The Mad Hatters (Annapolis band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Annapolis , United States |
| Products | Garage rock music |
The Mad Hatters were a 1960s American garage rock group originating from Annapolis, Maryland, who garnered a modest regional fanbase around Washington DC and Baltimore. Their 1965 single "I Need Love" brought them limited local acclaim and was later interpreted by the Time Stoppers. While they never attained widespread national fame, their recordings, especially the 1966 song "I'll Come Running," have become prized by garage rock enthusiasts.
Established in 1964, the band's initial members were Dave Vittek (lead vocals), Tom Curley (lead guitar and harmonica), Alan Fowler (bass), and Richard Kumer (drums). After performing locally for almost a year, they caught the attention of manager Barry Seidel and became the inaugural signing of his Traydel Productions. Seidel, along with Tony Traynor, produced their first single "I Need Love," paired with a rock arrangement of "Blowin' in the Wind." The single was distributed through Ascot Records, a United Artists branch, achieving regional popularity but not breaking into the national charts.
Their follow-up single, which featured Tom Curley's original songs "This Is How It's Gonna Be" backed with "Go Find a Love," was never officially released despite promotional copies being made. Subsequently, The Mad Hatters joined Fontana Records and issued their third single "I'll Come Running" with "Hello Girl" on the flip side in late 1966; however, it did not attain commercial success. Before lead singer Vittek left in early 1967, they recorded unreleased folk rock material under the name the Loved Ones. The band briefly continued with Bobby Howard as vocalist but dissolved by the end of that year. Drummer Richard Kumer went on to perform with Washington DC’s Fallen Angels.
The Mad Hatters' recordings, including "I Need Love" and "I'll Come Running," have been reissued on compilation albums such as Sundazed Records' Garage Beat '66 Volume 7: That's How It Will Be! and Cicadelic Records’ 2012 release The Mad Hatters/Meet the Fallen Angels: Washington DC 1965-66.
Membership
- Dave Vittek (lead vocals)
- Tom Curley (lead guitar and harmonica)
- Alan Fowler (bass)
- Richard Kumer (drums)
- Bobby Howard (lead vocals)
Discography
- "I Need Love" b/w "Blowin' in the Wind" (Ascot 2197, October 1965)
- "This Is How It's Gonna Be" b/w "Go Find a Love" (Ascot, recorded 1965, unissued)
- "I'll Come Running" b/w "Hello Girl" (Fontana 1582, 1966)