16 Comments
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Bill Weigel's avatar

Is Hugo named after anybody?

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Dan Epstein's avatar

He is, indeed — Hugo Fattoruso of Los Shakers!

https://danepstein.substack.com/p/hugo-and-hugo

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Bill Weigel's avatar

I figured as much. Nice link.

Outside of Montenegro, THIS is the only Hugo I know in music:

https://www.discogs.com/artist/772732-Hugo-Klaers

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Dan Epstein's avatar

The Suburbs were so underrated!

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Bill Weigel's avatar

I’m guessing I saw them at least 25 times back in the day. They were way more popular than The Replacements in Mpls. at the “box office” back then. You just didn’t see any women jumping around to “F*ck School”!

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Dan Epstein's avatar

Hahaha - I can totally see that. I’m guessing the ‘burbs drew a lot of cute artsy girls, too!

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Gary Trujillo's avatar

Good shit....as always.

"Operation Erectile Dysfunction" 😂

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Dan Epstein's avatar

Hahaha — thanks, man!

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Rock Around The Web's avatar

The Billy Nicholls Would You Believe album is so 1967/1968, I can't believe I'm hearing it for the first time in 2025. Thank you for the time warp, Dan.

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Dan Epstein's avatar

Right on - that’s what I’m here for!

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Toni DelliQuadri's avatar

Despite knowing and never listening to any of the albums, songs, musicians you have written about in this piece, I loved reading every word of it!!!

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Flipped Out Phil's avatar

Excellent post, Dan! I fell in love with Would You Believe? some twenty-five years ago and it's been a go-to for me album ever since. Its songs never fail to lift my spirits. It's a shame that it didn't get properly released back in the day. By the way, have you heard Dana Gillespie and her versions of "Life Is Short" and "London Social Degree" from her 1968 album, Foolish Seasons? They're stellar, IMHO!

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Dan Epstein's avatar

Yes - they’re fantastic!

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Dan Weber's avatar

I dig this guy, thanks for the intro! The name led me to pay a visit to the Roger Nichols and The Small Circle of Friends album. Same year, also gentle and groovy, from this side of the pond.

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Garrick Rawlings's avatar

...and so many on the right feel "insulted" when the left 'puts them down' for being beyond stupid.

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Tony Fletcher's avatar

Thanks for another truly informative piece of crate-digging journalism. While I obviously know much about Billy Nicholls due to Pete/Who connections, I did not know this full story. Listening through to Would You Believe?, I think you've nailed a pretty accurate description - and yes, as with me and the Chi-Lites LP "A Lonely Man," when certainly albums become available once more as LPs, you does just gotta get 'em!

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