I heard that they got their band name from the cover boy of Mad Magazine.
With names like Rex Beaton, Gravel Beaton and Billie Telephone, this band was hard to beat. That's the bottom line. The 5 piece group also included an organist, which isn't too too common in Los Angeles. As Angelinos like to say, “Good luck With That!”
Part Myths, Part Legends, they hail from Santa Ana, some miles shy of Los Angeles. I mean, everybody was talking about the Neumans. From Santa Monica to past El Monte. I've seen them play at Burbank's Viva Cantina featuring the international Garage Generators, The Fadeaways. Like the USA Gym Team, the Fadeaways did the splits and high jumps. Their image was like crisp blue jeans soaked in Garage ROCKNROLL.
https://youtu.be/25Z2Mjsg-b8
"I Don't Mind" is one of the songs that come to mind when I think of The Neumans debut record on Screaming Apple Records. The intro is like a volcano erupting sounds and poetic angst. I actually bought the record from Rex himself at one of their shows with the Black Mambas. I know that they were also on the roster at Wild Records.
The record is a cave of jewels. "The Stroke of Midnite" song was like The Supremes "Come See About Me" meets "Don't Blow Your Mind" by the Spiders. The Neumans could rub shoulders with any band off the comp Back from the Grave" or any 1965 ish LA Garage Bands.
This band is solid. A real standout. When we were living in Los Angeles, this band gave me something to believe in. Their style was Garage elegance at its best. Like a water ride at Knotts Berry Farm, they soak you with rhythm and impervious melodic raucous. Their shows will leave you rubbing your stomach like, "Good Meal ...Well Done! Desert??"
Before you leave, I put together a classic Cali split single with
The Neumans on Side A…
And The Misunderstood on Side B…
Please go ahead and delight yourself by picking up this Neuman's record for yourself at the link to Discogs. You can also pick it up from Screaming Apple.
Folks, I know there are so many music platforms from cds to mp3s. I prefer records in order to pick up more details and especially when they were recorded with this format as an integral component.
If you would like to see for yourself, there are many inexpensive record player options out there. Of course, as with anything you go straight to professional level and spend more. That's up to you. Right now I have a Crosley and although it could be much better, it will do for now.