The Sonics: Rob Lind, Gerry Rosalie, Jerry Miller, Bob Bennett, Larry Parypa, Andy Parypa.

Recorded in 1965. Originally released on Etiquette. Includes liner notes by Miriam Linna.

Digitally remastered by Bob Irwin.

Personnel: Larry Parypa (vocals, guitar); Rob Lind (vocals, saxophone); Gerry Roslie (vocals, keyboards); Andy Parypa (vocals); Bob Bennett (drums).

Liner Note Author: Miriam Linna.

If there were a Ring Magazine ranking system for 1960s garage bands, the Sonics would be the undisputed heavyweight champs. Emerging from the same scene that birthed the Kingsmen, the Sonics were a juggernaut of raw rock-&-roll moxie and primal R&B stomp. Possessed of a sound and aesthetic that would have rendered moot any mods-v.-rockers debate, the band dropped a classic of the genre with their 1965 debut.

The album both predates and outpaces many a punk record that followed years later in terms of energy, passion, and attitude. In fact, it's hard to believe that fuzzed-out screamers such as "Psycho," "The Witch," and "Strychnine" didn't set off a tried and true musical revolution right then and there. Anyone even remotely interested in the origins of punk and the classic years of American garage should not sleep until they've purchased this album.

The Sonics that Wailers bassist Buck Ormsby took into a small studio and unleashed on the world show a live band at the peak of its power, ready to mow down the competition without even blinking twice. Their debut long-player (originally issued on the Etiquette imprint) is reprised here with new liner notes by Norton prexy Miriam Linna in the original mono. The flame-throwing hits of "The Witch," "Psycho," "Boss Hoss," and "Strychnine" are aboard, along with versions of "Do You Love Me," "Dirty Robber," "Have Love Will Travel," and "Walkin' the Dog" that are no less potent. This long-play vinyl reissue also boasts the addition of four bonus tracks: "Keep a Knockin'" (the original B-side of "The Witch") and three selections from an Etiquette Christmas album, "Don't Believe in Christmas," "The Village Idiot," and "Santa Claus." Another important chunk of Seattle rock & roll history. ~ Cub Koda

Q (p.128) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Their legendary debut album is a manic thrill, with Gerry Roslie's unhinged screams punching home the band's saxed-up three-chord thrash."

Uncut (p.85) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he clipped ferocity of early Kinks, producing rock'n'roll so rabid that even the ballads were spiked with screams."