Biography
According to the liner notes accompanying the 2001 compilation Meet the Redcoats! Finally, the Redcoats emerged in 1964 as a strikingly Beatlesque outfit based in Wildwood, NJ. Their sole 45, the pairing of “Love Unreturned” with “The Dum Dum Song,” appeared on an obscure New York imprint, yet the full dozen original compositions—including ten previously unreleased tracks—surfaced decades later on that anthology. The songs emulate the group’s Merseybeat and Magical Mystery Tour eras as well as their Revolver and Beatles for Sale periods; while clearly derivative, the performances remain engaging rather than awkward or tedious.
Most biographical details derive from Steven Rappaport’s annotations, which nevertheless omit several key chapters. In 1963, at age sixteen, future Redcoats drummer John Spirit contributed vocals to the Ran-Dells’ Top 20 novelty “Martian Hop,” a track he co-authored with Rappaport, who also produced the hit. Once the Beatles arrived, Spirit entered a quartet alongside bassist Randy Bocelle, rhythm guitarist Zack Bocelle, and lead guitarist Mike Burke. Spirit and Burke together penned the band’s original material, and Rappaport oversaw several studio sessions. The resulting 1965 single juxtaposed the Merseybeat-styled ballad “Love Unreturned” against the Herman’s Hermits-inflected “The Dum Dum Song,” receiving regional airplay solely in southern New Jersey.
Rappaport subsequently cut more aggressive numbers with the group but failed to secure a contract, though several of those recordings later appeared on the compilation. Following his departure, the musicians entered a decade-long management agreement with an unnamed society woman; proceeds from that arrangement funded additional studio work, portions of which also surface on the CD. Rappaport further notes that the Redcoats issued an album under an alternate name, employing only outside session players and none of their own compositions, yet he supplies neither the project’s title nor the manager’s identity. The band ultimately disbanded without further activity. The Beatles-derived material on Meet the Redcoats! Finally suggests greater potential than it fully realizes, yet it stands among the stronger examples of 1960s rock overtly modeled on the Fab Four.
Most biographical details derive from Steven Rappaport’s annotations, which nevertheless omit several key chapters. In 1963, at age sixteen, future Redcoats drummer John Spirit contributed vocals to the Ran-Dells’ Top 20 novelty “Martian Hop,” a track he co-authored with Rappaport, who also produced the hit. Once the Beatles arrived, Spirit entered a quartet alongside bassist Randy Bocelle, rhythm guitarist Zack Bocelle, and lead guitarist Mike Burke. Spirit and Burke together penned the band’s original material, and Rappaport oversaw several studio sessions. The resulting 1965 single juxtaposed the Merseybeat-styled ballad “Love Unreturned” against the Herman’s Hermits-inflected “The Dum Dum Song,” receiving regional airplay solely in southern New Jersey.
Rappaport subsequently cut more aggressive numbers with the group but failed to secure a contract, though several of those recordings later appeared on the compilation. Following his departure, the musicians entered a decade-long management agreement with an unnamed society woman; proceeds from that arrangement funded additional studio work, portions of which also surface on the CD. Rappaport further notes that the Redcoats issued an album under an alternate name, employing only outside session players and none of their own compositions, yet he supplies neither the project’s title nor the manager’s identity. The band ultimately disbanded without further activity. The Beatles-derived material on Meet the Redcoats! Finally suggests greater potential than it fully realizes, yet it stands among the stronger examples of 1960s rock overtly modeled on the Fab Four.
Albums
