On 22/03/2020 at 18:08, Soul-slider said:

Years out of time but here's the group (who are also 'Sunny & Phyllis)...

This group is made up of Sonny Threatt (middle back) and Phyllis Brown (seated), she scored big on the Northern scene with 'Oh Baby!'

Confirmation on the who's who from Discogs (only checked now DOH !) 'profile' edit of the group like in the pic and rather well put so here we go; 

There are at least seven documented Nomads groups that were performing during the 60's garage soul era, and this particular group (one of three known South Carolina Nomads), came together in the Greenville, SC area to record one truly significant tune, 1968's SOMETHING'S BAD, for their own Mo-Groov Records. The act, featuring vocalist Sonny Threatt, later morphed into the duo Sunny & Phyllis backed by The Danes (3), cutting some memorable sides for Uni Records and for Major Bill Smith's Soft Records enterprise in Ft. Worth, TX. Most all of their recording endeavors went down at Joe Huffman's Mark V Studio in Greenville.

[Tlscapital]

On 23/03/2020 at 17:04, Soul-slider said:

Oh, cheers for the info Graham 

According to the comments on the 'Oh Baby' youtube clip this Phyllis Brown is a white girl also.

 

From Brico maligno post on 'YT' for Phyllis Brown 'Oh baby'... Fantastic somehow.

[Rom1]

Being told in NC this Nomads 45 on Mo Groove was an Arthur Smith prod/recording such as Soul Set on Bi-Me or Chantells & aqualads on Aqua, Neil Griffin & music men on ABC (mod sound) & many garage-soul bands in the area (labels & fonts are often recognizable)...

[Tlscapital]

Oui you Roman - me Gaulois ! You're absolutely right there. But moving from one spot to the other... Trying to establish the link where the Texas connection being their "last" phase for the same gang or about for thee guys and doll.

Edited March 25, 2020 by Tlscapital

[Soul-slider]

22 hours ago, rom1 said:

Being told in NC this Nomads 45 on Mo Groove was an Arthur Smith prod/recording such as Soul Set on Bi-Me or Chantells & aqualads on Aqua, Neil Griffin & music men on ABC (mod sound) & many garage-soul bands in the area (labels & fonts are often recognizable)...

Just heard that Neil Griffin track, especially like the 'What Can I Do' side, could get a shout at a Northern do no probs. Don't think it's the ABC-Paramount group of labels though?

Sorry for going off on a tangent.

Edited March 26, 2020 by Soul-slider