The Wackers - 1972 - Hot Wacks

The Wackers

1972

Hot Wacks

01. I Hardly Know Her Name

02. We Can Be

03. Oh My Love

04. Wait And Se

05. Do You Know The Reason

06. Breathe Easy

07. Time Will Carry On

08. Maybe Tomorrow

09. Hot Wacks

10. Anytime/Anyday

11. Find Your Own Way

12. Time Will Carry On (Won't It)

Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Spencer T. "Ernie" Earnshaw

Vocals, Guitar, Bass – N. Randy Bishop, William "Kootch" Trochim

Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Michael "Two Foot" Stull

Vocals, Guitar, Percussion – Robert Segaring

When I first heard The Wackers - long after they disbanded! - I found there was really nothing special about this band and still less about their second record.

On second thoughts, though, and after repeated listening, 'Hot Wacks' turns out to be a very good powerpop record, all the more laudable as it was conceived and released at a time when few musicians were as unashamedly inspired by The Beatles as The Wackers (listen to the long 'Abbey Road'-like music suite framed by the two tracks entitled 'Time Will Carry On' for evidence)

This re-assessment was really necessary and I am glad I did it because it would be really unfair to overlook this pioneering early 1970's Canadian/Californian band.

I find this album to be a long lost power-pop gem and I have no idea how the first reviewer could consider this folk-rock. Infused with the spirit of the Beatles, the album got a rave review from Rolling Stone when it came out, but sold zilch. The second side of the album is sort of the Wackers version of the second side of Abbey Road, with some great songs strung together in a suite. Their cover of Lennon's "Oh My Love" is so good that it has often turned up on Beatles bootlegs labeled as an outtake from Abbey Road. The ultimate compliment, don't you think?