Flamin' Groovies

2026 will be the 60th anniversary of the FLAMIN' GROOVIES!!

They are the rarest of rare. A band from the sixties, who changed course in the seventies, never bowed to any then-current trends, avoided great commercial success, took a break for twenty years, survived it all, and have been going strong for the past twelve. Their audience is an amazing mix of young and old, many of whom may have only recently discovered them.

Over the course of the band’s extensive history, they have been described as legendary Fillmore era San Francisco band, as classic rock, power pop, punk rock, garage rock, and a few other categorizations (which are actually all correct).

Originating in San Francisco in 1966, the band has been touring and performing (in)consistently for nearly six decades, exceeding all expectations, presenting their own unique and infectious style of rock 'n' roll with such cult classics as "Slow Death," "Teenage Head," and of course, "Shake Some Action." The current lineup features Cyril Jordan, Tony Sales on drums, Atom Ellis on bass, and two newer, younger members, Sean Fitzsimmons and Miki Rogulj on guitars. According to leader, Cyril Jordan, this is the best lineup in the entire history of the band, and he couldn’t be happier.

Their live show features a repertoire that spans the band’s career, emphasizing both 1971’s “Teenage Head” album (associated with more old time rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, Stones and Yardbirds influences), as well as the power pop period (Beatles and Byrds influenced) more associated with the band's three albums on Sire Records in the late 70s. Their place in history is well established as one of the all-time greatest bands from San Francisco (and the world) and as progenitors of real rock 'n' roll.

A little history: The Flamin' Groovies story goes all the way back to 1965 when the band began as the Chosen Few in their hometown of San Francisco, California. After a name change and a self-released 10-inch album called Sneakers, which sold amazingly well, the band caught the attention of Columbia who sent them into the studio with a big budget to record their first real album, Supersnazz, on the Epic label. Their next two albums were on Kama Sutra, Flamingo, and the revered classic Teenage Head.

Original lead singer Roy Loney left the band right after that and lead guitarist Cyril Jordan moved the group to England with Chris Wilson (formerly of Loose Gravel) taking over as front man. They continued their style of straight ahead guitar driven rock 'n' roll but this time with a more 60’s rather than 50’s influences. A few singles on United Artists, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with Dave Edmunds producing, followed in the early 70s. In 1976 they signed to Sire Records, who released three true gems of power pop: Shake Some Action, Flamin' Groovies Now, and Jumpin' In the Night.

Another lineup change ensued, with Wilson moving to England and joining the Barracudas. The Groovies continued on through the 80s and into the early 90s touring Australia and Europe, putting out a fine but overlooked album called Rock Juice and then finally calling it quits. The band reunited in 2013 for an Australian tour (at the behest of their friends the Hoodoo Gurus), and have since played throughout the USA, including multiple tours of the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest, half a dozen highly successful tours of Europe, repeated visits to Japan, and of course, plenty of shows in their hometown of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.

Some newcomers are asking, "Why haven't I ever heard of this group?" It's hard to say just why the group hasn't got the attention they deserve (at least in the USA) but they're back to give everyone another chance at hearing and seeing just why those in the know consider them one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands ever.