15 July 2013

COPENHAGEN, 'Don't Sail Too Near The Wind' b/w 'Tonight' (Copenhagen, 1977)


















COPENHAGEN, 'Don't Sail Too Near The Wind' b/w 'Tonight' (Copenhagen, 1977)


Copenhagen.

A flavourful brand of chewing tobacco.  Also, the capitol of Denmark and the Hamlet kingdom's most populous city. 

Additionally, Mark DeCerbo’s pre-FOUR EYES aggregation with one lone sleeveless self-issued 45 to their credit.

And, while it might not rank up as high in the firmament as ‘Disengaged,’ both sides show DeCerbo’s slavish 60s revival style already well ensconced a full two years prior to the prescription lens being donned and before The Knack was anything other than the title of an old movie starring Rita Tushingham.

But you don’t have to take my word for it; here’s Four Eyes’ Mark:

Even a cursory look would show us that Four Eyes themselves got their start in San Diego circa 1976 as a country boogie band, eventually mutating into a power-pop group called Copenhagen. The quintet lasted just over two years, during which time the group shared a two room flat at the Catamaran Hotel, while nominally the house band at Webb's in Ocean Beach. Copenhagen became the backing band for both blues guitarist Tomcat Courtney and art rocker Gary Wilson, even joining him on a short promo tour for his legendary "You Think You Really Know Me" album.

The line up changed often in their short life span, but by the time their incredibly rare 45 "Tonight/Don't Sail Too Near The Wind" was issued, Copenhagen consisted of DeCerbo (guitar, vocals), Jeff Becker (guitar), "Mighty" Joe Longa (harmonica and keyboards, later with the Jacks and Powerthud), Barry Scott (guitar and vocals, Chris Creasman (bass, vocals) and Steve Bidrowski (drums, later of the Unknowns)- the single by the way is as melodic a piece of jangly pop rock as you're likely to find. Also of note they opened for Cajun legend Doug Kershaw at the La Mesa Lanes Bowling alley, and promptly had their keyboard player nicked by Kershaw.

Power pop with a City Rock chaser.  I rate it as a raer treat.

'DON'T SAIL TOO NEAR THE WIND'

'TONIGHT'

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