Flamin' Groovies

Career

Their first EP, 1968's Sneakers, was self-released and featured Jordan (guitar, vocals), Loney (guitar, vocals), George Alexander (bass, harmonica, vocals), Tim Lynch (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and Danny Mihm (drums). As a result of its success, they were signed to a contract by Epic Records and released 1969's Supersnazz. It contained both re-creations of 1950s rock and roll and more melodic songs that anticipated the power pop movement of the 1970s—a genre to which the Flamin' Groovies would eventually contribute significant work. However, the album's low sales led to their release by Epic. They then signed to Kama Sutra Records for their next two albums, 1970's Flamingo and 1971's Teenage Head. Teenage Head is listed in the 2006 book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

In 1971, Loney left the band and was replaced by singer and guitarist Chris Wilson, who, along with Jordan, began to move the group in a more overtly power pop direction. Tim Lynch left the band along with Loney and was replaced by James Farrell. In 1972, the band teamed up with British producer Dave Edmunds and reached a deal to sign with United Artists Records, but the deal was never expanded beyond two single releases, which effectively left the band in limbo for two years. Little was heard of the group during this period except for the two 1972 United Artists singles: the 1972 anti-drug song "Slow Death" (co-written by Loney and Jordan before Loney's departure) and a cover version of Freddie Cannon's "Tallahassee Lassie". During this lull, drummer Danny Mihm also left the band, to be replaced by David Wright. Finally in 1975, the Flamin' Groovies signed to the new (but poorly distributed) label Sire Records, and recorded and released (in 1976) Shake Some Action, produced by Edmunds, which received rave critical reviews.

Sire's distribution was taken over by Warner Bros. Records in 1977, and so the Groovies returned to a major label; however, James Farrell then left the band, to be replaced by Mike Wilhelm. The band then recorded two more albums for Sire/Warners, 1978's Flamin' Groovies Now, also produced by Dave Edmunds, and 1979's Jumpin' in the Night, produced by Jordan and Roger Bechirian.

The commercial failure of Jumping' in the Night led Chris Wilson to quit the Flamin' Groovies in 1980. After a 1987 live re-recordings of older material entitled One Night Stand, featuring only Jordan and Alexander from the original band, and a 1989 greatest hits album focused on the Jordan-Wilson recordings entitled Groovies' Greatest Grooves, the Flamin' Groovies disbanded in 1992.

Post-breakup and reunions

In 1979, Roy Loney formed the Phantom Movers featuring original Groovies drummer Danny Mihm, former Groovie James Ferrell (guitar), as well as Larry Lea (guitar) and Maurice Tani (bass). The band released a number of well-received albums as well as a greatest hits CD ("A Hundred Miles an Hour 1978-1989" on the Raven label out of Australia). The Phantom Movers (Roy, Larry, and Maurice) continue to play, with the addition of John Moremen on drums; Roy and Larry have been working on new material.

The Flamin' Groovies headlined the Azkena rock festival in Mendizabala, Spain, on September 11, 2004. In 2005, Jordan founded a new band, Magic Christian.

In 2008, Loney and Jordan reunited and embarked on a brief tour, backed by members of the A-Bones and Yo La Tengo.

Another larger-scale reunion appears on the recent Chris Wilson album Love Over Money (2010). Roy Loney, George Alexander, James Ferrell and Mike Wilhelm all appear on the CD, as does Procol Harum’s keyboard legend Matthew Fisher and Barracudas guitarist Robin Wills. The album is available on the French Rock Paradise label.

In 2013, the Jordan/Wilson/Alexander line-up played live for the first time since 1981 in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth as part of the Hoodoo Gurus' invitational Dig It Up. They also played a series of sold-out shows in Japan. Their show in San Francisco, at The Elbo Room on May 4, sold out in less than 24 hours. They are currently touring, with the addition of Victor Penalosa on drums.

Keyboardist Mark Dunwoody died of a heart attack on June 12, 2013.

Albums

EPs

Singles

Live albums

Compilation albums