Syndicate of Sound
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 in San Jose, California, United States |
| Founder | Don Baskin, Bob Gonzalez |
| Defunct | 1970 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 1970; reunited in 1990 with modified lineup |
| Headquarters | San Jose , United States |
Area served | United States, national recognition |
Key people | Don Baskin (vocals, guitar), Bob Gonzalez (bass), John Sharkey (keyboards), Larry Ray (lead guitar), John Duckworth (drums), Jim Sawyers (lead guitar) |
| Products | Music recordings, singles including "Little Girl" |
Number of employees | 5 (original lineup) |
The Syndicate of Sound is a garage rock group originating from San Jose, California, established in 1964. They gained national recognition with their hit single "Little Girl", showcasing a gritty style that positioned them as pioneers within the psychedelic rock movement. The band released two additional singles that charted before disbanding in 1970, later reuniting with a modified roster.
History
The ensemble came together in 1964 when Don Baskin (vocals, guitar) and Bob Gonzalez (bass), previously members of Lenny Lee and the Nightmen, merged with the local band the Pharaohs. The Syndicate of Sound’s lineup featured Baskin, Gonzalez, John Sharkey (keyboards), Larry Ray (lead guitar), and John Duckworth (drums). Their early musical direction was influenced by R&B as well as groups like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. After triumphing in a Bay Area "Battle of the Bands," they secured a deal with Del-Fi Records. Their debut release, "Prepare for Love," achieved modest regional airplay but did not attain widespread success. This initial single helped define their sound through vocal harmonies and psychedelic instrumental elements.
Baskin, Gonzalez, and Sharkey composed "Little Girl" and "You," which they recorded for Hush Records in January 1966. The track "Little Girl" gained traction locally after promotion by San Jose’s KLIV radio station, catching the attention of Bell Records, who issued it nationally and signed the band for an album release. With Jim Sawyers replacing Larry Ray on lead guitar, they completed their album within three weeks and embarked on a national tour alongside acts such as Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Young Rascals, and the Yardbirds. In July 1966, "Little Girl" reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to number 5 on Cashbox. Their follow-up single "Rumors" peaked at number 55 on the Hot 100 chart.
Later singles including "Keep It Up" and "Mary" did not achieve chart success. Following John Duckworth’s draft into military service during the Vietnam War, Carl Scott took over drumming duties; John Sharkey departed after the release of "Mary." Another single titled "Brown Paper Bag" reached number 73 on the Hot 100 in April 1970. That same year, Baskin and Gonzalez attempted to record an additional album under Capitol Records but soon after dissolved the group.
In 1990, Baskin, Gonzalez, and Duckworth reunited with Jim Sawyers on guitar for occasional performances. They issued a cover version of the Kinks' "Who Will be the Next in Line?" in 1995, which did not chart. Larry Ray returned to the band in 2005.
The Syndicate of Sound was honored with induction into the San Jose Rocks Hall of Fame in 2006.
Don Baskin passed away on October 22, 2019, at age 73; John Duckworth’s death was announced on August 29, 2022.
Little Girl
The song "Little Girl" has been covered by several artists over time. Dwight Yoakam recorded a version, as did the British punk outfit the Banned—an offshoot of prog-rock band Gryphon—which charted in the UK in 1977. The American punk band Dead Boys included a live rendition on their debut album Young, Loud and Snotty released that same year. Australian group Divinyls reinterpreted it as "Hey Little Boy" on their 1988 album Temperamental. Early live performances by R.E.M. also featured this track. San Francisco Bay Area band CHOC'D regularly performs it live with vocalist "Sexy Rexy."
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, Ohio recognizes "Little Girl," featuring it permanently within their one-hit wonder exhibit.
Albums
| Year | Title | US Billboard 200 |
Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Little Girl | — | Bell LP6001 |
Singles
| Year | Title | US Hot 100 |
US Cash Box |
Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | "Little Girl" "You" |
8 | 5 | Hush G-228, Bell 640 |
| 1966 | "Rumors" "The Upper Hand" |
55 | — | Bell 646 |
| 1967 | "Keep It Up" "Good Time Music" |
— | — | Bell 655 |
| 1967 | "That Kind of Man" "Mary" |
— | — | Bell 666 |
| 1970 | "Brown Paper Bag" "Reverb Beat" |
73 | — | Buddah Records BDA 156 |
| 1970 | "Mexico" "First to Love You" |
— | — | Buddah Records BDA 183 |
| 1995 | "Who'll Be the Next in Line?" "The Spider & the Fly" |
— | — | Sundazed Music S 116 |
| Release | Catalogue Number | Year Issued | Track(s) | Format / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Stevens Presents 22 More Good Guy Goldies Volume II |
Lost Nite Records LP-123 | 1966 | "Little Girl" | LP |
| San Jose Todaze Yesterday | South Bay Records 4081 | 1996 | "Shakin' All Over", "My Lonely Sad Eyes", "I Ain't Got You" | CD |
| The Hush Records Story | Big Beat Records CDWIKD 154 | 1997 | "Little Girl", "Get Outta My Life", "Looking for the Good Times (The Robot)" "That Kind of Man", "Rumors", "Say I Love You" "Mary (Marrie)", "Games", "Saturday Night" |
CD |
External links
- Garage rock groups from California
- Rock music groups from California
- Musical groups from San Jose, California
- Bell Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1964
- Musical groups disestablished in 1970
- Musical groups reestablished in 1990
- 1964 establishments in California
- 1970 disestablishments in California