The Indiana Music Archive and Online Community
The Zerfas Got Me Back into Records Big Time
Back in 2000 Jason Yoder (record guy) who lived across the street, came by as I was sitting out on the stoop. He had a list of local records of historical importance that he wanted to know if I owned, knew anything about, or had an idea of where he might find. I had just pretty much given up on records at the time and had just dumped about 500 or so really great LPs getting my collection back to 1000 or so “just the ones I really listen to.” Jason went down his list and one record he described really caught my imagination.
He told me of The Zerfas Record. Two crazy brothers, psychedelic masterpiece, extremely valuable, unknown classic etc. etc. I made a mental note, but of course instantly forgot the name.
In September of 2001 my band The Punkin Holler Boys (shameless self promotion} were playing a afternoon show at Half Price Books in Greenwood. I decided to check out the Goodwill across the street. I was getting the record bug again and maybe I would find something good. They had thousands of LPs that day, I sat down and went through every one. I know, I know, of course I found a Zerfas, let me tell my story.
I probably bought a bout 40 LPs that day , several Leonard Nimoy, a Carter Family, a really cool Compilation of early (super primitive and to me, obscure) hillbilly songs and a bunch of other stuff. As I was digging though the records I found this weird LP with a bright reddish orange cover called Zerfas. I thought maybe it was the one Jason had told me about, it sure looked neat, what with the picture of the guy growing out of a tree on the back. I was pretty sure it was the right record, the name did start with a Z after all. Hell, I would have bought it even if I hadn’t been tipped off, cause it was just screaming “BUY ME”.
As soon as I played it I knew it had to be the one, the weird droning tape manipulations of the first song You Never Win knocked me out of my chair, I dropped my cigarette and spilled beer all over myself. It was a great record! This particular copy was still in the shrink wrap, and looked unplayed. I imagined that it came from a relative or friend of the family who bought it out of pity or principal to help support the brothers Zerfas, then filed it a away because it was too weird, until it was donated along with the Mitch Miller records to Goodwill when they passed away.
As music (not just an antiquity or a cash cow) it’s wonderful! The best testament I can give as to how fine it really is, would the following anecdote. When I realized what I had, I immediately burned a CD of it, so it wouldn’t get damaged. I sent one to Jon Rans (No Bar Guy, former record store owner and psychedelic dude) in New Orleans. When I went down to NOLA to visit the following year, not only did he have the CD prominently displayed, but all his friends had copied it. They had even downloaded the artwork and had jewel cases for it! They loved the record and could tell me every thing about it.
Everyone I talked to about the Zerfas wanted to buy it from me. I got some good information about the record, but mostly the response was “I’ll give you $50.00 for it.” I later had Zerfas Scholar, and psychedelic record expert, Stan Denski sell my copy. I came to realize that it was too valuable to keep, and it brought $1,100.00 which I spent on equipment for my studio, a fitting tribute to The Zerfas I think, seeing how they were obviously way into recording.
The record is pretty well documented . 700 West, the Label that put out the record has a fantastic web site, http://www.700west.com/htdb/releases/Zerfas-Zerfas.html and bootlegs are available on eBay often, as are test pressings of the 1994 vinyl reissue.
I am fascinated by it as a artifact, a monument to the determination of the Zerfas brothers, one of whom is named Herman (Herman Zerfas!, greatest name ever) and the fact that it came from Indiana, and holds such a revered place in record collections all over the world.
From what I understand there is no way the Zurfasses (Zerfees?) would allow cuts from the record to be posted for free on the internet (like here on MFT where it belongs), so it’s kinda one of those unheard master works of which folks tell stories, and sighting cause ripples of interest in the community. It sure got me back into records.
Any one else here into The Zerfas?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jeb Banner on -
Our policy in the MFT archive is to get permission from at least one band member so I guess we will have to wait for someone to give the all clear. Would love to have it on the site.
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Permalink Reply by John Scot Sheets on -
Not a very good record, they don't even try to talk like Pirates, but the cover sure is a work of art. It's from Noblesville.
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Permalink Reply by steve schmidt on -
John: I love love love this record. The fuzzy guitar hook on "the sweetest part" slays me. What year was this recorded.
There this DJ on WFMU named Hatch who plays all sorts of old obscure stuff like this. Can I burn this and send it to him?
Thanks again!
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Permalink Reply by suade99 on -
I vaguely remember that Captain Hook guy from the late 70's/early 80's - something about he lost his limb(s) in a motorcycle accident and turned to "Christian" and "Pirate" and "Entertainer" - TRIPLE PLAY. What freaked me out wasn't the "hook" it was that evil ass'd ventriloquism dummy! (I believe he was "Sharkey") Growing up in Noblesville it wasn't so surprising for some reason...
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Permalink Reply by steve schmidt on
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Sorry Mike. I am talking about the Zerfas record John sent me. I placed my reply in the wrong place,
suade99 said:I vaguely remember that Captain Hook guy from the late 70's/early 80's - something about he lost his limb(s) in a motorcycle accident and turned to "Christian" and "Pirate" and "Entertainer" - TRIPLE PLAY. What freaked me out wasn't the "hook" it was that evil ass'd ventriloquism dummy! (I believe he was "Sharkey") Growing up in Noblesville it wasn't so surprising for some reason...
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Permalink Reply by John Scot Sheets on
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Zerfas belongs to the world, Sharkey is indeed a puppet who does not even remotely sound like a pirate.
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Permalink Reply by suade99 on
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I seem to vaguely recall seeing "sharkey" and the cap't at the 4-H fairgrounds in Noblesville. There was something kinda "off"about those two... But I like how the devil is declaring "UNFAIR" on the picket sign on the above album cover! Nice touch.
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Permalink Reply by John Scot Sheets on
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Indiana-Psych-LP-Zerfas-Original-700-West-...
Let's see what this one goes for.
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Permalink Reply by steve schmidt on
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Hey John: Is that you that's selling the LP?
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Permalink Reply by John Scot Sheets on
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No, It's Dale.
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