The Painted Faces
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Fort Myers, Florida , United States |
| Products | Garage rock, psychedelic rock music |
The Painted Faces were a garage and psychedelic rock group originating from Fort Myers, Florida, active between 1967 and 1969. While they achieved notable regional success within Florida, their frequent performances in New York City helped broaden their fan base. Although they disbanded without widespread recognition, the 1980s saw a resurgence of interest fueled by reissued tracks that captivated enthusiasts of garage and psychedelic music. Their song "Anxious Color" earned distinction from Mojo as one of the top 100 psychedelic tracks ever produced.
History
Initially formed in 1967 under the name the Fifth Dimension, the founding members were Jack O'Neill (vocals), Jerry Turano (lead guitar), Harry Bragg (drums), John McKinney (rhythm guitar), and Craig Guild (bass). Early demo sessions took place at Qualicon Studios in Naples, Florida, resulting in their debut single "Things We See" b/w "I Want You," which was released on Qualicon Records in April 1967. Following Guild’s exit, McKinney temporarily assumed bass duties until a new bassist was recruited. Qualicon Records was owned by producer Walter Fredrickson, who maintained connections with Mike Curb of Sidewalk Productions.
Leveraging Curb’s influence, the band secured a contract with Manhattan Records through Mirby Music and adopted the name The Painted Faces, inspired by William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies. Their first release on Manhattan, "Anxious Color," dominated south Florida radio charts for four consecutive weeks and garnered airplay both locally and nationally. After this release, George Schule joined as bassist, allowing McKinney to return to rhythm guitar. This ensemble recorded the follow-up single "I Think I'm Going Mad" b/w "I Lost You In My Mind," but concerns about alleged drug references hindered its airplay beyond Florida.
The Painted Faces enhanced their profile by securing higher-profile gigs, frequently performing at venues such as Cafe Wha? in New York City. Due to parental disapproval, Turano and McKinney departed to pursue careers outside music; replacements filled their roles while O'Neill, Schule, and Bragg remained as the core lineup. The band’s popularity grew with engagements including a two-week residency at Puerto Rico’s Jet Set nightclub and a show at Creque Alley in the Virgin Islands. Later in 1967, they issued another Manhattan single: "In the Heat of the Night" b/w "Don't Say She's Gone."
When New Jersey’s The Critters expressed interest in recording "Girl, You're Growing Up," The Painted Faces recorded it themselves for an unreleased Sidewalk single. They also completed an entire album comprising covers like "The Letter," "Brown Eyed Girl," and "Incense & Peppermints," which was never officially released beyond acetate copies. Their original compositions such as "Hard Life," "Lady," and "Black Hearted Susan" were included alongside innovative arrangements like a 7/4 time signature version of "Play With Fire." Plans to release a Bee Gees cover titled "Birdie Told Me" were ultimately abandoned.
The group disbanded in 1969 following drummer Harry Bragg’s conscription into the Vietnam War. Their post-breakup obscurity ended during the early 1980s when their recordings surfaced on various garage rock compilations. In 1994, Distortions Records compiled their works on the anthology Anxious Color. The track "Anxious Color" received acclaim from Mojo magazine as one of psychedelia’s “100 Greatest Classics.”
Membership
- Jack O'Neill (lead vocals)
- John McKinney (rhythm guitar, bass guitar)
- Jerry Turano (lead guitar)
- Craig Guild (bass guitar)
- Harry Bragg (drums)
- George Schule (bass guitar)
Discography
- "Things We See" backed with "I Want You" (Qualicon 5002; April 1967)
- "Anxious Color" backed with "Things We See" (Manhattan 808; June 1967)
- "I Think I'm Going Mad" backed with "I Lost You in My Mind" (Manhattan 811; September 1967)
- "In the Heat of the Night" backed with "Don't Say She's Gone" (Manhattan 814; December 1967)