Oh My Sweet Lordie, An Old Rastus Fan!
Yep, I have been scouring the net for years for anything Rastus, oh,
ever since I've been wired. Which has been since about 1992. But be
that as it may, I apparently ain't that good a researcher as I missed
your site until this day. But being the rabid credit-monger I am, I
DO recognize the Rhys moniker from the rear jacket of my gatefold
eponymous "Rastus" LP. Also note that you were a co-writer on "Warm"
& "the "I-75 Riff" both which were the two cuts off that disc that
got the best rotation here in Naptown on WNAP, as best as I could
tell. Also the "I-94 Riff" off of Steamin'", which along with "Lucy
Blubird" & "Lazy Kind of Day" got a great deal of airplay on the
Buzzard.
Can I say, that I idolized this band? I saw them everywhere they
played around Indy. Mostly at the Sherwood Country Club on South
Emerson in the sticks, but also at the Rivoli and some club on far
East Washington near Post Road (I cannot recall its name). Got many
hoarse throats and wet jeans over these shows & I'm a guy...straight!
;-) But good music is pure sex, ya know?
Anyway, I feel as though I've missed the party boat? I managed to
find the astonishing release of "Steamin'" on CD on Amazon and
ordered it in a nonce, but see that you had real audio of the first
album up on your site a while back, but it no longer works. Any chance
you have them located elsewhere I am not looking? Sadly I saw that
there was a Mark Allan (a 2nd Gen. Rastus of which I am unfamiliar)
who posted on the Tower of Power website (in pre-blog 2003) about
offering to sell copies of their unreleased 3rd & 4th albums.
I'd have killed! Especially if my monies went to Rastus.
I'd love to see them resurrect, but I am not naive and know this
is not their era.
So, again....the files, where, if anywhere can I find? Would you sell
master tapes that have been burned to CD to a previous Rastus LP
owner. I can offer proof of ownership on a command performance, have
both vinyl jackets in my possession as we speak.
Also, can you verify if the rumor that Smelko is dead? What of? And
when? Man....
Thanx
Being blue ain't all THAT bad,
Rex Stocklin
Fishers
Listen to Rastus here:
Part One....http://demo.bluepower.com/media/rastus-1-32ks.mp3
Part Two....http://demo.bluepower.com/media/rastus-2-32ks.mp3
Part Three..http://demo.bluepower.com/media/rastus-3-32ks.mp3
posted by John Rhys at 6/06/2006 03:36:00 PM
41 Comments:
Sorry to say it's been a few months since I checked the site out - so how did a Rastus CD get released and I didn't know about it????? Needless to say I teleported over to Amazon and ordered "Steamin'" IMMEDIATELY. I have hardly dared hope for a CD version, as my LP is getting very very old...
Now let's close our eyes and wish really hard for a release of the awesome eponymous double album. And maybe some more live tracks? YEAH!
Greg Dunn
So Sad about the death of Sax Player Vic Walkus ( Walkuski ) this past Summer. He was a fabulous musician.
Rastus rehearsed in my famiy's basement when I was a little girl. It is exciting to me to hear so many people from around the world who know just how talented they all were. I have been looking for a copy of their first album, preferablly on CD, but can't find one. Any one know where I can get one?
Sadly, I can confirm that David "Smokey" Smelko is dead. He died too young of a heart attack after jogging about 36 years ago. What a drummer!!!!! This band used to practice at my home in South Euclid Ohio in the basement. I was just a young girl 6-8 years old. I appreciated great music even then!
Hi to everyone in Rastus!
Until very recently I would not have thought to look for you. I clearly remember partying with Johnny, Smokey, (gone for so long) Vic, (sad to hear Vic is gone), Sonny Geraci, Frank, Kathy. My buddies from Euclid, Ohio! I was very young, 19-20 yrs old when you came to LA and stayed at my house in Van Nuys, CA and played at the Whiskey Ago Ago in Hollywood. We had some terrific times and if by chance you read this, please leave a message. This is Penguin, the short blonde girl that was slightly crazy and loved to party.
I have an original vinyl Rastus record but would not part with it for any amount of money. Too precious to turn loose of. Kathy if that is you that said they practiced in your basement, I would love to hear from you.
Penguin
Hi Penguin,
Good to hear from you. This is John Rhys, Rastus' producer. Write me at blupwr@sbcglobal.net. I must talk with you.
The so called 2nd generation of Rastus was still Mike Geraci, Vic Walkus, tenor saxes, John Taylor on bone and Mike Pausic (added) on Bass Bone, Myself (added) on Trumpet. This was the horn section.
Don Nagy still played Bass, Dave Myles was the sole lead singer. Smokey had quit to go to California, and Dobey London became the drummer after countless auditions. Ray Cifani added, played organ and Joey Sanfillipo became the guitar player. Angelo Crimi was still the road manager. The band became 10 + 4 roadies, headed by Robin.
On our first gig with the 10 piece Rastus, during the sound check in the daytime for the opening night in Indy, at the Circus lounge, we found out about Smokey. Everyone flew back to Cleveland for the funeral, and flew back to Indy to play that night.
I have a home-made CD of some of the songs, and some reel to reel tapes if they are still any good, of the concert at the Rivoli Theater. If you were there, that was the 10 piece band.
We all miss Smokey and Vic. Vic's family has MY tapes of literally maybe over 100 concerts, but so far they won't let me or anyone have them. If they ever turn them loose since no one is going to make money on them, since it was 1973ish, I hope we all can at least get back some memories of a band where we had a saying "play till you bleed".
I'm still in contact with Mike, Joey, Angelo and Mikey the Bass Bone player. Mike Geraci and I had many bands after Rastus.
Mark Allan
Btw, We rehearsed in Barb's basement on Green Rd. ages ago. Mike, her son is trying to gather up some of the old recordings, but having a tough time.
Mark Allan
At this moment I'm listening to 15 songs with the 10pc Rastus. Many of them never were released. The breaks just didn't happen. All of them would totally blow anyone's mind, even kicking ass against todays bands. Beyonce' would be speechless as would anyone that could appreciate the most ass-kicking power band ever to exist. We played till we bled and then played some more. This level of musicianship doesn't exist anymore. PERIOD.
Anyone want to hear it?
Mark Allan (The Road Rat)
It is pretty neat to here people talk about Rastus my uncle was Dave “Smokey” Smelko. I never meet him but my father talks about the band. I would appreciate it if anyone had some old memorabilia they would send a picture of it to ssmelko@adelphia.net. If you had any questions please ask. I will try to help.
I'm a huge rastus fan from cincinnati I would love to here the tracks!!!
My name is Kelly. My dad is Dave Myles (Mysliwczyk). He was the lead singer in the 2nd generation of Rastus. He's still around living in South Euclid, OH. If anyone has anything cool they can email me send it to chicagokell@gmail.com. I can also get you in touch with my dad if you're interested.
Just cruising the net and found this blog. I have an old album that I have put on tape - my boys love it!!! My nephew is in a band now and wants a copy to listen to so he can get the base parts down! When I told him the band broke up when his mom was in elementary school he laughed. I found the link to order the cd that was produced and would love to be able to get the other album in cd. Can't wait to load it onto my mp3!! Mark - if you can share any of the other stuff that would be great!
If I can get some copies made, even a few, I'll do what I can.
The 10 Piece Rastus, aka 2nd Gen ..We played at Tom Jone's Back Room in the Flats, one night. By the end of the 1st set, there were literally thousands and the roadies put a couple of our A7s outside, since the club didn't hold but a few people.
It was amazing...
My dad, who played drums never heard the band till that night, and described the band "it sounds like your about to be run over by a 707" ..
No one, I mean NO one plays that hard, yet technical, and still keeping it kick ass... and to this day, it sounds like it was recorded yesterday.
Yeah I'm biased, but the recordings DO cash the check my mouth just wrote. lol
Mark Allan
Nice to hear there are many Rastus fans. Rastus played for our senior prom in '74 at Carroll High School in Flora, Indiana and were well received by all - great bank, great sound. I just visited iTunes and listened to all the cuts off their first album - brought back alot of memories.
Enjoyed everyone's blog.
Kirk Segraves
TX
What a great find!! Came across the blog by accident having Googled Rastus while at my desk at work.
The memories are pouring out. I'm also from South Euclid and played with Mike Pausic in Chance. We were HUGE fans! I still have Don Nagy's Silver Flair trumpet which I was thrilled to have bought from him at his apartment in Euclid. Great guy.
I'm now living in Denver, having stayed active in the Cleveland music scene and played with Chance up until the week before I moved 7 years ago. I remember seeing Rastus and playing at Tom Jones' Back Room many times. I try to tell my teen kids about those days. They don't want to hear it.
Believe me, Rastus was a great inspiration to our young group and we were always deeply impressed by their talents and sound. Still am, obviously.
I was fortunate to see them live a few times in Indianapolis in the early 70's. They were awesome! Only one horn band can compare and that's TOP. I have been searching for a CD for a couple of years. Maybe I can secure one now. Thanks to stumbling across this blog.
WOW, FINALLY FOUND SOME RASTUS FANS. WAS JUST ASKING MY WIFE IF SHE THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND OUT IF ALL BAND MEMBERS WERE STILL ALIVE & WELL. FOLLOWED HER SUGGESTIONS. SORRY TO HERE THAT SOME ARE NO LONGER WITH US. WHAT TALENT.RECEIVED A TURNTABLE, FOR CHRISTMAS, THAT ALLOWS YOU TO RECORD VINYL TO CD'S. WAS MAKING COPIES OF THE 1ST & STEAMIN' ALBUMS.LOT'S OF POPS & CRACKS. HAVEN'T MASTERED THIS THING YET.
SAW RASTUS AT THE OLD SHERWOOD CLUB & ALSO AT THE CIRCUS. MARC HAD LEFT THE BAD WHEN I SAW THEM @ THE CIRCUS. ASKED ONE OF THE CREW ABOUT HIM, WAS TOLD THAT HIS WIFE WANTED HIM HOME & THAT HE WENT TO WORK @ ROTO-ROOTER OR SOMPEPLACE LIKE THAT. HIS WORDS NOT MINE.ANYWAY, FOUND STEAMIN' ON LINE IN CD FORM & WILL ORDER. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR HOW THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE & HOPE ARE ALL WELL.
TOMKAT FROM INDY
Ahhh... A warm evening at the Sherwood Country Club listening to one of the VERY best horn bands ever - Rastus. I am glad I found this site. I too am a long time fan with the original album. Saw on Rhombus Records web site that they have a remake of the Steamin album. I am trying to locate a CD since my vinyl days have gone by the wayside of everything digital. I long for the simpler days of listening to th buzzard and waiting to learn where Rastus was playing next in Indy. Real music like this is sadly missed as I tell my college age children. JL
I love what I've heard; the guitarist and the sax player are amazing, and the singer's voice blows me away (Big City Letdown!). I have Steamin' from my father's collection - but how can I get my hands on any other recorded material? Does anyone have it in digital format? Or anything they can tell me how to get, or get to me? Please!
Howdy Rastus Fans....Just wanted to tell you we have just completed transferring all the Rastus material into the digital format. We shall have the Rastus page up sometime next month. We have all recorded material (both the double LP and Steamin') plus all the original demos and several live concerts of amazing quality. We have a radio show plus the soundtrack from Detroit Tubeworks performance of "Lucy Bluebird" (a killer performance from the band and George Sopuch). We also have the last concert Rastus played as the original unit.
We will have pictures, single song downloads, ads etc. All this coming from BluePower.com. The legitimate home of anything Rastus. All the remaining members of the band participate in this venture.
What ever happened to the lead singer Marc Spirou? I listened to "Warm" many years ago and was blown away by his voice. Too bad it was un-released it could have been a hit.
The song "Warm" was released on Rastus' first LP in 1969. Actually "Warm" was released as a single and made the top-forty charts in New Orleans in early 1970. However, the record company (GRT) had no intention of spending the money necessary to make the single happen. You see Rastus was signed as a loss for the company and that's just what it was....a loss for the company and the music world. I know because I wrote the song and produced the band.
I used to party with Vic at his house/studio in Brunswick, OH as a teenager in the late 80's. He used to play his old tapes and show us all these old photos of himself and Rastus. Great times...
Rest in Peace Vic.
I was introduced to Rastus in the late 60's when Danny Magellan just left the band"The Lively Ones" from the Vanguard Lounge in parma oh.I had never heard such a band as rastus. I went to Nagles every chance i had.Also to the "Chesterland Hullabaloo" I was friends with Tony at the time. I have both albums and still listen to them constantly.I could talk about them all day.I am going to start looking for a CD of both albums.I always compared then to a combo of Tower of Power and Chicago.
I just stumbled across this blog, and I too wanted to jump in and claim to be a *long time* Rastus fan. I also have the original vinyl LPs of both "Rastus" and "Steamin". I recently dug out the "Rastus" Double LP set and transfered them to CD so I could continue enjoying them! One of my favorite bands of all time.
-Rich
Wow I to am surprised, let me be the first to apalogise to you all , you see I have all the tapes that every ones talkin about.and the band knows it And with the help of john rhys may you all will get a chance to here the gratest music never heard! So again.I am sorry for watinin so long ijust found the blog my self, my name is mike cirino, and it was my basment they rehearsed in first on euclid hts.blvd.in cleve.hts.ohio second on green rd.south euclid,(btw if you bought the new c.d.with the bonus tracks on it The track roadratt is not a live recording it wad recorded on the green road sessions all of witch ihqave and all another story)john rhys please contact me. rastus.roadratt@yahoo.com mydays with rastus really go back to the days of little ceasr and the empire. I have music from those days. Right on up to today more than any body any where and I have two d.v.d.s of the last to live perfomaces of the band in the flats in cleveland and I talk to all the guys including "mark roman" so the possibility of some new recordings aint so farfetched so again john rhys please contact me. And anyone else that would like to for that matter I'll post some stories at another tyme sure am glad I found this site and hope to help those ivolved the here the grestest music never heard,or as I like to say you shoulda heard what I seen!!!!!
PENQUIN. GET IN TOUCH WITH ME ANGELO OF RASTUS ANGELOCRIMI@SBCGLOBAL.NET WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU
i just came across this site in an attempt to locate a member. i am Angelo's daughter. I never appreciated the music when I was younger.now I am totally blown away by it! Amazing!!!
Hi! My name is Gregg and I'm the recording engineer and producer of The Steamin' album. WOW! I'm kind of freaked. I was looking for something on youtube when I thought I'd do a search for Rastus which led me to Amazon.com and the Rastus album. I was very surprised to find it and even more surprised to see that it has been modified. Four songs on the original Steamin' album appear to be missing. I doubt the record company that put out Steamin' released this. They only had the rights to release the original 12 songs. Anyway, I'm happy to see so many people still love this band. I'd like to hear from the guys in the band at that time. If you are one of those guys, verify by telling me the name of the one song that we left off the album. It was one of my favorites, but I haven't listened to it since the album came out.
Good Morning Gregg....If you were the engineer and producer of the "Steamin' " LP, why didn't the band give you credit in the liner notes? All I know is that I was called in to re-mix most of the second LP at Paragon Studios by Angelo and the band. If you did the original recording, you did an excellent job but we had worked out all the songs prior to the band recording in Chicago. In fact, Rastus had been performing those songs for over six months on the road so most of the production points had been worked out via live performance. I have tried to contact the original record companies in order to work out a payment plan for all parties. However; the original labels have been bought and sold so many times that no one knows which end is up. We are now dealing with the various publishers involved.
If you would like to know more Gregg, please contact me directly at blupwr@sbcglobal.net. I'd love to hear from you. John Rhys
saw rastus at the old whiskey a gogo in la in 1971-72 and at the brass ring they were alwsum,beleave it or not a guy i know picked up the steamin lp i japan last year,all the printing was in japanese
why has 'Steamin' been re-released, and not the first album?
I went to Parma High and remember Danny Magellan from school. Danny also had a friend named Bill Leader. Does anyone know where Danny is living now. Danny if you read this, does Tommy Vasil come to mind? Please let me know.
Mike Lehet
Hi Mark This is Vics Family -
If those recorings are yours why do I have them. Apperently, there was a disagreement between you and my father because he specifically said not to give them up. For some reason. Mabey I should start selling them myself.
The last I heard,Danny was the owner of a company in California.He does come back to town once in awhile.i heard that the last time he was in he got up on stage with his original group,The Morris brothers.
I have found a few copies of BOTH albums on eBay, if anyone is interested.
1973. London, Ontario, Canada. I had playing saxophone in high school for two years. I was really getting into Chicago, Blood and Sweat and Tears-I immediately loved the sound of Rock Horns. Anyway, I used to venture downtown with my $8 allowance and buy a record every week. My practice was to buy a prederterminded LP and then if I had any money left over, check out the delete bins.
On this particular day I remember buying "Deliver the Word" by War with the main part of my allowance. I had a little left over maybe 3 bucks, so I checked out the delete bins. I looked and saw an album with a front photo of 10 real hippie/biker looking cats (I was a straight looking pimply faced 15 year at the time, btw). The thing about these guys for me was that there was four guys playing horns. The bari player was sitting outside of a house. The bone player had a pipe to smoke alternative tobbacco in his pic. And two tenor players just looked like real serious tough dudes. I had no idea who Rastus was, but I had to buy it and check it out. And it was a double album!!!!! What a score. I wore the grooves out on that album. I transcribed a couple of Mike Geraci's solos-he is a really great player with a individual sound.
Thanks Rastus. Glad to see that there is a few things about you guys on the net. As soon as I got the net, I started looking for things about Rastus. One of the most interesting bands that unfortunately very few ever heard about. Theres a few horn bands here in Toronto, and they cover all the usual suspects-Chicago, Tower, BST, EWF. You never hear of a band covering a Rastus tune, and that's a shame.
I'm a big Rastus fan, and I just posted a Facebook album with some Rastus photos that I took. These were shot at the Circus Lounge in Indianapolis in April of 1973, could this have been the debut night of the 10 piece band, the day of Smokey's funeral? Here's the link, and I do have higher resolution scans of these if someone is interested:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2019349&id=1004182552&l=9c5a52ce70
-GaryD
Gary, those pics are GREAT! I sent them to my Dad. He's the singer with the white pants, Dave Myles. Thanks!
I grew-up in Parma, OH and I first heard of Rastus when my drum teacher, John Warren, turned me on to the double album. John played the local Cleveland scene in a band at the time called "The Rapid Transit". He was a great source of non-pop music. FM radio was maybe in it's infancy and all we had was WIXY 1260 - WMMS didn't exist!
I just purchased turntable to convert my old LPs to MP3 for my iPod and the first album I did was my almost 40 year-old Rastus double. The scratches, cracks and pops, are mind-numbing but the memories of trying to keep up with the drum riffs were great! I saw on the Rastus.US.com site that there were a few recordings available for purchase. Will the entire album be available at some time?
To the guys with Rastus that may see this, thanks for the music then and the wonderful memories now. By the way, the music is still great today!!!
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