The Modds (2)

From Miami, Florida, USA The Modds were one of 4 bands I played in from the early to mid-1960s "Garage Band" period. The Modds were from Miami, Florida and consisted of Dean Liapis (Lead singer), the late Bob Nimer (Lead guitar, later replaced by the late Dennis O'Barry), the late Don Ricketts (Bass guitar, vocal backup) and Dewey Bond (Drums) and myself-John Mascaro (Rhythm guitar, backing vocals). The song (Lyrics by me, co-written arrangement by Bob Nimer) was recorded at Bobby Dukoff Studio in Miami and a demo 45 was pressed-but never "released". Miami DJ Morton "Doc" Downey played "Don't be Late" on WFUN radio and it became "# 1 most-requested song-of-the-week" of the local talent show segment in April 1965. By July 1965 the band was invited and performed at a Columbia Records Convention and opened a show featuring The New Christy Minstrels in a patio area where members of The Byrds-Roger McGuin and David Crosby nodded their approval. We were later invited to the main auditorium to catch a showcase featuring The Byrds, Paul Revere and The Raiders, Billy Joe Royal, The Duprees and other popular Columbia artists. Our manager Ray Skop was in negotiation with Columbia to get our song(s) (Backside of 45 was "So in Love" penned by me) on their label when members of the group began to get draft notices in the mail! Thus was an end of a dream to "make the Big Time"! While surviving members of The Modds occasionally reunited to jam, there was no additional attempt at recording. However, "Don't be Late" seemed to take on a "life of it's own" in website articles as well as authorized and unauthorized web audio/video plays. An authorized audio can be found on the Gearfab label: Psychedelic States-Florida in the 60s, Vol. 3 (Song 2 of the 29 on the CD). Plans are being made to get "So in Love" published. -John Mascaro, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A., May 15, 2011