“Fire” / “A Wristwatch Band” (Columbia 4-44605) July 1968

This band came from Springfield, Massachusetts and these Boss Tweeds were not the same as the Boss Tweads who released a 45 on Studio City.

The promo copy of this record had ’Fire’ as the ’suggested side’ although for my money the flip is far better. ’Fire’ is the Jimi Hendrix song and this version is not without merit but how can the original be bettered or even equalled for that matter? Well, the answer is it can’t of course, but maybe Columbia thought this side would be a hit for them.

’A Wristwatch Band’ is a Bill Wendry original and it’s a shame this wasn’t the side to be played by radio stations. First off it’s a strange title for a song don’t you think? and the music is classy and twisted psychedelia. Just how I like it!

’I’m going out of my head
A man is dead
Beneath the floor
Old heaven’s door
A wristwatch band.’

Bill Wendry

Both sides were produced by Jimmy ’Wiz’ Wisner who worked with other Columbia artists including The Buckinghams and Jacobs Creek.

This song has been compiled before on Incredible Sound Show Stories Volume 6 and Psychedelic Unknowns Volume 7. For some reason Bill Wendry & the Boss Tweeds were not included in the 60s garage and psych book ”Teenbeat Mayhem” and have never surfaced in any fanzines.

DISCOGRAPHY:

”Fire” / ”A Wristwatch Band” (Columbia 4-44605) July 1968
”Tryin’ To Get To You” / ”When He’s Home” (Columbia 4-44825) April 1969
”Love Is A Happening” / ”Heartache Line” (Columbia 4-44961) August 1969

(All three singles charted on WHYN Radio 560, Springfield, MASS. ”Fire” was the most successful reaching the Top 10 )

I have made contact with the Boss Tweeds drummer Dan Leone who sent me a copy of the 1968 Columbia publicity photograph sent to radio stations and magazines etc. Dan is pictured top row centre, aged 16.

Dan: Please keep in mind that there was another band called the Boss Tweads from UMass during this time but we were the Boss Tweeds from Shrewsbury, Mass (Worcester) and the band that recorded on Columbia records in 1968 and 1969 under the management of Ken Capurso Productions who also managed Danny Bonnaducci of the Partridge Family during that time.

Some major gigs: Opening band for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap at the Hartford Bushnell Auditorium (1969); Opening band for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels at the Mountain Park in Springfield, Mass (1969)

Opened for The Fireballs and Beacon Street Union

All band members grew up together and went to high school together.