Wackers (the) - Shredder

Name: Wackers
Album: Shredder
Year: 1972
Style: Psych, Folk
Similar Bands: Cecilio & Kapono, Beatles, Dave Edmunds, Kinks, Bonzo Dog Band
One-Word Review: Breezy-Psych-Folk
Based Out Of: Monreal, Quebec
Label: Elektra

 Cover, Back, & Record

Gatefold & Record

Wackers - Shredder (1972)

1. Day & Night 3:06
2. Hey Lawdy Lawdy 3:54
3. I'll Believe in You 3:14
4. Puttin' Myself to Sleep 2:20
5. Eventually, Even You Even Me 3:34
6. Coming Apart 3:57 /
7. It's My Life 3:32
8. Beach Song 2:42
9. Buck Duckdog Memorial Jam 10:10
10. Last Dance 3:04

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Robert Segarini - Guitar, Vox, Bass, Drums, Percussion (Roxy, Ratz, Family Tree, Dudes, Cats & Dogs, Rosebuds, The Us )
• Randy Bishop - Guitar, Keys, Bass, Cowbell, Percussion, Vox (Roxy, Rosebuds)
• Michael Stull -  (Gods Country, Butts Band)
• Bill 'Kootch' Trochim - Bass, Congas, Guitars, Percussion, Kootch (Dudes, Family Tree)
• Ernie Earnshaw - Drums, Percussion, Vox (Royale Monachs, The Forte' Four, Six the Hard Way, BigFoot, Rolling Bob, 6680 Lexington)
• Mark Abramson - Producer
• JP Lauzon - Guitars, Percussion, Piano
• Jerry Mercer - Drums (Mashmakhan, April Wine)
• Fred Otnes - Shredder Art
• Robert L. Heimall - Photography, Art Direction & Design
• Frankie Hart - Backing Vox, Percussion
• Janet Abramson - BackingVox
• Jack Schaeffer - Clarinet, Sax
• Dan-Yen Mantor - Claves, Congas, Shaker
• Nelson Vipod - Engineer
• Adam Holzman - Low D Assist
• Richard Knowles - Tech

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. From the artwork, it reminds me of Terry Gilliam's Monty Python opening, so I imagine the music will not be serious, and perhaps even comical in nature...or maybe just really drug influenced (psychedelic).

Album Review: The album is a strong mixture of folk, psych, power pop, and spaced out jamming. Lots of Beatles & Kinks inspiration. The band was from California, but moved to Quebec before recording this record. Funny thing, was the record was not meant to be the Wacker's third album, but was supposed to be a side project for the creative force. Once Elektra heard the songs, they pushed for the production as a full Wackers album (not The Incredible Duck Brothers). The recordings were also influenced by Monty Python cast members hanging out with the band while recording in the studio for two of the six weeks (MP was on their first North American tour).

Stand Out Track: Eventually, Even You Even Me

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