The Smubbs

The Smubbs
OriginLong Island, New York
Genres
Years active1964-1970
Labels

The Smubbs were an American psychedelic pop band formed in Long Island, New York during 1964. The group went on to play with several popular musicians of the time: opening for the Byrds[1] and James Gang,[2] playing a free concert alongside Spooky Tooth and Traffic,[3][4] and eventually touring with Pete Seeger.[5] They released a single studio album and multiple singles before breaking up in 1970. They were one of the earliest musicians who grew public environmental awareness through their music.

History

Brothers Richard Segall and Michael Segall formed the Smubbs with St. Anthony's schoolmates George Utter, brothers Jimmy Braunreuther and Al Braunreuther, and Mollinelli.[a] The band's name came as a combination of the founding members' last initials, though Mollinelli soon left the band.

They released their debut single under ABC-Paramount Records in 1966. Jerry Davis and Vinny Villany replaced the Braunreuthers before the Smubbs' second single was released in 1968. From the local attention they garnered, they were able to secure a new contract with Monument Records.[6] Their long play album This Is The End Of The Night! would be released under this label, remaining today as the only album published from before their break-up. Around this time they would perform for several different TV programs, including Upbeat and WCBS-TV's Callback![7][8]

They would perform their last single, "Un-Pollution," while dressed in pig costumes during the first Earth Day celebration.[9][10] The single's record released with an extended version that included an audio excerpt from then-president Richard Nixon's 1970 State of the Union Address. The record was thereafter sent to every United States representative, senator, and governor.[11] The environmental conscientiousness displayed by the group attracted the attention of Pete Seeger, who invited them on a nationwide tour.[12][13] The band broke up later that year, after which Richard Segall and his wife moved to Hollywood where their son Ricky Segall played the role of Little Ricky on The Partridge Family.[14] George Utter and Steven Shene continued their musical career and formed Day Olde Tradition with Shene's wife.[15]

The Smubbs' former manager Louis Lofredo published new digital content from the band in 2018 under Carlou Music (BMI). This included unreleased tracks and re-recordings of previously released tracks. This content was published without the input of any former band members.[16]

Personnel

Founding members

  • Richard Segall – vocals (1964-1970)
  • Mollinelli – percussion (1964)
  • George Utter – rhythm guitar (1964-1970)
  • Jimmy Braunreuther – lead guitar (1964-1967)
  • Al Braunreuther – percussion (1964-1967)
  • Michael Segall – bass, backing vocals (1964-1968; died 2023)

Later members

  • Jerry Davis – lead guitar (1967-1970; died)
  • Vinny Villany – percussion (1967-1970; died)
  • Steven Shene – bass (1968-1970)
  • Nicholas Marchiano – (1970)[17][18]

Discography

Singles

  • "Down On The Corner" / "Don't Come Close" (1966) (ABC 45-10797)
  • "It Can't Be Too Late" / "Her Love" (1968) (Spring SK 703 SS)
  • "Rosary Anne" / "Mr. Open Minded" (1968) (Monument MN 45-1110)
  • "Wait Another Heartache" / "White Paper Sail" (1969) (Monument MN 45-1141)
  • "Mommas Blues" / "Children" (1970)
  • "Un-Pollution (Short Version)" / "Un-Pollution (Complete Version)" (1970) (Monument MN 45-1191)

Albums

Notes

  1. ^ Mollinelli's first name goes unremembered.

References

  1. ^ "Michael "Mike" Paul Segall". Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  2. ^ "JAMES GANG APPEARS IN CONCERT" (PDF). Darien Neirad. Vol. 69, no. 18. March 1970. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  3. ^ Robinson, Richard (October 7, 1968). "NEW YORK CITY" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 10, no. 6. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  4. ^ "12,000 ATTEND PARK CONCERT" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 80, no. 40. October 5, 1968. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  5. ^ Kirby, Fred (June 13, 1970). "From The Music Capitals of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 82, no. 24. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Smubbs to Monument" (PDF). record world. Vol. 23, no. 1119. November 16, 1968. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  7. ^ "TV Program Highlights" (PDF). The Belleville Times. Vol. 60, no. 52. July 31, 1969. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  8. ^ Ochs, Ed (February 22, 1969). "From The Music Capitals of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 81, no. 8. p. 57. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  9. ^ Garrett, Diane; Gray, Tim (April 22, 2020). "Earth Day at 50: Looking Back at Hollywood's Early Green Scene". Variety. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  10. ^ Crawford, Louise (April 22, 2006). "APRIL 22, 1970: THE FIRST EARTH DAY". Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn. Retrieved 11 April 2024. Archived 12 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ DiPetto, Adam (April 26, 1970). "strictly youthsville". Daily News. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  12. ^ DiPetto, Adam (July 19, 1970). "Lowdown On Youth". Niagara Falls Gazette. Vol. 77, no. 126. p. 47. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Smubbs Join Seeger" (PDF). record world. Vol. 25, no. 1199. June 6, 1970. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Ricky Segall Visits Bell Records". Getty Images. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2024. Archived 31 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "The Smubbs". badcatrecords.com. Retrieved 30 March 2024. Archived 18 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Long Island NY Rock Music of the 60's, Volume # 10". Amazon. Retrieved 31 March 2024. Archived 31 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "Nuptials MARCHIANO—CHAMBERS". The Long Island Advance. Vol. 29. March 19, 1970. p. 8. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  18. ^ "From The Music Capitals of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 82, no. 13. March 28, 1970. p. 35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  19. ^ "The Smubbs - Discography". 45cat. Retrieved 4 April 2024.