A group out of Salem, Oregon, the Chaen Reaction recorded this one 45 around 1968.
Members were Larry Carroll guitar, Craig Gunter drums, Lee Gunter keyboards, Lane Weinberg bass and Jim Burris vocals. Earl Chipley seems to have been the maven behind this distinctly uncommercial venture, co-producing and releasing the 45 on his own Earl label, a “division of Royalty Records.”
“Sometimes I Think About” was written by the Blues Magoos and included on their first lp. A good song, but it’s a bit of a downer no matter who performs it. It was also covered by Delaware’s Fabulous Pharoahs who must have realized its lack of hit potential and threw it on the b-side of their great Reprize 45, “Hold Me Tight”.
The flip “Chain Reaction” is even less commercial but far cooler, featuring distorted guitar and a heavy organ and drum pounding over a collage of screams and crowd noise. The vocals are buried in the mix and almost unintelligible, but seem to have a very trippy bent. Hard to believe anyone but the band really wrote this ditty, but Chipley gives himself sole credit. It was produced by Earl E. Chipley, and Clayton Caughill was the engineer who put this all together.
Thanks to Lee for correcting the group lineup and to Bonnie W. for the photo.
Flashbacks to childhood with this one. Somewhere in boxes of old vinyl I have this 45. A remnant of past family lives. I remember the band playing, Lee Guntner on his organ. The brief glimpses of those days that are locked in my memory keep these songs on my mind. It was weird to find this on the net. I believe Lee still lives in the Salem area. What a trip.
Hi,
I am 19 years old and have recently opened a record store in the UK.
I came across this record last year and have been fascinated by it ever since, it is so good to finally find some information on it!
If anyone has a copy I would really love to add it to my collection.
Does anyone have any idea how many copies were pressed or any information on Earl records, I would love to find out more.
Many thanks
Will Hunter
Does anyone know how Lee is and where he might be, I was his sister in law at one time ,this brings back alot of memories !
I am interested in how and why you did this little bit on the 45 – Chaen Reaction.
I know of an E.E. Chipley and have a couple of his old 45’s. And know a little bit about his old days in Oregon.
I am interested in anything that you have on his stuff.
Thanks
It’s a very cool thing to finally see (or hear) the actual product of my Dad’s early musical exploits. I’d always heard about Chaen Reaction and all the stories (usually from anyone but my Dad =) ), but this is really something. Cheers to the creator of this site! If anyone knows where to find a copy of this please let me know by way of contact at info@briangunter.com. I’d love to add this to my vinyl collection!
This has really been a shock! I found this site when I was bored, last weekend, and Googled myself (can I say that on the web?). I sent it to my son and daughter-in-law for a laugh. His earlier comment is touching – kind of (I did *so* tell you stories about the band!).
The site moderator’s comments about the record are pretty amazingly spot on. We recorded this in the Salem, OR, VFW Hall one weekend, which explains the flat echo that you hear on both sides. Clayton Caughill (his professional name, Clayton Henry, should be familiar to old Salem KBZY radio listeners) was the engineer. Earl Chipley was our manager, at the time, and set up the recording and pressing. Our relationship with Chipley dissolved not long after the record was done, but it was played for a few weeks on the local Top 40 station (KBZY – remember that one, Salem fans?). I think it actually hit #36 (give or take) for a week. 🙂 But what a ride that was – pretty heady stuff for an obscure band from Salem, Oregon!
A couple of corrections to the bio: Bob Hunter was a vocalist in a high school band that we were in together, but he wasn’t with Chaen Reaction. Jim Burris was the lead singer on this record. Also, Lane Weinberg, our bass player, was left out of the bio (not intentionally, I’m sure).
I still live in the Salem area (probably will never leave). Married for 34 years, looking toward retirement (yes, *early* – I’m not quite that old), do more singing in a church choir than playing keyboards, these days. My big interest, now, is flying. Hopefully, I’ll have my light sport pilot certificate by Spring ’08. A lifetime dream come true!
Thanks for the memory – this has been a great look back! I’d sure love to know how you came by all of this!
(BGunter – I may still have a copy of the 45. If you’re *r-e-a-l* nice, I might try to find it for you.)
Thanks for the info – this is awesome – I am Jim Burris’s son – a couple days ago my mother mentioned my dad was in a band in Oregon in the late 60s and I stumbled on to this website. I also found that a few people have uploaded your songs on YouTube- amazing! I am now on a quest to find the record for myself – thanks again
Hi Dewey: you’re right — I’m still around. Just posted a general comment with more info. It’s good to hear from you, and I hope you and your family are all well and happy.
Hi Cornelia … I’m doing fabulously! Cruising this site has been a real blast! I just posted a general comment with more info about the record and what’s going on in general. Nice to hear from you! I hope you and yours are well and happy.
Hey Lee,
Thanks for all your comments, I dig hearing the details about bands.
I’ll make the corrections regarding Jim Burris and Lane Weinberg.
Do you have any photos of the group?
Chris
I was founding member and lead guitar player for Fabulous Pharoahs. Sometimes I think about was a great song to slow it down for all the sweaty kids at the dances/bars. I arranged the song for our band to showcase our keyboard player and then scream it up with guitar licks. I felt our version was better than Blues Magoo’s. A member of their band was from Delaware also. Hold Me Tight was one we worked on for months, to add in Young Rascals and Psy influences into one song. I co wrote and arranged that song also. Due to musical differences (money and royalties) I left the band prior to release of this record. My name does not appear on the record, which I have complained about from day one, but to no avail! The Reprize label and Hugh Stevenson are still alive in Newark De. We put out two other 45’s prior to this one on Three Star Label. Thanks for mentioning our name Aubrey
I was going through my high school memorabilia, saw this commercial photo of The Chaen Reaction from somewhere late 60s-1970 – autographed by Gim (yes, he signed with a G), Lee, Clair and Lane M. Weinberg (I didn’t get the autograph of the 5th person, nice smile, high forehead, hair combed straight back) – so thought I’d Google and was surprised to find info. wow. I’ll attempt to scan and send an email to “Chas Kit”.
Bonnie – thank you so much for posting the bands picture – I am Jim’s (lead singer) son and have never seen this pic before nor did I have any idea my dad was in a popular band in Oregon of all places – after seeing your pic I googled the band and found a few people have uploaded their songs – I was blown away – I am now on a quest to find a copy of their 45rpm – thanks again you made my day
Lee,
I don’t know if you’ll see this..being it’s so many years later.
I have a friend who knew your brother Craig and I have been trying to find him. She had heard he passed.
I was unable to find anything. She just told me yesterday he was in a band in school.
So I found this!!
I also see Larry Carroll here…Would he happen to own Cascade Sound? If so, he and his wife are one of my clients. Small world as they say.
Thanks,
Patty
Patty – yes, Larry owned Cascade Sound (I believe he still does).
Craig passed away in 1987 – still hard to believe. I think of him often.
Thanks for the questions, and I apologize for the late response. I forgot about this site until today, but that happens during a pandemic, I guess. 🙂
I am producing a documentary about the rock and roll scene in salem oregon during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. I am looking for musician’s that were in local salem area bands back then to interview on camera for the documentary. I also need pictures, home movies and original recordings of bands. Concert promoter Ed Dougherty is working with me on this.
Please email me if you have any information or leads that would help in this project.
Thank you,
Chuck
cstenberg6@msn.com
I think Larry Carroll’s father owned Melody Music in South Salem. This was the local Vox dealership in the 60’s so the band had it good as far as equipment. I saw the band at the Salem Armory in 1968. They put on a good show doing heavier late 60’s cover songs.
Ryan is correct – Melody Music sponsored us until its demise; however, the store was owned by Vera and Ed Swartz of Jefferson, OR. Ryan is also correct that we were primarily a late-60’s cover band.
Thank you for the reply Lee. Larry Carroll ended up with a lot of Vox gear so I assumed his family was involved in the ownership of Melody Music. My band rented Vox amps, P.A. and organ from him on a couple of occasions. He also repaired our home organ.
Found myself singing Sometimes I Think About today. It’s been a lifetime but it’s stuck in my all time favorites playlist.
I found a picture autograifed by the members of the CHAEN REACTION
in great condistion
High im Jim Burris son my brother and I are looking for any remaining pics or this 45 if at all possible reach out to me thanks
I graduated from Silverton High School in 1969. We would go and see these guys when they played at The Salem Armory Auditorium. I think we may have seen them play at The Exit as well.
I was very happy to find their song (Sometimes I Think About) on youtube.
Whenever I hear it I’m reminded of some great times from my senior year in high school.