Rogues of Louisiana, photo from Teenage Shutdown

The Rogues & the Dry Grins

Dry Grins Montel Michelle 45 She's A DragThe Rogues from Lafayette, Louisiana had two excellent 45s, both very rare now, I don’t own either one.

They seem to have had some lineup changes during their existence. Members included Fred Brechtel on lead vocals, Mark MacDiarmid (or McDiarmid) on lead guitar (and lead vocals on “I Don’t Need You”), Mike Schwartz on rhythm guitar,  Tommy Withrow on keyboards, John Bonar on bass, and Glen Hebert on drums.

Cyril Vetter of the Greek Fountains saw the Rogues and produced a release for them on the Montel-Michelle label, though he changed the band’s name temporarily to the Dry Grins. The Dry Grins release has the teen loser lament, “She’s a Drag”, written by Fred Brechtel for Red Stick Music, backing the only slightly more commercial “You’re Through”. It was produced by Cyril Vetter & Sam Montel, and released as the Montel-Michelle M/M-959 (74 M/M 14) circa late 1965.

Well, I’m walking down the street with my left hand in my pocket,
And some chick walks up and says,
“Make a switch man, you’re on the wrong side of the street”

Well, I looked up and turned around to see the people watching,
My left hand still in my pocket,
And then she started to laugh.
I had both hands in my pocket and I said, “Baby, you’re a drag”

Well, she’s a drag, yeah, a big ole drag,
She’s a drag, yeah, a big ole drag,
Like a trip, baby

Well, I used to dig a chick … [?]
Cause I’m a stubborn fellow, you know,
And I got to get her, [?]
But that turned into a great big drag.

Well, she’s a drag, yeah, a big ol’ drag,
She’s a drag, yeah, a big ol’ drag,
Well, she’s a drag,
Like an albatross

Well, she said get back, come back and don’t you cry,
I turned around and said to her, “Baby, you’re a drag”

Well she’s a drag, yeah, a big ol’ drag,
She’s a drag, yeah, a big ol’ drag,
Well she’s a drag,
She’s gone, baby

Rogues La Louisianne 45 I Don't Need you

Rogues La Louisianne 45 TonightThe Rogues second 45 has “Tonight” which Teen Beat Mayhem describes as “swamp-pop ballad with crooner vocals.” on the A-side. On the flip is “I Dont Need You”, one of their best songs, the opening drum roll leading into a blast of sound that keeps up throughout the song.

Both sides written and sung by Mark McDiarmid for La Lou Music, and released on the La Louisianne label, LL-8094-B, in April of ’67.

Andrew Brown wrote that Tommy Withrow joined a group called the Swingin’ Machine, obviously unrelated to the now-legendary Swinging Machine from South Norfolk, VA.

I used to believe the band had a third single, “Put You Down” b/w a version of “Stormy Monday Blues”, but that turns out to be a group from Alabama, which makes sense as MBM was a Birmingham label and “Put You Down” does not have keyboards unlike the other songs by the Rogues from Louisiana.

Anyone have a photo of the group?

11 thoughts on “The Rogues & the Dry Grins”

  1. I work with the Miller family, who own many record labels.

    One of the sons of “JD Miller” did indeed own a record label mbm. but according Mike Miller. the 45 you feature (that has three stars with mbm) is not his release.

    They don’t recall the Rogues ever recording here at the Crowley recording studio.

  2. The single “Put You Down” was written and performed by a different band called The Rogues. Rich Gainer was the lead vocalist as well as one of the songwriters. They were based in Montgomery, Alabama. I know this because Rich Gainer is my father. He was in the Air Force at the time, and very young. I grew up seeing pictures of him in the band, and my grandmother played the record for me.
    He went on to record country music, and I recognized his voice instantly when she played the record.
    I’ve seen this track included on at least one garage rock compilation, but credited to the wrong band with the same name. I don’t think my Dad expects anything, but I’m just letting you know the deal with that particular single.

    1. Yes, he is! The band happened several years before I was born, so I personally didn’t know the other members or their names. I texted my Dad, and this was his reply, “Max Kendrick, Bill Myers, Larry Taylor, Casey Bolt, Joe Tucker, Dan Fucci, Frank ______?, and Rich Gainer..”

  3. The photo of the Rogues is not the Louisiana group.
    The photo captured depicted above is (was) the Rogues, of Houston, Texas performing at Garner State park in 1965. I have another snapshot (different) that was sent to me from the same event The Houston based Rogues recorded two singles for the Kapan label.

  4. I have a copy of this superb punchy single in less than wonderful condition but hey… that is what collecting Garage music is all about. A record this rare only turns up once in a blue moon. At least my copy comes with its proper company sleeve. All the best regards to the band and Garage fans everywhere. Paul Cleugh from Glasgow in Scotland.

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