Bizarre Records

Gary Bradford
“I’m Not Handicapped, Just Inconvenienced”
Chime Records

Gary Does Ventriloquism

Evangelist Mickey Bonner
“What’s Wrong With America”
no label

Evangelist Mickey Bonner dies while preaching

Just Us 2
(Phyllis & Bryan Barnes)
s/t
Lost Creek # 74-7

Jive Talkin

Help Me Rhonda

Just Us 2
“Live”
Lost Creek # JU2

“RECORDED LIVE AT THE LAPIROGUE LOUNGE, THIBODAUX, LA & STEAK & ALE, HOUSTON TX”

Ahab the Arab

Hickory
“Whiskey Woman”
Country Kitchen #2010

The cover of Hickory’s album appears to have been taken at one of those old timey carnival shooting galleries (notice the fake bottles and colored targets).  Since the band is from Houston, it was probably at Astroworld.  (Aaaand, confirmation:)

Larry Voltz
“The Last Rainbow”
1981, no label

Larry is one of those “bedroom recording artists”…  A guy who seemingly wrote, performed, and recorded his album by himself in his room.  As you might imagine, interesting things – both good and bad – often result from having no one to tell you if your ideas are terrible or genius.  A BizarreRecord is sure to be the result!

FROM THE LINER NOTES:

“This album was written and recorded in my bedroom in Houston, Texas during the months of September through December of 1980 using Tascam 8-track equipment. 

Drum tracks supplied by Drum Drops, Woodland Hills, CA.

All other instruments including electric and acoustic guitars, Alembic bass, Arp Omni, Arp Avatar guitar synthesizer, all vocals, compositions, arrangements, concept, design, and production…….  Larry Voltz.”

I can’t find anything current about this guy.  I wonder if he’s still around?  Probably hanging around at Numbers (Houston people will understand) bitching about how much better the music was 30 years ago.

Las Trompetas de Jesus
“Vol. IV”
no label

“Alright, everybody, hands on trees!”

I think a “trompeta” must be some sort of cheap keyboard that vaguely sounds like a trumpet.

Clifford Fry
“For the Players Of Nights Game”
1979

Dr. Clifford fry was an Economics professor at the University of Houston.  On the side he had a decent little country rock band, and apparently stayed up late playing “nights game” and getting drunk.

“Drunk Again”:

The last I can find, Dr. Fry and his band the Texas Medicine Band still play.   He has a few cd’s on Amazon

I even found a pic of him, his hat, and Ventures records from 2011:

Royals
“Music”
Spirit #1202

Many gospel groups go to great lengths to wear matching, coordinated outfits.  The Royals, however, appear to have split a $20 gift certificate at the thrift store on the way to the photo shoot.

The Royals, “L-O-V-E”:

Joe Atkinson
“I Have One Song”
Saber #1005

The Wesleymen
“Hail Ye!”
Wesleymen Album 1