Oldish Psych and Prog

Leicester septet Pesky Gee! has an interesting history significant to prog that reaches back to 1966 when they started as a 'soul' band playing the club circuit. By 1969 when they released their one and only album 'Exclamation Mark' on Pye Records (intended to simply be '!' but for a record company mix-up), they had become what could be described as progressive rhythm 'n blues with a heavy sound in Jess "Zoot" Taylor's prominent Hammond organ and the scratchy guitar of Jim Gannon (replaced by Chris Dredge in the spring of '69). Also on board was Clive Jones with his sax and flute. Imitating Joplin and her Holding Co. and featuring the moody crooning of Kay Garret, the band was a quite competent ensemble that jammed as well as they covered others' material but with a distinct prog and jazz-rock inclination. The group broke-up in September 1969 and by 1970, had transformed into Black Widow with fewer members and a completely re-hauled format, and debuted 'Sacrifice' that year.

'Exclamation Mark' is an average but earnest recording by a band that seemed a bit torn about what it really wanted to be and features quite a few covers. Jon Mills of the All Music Guide notes; "Not a solid affair but representative of the change in the British music scene of the late '60s". 

Only suggested for fans of the very earliest heavy progressive incarnations that were coming over from the burgeoning psych and blues scenes [and for Black Widow enthusiasts] though a very decent little band nonetheless.

Atavachron (David)

Jim Gannon / guitar

Jess Taylor / organ

Kay Garret / lead vocals

Clive Jones / saxophone

Bob Bond / bass

Clive Box / drums and percussion

Kip Trevor / vocals