Human Beinz, The

Band members               Related acts

- Richard Belley - vocals, lead guitar (1966-68)
- Joe Ting Markulin - rhythm guitar (1966-68)
- Mel Pachuta - bass (1966-68)
- Mike Tatman - drums, percussion (1966-68) 

 

 

 - none known

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Human Beinz/Mammals

Company: Gateway

Catalog: GLP-3012

Year: 1967

Grade (cover/record): NM/NM

Comments: still in shrink wrap; WOC

Available: 1

Price: $40.00

 

 

One of Youngstown, Ohio's contributions to mid-'60s garage-rock, The Human Beinz (singer/guitarist Richard Belley, rhythm guitarist Ting Markulin, bassist Mel Pachuta and drummer Mike Tatman), started their careers as a modestly talented cover band. The quartet's initial break came when they released a pair of obscure 1966 singles ("My Generation" b/w "Evil Hearted You" and "Hey Joe" b/w "Spider Man") for the small local Elysian label. Opting for a name change (The Human Beinz) and a shift to the Gateway label, they managed to attract regional attention with their 1967 label debut; a nifty cover of Them's "Gloria" b/w a competent rendition of Dylan's "The Times They Are-a-Changin'". With the follow-on single "You Can't Make Me Cry" b/w "The Pied Pier" attracting some local sales, Gateway invested in a supporting album. 

In actuality 1967's "The Human Beinz/Mammals" wasn't a true Beinz's solo  effort. Side "A" featured four band efforts, while the flip side featured label mates The Mammals.

"The Human Beinz/Mammals" track listing:

 


1.) Pied Piper    (Kornfeld - Duboff) - 2:14

2.) My Generation   (Pete Townsend)  - 2:41

3.) Gloria   (Van Morrison) - 2:45

4.) The Times They Are a Changing   (Bob Dylan) - 2:00

5.) Nobody But Me    (Ronald Isley - R. Isley - O. Isley) - 2:10

6.) I Say Love    (P. Medley - B. Russel) - 2:15

7.) Hey Little One   (D. Burnette - B. DeVorzon) - 2:27

8.) Stop! In the Name of Love   (Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland)  - 2:40

9.) Hold On! I'm Comin'    (Isaac Hayes - David Porter) - 3:30

10.) Ooo Baby Baby   (Smokey Robinson - Moore) - 3:00

11.) Up Tight   (Henry Cosby - Sylvia Moy - Stevie Wonder) - 2:45

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Nobody But Me

Company: Capital

Catalog: ST 2906

Year: 1968

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: cut out hole

Available: 1

Price: $20.00

 

 Produced by De Azevedo (he also contributed four songs),1968's "Nobody But Me" found the band finally making it to the big time via a contract with Capital. Musically the set was diverse and pretty good. While their cover of Hendrix's "Foxey Lady" wasn't anything special, elsewhere "The Shaman", "Turn On Your Love Light" and "Dance On Through" were all strong garage rockers. Blessed with a suitably taunt and raw voice, Belley proved well suited for the material, while the rest of the band displayed more competence than expected from your average bar band. Elsewhere "Flower Grave" and the bizarro "It's Fun To Be Clean" were interesting in that they found the band taking tentative steps towards a more psychedelic-oriented sound. Released as a single the title track b/w "Sueno" became a top-10 hit. With the aid of Capitol's substantial promotional department the parent album eventually hit #65. 

"Nobody But Me" track listing:
1,) Nobody But Me (Rudolph Isley) - 2:16
2.) Foxey Lady (Jimi Hendrix) -2:35
3.) The Shaman (Lex de Azevedo) - 2:26
4.) Flower Grave (John Belley) - 2:14
5.) Dance On Through (Dick Whittington) - 3:03
6.) Turn On Your Love Light (Don Malone) - 2:13
7.) It's Fun To Be Clean (Lex de Azevedo) - 2:06
8.) Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair (adapted by Lex de Azevedo) - 4:24
9.) This Lonely Town (B. Scher - L. Leatherwood)- 2:22
10.) Sueno (Ting Markulin - Mel Pachuta - John Belley - Mike Tatman) - 2:06
11.) Serenade To Sarah (Lex de Azevedo) - 1:58

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Evolutions

Company: Capital

Catalog: ST 2926

Year: 1969

Grade (cover/record): G+/VG

Comments: radio station copy; ring wear; SOC

Available: 1

Price: $30.00

 

 Released the following year, "Evolutions" found the band largely abandoning garage rock in favor of a blatantly psychedelic sound. With de Alzevedo again producing and writing the majority of material, their third effort was actually far more interesting and entertaining than the first two sets. Exemplified by tracks such as "The Face", "Every Time Woman", "I've Got To Keep On Pushing" and the meltdown stunner "April 15th" the set was full of nifty melodies, feedback guitar and Belley's snarling vocals - ah a wonderful receipe. Actually, one of the set's highlights was the atypical country-flavored "Two of a Kind" - always wondered if the were actually destroying a piano in the studio ...

"Evolutions" track listing:
1.) The Face (Lex de Alzevedo) - 2:32
2.) My Animal (Lex de Alzevedo) - 2:44
3.) Every Time Woman (Lex de Alzevedo) - 2:08
4.) Close Your Eyes (Jim Murray) - 2:36
5.) If You Don't Mind Mrs. Applebee (Lex de Alzevedo) - 2:08
6.) I've Got To Keep On Pushing (Lex de Alzevedo - R. Youshock) - 2:35
7.) Cement (Richard Belley) - 2:10
7.) Two of a Kind (Jim Murray - B. Kruck) - 5:05
8.) April 15th (instrumental) (Lex de Alzevedo - Richard Belley) - 7:05

Following the release of one final single ("This Little Girl of Mine" b/w "I've Got To Keep Pushing"), the band called it quits.

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