Draft:The Smubbs

The Smubbs
The Smubbs
Origin	Long Island, New York
Genres	Psychedelia; rock; pop; folk;
Years active	1964-1970
Labels	ABC-Paramount; Spring; Monument;

Comment: A solid argument for notability: they helped to "kick off" the ecological rock movement. (Di Petto, Adam (July 24, 1970), "Smubbs, Clad in Pig Outfits, Sing About Pollution", Baltimore Sun). An article by the same journalist in the Daily News (Sun, Apr 26, 1970) reports that the b-side of "Un-Pollution" included an excerpt of a speech by Richard Nixon, and that the single was presented to every senator, governor, and representative. The Variety cite already used notes that they were included with Joni Mitchell in a front-page story about the ecological movement.
If you search using Smubbs and keywords such as Earth Day, Un-Pollution or ecology/the environment I think you will find more references. (Search books!) JSFarman (talk) 04:24, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

The Smubbs were an American psychedelic pop band formed in Long Island, New York in 1964. The group went on to play with several notable musicians: opening for the Byrds and James Gang, playing a free concert with Spooky Tooth and Traffic, and touring with Pete Seeger.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5] They ultimately released a single album before breaking up in 1970.

History

Brothers Richard Segall and Michael Segall formed the Smubbs with St. Anthony's schoolmates George Utter, brothers Jimmy Braunreuther and Al Braunreuther, and Mollinelli.^[a] The band's name came as a combination of the founding members' last initials, though Mollinelli would soon leave the band.

They released their debut single under ABC-Paramount Records in 1966. Jerry Davis and Vinny Villany replaced the Braunreuthers before the Smubbs' second single was released in 1968. From the attention they garnered, they were able to sign a new contract with Monument Records.^[6] The studio album This Is The End Of The Night! would be released under this label, remaining as their only published album from before their break-up. Around this time they would perform for several different TV programs, including Upbeat and WCBS-TV's Callback!^[7]^[8]

They would perform their last single, "Un-Pollution," during the first Earth Day while dressed in pig costumes.^[9]^[10] The environmental conscientiousness of the group attracted the attention of Pete Seeger, who invited them on a nationwide tour.^[11]^[12] The band broke up later that year, after which Richard Segall and his wife moved to Hollywood where their son Ricky Segall played the role of Little Ricky on The Partridge Family.^[13] George Utter and Steven Shene formed Day Olde Tradition with Shene's wife.^[14]

The Smubbs' former manager Louis Lofredo published new digital content from the band in 2018 under Carlou Music (BMI). This included unreleased tracks and re-recordings of previously released tracks. This content was published without the input of any former band members.^[15]

Personnel

Founding members

Richard Segall – vocals (1964-1970)
Mollinelli – percussion (1964)
George Utter – rhythm guitar (1964-1970)
Jimmy Braunreuther – lead guitar (1964-1967)
Al Braunreuther – percussion (1964-1967)
Michael Segall – bass, backing vocals (1964-1968; died 2023)

Later members

Jerry Davis – lead guitar (1967-1970; died)
Vinny Villany – percussion (1967-1970; died)
Steven Shene – bass (1968-1970)
Nicholas Marchiano – (1970)^[16]^[17]

Discography

Singles

"Down On The Corner" / "Don't Come Close" (1966) (ABC 45-10797)
"It Can't Be Too Late" / "Her Love" (1968) (Spring SK 703 SS)
"Rosary Anne" / "Mr. Open Minded" (1968) (Monument MN 45-1110)
"Wait Another Heartache" / "White Paper Sail" (1969) (Monument MN 45-1141)
"Mommas Blues" / "Children" (1970)
"Un-Pollution (Short Version)" / "Un-Pollution (Complete Version)" (1970) (Monument MN 45-1191)