Estes Brothers | Interview | “Psych Blues Private Press Grail”

‘Transitions’ by Estes Brothers is one of the rarest US private pressings and truly a heavy-psych masterpiece.

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It was released in Ohio in 1971 and original copies are nearly impossible to find, only 100 were made. The album has been reissued by the legendary Rockadelic Records in the 1990s on vinyl and by World In Sound on CD in 2002. Six longer album cuts from 4-9 minutes express intense, atmospheric and epic movements, stunning guitarwork and the typical haunted blues/hardrock blend of the early ’70s. The main influences are British ’70s rock heroes and US-West Coast acid/jam rock in the vein of Quicksilver Messenger Service. The quartet further recorded one 45 record: ‘Tomorrow’s Sunlight’/ ‘Yesterdays Blues’.

This latest edition on World In Sound label is the complete discography of the Estes Brothers, presented with the original cover artwork, photos and historical background. Limited edition of 475 copies in handmade heavy cardboard sleeve with 8 page insert and it includes a CD version.

“Only canned soft drinks and heavy music will be available”

Where and when did you grow up? Was music a big part of your family life? You’re coming from a very big family. What was it like to grow up surrounding Lake Erie?

John Estes: I was born in Harlan County, Kentucky. We moved around a bit until we ended up in Medina, Ohio when I was eleven years old. Music was a big part of our family, my uncle Larry Hensley was a part of the Walker’s Corbin Ramblers and inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. I am one of twelve kids, so there was always music around me. I never went to Lake Erie as a kid, but we went to the rivers and lakes around us and have many fond memories with my siblings.

When did you begin playing music? What was your first instrument? Who were your major influences?

I began to play the guitar when I was eleven years old. I didn’t have a teacher so I learned to play by ear and made stuff up as I went. I was influenced by so many over the years it is hard to narrow it down. The Ventures, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Albert King and BB.. King, Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Bo Diddley and so many others.

What bands were you a member of prior to the formation of Estes Brothers?

I was never in another band, I have always played with my brothers in the Estes Brothers.

What can you say about The Unknown Kind and their release of ‘Who Cares’ / ‘Since You’ve Come Back to Me’ on Star Trek Records?

I am not sure who this is and have not heard it before. This is not connected to us, but it’s good, it is typical of the leads you would hear at that time and I enjoyed listening to it.

What was the first song you ever composed?

We used to write so many songs I couldn’t even tell you the names. We didn’t keep them. The first documented song we composed is called ‘Tomorrow’s Sunlight,’ which we recorded at the studio. We actually wrote that at the studio as well.

The Estes Brothers band grew from three brothers, Joe, John, and Jerry Estes. John played guitar, Joe played drums, and Jerry played keyboards. It must have been very special to have a family playing this kind of underground music. When did you begin playing together and how old were you?

We played together at home for many years, but didn’t even have real equipment. Joe used coffee and lard cans with paper on them until he could buy a snare drum and then a high hat. Jerry bought a $19 Magnus organ and ran a vacuum cleaner to it so that it worked. It wasn’t until I was seventeen, Jerry was about fifteen and Joe was about twelve that we started to get better equipment and play out at venues.

Was there a certain moment in your life when you knew you wanted to become a musician? What would that be?

There was a moment when I was about fourteen years old when I was listening to The Ventures and Duane Eddy that I realized that I wanted to be a guitarist.

Do you recall some early 45s and LPs that you bought? What did you enjoy?

Yes! Of course. I bought Ben E. King, B. B. King, Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison and a lot of Buddy Holly.

Did you have a certain hangout place?

We always hang out in our house. Our friends would come and listen and hangout. They would sign the walls and dance. We were afraid the ceiling would fall.

Can you elaborate on the formation of The Estes Brothers and how you added Don Smith on bass and Bill Marren on keyboards?

We were always the Estes Brothers, through friendship we met Don Smith and asked Don to be bass. Bill joined the Estes Brothers when Jerry got drafted into the Army.

When and where did The Estes Brothers play their early gigs? How was the band accepted by the audience?

We played at 8-9 High Schools for dances, fairs, and local bars. Our mom used to write notes allowing us to play at bars since we were all underage. We would show the note to the bar staff. Our band was accepted eagerly by the audience. As we got more well known, we played at Kent State, University of Akron, Cleveland State, Ashland, Wooster and other colleges.

“We seemed to have an edge over the other bands”

What was the scene like for a band like yours? Were there any other bands playing similar kinds of music around there?

It was kind of rough, the bar scene was not for the faint of heart. We were a house band at the Cove in Kent State. We were not playing the evening of the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, but we were present. There was a lot of political turmoil during that time. There were always similar bands playing around us. We seemed to have an edge over the other bands, we were eager to break out of the local scene and wanted more.

Did having long hair get you in any trouble with the locals back then?

Oh yes!! A Lodi officer picked me up for having long hair and called me a draft dodger. People often ask, “Is that a boy or a girl?”

Is ‘Tomorrow’s Sunlight’ / ‘Yesterday’s Blues’ single 45 your first ever recording? That was self-released right? Did you send it to any radio stations or even labels in the hope for a breakthrough?

Yes, we recorded our first release at Agency Recording in Cleveland. It took four hours to write and record it the same night. At the time, Grand Funk Railroad had recorded there and Lee Michaels was going to record. Once finished we sent it out to stations in Cleveland, Wooster and Ashland. We really wanted to make it and had big dreams.

Tell us about those two songs. What were they about? How many copies did you press?

Joe wrote it, they were his feelings. We made 300 copies. We would give them out as prizes for slow dance contests and to friends.

How did you get signed to Edcom?

Our manager, older brother Rich, arranged that. I am not too clear on the specifics.

What kind of gear, instruments, effects, pedals, amps did you have in the band?

We used Fender, Marshall, Double Ludwig drums, and the Bogen PA system.

What’s the story behind your debut album, ‘Transitions’? Where did you record it? What kind of equipment did you use and who was the producer? How many hours did you spend in the studio?

We wanted to try recording. We used Edcom because we wanted experience and recorded it. We spent eight hours in the studio. We used Vox Super Beatle and Vox Panther Keyboard, 69 Gibson gold top, Ampeg Bass Amp, baby grand piano.

“Our inspirations were from our life experiences”

Please share your recollections of the sessions. What were the influences and inspirations for the songs recorded?

We really didn’t know what we were doing. We partied all day and just had a good time. Our inspirations were from our life experiences.

Would you share your insight on the albums’ tracks?

‘Never Coming Down’
That was Bill’s song.

‘This Morning’
A beautiful song about being alive and getting to appreciate the sunrise.

‘Wooden Thoughts’
That was Don Smith’s song. The difference between people’s intentions and feelings.

‘Do What Is Real’
It is just a party song.

‘Let Me Live My Own Life’
You want to be independent and you want people to quit trying to tell you how to live your life.

‘Gary’s Thought’
It was something we did that day as a jam. We just liked it.

Is there a concept behind it?

No, we were young and having fun. We lived these days to the fullest and we didn’t put much thought into the meaning behind things.

What can you tell us about the cover artwork?

It was the cheapest at Queen City, Cincinnati. That is where the records were pressed and that was all we could afford.

Did you do any shows when the album was released? How many copies were made?

100 copies were made and we did lots of shows.

Did you ever experiment with psychoactive substances at the time?

Yes, of course, everyone did them. It was a crazy time! That’s what they asked us in the Army too!

How come you decided to stop?

Our band stopped because Joe died unexpectedly at the age of 24. He was the heart of our band. It wasn’t the same without him.

Did anyone remain in music? Is there any other music out there related to your band?

Yes, those of us who are living, all still play music and have done many shows over the years. We have used the name, The Estes Brothers, ever since and have had many different artists join us. Our brother Gary on drums, our nephew Brian, on drums or bass, we have always kept an Estes in the band. Master guitarist Dennis Caldwell and Gary Dague, and others have been a part of our journey. We have not released any other music as a band.

Looking back, what was the highlight of your time in the band? Which songs are you most proud of? Where and when was your most memorable gig?

When we were playing at the Exit in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Savoy Brown, MC 5, James Gang, Square Orange and many other top bands played there. We were also playing the Hullabaloo circuit. I am most proud of a song I wrote called ‘Woman’. Our most memorable gig was the Cleveland Teen Fair, in 1968 or 1969.

Is there any unreleased material?

Yes! Many written songs that we never got to produce and record.

What are some of the most important players that influenced your own style and what in particular did they employ in their playing that you liked?

B.B. King has the knack of bending a string as if it’s talking to you. and Eric Clapton can get the effect of power unlimited.

What occupied your life? What currently occupies your life?

Work, family and music. Music and grandkids occupy my life now.

Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours.

Music is one of life’s greatest passions. Music surrounds us, even our heart beats to a rhythm. I wake up and jam for about three hours and go about my day. Then I jam several more hours before I go to bed. Music is like air to me, I need it to live.

Klemen Breznikar

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