The Lollipop Shoppe ● Just Colour

Rock and roll 101: Don’t call your band The Lollipop Shoppe and expect to escape notice of The “I-Own-Every-Record-You’d-Never-Buy” CD Consumer’s Guide. This odd and somewhat confusing moniker, forced upon the group by their then-manager, Lord Tim Hudson, is ill-suited for such an aggressive, guitar-heavy hard rock ensemble. Originally known as The Weeds, The Lollipop Shoppe released Just Colour in 1968 on UNI Records. The album kicks off with the now-classic “You Must Be a Witch,” a blistering slice of psychedelic garage rock (the song also appears on an expanded version of the groundbreaking Nuggets compilation). The snarling, punk-like fireworks continue on songs like “Who’ll Read the Will,” “Don’t Look Back” and “You Don’t Give Me No More,” all of which feature a somewhat frightening combination of raucous vocals, vicious power chords and manic drum beats. The group’s gentler, more melodic approach takes form on “Baby Don’t Go,” “It’s Only a Reflection” and “It Ain’t How Long,” but it’s the band’s frantic aural assault for which they are remembered (or not). Apparently recorded in just one day, Just Colour is extremely raw and unpolished, its musical shortcomings made up for with pure energy. Energy doesn’t sell records, however, and The Lollipop Shoppe closed its doors for good in 1969.

Notes: Here is an audio-only YouTube clip of The Lollipop Shoppe's "You Must Be a Witch:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jnHYW8Er2E.