Bursting out of the San Francisco Bay Area in early 1966 with a ferocious stage act of exaggerated British R&B, the Watchband were the quintessential psychedelic garage band, bar none, as punky singles like ‘Sweet Young Thing’ attest. Signed by LA producer Ed Cobb, the group watched haplessly as their studio efforts were hacked to pieces, only to resurface on instant tax-loss albums that clogged the racks in discount stores. Ironically, these same cut-outs – along with enticing glimpses in potboiler flicks like Riot On Sunset Strip - would prompt collector interest in the Chocolate Watchband long after their demise, and lead indirectly to the group’s immense cult reputation today. (AP)