Album Notes

Recorded live at the Westbeth Theatre Centre NYC Nov. 6th 1999, this is the real CWB headed by dynamic David Aguilar PERFORMING THEIR OLD CLASSICS FROM THE 60's. And these are the legitimate original Watchbanders who have never played better, louder - so happy to be reunited in front of a raving fan-base. Which has not only survived the thirty plus years past but grown steadily, including many new faces. AMG Review: "The classic lineup of the Chocolate Watchband, with David Aguilar on vocals, was arguably the best garage punk band of the mid-'60s, as well as one of its most short-lived. This live reunion from 1999 is therefore a most welcome addition to the band's canon. It gave the group a chance to refashion some old tunes that may have been rushed by producer Ed Cobb when they were first recorded. For example, "She Weaves a Tender Trap" seems more fully realized than the original, and it's nice to hear Aguilar, and not Don Bennett, sing "Let's Talk About Girls." But "Gone and Passes By," despite Aguilar's claims to the contrary, pales next to the original's sitarized Bo Diddley groove. The essence of garage rock was always spontaneity over fidelity, not to mention teen angst, so the idea of men in their fifties presenting pristinely recorded oldies might be alarming to purists. But there is no doubt it's great fun and the energy is contagious. The Chocolate Watchband have always owed their greatest debt to the Rolling Stones, from whom they borrowed their sneer and sound. Despite the fact that the Stones have had tours longer than the Watchband's original tenure, At the Love-In: Live will endure in your CD player long after No Security has been put away." - Brian Downing "It is understandably perplexing to the fellows in the CWB that they are far better known and more influential now almost four decades on. This evening is the new CWB true return to the scene, re-energized and revitalized." - Alec Palao, Re-issue Producer Ace/Big Beat Records, U.K. Originally formed in San Jose, CA in 1964 and officially breaking up in March 1970, Chocolate Watchband is back. Today CWB are considered both internationally and historically amongst the foremost of all American garage bands from that era. Releasing only 3 albums altogether under the supervision of producer/songwriter guru Ed Cobb in 1967, 1968, 1969, CWB are more popular and collectible today than they ever were at their zenith. There is definitely a new garage movement today that is starting to spread beyond cult interest. The yearly Cavestomp! events held in New York City have been gathering momentum, attendance, international press and commercial success. Cavestomp! founder, executive director, former member of the Vipers, Jon Weiss, has consistently staged a festival that brings garage freaks from all over the world to NYC for a three day community weekend that has been an outstanding success. Weiss has exec-produced and packaged this exciting Cavestomp! live release for ROIR and enhanced it with video footage of Chocolate Watchband performing "Sittin' There Standin'", "It's All Over Now Baby Blue", "Let's Talk About Girls" and an interview with CWB leader David Aguilar.