The Plagues
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 in Lansing, Michigan, United States |
| Founder | William Malone |
| Headquarters | Lansing , United States |
| Products | Garage rock music |
The Plagues were a 1960s American garage rock group originating from Lansing, Michigan. Fronted by bassist, chief songwriter, and vocalist William Malone, they gained regional and local acclaim with their track "I've Been Through It Before". In 1966, Malone departed to join the Frightened Trees, while the other members continued under the name the Plain Brown Wrapper. Malone eventually established a successful career as a Hollywood filmmaker; his 2008 horror movie Parasomnia featured "I've Been Through It Before" alongside other garage rock songs from the 1960s. Over time, The Plagues have developed a dedicated following among collectors of garage rock music.
History
The Plagues formed in 1964 in Lansing, Michigan, consisting of Malone (bass and lead vocals), Van Decker (lead guitar), James Hosley (rhythm guitar), and Phil Nobach (drums). Their debut single appeared in 1965 on Quarantined, a vanity imprint of Fenton Records, with the tracks "That'll Never Do" backed with "Badlands". Their next release, "Through This World" backed with "Why Can't You Be True", achieved local chart success on Lansing’s WILS AM radio. Their last single, released in July 1966, was "I've Been Through It Before" with "(Clouds Send Down) Tears From My Eyes" on the flip side; the latter song showed clear Beatles influences.
Malone has recounted that the band initially performed Beatles covers before evolving their own sound and cultivating a loyal local audience. The Plagues served as an opening act for the Young Rascals during their Lansing performances. After Malone left in 1966, he took leadership of the Frightened Trees, who released the single "Round and Round". Later that year, Decker, Nobach, and Hosley joined forces with Scott Durbin and Steve Allen to create the Plain Brown Wrapper. This new ensemble played prominent Detroit venues alongside artists like MC5 and Bob Seger. They recorded "You'll Pay" in November 1966 and remained active until their dissolution in 1974. By the end of the decade, Lansing’s youth music scene waned as musical trends shifted.
Following his aspirations in filmmaking, Malone relocated to California where he worked at Don Post Studios before directing several horror films including House on Haunted Hill, Scared to Death, Creature, and FeardotCom. His film Parasomnia incorporated music by The Plagues along with other garage rock selections from the 1960s.
Among enthusiasts of garage rock, The Plagues maintain significance; tracks such as "Through This World" and "I've Been Through It Before" have been featured on compilations like Scream Loud!!! The Fenton Story and Teenage Shutdown! You Treated Me Bad!.
Membership (circa 1966-1967)
- Bill Malone – lead vocals, bass
- Jim Hosley – guitar, vocals
- Van Decker – lead guitar, piano, organ, vocals
- Phil Nobach – drums
- Scott Durbin – trumpet
Discography
- "That'll Never Do" b/w "Badlands" (Quarantined 41369, 1965)
- "Why Can't You Be True" b/w "Through This World" (Quarantined 2020, Feb 1966)
- "I've Been Through It Before" b/w "(Clouds Send Down) Tears From My Eyes" (Fenton 2070, Jul 1966)
- "You'll Pay" b/w "And Now You Dream" (as Plain Brown Wrapper) (This is Music 2114, Nov 1966)