The House of Nimrod - Slighty-Delic (1967)

Formed in Auckland, New Zealand in late 1967, this band was composed of Bryce Peterson, Tony Pilcher, John Breslin, Billy Lawton, and Larry Latimer. Their first single was released in October 1967 and quickly began to climb the local Auckland charts. The success brought about the demand for a tour, but as the group only had two songs to their name, they weren’t quite prepared to go on the road. A lack of ideas quickly put the idea into an early retirement, but they made a comeback in 1968 when they composed two more songs for their second single, “Psychothartic” and “Ragged Patch.” The single wasn’t as successful as the first and thus there was no demand for a tour. From here, most of the band members quit, leaving only Pilcher and Lawton left. They attempted to continue on with some other new members, but the new group never recorded anything and the group finally folded for the last time in 1969.

This song, sung by Latimer and featured as the A-Side to the group’s first single, was probably the band’s largest claim to fame. It was accompanied by the B-Side track “Reflection of Our Time” and sold rather well. Personally, I think this song and “Psychothartic” are the band’s best songs, with this track slightly getting the edge over “Psychothartic.”



The House of Nimrod - Slighty-Delic (1967)

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Lyrics:

Slighty-delic
Slighty-delic

I live in a castle with fairies and things
Got lots of gold pieces and diamonds and rings
Last night I had tea with the man in the moon
Aladdin is coming to visit me soon

Slighty-delic
Slighty-delic

Playing hide-and-go-seek with Snow White and the dwarfs
I’ve been for a ride on the Lone Ranger’s horse
Got a big golden coach with six horses to drive
But I’m not supposed to, ‘cause I’m only five

Slighty-delic
Slighty-delic

The hippies all know me as “Chief Sitting Bull”
I knew baa baa black sheep when he had no wool
Whatever you’ve done, I’ve done it before
And I’m just full of love for my mother-in-law

Slighty-delic
Slighty-delic

The Action – I Can’t Make a Friend (1967)

Though they share the same name, this group was not the same The Action from England. This group was formed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1966. They were popular at many of the local clubs with a soul-influenced pop noise. Many of their records featured an A-side that wasn’t soul-influenced, thinking it would help broaden their popularity. After establishing themselves in the Sydney music scene in Australia, the group disbanded in 1968.

This song was from a single released in 1967 that featured the B-side “Romeo and Juliet”. It was sung by Evan Silva, who joined the band after leaving the group Nobody’s Children earlier that year. This was one of those A-sides previously mentioned that didn’t have as much of the soul-sound that the band was used to playing at their local gigs. Fortunately for us, it’s a great song.



The Action – I Can’t Make a Friend (1967)

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Lyrics:

No one wants to live a lie
Being lonely day and night
I won’t go without a fight

Every day it’s the same
Along their field and chain
I’m a man with no one close
I’m tired of the pain

‘cause I can’t make a friend
(That’s what they told me)
No, I can’t make a friend
(No, no, baby)

Livin’ alone and feelin’ down
In my room, not makin’ a sound
I’m tellin' ya that there’s no one around

I just walk the floor
And sit up all alone
Why do they hide from me?
I want to be known

‘cause I can’t make a friend
(Tell me the truth)
No, I can’t make a friend

How can I expect to laugh?
What makes ya smile and then walk past?
My weak mind is goin’ fast

No one wants to live a lie
Being lonely day and night
I won’t go without a fight

‘cause I can’t make a friend
No, I can’t make a friend

How can I expect to laugh?
What makes ya smile and then walk past?
My weak mind is goin’ fast

‘cause I can’t make a friend
(Alright, baby)
No, I can’t make a friend
(No, no, no)
‘cause I can’t make a friend