E317 - The Numbers' Terry & Larry Tutor - Top 5 Same Title, Different Songs

Recycling is good, kids. Sometimes that even applies to song titles, as we look at pairs of tunes that share a title. Totally random example: "The Promise" is a fantastic song by both The Numbers and When In Rome.

OK, we can't get anything past you. That wasn't random, because our Third Lads this week just so happen to be Terry & Larry Tutor from the aforementioned Numbers.

L.A.-by-way-of-Texas band The Numbers cut some absolutely crucial singles between 1963 and 1967, as well as a couple of highly sought after albums. They were truly ahead of their time, crossing paths with The Who (whom they sued to , The Easybeats, Billy Gibbons, and the Grateful Dead. They were originally shoo-ins to be cast as The Monkees. Although they didn't get their due in their time, their influence on legions of power pop bands that followed is immeasurable.

That is, of course, if you were to believe the extraordinarily detailed, myth-building liner notes and discography on the back of The Numbers' album Anthology '64-'67 , released on Bomp! subsidiary label Voxx Records in 1983. Truth is, the band, led by twin brothers Terry & Larry were barely old enough to remember the '60s. Yet, proudly wearing their influences on their paisley sleeves, they created one of the best, most collectible releases of the era (that part's true). Anthology is prime 1983 mod/power pop - brilliantly crafted, melodically rich, and harmonically deep pop music.

Although the Tutors would only release one Numbers album in the '80s, they would morph into the "electrified Americana" of The Bordersnakes. Fast forward to 2025 (prompted by a rediscovery by YouTuber Matthew Street), The Numbers released their first new album under that moniker in more than 42 years, Mad Day Out (Bomp! Records). It finds the band with all of their strengths firmly intact, a chiming, harmony-filled blend of joyous folk rock and power pop.

The guys say that this is the most fun they've ever had on a podcast...and who are we to argue with that?

Plus, for those of who are into O3L games, we've got TWO for you this episode: "O3L by the Numbers", a Price Is Right-style trivia game; and "Twintuition", in which our twin guests reveal how much they know about each other. Turns out it's a lot!

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