:: The Beetle-Bomb ::

:: Stomp 'Em Out ::

This here is a novelty record written, recorded and released in 1964 in reaction to the Beatles craze. Of course it's ironic because, try as they might, The Exterminators seem to have been unsuccessful so far at exterminating their subject matter.

"The Beetle-Bomb" was written by Joe Favale and Henry Boye, who (thank goodness) bring some sense of identity to an otherwise anonymous venture. Joe Favale was the founder and lead vocalist of the 50s Doo Wop group The Emotions. Henry Boye was their manager and Joe's songwriting partner. Together they wrote hits like "Echo". Joe still performs with The Emotions on the oldies circuit, and, in the 70s, after he could no longer sell his songs, Henry wrote books like "Selling The Songs You Write". I don't know if Joe Favale is responsible for the Terry Thomas inspired vocal here, but I'd like to think so.

About the b-side, "Stomp 'Em Out"; what is there to say except that it unsuccessfully expands upon the complex musical themes perhaps only hinted upon on the eponymous "Beetle-Bomb". The whimsical, unique use of 1-4-5 chord progressions most certainly did not put Thee Beatles in their place back in thee day. And no doubt, this killer combination of tunes would have stomped out the insidious Beatle menace once and for all, had they not sucked. I could say stuff about the "repellent" nature of the music, or it's "toxic" effect upon the listener, but why be obvious? Beetles are like roaches; mere attempts at genocide often prove ineffective. No amount of DDT could have helped The Exterminators' cause. It was too late.


Mike

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