The Nomads (Texas City band)

The Nomads were an American garage rock/psychedelic rock band from Texas City, Texas near Galveston who were active in the 1960s. The band was known for Frank Ziegel's passionate vocals and a melodic guitar sound. They are not to confused with an number of other bands using the same name in Texas and elsewhere, such as the Nomads from Fort Worth and the Nomads from Mount Airy, North Carolina. The band eventually re-located to California and evolved into the Smoke, who recorded for Uni Records at the end of the 60s.

Contents

• Membership
• Discography
• Songs
• References

The band's membership consisted of Frank Zigel (or Zigal) on lead vocals, Doug (or Bill) Kirby on keyboards, Johnny Orvis on guitar, Fred Thomas on bass, and Shawn Bennett on drums. James Manlove of the Rebellers have been mentioned as members in their lineup at various junctures. Zigel was a charismatic singer who was ably to convey both sincerity and vulnerability in his vocals. The band was also known for a melodic guitar sound, as evidenced in sings such as "I'll Be There." They band was also capable of harder rocking material such as their protopunk version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "My Little Red Book," previously performed by Love, which features an aggressive organ part.

In 1967, the group recorded the single "I Walk Alone" b/w "I'll Be There," which as released in August on Damon Records. In early 1968, they cut a single for the Orbit label, "Situations" b/w "Three o'clock Merrian Webster Time." The group later evolved into the Smoke, but are not to be confused with the freakbeat group from England or another group of the same name from Australia. During their tenure as the Smoke, Johnny Orvis became their focal point and the group relocated to California and cut records for the Uni label in 1969.

The band's work has been featured on various compilations such as Three o'clock Merrian Webster Time put out by Cicadelic Records and Acid Visions Volume 8: Another Time, Another Place, issued by Spalax Records in 2002.