Guys and Dolls: The Sonics - Dirty Robber (16 April 1993)

 

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There was a strong sense of 21st Century influence over including this, not least because it’s nice to hear The Sonics performing something which doesn’t cause the listener to worry about whether their car insurance policy is in date. 

It’s a coin flip as to whether The Sonics version of Dirty Robber, which they recorded for their 1965 debut album, is better than the original 1959 recording by The Wailers. What is beyond doubt is that there was clearly something in the water in Tacoma, Washington where both groups hailed from.  The Sonics recording has the benefit that you clearly hear the lyrics, albeit garlanded throughout with singer Gerry Roslie’s trademark shrieks and screams. But, in The Wailers’ original, the deceitfulness of his lover has driven Kent Morrill to an almost incomprehensible babble, leaving him sounding like a hybrid of Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent, whilst poised on the brink of an orgasm, a heart attack or both. 

Similarities between the two versions are probably deliberate given that Morrill and Wailers bassist, Buck Ormsby produced the Here Are The Sonics!!! LP.

 Unlike The Wailers, The Sonics never had a hit single, though their influence was huge on many, more successful bands that came after them. Michael H. Little gives some reasons as to why success may have eluded the band during the 1960s*.

Videos courtesy of garagefan66 (Sonics) and Mr RJDB1969 (Wailers)

*TLDR - The Sonics were producing explosive versions of Rock ‘n’Roll standards at a point (1965-67) where the market and the more go-ahead groups were seeking to expand their sounds beyond the standard rock band sound. In 65-67, The Sonics were an anachronism of sorts. By the time, music started looking back to its roots circa 1969 and groups like The Stooges were getting wider attention with The Sonics garage rock playbook, The Sonics had disbanded.