THE BRYMERS:
On a hot California day in 1963 three teens by the name of Dick Lee, Ken Valentine, and Mike Wagner formed a garage band in Lemoore, California. They named the group “The Challengers”.
Ken Valentine, Mike Wagner, and Dick Lee
(The Challengers - 1963)
Frank Bento, Ken Valentine, Mike Wagner, and Dick Lee
(The Challengers - 1963)
The boys quickly had to change their name to “The De-Fenders”, when they found out that another group from the area was called “The Challengers.”
Bobby Cox, Mike Wagner, Ken Valentine, Robert Virden, and
Dick Lee
(The de-Fenders - 1964)
During the same time period, a local disc jockey by the name of Mel Simas formed a business as a dance promoter. He named his business “Melco Interprises” and asked The De-Fenders if he could become their personal manager. “The De-Fenders” matured and quickly became a recognized act through-out the central California valley area. In 1965, Bill Silva and Al Verissimo of Diplomacy Records approached the group and asked them to sign with the record label. This began a long relation with Diplomacy Records. In late 1965, Diplomacy Records along with Coast Artists Entertainment, re-named the group to “The Brymers.” In an up scale salon in Hollywood, Coast Artists Entertainment and Diplomacy Records arranged to have “The Brymers’ heads shaved in front of cameras, teen magazines, and hundreds of girls. Thus,
“The Brymers” (pronounced Brimmers) were officially born. The group transitioned from a surf band of the early 1960’s to a well seasoned professional rock-n-roll act that featured multi-level harmonies, blues harmonica, fuzz guitar, and the wild Hammond B3 playing of Kenny Sinner. The Brymers blended various sounds until they developed one unique sound reminiscent of “The Byrds,” “The Kinks,” and “The Yardbirds.” In 1967, the group recorded their classic garage hits of “Sacrifice” and “I Want To Tell You.” The group toured extensively and played many venues in San Francisco during the infamous “Summer of Love” (1967). In June, 2007 60sgaragebands.com label released a CD of all the group’s 1960’s recorded output. In March and July, 2007, The Brymers reunited and recorded a CD of 14 new, unheard, original songs. The CD is titled, “Where Are They Now?”
Brymers Reviews:
The Brymers "Where Are They Now" is an esquisite CD and celebrates the 40th Anniversary of "The Summer of Love." The group's classic hits of "Sacrifice" and "I Want To Tell You" are included as bonus tracks. The sounds of the sixties influence took roots and it reverberates throughout all of the tracks. Nowhere is the sound and the soul of the "San Joaquin" more apparent than a spin with The Brymers.
Dave Anthony
Classic Oldies DJ
Fresno, California - August 2007
While compling the 60's recordings of The Brymers for the 60sgaragebands.com "Sacrifice" CD, it became apparent to me that the band could truely do it all. From the fierce garage punk of "Sacrifice" to the Mersy-flavored "I Want To Tell You," to the surf-styled "More," up to and including faithful and excellent renditions of the Rolling Stones "Satifaction," and the Knickerbockers "Lies." Dick Lee and company left behind a legacy that, thankfully, has not yet reached it's conclusion. "Where Are They Now" features The Brymers in top-notch form, with twelve original songs that brings the band full-circle while remaining true to the group's 60's origins. Give the songs a listen and "Remember When" with The Brymers.
Mike Dugo
60sgaragebands.com Records
August 2007
Remember When? Remember that first date? The first time you ever heard The Brymers? The boys blended Mersey with California Beach and Folk-Rock sounds until they became one "UNIQUE" sound. And, after 40 years The Brymers are still rockin' with it! This reunion CD proves that they still have "it." Their signature song "Sacrifice" is here in its entirety, including the amp-busting introduction, along with the new songs written especially for this album.
Jim Chapman
Sis-Tro Music and Publisher, New York
August, 2007
* A special note of appreciation to a group of individuals who have provided input, recommendations, and a wealth of espertise. They are: Mike Dugo, 60sgaragebands.com Records; Merrell Fankhauser, Ocean Records; Alec Palao, Ace Records; JoeyD, Frantic Records; Jim Chapman, Sis-Tro Music and Publishing; Ray Baradat, Charades Records and The Charades Band; Dave Anthony, Classic Oldies D.J., and Thea Lee, Web Master.
Dick Lee, The Brymers - October, 2007
To get your Brymers hits on iTunes:
* The Brymers will be entering the studio in July, 2008 to record another album of original songs. All tracks will feature that driving fuzz, harmonica, and Hammond B3. Members of some of the valley's hottest 1960's groups will be guests on the CD. Look for updates on this site!!!