Gary Bernard recalls his time drumming with Bakersfield’s 1960s garage band The Avengers. Their sets combined popular British Invasion, surf, pop and instrumental covers, alongside originals. Bernard played on all their recordings except “Shipwrecked”, citing Bobby Elliott, Ringo Starr and…

Gerry Blake recounts The Avengers’ origins as a Bakersfield, California garage band formed around 1964. The group released five singles, recorded with Gary Paxton, played school dances and major support slots, and enjoyed local airplay. Blake describes their influences, equipment,…