Pebbles

Pebbles is an all-encompassing alternation of accumulation albums in both LP and CD formats that accept been issued on several almanac labels, admitting mostly by AIP. Together with the accompaniment Highs in the Mid-Sixties series, the Pebbles alternation fabricated accessible over 800 obscure, mostly American "Original Jailbait Rock" songs recorded in the mid-1960s — primarily accepted today as the barn bedrock and consciousness-expanding bedrock genres — that were ahead accepted alone to a scattering of collectors. In 2007, the absolution of the Pebbles, Aggregate 11: Northern California CD apparent the final anthology in the Pebbles alternation (curiously, Vol. 12 had been issued in 1999). The afterward year, Bomp! apparent the 30th ceremony of the aboriginal Pebbles anthology with a spartan, limited-edition, clear-vinyl copy complete with the aboriginal blush awning insert.

The Pebbles alternation played a cogent role in the actualization of a "canon" of garage-rock music and artists in the backward 1970s and aboriginal 1980s.

In his analysis of the Pebbles alternation for Allmusic, Richie Unterberger comments: "Though 1972's Nuggets accumulation reawakened admirers to the sounds of mid-'60s barn rock, it alone focused on the tip of the iceberg. Behind those abandoned hits and semi-hits lurked hundreds, if not thousands, of bounded hits and flops from the aforementioned era, best alike rawer and cruder. . . . Added than any added factor, these abstracts [in the Pebbles series] were amenable for the improvement of absorption in barn rock, which charcoal aerial amid collectors to this day."[2]

Including the Highs in the Mid-Sixties series, Best of Pebbles series, Essential Pebbles series, Planetary Pebbles series, and two box sets, added than 60 accumulation albums accept been arise application the Pebbles name.[3] Afterward on the heels of the success of the Pebbles series, dozens of added alternation of barn bedrock accumulation albums accept been started, with abundant albums actuality arise anniversary year for several decades. "Pebbles" compared with "Nuggets"

The name "Pebbles" is a acquired of the name of the seminal Nuggets anthology of agnate music; aback in about all cases, the recordings aggregate on these albums were bottom accepted bounded hits or releases with little or no civic exposure.[2] By contrast, several of the bands presented on the aboriginal Nuggets accumulation had one or added civic hit songs, such as the Seeds, Blues Magoos, Electric Prunes, the Standells, Count Bristles and others. As added albums were arise beneath both of these names over the years, Nuggets albums tended to affection added accustomed bands, while Pebbles albums usually unearthed around alien recording artists or ahead unreleased advance by bigger accepted bands. As the Pebbles albums were aggregate from almanac collections, dubbed from discs (not from the adept tapes like the Nuggets series), about afterwards the ability of the musicians or producers involved, BFD and AIP had a abundant beyond ambit of music to accept from.

In addition, while the aboriginal Nuggets anthology from 1972 bore the explanation "Original Artyfacts from the Aboriginal Consciousness-expanding Era, 1965–1969," the Pebbles alternation fabricated a altered affirmation through its subtitle: "Original Artyfacts from the Aboriginal Jailbait Era." In this way Pebbles absolutely approved to affix the barn appearance of the 1960s to the then-current (1979) jailbait movement embodied by artists like The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and others.
Nature of the music

The Pebbles alternation describes the recordings on their albums as "Original jailbait bedrock from the consciousness-expanding 60s!"[4] These recordings were primarily fabricated by the abundant American bands that were formed in the deathwatch of the British Invasion. Essentially apropos to the adolescent age and abridgement of composure of the musicians, the appellation "punk rock" was coined (or at atomic popularized) by Lenny Kaye, who was complex in accumulation the aboriginal Nuggets: Aboriginal Artyfacts from the Aboriginal Consciousness-expanding Era, 1965-1968. Some of the recordings of this blazon were accustomed to alone musicians, but best were fabricated by adolescent combos and bedrock bands that were about composed of teenagers; the appellation "garage rock" comes from such an archetypal combo's accepted call space: the burghal American ancestors garage. The songs about consistently arise from 45 singles. In abounding cases, the bandage would absolution a accepted awning song of a acclaimed hit as the "A" ancillary of a distinct and accommodate a added absorbing aboriginal song as the "B" ancillary that would be added adapted for admittance on a accumulation album. However, the agrarian covers by some of the barn bedrock bands are as acclaimed as any of the aboriginal songs, and abundant awning songs accept additionally been aggregate on the Pebbles series.

"Punk rock" is now mainly activated to several after-effects of bands that formed in the 1970s and later, and abounding of these bands adduce the music on Nuggets and Pebbles albums as above influences. This blazon of music is now about articular as the genres of barn bedrock and consciousness-expanding rock, aback abounding songs were advised to be enjoyed while beneath the access of consciousness-expanding drugs such as marijuana and LSD, or to artistically carbon the animosity generated during such an experience.
Mastercharge Records

The aboriginal absolution of the aboriginal Pebbles anthology was on the Mastercharge characterization in 1978 and was broadcast primarily amid a baby accumulation of collectors in Australia, area absorption in this abstruse music seems to accept aboriginal germinated. Alone 500 albums were pressed, antic a blush pasted-on awning sheet. "Mastercharge Records" was allegedly not a absolute almanac aggregation and ability accept been a advertence to the costs of the absolution by a acclaim card. ("Master Charge" was the name of the acclaim agenda aggregation in the 1970s that is now accepted as MasterCard). One radio playlist acquaint on the Internet mentioned a "Pebbles, Aggregate 2" on Mastercharge Records, but this was allegedly an incorrect advertence to the BFD release.
BFD Records

The aboriginal 10 LPs in the Pebbles series, including a copy of the aboriginal aggregate were accustomed in the name of BFD Annal of Kookaburra, Australia. These albums were arise in a amount of aloof two years (1979 and 1980) and are admired by some as the best volumes in the series.[2]

The angary of BFD Annal (and the allegedly associated aggregation BFD Productions) has connected been in question, not atomic because Kookaburra is absolutely the name of a bird of Australia, not a burghal or town. As an example, the aback awning of the BFD acute of Pebbles, Aggregate 3 includes the following: "Licensed by appropriate adjustment with Mastercharge Records, Dacron Ohio, USA" (Mastercharge actuality the characterization beneath which the aboriginal Pebbles aggregate was originally issued), followed by "® & © 1979 by BFD Records, Kookaburra, Australia 2157. Unauthorized duplication is a abuse of applicative laws. All rights reserved."[5] The aboriginal licensing characters is acutely apocryphal (possibly aggressive by the area of the Civic Lampoon's Aerial School Yearbook parody) – Dacron is an bogus fiber, while the burghal in Ohio is Akron – and the aforementioned ability calmly be accurate of the second. Also, the Bomp! website says of its AIP label: "Since 1978, this Bomp-affiliated characterization has been accumulating abstracts of punk, psych, beat, garage, and accompanying obscurities."[6] Actually, the aboriginal AIP anthology was the Pebbles, Aggregate 11 LP, which was arise in 1983. Thus, Bomp! seems to be demography tacit albatross for the absolute series.

In any case, whether or not it is a charade, the BFD characterization has been perpetuated throughout the releases on the Pebbles series. The reissues of the aboriginal 10 volumes accept no advertence to Bomp! or AIP, and the aboriginal 10 CDs in the Pebbles alternation accommodate the aforementioned "BFD" archive numbers—which are not all consecutively numbered—as the agnate LPs. Absorb notices apropos to BFD connected to be apparent on about all of the albums in the Pebbles alternation able-bodied into the 2000s, including both the ESD CD's and the AIP CDs. Also, there are attenuate differences in the packaging and programming of the BFD releases as compared to the afterwards releases on AIP. Although the albums in the Pebbles alternation were produced in such baby numbers that tracking bottomward anyone apropos royalties ability accept been abutting to impossible, neither Bomp! nor anyone abroad has clearly been sued for absorb contravention with attention to these releases. Finally, these aforementioned accuse accept been fabricated about added copy almanac companies over the years as well, such as Collectables.
AIP Records

Beginning in 1983, Bomp! created the AIP almanac characterization in allotment to affair added volumes in the Pebbles series. In accession to the 10 volumes on the BFD characterization that were reissued several times over the years, accession 18 LPs and 12 CDs accept been issued in the Pebbles alternation beneath their auspices. Abounding of the LPs and CDs accept basically the aforementioned archive numbers, and there is cogent overlap in the advance on the aboriginal 6 volumes on LP and CD—with the CD absolution of Aggregate 6 actuality abashed to the English Freakbeat series—adding to the confusion. However, the overlap is far from complete; Pebbles, Aggregate 5 is the sole CD that has all of the songs from the agnate LP, and alone about bisected of the cream bedrock advance from the Pebbles, Aggregate 4 LP were arise on that CD.

When AIP renewed the Pebbles alternation in 1983, the aggregation was allegedly added absorbed in documenting bounded music scenes than in scattershot groupings of American barn bedrock records, so the Highs in the Mid-Sixties alternation was amorphous concurrently, with a absolute of 23 volumes adherent to recordings from specific American cities, states and regions, as compared to the 18 volumes of AIP Pebbles LPs. What's more, 10 of the 18 LPs that AIP issued in the Pebbles alternation were abstracts of recordings from continental Europe in the sub-series the Continent Lashes Back.

According to the Bomp! website, the absolution of the Pebbles, Aggregate 11 CD in 2007—actually several years afterwards the absolution of the Pebbles, Aggregate 12 CD—represents the aftermost anthology that will anytime be issued in the Pebbles series. Added recently, AIP has amorphous the Essential Pebbles alternation and Planetary Pebbles series; whether there will be approaching volumes in these alternation is uncertain.

To their credit, aback AIP began arising Pebbles albums on CD, the albums included abundant recordings that were not as yet on the LPs. Also, afterwards the absolution of the aboriginal six volumes on CD, all of the advance on the Pebbles CDs had been ahead un-reissued on CD. Alike the aboriginal two releases in the Essential Pebbles alternation accommodate a additional CD of ahead un-reissued music in accession to the beverage from the antecedent Pebbles albums.
ESD Records

According to the AIP website, ESD Annal (also accepted as East Ancillary Digital) issued 4 volumes of CDs in the Pebbles alternation in 1989–1990. Admitting aggregate by AIP, the advance are about absolutely altered from those in the agnate volumes of the LPs and CDs declared ahead (although a ample cardinal of the advance on ESD's Pebbles, Aggregate 2 arise on both the beforehand Pebbles, Aggregate 3 LP and the afterwards CD reissue). Decidedly on ESD's Pebbles, Aggregate 1, abounding of the advance are either new to Pebbles or are active on the higher-numbered volumes in the Pebbles alternation or Highs in the Mid-Sixties series. The albums had a bound run of alone 1,000 anniversary and are now difficult to locate; but, not surprisingly, the ESD and AIP CDs are about confused. One added benefit in the ESD CDs is that the accomplished liner addendum are accounting by Nigel Aberrant (who wrote liner addendum for several of the BFD Annal albums also).
Other almanac labels

Besides these albums in the Pebbles series, the Pebbles name has been acclimated in added Bomp! releases alfresco of AIP, and added LPs and CDs accept been issued beneath this name, or agnate names. The Best of Pebbles alternation was targeted at the United Kingdom, although some of the LP's were accessible in the US also. A alternation was started in 1993 for absolution in Japan (complete with liner addendum in Japanese), alleged the Abundant Pebbles (although to date, alone one CD has been arise beneath this name).
Box sets

A 5-LP Pebbles Box of the aboriginal bristles volumes in the Pebbles series—always the best accepted according to the AIP website—was fabricated accessible in the United Kingdom several years ago; while a agnate CD box set came out added recently, alleged the Trash Box. However, in anniversary case, the advance on the box sets alter decidedly from those on the alone Pebbles LPs and CDs. While the box sets are out of print, Bomp! is now alms the aboriginal 5 LPs and additionally Volumes 6 through 10 amid the LPs for auction at a accumulation rate.
Liner notes

One outstanding affection of the Pebbles alternation are the abundant liner addendum that are included on about all of the albums, dating aback alike to the aboriginal absolution on Mastercharge Records. On the AIP releases and best of the others, they accommodate what little advice is accessible on the artists on the anthology (and/or the accepted music arena that led to the recordings), admitting the press on the aboriginal 45 disc is about the admeasurement of it.

On the added hand, the tongue-in-cheek liner addendum on the Pebbles, Aggregate 2 LP that were accustomed to "A. Seltzer" are a about breathless bluster on barn bedrock that still provides some advice on the bands, forth with observations alignment from edgeless – "These guys were the losers in a arena area Catechism Mark & the Mysterians were the winners; they were such bad account that alike the brand of the Trashmen looked bottomward on 'em" – to artlessly over-the-top: "My aces for the Grammy this year is 'Green Fuz' by Randy Alvey & Green Fuz, which has to be the rottenest recording anytime fabricated but has added honest-to-Howard Cosell activity than annihilation the blah Sex Pistols anytime dreamed of puking up."[7] The two-part pseudo-scholarly account on the Pebbles, Aggregate 7 and Pebbles, Aggregate 8 LPs took British Invasion musicians to task, accusing them all of actuality throwback, "dance hall" bands and advancing to the camp cessation that Tiny Tim represented the aiguille of accepted music.."[8] Aggregate Two additionally appearance a amusing alternation of fabulous LPs accessible on the BFD label, such as Sid Vicious Live at Folsom Prison.[7]

While the liner addendum on the BFD releases were added communicative and commented as about on the music as on the musicians, AIP brought a blow added scholarship to theirs—though not afterwards the aforementioned about antic spirit—and usually provided added advice on bandage associates and approaching bands. There was additionally a banal liner addendum area on abounding of the AIP albums that bankrupt with: "Truly, this was the acme of bedrock & roll, and until article comes forth that can bout it, these abstruse artifacts of a vanished aureate age angle as a admonition of aloof how abundant chastity can be!"[4]
Annotations

As with the liner notes, the BFD LPs alone occasionally provided advice on songwriters and absolution dates of the recordings that were actuality compiled. AIP was added alert to these capacity and additionally provided the almanac characterization and archive cardinal in abounding cases, decidedly on the CDs. On the added hand, the chat "the" was alone from about all of the bandage names on the clue listings for the AIP CDs.
Cover art

In befitting with the lo-fi attributes of the recordings, abounding of the aboriginal Pebbles LPs had black-and-white covers, and none were issued with full-color covers. The BFD anthology covers were acclaimed for the crazed assets and aberrant photographs, which were agitated advanced into the aboriginal few releases by AIP, although best of their releases had added accepted covers (such as a colorized photograph of one of the bands represented on the album).
Discography
LPs

    Pebbles, Aggregate 1; #BFD-5016 — (no aggregate cardinal on the BFD Annal LP release; no archive cardinal on the antecedent Mastercharge release)[citation needed]
    Pebbles, Aggregate 2; #BFD-5019
    Pebbles, Aggregate 3: The Acid Gallery; #BFD-5020
    Pebbles, Aggregate 4: Summer Means Fun; #BFD-5021
    Pebbles, Aggregate 5; #BFD-5022
    Pebbles, Aggregate 6: The Roots of Mod; #BFD-5023
    Pebbles, Aggregate 7; #BFD-5024
    Pebbles, Aggregate 8; #BFD-5025
    Pebbles, Aggregate 9; #BFD-5026
    Pebbles, Aggregate 10; #BFD-5027
    Pebbles, Aggregate 11; #AIP 10001
    Pebbles, Aggregate 12; #AIP 10002
    Pebbles, Aggregate 13; #AIP 10013
    Pebbles, Aggregate 14; #AIP 10016
    Pebbles, Aggregate 15: The Continent Lashes Back! The Netherlands 1965–1968; #AIP 10018
    Pebbles, Aggregate 16; #AIP 10023
    Pebbles, Aggregate 17; #AIP 10032
    Pebbles, Aggregate 18: The Continent Lashes Back! European Barn Bedrock Allotment 2; #AIP 10033
    Pebbles, Aggregate 19: The Continent Lashes Back! European Garage, Beat, & Attitude Rarities Pt 3: Denmark; #AIP 10034
    Pebbles, Aggregate 20: The Continent Lashes Back! European Barn Bedrock Allotment 4: Sweden; #AIP 10035
    Pebbles, Aggregate 21; #AIP 10036
    Pebbles, Aggregate 22; #AIP 10037
    Pebbles, Aggregate 23: The Continent Lashes Back! European Garage, Beat, & Attitude Rarities: Holland, Pt. 2; #AIP 10040
    Pebbles, Aggregate 24: The Continent Lashes Back! European Garage, Beat, & Attitude Rarities: Germany; #AIP 10043
    Pebbles, Aggregate 25: The Continent Lashes Back! European Garage, Beat, & Attitude Rarities: Holland Pt. 3; #AIP 10042
    Pebbles, Aggregate 26: The Continent Lashes Back! European Garage, Beat, & Attitude Rarities: Sweden Pt 2; #AIP 10044
    Pebbles, Aggregate 27: The Continent Lashes Back! European Garage, Beat, & Attitude Rarities: Switzerland; #AIP 10045
    Pebbles, Aggregate 28: The Continent Lashes Back! European Garage, Beat, & Attitude Rarities: Sweden Pt 3; #AIP 10046

CDs — AIP Records

    Pebbles, Aggregate 1; #AIP-CD-5016
    Pebbles, Aggregate 2; #AIP-CD-5019
    Pebbles, Aggregate 3: The Acid Gallery; #AIP-CD-5020
    Pebbles, Aggregate 4: Cream N Tunes; #AIP-CD-5021
    Pebbles, Aggregate 5; #AIP-CD-5022
    Pebbles, Aggregate 6: Chicago 1; #AIP-CD-5023
    Pebbles, Aggregate 7: Chicago 2; #AIP-CD-5024
    Pebbles, Aggregate 8: Southern California 1; #AIP-CD-5025
    Pebbles, Aggregate 9: Southern California 2; #AIP-CD-5026
    Pebbles, Aggregate 10; #AIP-CD-5027
    Pebbles, Aggregate 11: Northern California; #AIP-CD-5028
    Pebbles, Aggregate 12: The World; #AIP-CD-5029

CDs — ESD Records

    Pebbles, Aggregate 1; #ESD 80252
    Pebbles, Aggregate 2; #ESD 80262
    Pebbles, Aggregate 3; #ESD 80362
    Pebbles, Aggregate 4; #ESD 80372

Box Sets

    Pebbles box
    Trash Box