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Loose Gravel was formed in San Francisco, California, USA, in the early-70s by Mike Wilhelm (guitar/vocals; ex-Charlatans), Kenny Sreight (bass) and Gene Rymer (drums). The line-up also sometimes featured Chris Wilson, later of the Flamin’ Groovies. Several tracks they recorded between 1971 and 1972 were later released on Wilhelm’s self-titled debut, eventually issued in 1976. These included a searing version of ‘Styrofoam’, later popularised by pub-rockers Ducks DeLuxe. Michael Deryckx (bass) and Rol Gjano (drums) then joined Wilhelm and together they recorded two privately-pressed singles, ‘Frisco Band’ and ‘Gravel Rash’. However, Wilhelm folded the band in 1976 when he joined the Flamin’ Groovies. He remained in the line-up for seven years, after which he resumed a low-key solo career that included the album Mean Ol’ Frisco in the late 80s. Loose Gravel’s Thanks For The Memories meanwhile combines three studio tracks with a live set recorded at the Coffee House, Long Beach, California, in 1976.
Wilhelm famously gave Bill Graham "the finger" in the movie Fillmore, when Graham refused to let Loose Gravel perform in the film. Graham liked the scene where Mike gave him the finger so much that he left it in the movie. Loose Gravel only released one single during their existence, but there have been several subsequent issues of material.
1 Blue Skies & Sunshine 4:55
2 Can You Do It / Waitin' In Line 4:17
3 Frisco Band 4:07
4 Love In Vain 4:30
5 Travelin' Riverside Blues 5:25
6 Gravel Rash 4:11
7 Sittin' On Top Of The World / It's All Over Now 5:48
8 Styrofoam / Don't Flash Out 6:03
9 I'm Not Satisfied 2:28
10 Dust My Bloom 3:22
11 The Last Time 7:18
12 Loose Gravel 17:22
Tracks 1-3 recorded at Kelly Quan's studio, San Francisco, 1975.
Tracks 4-12 recorded live at the Coffee Gallery, North Beach, San Francisco, 6th February 1976
