The Bare Facts
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Portsmouth , United States |
| Products | Music singles, compilation appearances |
The Bare Facts were a garage rock ensemble originating from Portsmouth, Ohio, USA, established in 1966. Achieving regional acclaim, they released the blue-eyed soul-influenced track "Georgiana" along with its B-side "Bad Part of Town," which briefly appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although they did not duplicate this chart success, their music has been preserved through inclusion on multiple compilation albums, sustaining interest in their work.
History
The band was initiated by Bill Williams (lead guitar, lead vocals), who joined forces with Dave Craycraft (organ, trumpet, vocals), Rusty Pruitt (drums, vocals), Ron Pruitt (rhythm guitar), and Randy Boldman (bass guitar). Their musical style fused blue-eyed soul elements influenced by artists like Otis Redding and Muddy Waters with sounds drawn from British Invasion groups such as the Beatles and the Kinks. The Bare Facts built a strong local following by performing at teen venues and bars, supporting national acts including the Strangeloves, the Dave Clark Five, and the Left Banke. DJs Daniel Craig and Bill Callahan from Portsmouth played instrumental roles in helping the band secure a recording deal with Jubilee Records.
At Jubilee Studios in New York City, the group recorded Williams' compositions "Georgiana" and "Bad Part of Town." Released in October 1966, the single achieved top positions on regional charts and reached number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100. This accomplishment led to television spots such as Cleveland’s Upbeat, alongside numerous sold-out performances throughout Ohio.
In early 1967, Bill Maple joined the lineup as guitarist and trumpeter. The band returned to New York to record Craycraft's original songs "The Only Thing" and "To Think" for their follow-up single issued through Jubilee's BT Records label. Due to management disputes, this release received minimal promotion. Subsequently, it was uncovered that Daniel Craig had misrepresented the band's financial earnings, resulting in his termination. Following a short move to Florida, The Bare Facts dissolved in August 1967.
Their tracks have since been featured on various compilation collections, including "Bad Part of Town" on Mayhem and Psychosis, Volume 2, Sixties Archives, Volume 5, and Psychedelic Microdots, Volume 3: My Rainbow Life. The song "To Think" appears on Psychedelic States: Ohio in the 1960s, Volume 2. In April 2009, Sundazed Music issued an EP compiling both of the band’s singles.
Members
- Bill Williams – Lead guitar, lead vocals
- Dave Craycraft – Organ, trumpet, vocals
- Rusty Pruitt – Drums, vocals
- Ron Pruitt – Rhythm guitar
- Randy Boldman – Bass guitar
- Bill Maple – Trumpet, guitar
Discography
- "Georgiana" b/w "Bad Part of Town" (Jubilee, 1966)
- "The Only Thing" b/w "To Think" (Josie, 1967)