Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in 1972, the two-LP set covered American garage rock and psychedelia from the years from 1965-1968, and was a major influence on punk rock. Rhino Records reissued an expanded version of the set in 1998, with 118 tracks in total. I’m profiling and rating each of these 118 tracks, working backwards.
Track 106: Mr. Pharmacist by The Other Half
Release Date: 1966
From: San Francisco, California
Aphoristical Rating: 9/10
MR. PHARMACIST – The Other Half [2:30]
(Jeff Nowlen)
Personnel/JEFF NOWLEN: vocals, harmonica * RANDY HOLDEN: lead guitar * JEFF WESTEN: guitar * LARRY BROWN: bass * DANIEL WOOD: drums
Produced by RICHARD DELVY
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA
GNP Crescendo single #GNP-378 (9/66)
The Other Half were formed in Los Angeles in 1965; some of the members met in the MGM mailroom. They played covers of The Kinks, The Yardbirds, The Animals, and The Rolling Stones, and their first gig was opening for The Doors. Amazingly none of the original members were still in the band when they recorded ‘Mr. Pharmacist’ in 1966 – early guitarist Tommy Lennon was drafted, while keyboardist John Branca was fired because he was too young to play in 18+ venues. Composed by singer Jeff Nowlen, ‘Mr. Pharmacist’ was released in November 1966 but wasn’t a big seller – perhaps its barely veiled drug references were too daring for the time.
‘Mr. Pharmacist’ is similar to Count Five’s ‘Psychotic Reaction’, released a few months earlier, in but it stands on its own as a great pop tune. Many younger listeners may have heard The Fall’s 1986 cover before the original. The Fall’s version is tougher sounding but Jeff Nowlen’s vocal is surprisingly similar to The Fall’s acerbic Mark E. Smith. Nowlen often adds an “uh” to the end of each sentence, just like Smith.
The Other Half released their only studio album in 1968 – it didn’t include ‘Mr. Pharmacist. Lead guitarist Randy Holden left the band shortly after, and they broke up after they were unable to find a suitable replacement. Rhythm guitarist Geoff Westen continued his music career but also worked as a graphic designer, creating the sleeve for Steely Dan’s Aja. Lead guitarist Randy Holden joined Blue Cheer for their 1969 album New! Improved!, while bassist Larry Brown found work in TV and film composing.
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‘Mr. Pharmacist’ is a cool tune! Based on what you’ve highlighted so far, I find there are lots of great tracks on that compilation.
Yup, quality level is pretty high. This was easy for me to warm to as I already knew The Fall’s version.
Oh Mr Pharmacist, can you help
And send me on that magic trip
I like the crunch and catchiness of it. The blues harp and guitar…I like the interplay between them.
Great band name and greater song name.
Did you know it already?
No…I didn’t. I never heard the Fall’s version…I just really liked it and had to find the lyrics.
This is like one of the neither here nor there ones. It’s neither great or terrible.
So many of those young Los Angeles garage rockers were unfortunately not meant for their time as they fractured and reassembled countless times – the level of influence would be up to the next generation…
Apparently there were a few Hollywood brats in The Other Half – possibly a bit unmotivated.
As a fan of albums with excessive punctuation, I’m now quite curious about New! Improved! !
Are you into Godspeed You! Black Emperor? They have:
‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!
F♯ A♯ ∞
I am so glad you chose GSY!BE and not Shania Twain. 😉
It was weird she named an album Up when R.E.M. and Peter Gabriel had both recently done so.
There was a movie too… I wonder which came first. I mean, I don’t care enough to go find out, but idle thoughts are a specialty lol. I’d take Gabriel and REM’s music over hers every day of the week, though, given druthers.
Gabriel started his first, but it didn’t come out until a few years after R.E.M.’s. Twain’s came out a couple of months after Gabriel’s, but she did add an exclamation mark. Movie was almost a decade behind everything else.
You know what’s UP!
That sounds right up my street!
I am so glad you chose GSY!BE and not Shania Twain. 😉
sorry Geoff I replied in wrong spot!
Yes yes yes!
I assumed you’d like it!
Oh heck yeah. That Nuggets boxed set is gold.
More good stuff.
Take me down where the good stuff grows
Love you nice, tickle your nose
That made me grin.
Do you know the song?
No i didnt.
B52s, c1992
I was on Planet Claire at the time.