Chants R&B

In the relative isolation of Christchurch, New Zealand, in the mid-1960s, Chants R&B developed a sound heavily indebted to the raunchiest and most R&B-influenced bands of the British Invasion, such as the Rolling Stones, Them, and the Yardbirds. Only two singles were released during the band's lifetime, and like numerous American garage bands, they weren't as skilled or original as the British groups that inspired them. However, they were pretty good as such bands went, and certainly among the best acts of this sort in Australasia. Chants R&B's two singles were "I've Been Loving You Too Long"/"I Want Her" and "I'm Your Witchdoctor"/"Neighbour Neighbour," both issued on Action!, the Christchurch-based independent label. Only one of those songs, "I Want Her," was an original, and it was pretty explicitly derivative of Them, particularly the Them song "Little Girl." Still, it was an exciting effort and definitely their best moment on record, with a careening punk/R&B energy and a weird, snaky Asiatic guitar line. Chants R&B's lineup changed several times, and in mid-1966 the lead guitarist role was taken by Max Kelly, a deserter from the Australian Air Force. When Kelly had to return to Melbourne to face desertion charges, the rest of the band (by this time including a bassist named Neil Young, although he wasn't the Neil Young) followed. They recorded an unreleased single before breaking up in 1967. Both sides of their two official singles, as well as five additional studio tracks from 1964-1967 and four live songs from 1966, were issued as the Stage Door Witchdoctors CD on Bacchus Archives.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo