The Swiss Beat scene was very prolific with groups like The Sevens, Dynamites, Livings, Les Sauterelles, Wild Gentlemen, The Slaves, and The Sheapes. The Dynamites can be heard on several beat compilations that were released during and after the 60's. The rarest and by far the wildest tracks by the group are to be found on the "Swiss Beat Live" Lp, the Dynamites share vinyl time with two other Swiss beat bands, Les Sauterelles and The Counts. The Dynamites perform "Movin' On" and it can be heard on the more wallet friendly Pebbles series.
The Sevens - From Basel, started as The Pirates. One of the more popular groups to emerge from Switzerland, with their matching black suits and identical hair cuts, they were certainly chased by Swiss teens (like the Beatles). Their Lp and singles are all worth tracking down if you have the finances to support your quest. If not, you can get a fair impression of their sound by picking up Pebbles Swiss volume of "The Continent Lashes Back" series. Some of the best tracks on their Lp are: "Be My Loving Baby," "Talk About Her," The Love Of A Bird," "Panam," "What Can I Do?," and " In God We Trust." Another great cut is the 7" "My Mother."
Les Sauterelles - Also from Basel, they share time on the"Swiss Beat Live!" Lp. Their first Lp is great and features the best interpratation of a Bob Dylan song ever recorded by a European beat group( "She Belongs To Me"). Very cool backwards guitar and droning acoustic arangement. They got famous in the later sixties with an international hit, "Heavenly Club."
The Slaves - My pick for top Swiss beat group!!! Every song is a killer: " Slave Time." "Shut Up," "You Are The Only One," "Never Free," "Panic," and "Get Out Of My Way." Their records fetch big bucks (Gracias One Potato!) and can be heard on various volumes of Pebbles and Prae Kraut Pandemonium. |
