Terre Haute Garage: The XL's

        One day while browsing the web about old garage rock 45s, I stumbled across a band from Terre Haute, Indiana called The XL's. Being from Terre Haute myself, I looked into it further and found out that they only released two singles between 1966 and 1968. These records were selling for hundreds of dollars online and I was astonished that I'd never heard of them. Long ago Terre Haute had an impressive music scene due to a couple of its more famous residents, Burl Ives and Scatman Crothers. But recently, and by recently I mean the past 70 years or so, it has been pretty lame. In fact, the only things in recent memory that sort of put Terre Haute on the musical map are the birth of Motley Crue Guitarist Mick Mars in 1951 and the founding of the Kiss Army in 1975. Since both of those events were probably brought on by a little boredom and a lot of vodka, they don't really speak to Terre Haute's creativity.
       As I learned more about The XL's, I discovered that they only pressed 1,000 singles and that those singles were recorded in the very neighborhood I grew up in. After that it was settled. I was going to find one. I assumed that these records couldn't have traveled far and there is an antique mall practically across the street from where the record was produced. After searching through about Six Hundred 45s, I found one. I paid the man $2 and I had my own piece of a Terre Haute legend that Terre Haute is pretty much unaware of.
       After the jump is the song "Mary Jane" by The XL's and their original 1968 press release that appears to have been written by a drunk Danielle Steel. I also included an Onion article about the "Terre Haute Sound" for context.
       
It is also worth mentioning that Terre Haute has a "Musician's Hall of Fame" that has yet to induct Burl Ives, Scatman Crothers, Mick Mars, or The XL's.

1968 XL’s Press Release 

The XL’s, hailing from Terre Haute, Indiana, have a double-sided hit with their new releases. Currently climbing the charts in the tri-state area of Indians, Illinois, and Ohio, “Mixed With The Rain” and “Maryjane” show the group’s versatility concerning their ability to perform all types of music. Now on the road, The XL’s are preparing for a 6-8 week engagement at one of Terre Haute’s leading nightclubs. Breaking all attendance records in the Midwest, the boys, with their “XL Action Show,” are gaining recognition and increasing their popularity every performance. 

Featuring Bill Evans on lead vocals, along with Ted Bennett on organ, Greg Funk on drums, Tom Ferguson on lead guitar, George Svadeba on saxophone, John Nicholas on trumpet, and G. C. Egy III on bass, The XL’s have been performing together for five years, and during this time they have perfected their stage act, appropriately named “The XL Action Show.” 

Acceptance of “Maryjane”/”Mixed With The Rain” has been evidence that the boys are professionals in every respect. With Ted Bennett, Tom Ferguson, and G.C. Egy III writing a great portion of the group’s material in regards to recording, The XL’s show that talent abounds within the group. Bill Evans, on lead vocals, receives tumultuous applause at each awe-inspiring performance. His ability to change the mood and the feeling of the crowd with his voice is strongly evident on The XLs’ new release. Much of Bill’s earthiness is captured on the XLs records, a fact which shows just how exciting he is to watch in person. With substantial back-up singing from Ted, Tom, George, and John, the five form a harmonious combination that astounds and astonishes all who have the pleasure of seeing them perform in concert. 

Greg, twirling drumsticks and crashing cymbals, is an unbelievable musician. Once the excitement generated on stage reaches the audience, his fantastic ability to please the crowd emerges, and is put to good use. John and George, the brass section, work together in a close-knit and unearthly fashion. Seemingly oblivious of all that is occurring while on stage, both seem to drift away as they spill melodious tones firth that jolt the listeners into a new awareness of how horns were meant to be played. 

As implied, The XL’s do not just play music – they perform it. 



The Onion: Garage Band Actually Believes There is a Terre Haute Sound