PsychepediA

From: Houston, TX, USA

This Houston pop-psych band evolved out of the Six Pents in 1966 and was initially known as the Sixpentz with original members Rock Romano (guitar, vocals), Paul Guillet (lead guitar), John T. Bonno (bass), Carson Graham (drums), D.J. Greer (piano, guitar, vocals) and Sam Irwin (lead vocals, recorder, tambourine). As the Sixpentz, they issued two 45s, the first being the outstanding ('Imitation Situation ("4/4 - 6/8 Time")'), which was actually co-written by the local area production and song writing husband and wife team of Scott and Vivian Holtzman, along with Rob Landes of Fever Tree. In 1967, the group changed their name and issued two singles as the Fun And Games Commission, due to another group in the area being called the Sixpence, but then shortened their moniker to the Fun And Games later in the year.

The band eventually came to the attention of Los Angeles based singer, songwriter and producer Gary Zekley of Jan & Dean and Yellow Balloon fame. Zekley helped them secure a new record contract with the Uni label, but shortly before signing, Bonno and Greer were replaced by Joe Dugan (keyboards) and Joe Romano (bass). Zekley co-wrote and produced the new lineup's first A-side ('Elephant Candy' b/w Romano's excellent 'The Way She Smiles'), and also produced their 1968 LP (also titled Elephant Candy), co-writing seven of the twelve tracks with partner Mitch Bottler. A follow up single ('The Grooviest Girl In The World') sold reasonably well, climbing to #78 on the Billboard Hot 100. During about this same time, the Fun And Games were unveiled at a huge party in L.A. where once on stage, lead singer Irwin proceeded to insult many of the Uni staffers. Shortly after this major faux pas, Uni put the brakes on promoting the band, prompting them to split up soon after in the spring of 1969.

Artist information sources include: The book, 'Fuzz, Acid, and Flowers Revisited' by Vernon Joynson and an article by Bryan Thomas at All Music Guide.