The Squires
Encyclopedia
The Squires from Bristol, Connecticut
were an American garage band
in the 1960s.
They released just one single, which failed to be even a regional hit, but which is now regarded as a classic of its era. One critic wrote: "The yearning lyrics and melody, vibrant jangling guitars and brisk propulsive beat all combine to make The Squires' 'Going All the Way' a transcendent rock n roll record. That the song wasn't a huge hit and isn't heard daily on today’s 'oldies' or 'classic rock' radio stations is shameful - but when it comes right down to it, it doesn't matter. The fact that 'Going All the Way' is little more than a secret, known only to a few thousand fanatics, only adds to its greatness. Success can be measured in terms other than units sold, and with "Going All the Way" The Squires succeeded in ways that much wealthier musicians failed."
The band formed in Bristol, Connecticut
in 1965 and comprised high school friends Michael Bouyea (Drums, guitar, vocals), Thomas Flanigan (lead guitar, vocals), Kurt Robinson (organ), John Folcik (bass). They were originally known as The Rogues, who released one single, "It’s the Same All Over" on the local Peyton label, and started to build a strong local following.
In April 1966 they drove to New York City and booked time at Capitol's studios, their main aim being to re-record their first single, but also recording several more songs at the same time, including Bouyea's "Going All the Way". Atco Records
liked their material, but insisted on a name change to The Squires, and "Going All the Way" was released in September 1966. Although it gave the band a higher profile in their home state, it met with no success elsewhere, the record company did not issue any follow-up, and Folcik and Robinson left the band. Lead singer Mike Bouyea was drafted the following year and sent to Vietnam. The Squires slipped into obscurity. Bouyea later released several singles, "The Fury", "Lover Of The Night", "I Can Wait". He later became a radio personality at 1050 CHUM, Toronto, and recorded a theme song for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Going All the Way was reissued on the first of the Pebbles
compilations of garage tracks in 1979, and its B-side "Go Ahead" on Vol. 2
. They have subsequently been included on compilations by Rhino Records and others. All the recorded Squires and Rogues tracks were issued together on a compilation in 1986.
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
were an American garage band
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
in the 1960s.
They released just one single, which failed to be even a regional hit, but which is now regarded as a classic of its era. One critic wrote: "The yearning lyrics and melody, vibrant jangling guitars and brisk propulsive beat all combine to make The Squires' 'Going All the Way' a transcendent rock n roll record. That the song wasn't a huge hit and isn't heard daily on today’s 'oldies' or 'classic rock' radio stations is shameful - but when it comes right down to it, it doesn't matter. The fact that 'Going All the Way' is little more than a secret, known only to a few thousand fanatics, only adds to its greatness. Success can be measured in terms other than units sold, and with "Going All the Way" The Squires succeeded in ways that much wealthier musicians failed."
The band formed in Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
in 1965 and comprised high school friends Michael Bouyea (Drums, guitar, vocals), Thomas Flanigan (lead guitar, vocals), Kurt Robinson (organ), John Folcik (bass). They were originally known as The Rogues, who released one single, "It’s the Same All Over" on the local Peyton label, and started to build a strong local following.
In April 1966 they drove to New York City and booked time at Capitol's studios, their main aim being to re-record their first single, but also recording several more songs at the same time, including Bouyea's "Going All the Way". Atco Records
Atco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
liked their material, but insisted on a name change to The Squires, and "Going All the Way" was released in September 1966. Although it gave the band a higher profile in their home state, it met with no success elsewhere, the record company did not issue any follow-up, and Folcik and Robinson left the band. Lead singer Mike Bouyea was drafted the following year and sent to Vietnam. The Squires slipped into obscurity. Bouyea later released several singles, "The Fury", "Lover Of The Night", "I Can Wait". He later became a radio personality at 1050 CHUM, Toronto, and recorded a theme song for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Going All the Way was reissued on the first of the Pebbles
Pebbles, Volume 1
Pebbles is a compilation of US underground and garage single record releases from the mid- to late-1960s. It had a limited original release in 1978 and a more general release in 1979 ; this album was followed by several subsequent Pebbles compilations and albums...
compilations of garage tracks in 1979, and its B-side "Go Ahead" on Vol. 2
Pebbles, Volume 2
Pebbles, Volume 2 is a compilation album in the Pebbles series that has been issued in both LP and CD formats. Another Pebbles, Volume 2 was issued on CD a few years earlier by ESD Records and has almost completely different tracks.-Release data:...
. They have subsequently been included on compilations by Rhino Records and others. All the recorded Squires and Rogues tracks were issued together on a compilation in 1986.