In 1977, Gary Wilson self-released the album, You Think You Really Know Me. It’s a totally unique and strange LP that mixes confessional songwriting, synth pop, funk, and lounge music. Gary also crafted a singular visual image (see above, for example), as well as a matchless live act. Gary Wilson and the Blind Dates gigs, which frequently took place at CBGB, stunned cool New York audiences with performances that incorporated milk, flour, duct tape, cellophane, and fake blood.
About fifteen years ago, I interviewed Gary Wilson, and in addition to covering the YTYRKM period, we got into other topics, including his early interest in music, which began at age ten.
When I was twelve years old, I joined various local garage bands, playing Farfisa organ. I ended up in the band called Lord Fuzz. We were very good. We played every weekend at local teen centers (there were more places for teen bands to play back then). Our parents would drive us to the gigs. Lord Fuzz cut a record when we were thirteen years old. I wrote the songs.
Those tracks, “Move On” and “The Freak,” were recorded by Lord Fuzz at a small studio in Binghamton, New York in 1967. “Move On” is an accomplished, driving garage rocker with hints of psych, while “The Freak” is five minutes of delirious avant-rock that, instrumentally, resembles early Velvet Underground. The songs were pressed onto at least one acetate disc, but nothing more came of the material.
The singer of Lord Fuzz eventually quit, and Gary took over, embracing the experimental direction of “The Freak.” The group called it a day in 1968. In 2016, Cleopatra Records issued the Lord Fuzz recordings.
Released in a limited edition of 300 copies, 1967 Rare Acetate offers a glimpse into the young mind of Gary Wilson. As of this writing, the vinyl single is, surprisingly, still available, though it appears just a dozen or so copies remain. Get yours via Bandcamp.
The 2005 documentary, You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story, flies under the radar these days, but it’s really good—definitely worth your time if you’re a Wilson fan or a curious newbie. Stream it for cheap on Amazon.
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Stream the new Gary Wilson LP and download ‘I Really Dig Your Smile’ for free on Dangerous Minds