The Penny Arcade (3)

The Van Goghs were also a college band and among the most popular groups in southern New England. Like The Others, in addition to being a successful cover band, the group was writing and recording original material and had already released two singles on independent labels. The two bands were friendly (Bob Johnson had contributed a violin track to their second single) and The Van Goghs already knew Pete. In 1969, the group’s lead vocalist, Bill Gannon was having some problems with his voice and Pete Shepley was added to the five piece band to help out with the vocals. Shortly after Shepley joined, The Van Goghs shared a bill with The Boys From New York City who were coming off a couple of minor hits, “Take It Or Leave It” (1967) and “I’m Down Girl” (1968). Some friends of theirs, the songwriting and production team of Joey Day and Alan Dischel, were looking for a band to cut some of their material in the emerging teen-oriented “bubblegum” style and The Boys recommended The Van Goghs. They cut two sides for the duo down in New York City, “Bubble Gum Tree” with Pete Shepley on lead vocals and “Tears In My Heart” which featured Bill. The band returned to Rhode Island and their busy gig and school schedules and more or less forgot about the tracks. By the end of the year, The Van Goghs had disbanded and Pete headed down to Manhattan to rejoin Mike Brand in their songwriting partnership. The tracks were eventually leased to Smash/Mercury Records. Unbeknownst to the band, Day and Dischel had decided that “The Van Goghs” was too old-fashioned sounding and the two songs were released in 1970 as a single under the group name “Penny Arcade.” The record did not chart.