The Beatniks

The Brazilian band the Beatniks grew out of previous bands the Hits, the Analfabeatles, and the Cheyenes before settling on the Beatniks in 1965. Most of the songs on the three singles (one a four-track maxi-single) they issued were covers of numbers by the Kinks, Them, Jimi Hendrix, the Shadows, the Turtles, and Burt Bacharach-Hal David. These were competent, unexceptionally faithful versions (sung in both English and Portuguese), but one of the other numbers they recorded, "Alligator Hat," was their only true standout track, its twisted soul-rock emanating a conviction and force lacking in their other work. All eight of the songs recorded by the band were issued by Misty Lane on the 10" reissue LP Outside Chance. ~ Richie Unterberger