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www.SteveTmusic.com
For more information, email Steve Thomas
Music from Steve Thomas
The Todes (1965-1969) & Beyond (1969 to present)
"...'Good Things' by The Todes (sounds) as if they have arrived straight from inside the dark, brick-walled corridors of a club on the Strip such as Bido Lito's." - Domenic Priore, in his book, Riot On Sunset Strip: Rock'N'Roll's Last Stand In Hollywood (See source email below)
Photo of Steve Thomas in The Todes (pronounced "Toads")
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Circa: 1965-1969
"It's the Todes! ....
Dance this Saturday Night at the Steelworker's Hall to Utah's Number One Band: The Todes!... Be there.... or be square!"
Yes, that was the actual copy for the ads.
However, "be square" was cutting edge cool back then.
The Todes really were Utah's #1 band having appeared and competed on Channel 4 TV's Battle of the Bands at Lagoon Resort in Salt Lake City.
The Todes release a hit single in the state of Utah, "Good Things". At single in Utah, the tune was being played on the juke box (flash back, heh?) of in Hollywood's Hullabaloo Club -- and at a critical moment, the record label, Emanon Records, went bankrupt. If we had known then, what we know now, we would have had a national hit. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, good dreams never die. |
Source of "Good Things on the strip quote" found in the book by Domenic Priore, Riot On Sunset Strip: Rock'N'Roll's Last Stand In Hollywood
From: Dave Donahoe (Currently plays Guitar and Sings in a band in Virginie, and former member of the Todes)
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:57 PM
To: stevethomas@bigplanet.com
Subject: Re: well, we'll be passing through Richmond sometime Sunday ..
Steve,
That quote from the book is ultra cool. We had returned to BYU and I really didn't know what efforts the record company was making to get exposure in LA, or if they were having any success (I know you have said it was played at the Hullabalou Club) but the fact that someone writing a book about the Sunset Strip scene in 1965 and 1966 mentions the Todes' Good Things, as: [SEE ABOVE]
.... that just shows that the record was heard, appreciated and remembered in LA (it would be interesting to know how/where the author heard the record --- in a club, on the radio, both?) and that in the opinion of a historian of that time and place, the record fit the time and the scene - very cool.
Listen Up!
"Good Things" (1966) - By The Todes (Words and music by Steve Thomas; arranged by: The Todes. Members: Steve Thomas, Dan Doty, Dave Donahoe and Al Thomas). On this tune, Lead Vocal and Lead Guitar: Steve Thomas; Bass: Dan Doty; Rythm Guitar: Dave Donahoe; Drums: Al Thomas and others including Danny Murphy, Bruce Knoles); Keyboards: Mike Hart; Back Up Vocals: Steve, Al Dan and Dave; Produced by Emanon Records and The Todes.)
The Hit Single from the late 60s
Number 1 in Utah, played in California
Good Things* - The whole tune. This was the #1 hit record in Utah in the late 60's. Written and performed by the Todes.
Good Things* - A Sound Bite from Dave Donahoe, found on the web on a 60's music site. The sound is a bit different; something was lost in all the dubbing and recording over the year?
NOTE: Notice the fuzz guitar in the "sound bite"! Somehow the fuzz sound has been lost in the long recording. Dave Donahoe has found a 45 rpm record of the Todes "Good Things" which he purchased for nearly $80 off of a web site. Why the price? The web master said: "... I feel I have a pretty good grasp on pricing. ... I do have one of the best ears in the biz for sound..."
Here are his actual words in his email:
"Hi David - since I sell thousands of records every year (and have done so for 20 years or so) I feel I have a pretty good grasp on pricing. I specialize in small oddball pressings which didn't come anywhere near making the Top 40, and my clientele is mostly those looking for the unusual, hard-to-find etc. I've sold, I think, 80% of the records I've listed in the "Garage" category where yours was listed, $75 isn't a totally unusual price for a limited-release item that has some musical desirability. I've already moved 2 or 3 records this year in the $1,000 range and commonly sell $100+ records almost every week. In some cases, like yours, it's "name your price and see what happens", I do have one of the best ears in the biz for sound and do quite well. I've often undersold items, too. Ray"
 For a larger photo, click here.
"Good Things Revisited" (2005) - Ephen Steven (For basic credits, see above; and additional arrangement contributions and vocals from Lead Guitar: Rick Bos, and Bassist: Vern; Produced by Ephen Stephen.)
Other tunes recorded as audition tapes for the Todes.
You'd Better Go
Heartbreaker
More about the Todes: Featured on www.60sGarageBands.com
About the Todes, here.
About the Dave, Dan and Steve, here.
About the Dave and the Vectors and Remnants, here.
From the late 70s (and recent REDOs!)
Like a King (Acoustic Version) - 1st recording, 1st performance of this tune -- EVER!. I was LA, a heart beat before "The Todes" (aka "St. Thomas Axis" aka "Psalm") broke up. I didn't "know it" at the time; but listen to the words. I wrote this song at 3 am and was in the studio at 9am. I said "I've got a new one." And our producer, John Guess, said: "Let me turn on the recorder." "Wait! I don't have a real chorus or set transitions, I want the band to work it." Well, I made them up as I went a long. Within a few days, the band disbanded. No overdubs. No retakes. 1st time ever. Steve, solo.
Like a King (Organ Mix) Some time in the 80s, I invited my friend and former band mate Clair Call to dub over an organ track (onto a fairly HEAVY version of this tune.) (Steve, Dand, and Al had done a "garage take" and gave the cassette to Clair who jammed.)
Like a King (2004 Live at the Car Show) Restless, we revisited the tune. Just for fun. (Steve, Dan, Al, and Rick Bos faintly in the background.)
Like a King (Jake's Cover) Probably my greatest acheivement! One of the highest forms of flaterry: My son, a now-home-builder, former-musician-in-his-own-right, did a cover of this tune. Rock on! (And, by the way, Jake performs ALL the instruments and vocals. MULTIPLE rock ons!!
Utah's 1st Music Video (Aired on KCPX Channel 4)
Then the Todes got together with Rick Bos to arrange and perform some tunes for Larry John, "Cannon Ball" on KCPX Channel 4's early morning cartoon show, "Hotel Banderdash." What you are about to hear was one of the first "rock videos" ever produced and aired on Salt Lake City TV in Utah. This was the deal: We agreed to arrange and perform some audition tunes written and sung by Larry for his TV show, and he would produce a tune written by us/me and air the tune on TV -- if the tune was good enough. Trivia: The Provo radio station for which I had been program director, would not play this tune. Why? The sound was too "southern gospel" -- or something similar. Enjoy!
"Reverend LaMar" (Circa 1979) - Rumple Band (words by Steve Thomas; music written and arranged by: The Todes (Steve Thomas, Dan Doty, and Al Thomas); Lead Vocal and Guitar: Steve Thomas; Lead Guitar: Rick Bos; Back Up Vocals: Steve, Al, Dan, Rick and featuring special guest voclalist: Larry John; Produced by Larry John with, and special thanks to, Larry John.) With the help and inspiration of Larry John, we created the FIRST rock video in Utah -- ever! The tune (with the video was aired 4 times per hour on Channel 4 TV, for weeks... No. For way too many months! We've been looking unsuccessfully for a copy of the black and white video tape of the performance. Even if we found one, there may not be a machine available to play it.
"Reverend Lamar"
For more information, email Steve Thomas
Other tunes from the Seventies:
Hung Up (Audition 1970s) We set up at Hollywood Sound Recorders with John Guess as our producer. We cut about 27 of our 40 tunes in a standup marathon set. One take. Live. No breaks. This is one of our tunes.
Hung Up LIVE (2004 Version) A new version of the band, again with my cousin and friend,Rick Bos on guitar. We are excited that Ed Thomas plays sax. This version of the band proved to me that my roots were San Diego based R'n'B. See what you think.
Sideline Dreamers (Audition 1970s)
Sideline Dreamers LIVE (2004 Version)
INSTRUCTIONS: To listen to or play the tunes below, RIGHT CLICK on the "file name" and "Save As..." to your hard drive. Usually, the audio will NOT stream with a DOUBLE CLICK, so you may not want to waste your time.
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