Perry Dear and The Deerstalkers Oh Dear! (LP)

(Soundflat Records) 13 tracks

Charm, modesty and a lot of talent characterize them - one of the most characteristic current European bands has made itself one of the most sought-after in the beat scene with its distinctive sound.

Today there are numerous current bands that play garage rock. In addition, there are a handful of Merseybeat bands and even fewer "Shadows-style" instrumental bands. And then there's just Perry Dear & The Deerstalkers. Their sound is steeped in the Golden Age of music between 1962 to 1963, when instrumentals featuring the six-string bass guitar (Fender VI aka "Jaguar Bass") became popular.

After several EPs and the fantastic debut LP "Six-String Holiday", the quartet went to London's legendary Toe Rag studio for two days to record their second LP "Oh Dear!". The result is gripping. From Jet Harris, The Dave Clark Five, Brian Poole And The Tremeloes and Sounds Incorporated to more recent acts like The Kaisers or Billy Childish, some musical influences are clearly audible here. The whole thing with the seductive nonchalance and playful elegance the Deerstalkers are used to.