THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD
1,670) The Lost Souls — “This Life of Mine”
Today’s phrase is Animal angst! This “gritty slab of Animals-inspired angst” (Mike Stax, liner notes to the CD comp Nuggets II (Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond 1964-1969)), this “angst-laden punk complaint . . . was heavily influenced by the Animals, both in [Rob] Woff’s vocal performance and its pounding beat, while the fuzz-laden guitar called to mind the Pretty Things [see #82, 94, 153, 251, 572, 731, 892, 1,001, 1,327] at their raunchiest, and the whole record rivalled the Who [see #548, 833, 976] for ballsiness.” (Bruce Eder, https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-lost-souls-mn0001293249#biography)
Mike Stax adds that: “Delivered over a dark, brooding backdrop of booming bass, angry fuzz, and a barbed-wire rhythm guitar, the lyrics . . . are indicative of a new attitude among rock ‘n’ roll musicians who wanted to move away from hackneyed boy-girl themes and write about their personal experiences of frustration and alienation”. (liner notes to Nuggets II (Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond 1964-1969))
Kimbo dives downunder into the underworld to find the Lost Souls:
The Lost Souls formed in Melbourne in 1965. . . . In August 1966 they entered a talent quest for amateur pop artists called Star Seeker. It was conducted by radio station 3AK and the first prize was a recording agreement with Sunshine Records. The Lost Souls won it and wanted to record [Bo Diddley’s] ‘Mama Keep Your Big Mouth Shut’ [see #1,326-28] but the label did not want to go along with the idea. Sydney band The Missing Links! had already recorded it [see #1,328]. The band ended up recording “This Life Of Mine” backed with ”Peace Of Mind”. Both sides were written by the band. Released in September 1966, with 3AK getting right behind it turned the single into a minor hit reaching the top 20 on the Melbourne charts. The band recorded more material . . . in 1967 which wasn’t released at the time but later came available as an EP on the Kavern label in 1987. They disbanded in 1968. Guitarist Bill Putt would go on to play bass with Spectrum from its 1969 formation through to its disbandment in 1973, after which he went on to form the band, Ariel.
https://historyofaussiemusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-lost-souls.html
Alec Palao adds that “[t]he Melbourne based combo haunted the local scene, purveying a brand of Anglicised R&B”. (liner notes to the CD comp Hot Generation!: 1960s Punk from Down Under)
Pay to Play! The Off the Charts Spotify Playlist! + Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock Merchandise
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