About Me
Tonbender is a solo project by Garage Psych Guitar Extrodinaire, Jordan Tarlow, most noted for his stint in the legendary Garage Psych band "The Fuzztones". Jordan was a member of "The Fuzztones"at the height of their popularity, in the late 1980's when the band reached Major Label status, heightened by the release of "In Heat" on RCA, which was produced by Shel Talmy, who had produced the Kinks, The Who & The Creation, back in the 60's.The first cd, titled: "Tonebender" has some interesting history behind it.The record actually started life as a Fuzztones reunion album in 1997.The most well known Fuzztones line-up, commonly referred to as the "In Heat era Fuzztones" re-grouped in 1997 to play in New York City at the 1997 "Cavestomp". They stuck together for about one year, and began recording tracks for what was to be a re-union album. Midway through the recording sessions, the band broke up again, and the tapes were put on the shelf, where they remained for a few years.The original plan, was to complete the songs, and record a few more, substituting Legendary Los Angeles Punk pioneer, Rik L Rik, on vocals.
The five original tracks featured the rest of the In-Heat era Fuzztones, John Carlucci, Jason Savall, and Mike Czekaj. The new tracks all featured John Carlucci on bass, but the drummers Brian Keats(Misfits,Phantom Chords, etc) & Dale Daniels(Hacienda Bros.) were brought in to fill out the rythym section, since Mad Mike had already relocated to NYC by this time.
Rehearsals started, and on the very week that recording began on new
basic tracks, Rik L Rik was diagnosed with Brain cancer, he became too ill to participate in the project. The tapes went back on the shelf. Rik passed away in 2000.Some time went by, and Jordan got the bug to re-visit the basic tracks and bring them to life. At first, he recruited the help of another Punk Rock pioneer, this one from England,... Dave Vanian Of "The Damned". Dave sang on two of the tracks on this LP..."7 & 7 Is" and "Magic Potion". Drummer Brian Keats had been performing live shows in Los Angeles with Dave, as a member of The Phantom Chords. He enlisted Dave for the project. The result is awesome. Dave liked his work on Tonebender so much, that he added the song "Magic Potion" to the Damned's set list, but you heard it here first!Jordan got over his initial shyness, and decided to sing the rest of the record himself. He did a magnificent job! The production on this album is top notch.
Jordan used only pre 1967 gear, original Fuzzboxes, Vox Ac-30's, Ampeg ReverboRockets, Mosrite 12 strings, 50's era Gretsch's, 60's p-basses through Ampeg b-15's, Tube mic's, etc. The idea was to keep it authentic while raising the quality to a higher level than most garage records are made at. The sound is full, rich and powerful. You can feel it. Listening to Tonebender, one gets the feeling that he/she has been transported back in time to 1967, and that you are sitting right in the room as an awesome 60's live band kicks out the jams. Jordan, an avid gear collector pulled out rare effects boxes & techniques that are seldom heard these days. For fans of
60's music, Garage, Freakbeat, or even Power Pop, this is the Holy Grail. Written by, Sean Andrew Icculrac
