Album Review:

A relatively late addition to the surf rock genre, the Knights’ Hot Rod High took full advantage of the success of the Beach Boy’s “Be True to Your School" (released exactly one year earlier) and ran with it. Although usually credited as a Gary Usher production, it seems that the actual craftsman in charge of the sessions and arrangements was none other than session player Steve Douglas,* who also played saxophone on the album. Other musicians involved were Chuck Girard (vocals), Gary Usher (vocals), Jerry Kole (guitar), Glenn Campell (guitar), Dick Burns (vocals), Joe Kelly (vocals), Hal Blaine (drums).

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In its first wax appearance, the immortal ‘Hot Rod High’ shines as one of the most underrated songs of the era. Though it would subsequently be recorded by the Hondells, the Super Stocks, and the Surfaris, it's the Knights’ version that stands out as one of the best 'car odes' of the time. ‘Midnight Auto’ is a sax-driven instrumental that is the first on the album to feature the glockenspiel. ‘Lonely Little Stocker’ improves on Mr. Gasser and the Weirdos’ version. Dick Burns thoroughly enjoys himself as he covers Chuck Berry's hit, ‘School Days’ while Mr. Douglas again takes the helm on ‘Three Wheeler.’ The group then tackles the Beach Boys' ‘Be True to Your School’ and Bobby Darin’s ‘Hot Rod U.S.A’ with success, though both pale in comparison to the originals. ‘I Get Around’ is also decently revisited, while the forgettable instrumental ‘Ditch Day’ fails to go anywhere. Though the Rock Revival was still a few years off, the Knights absolutely nail ‘Rock Around the Clock,’ which turns out to be an excellent cover of the Comets’ 1954 hit. The mushy, ‘Theme for Teen Love,’ a Jim Economides production, had been released as a  Jimmie Haskell single with fuller orchestration and was probably included as padding. ‘Skippin’ School’ is a strong closer, complete with horn sound effects.

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Extremely valuable in its original state, Hot Rod High is a thoroughly enjoyable listen. The Knights may lose their cool in a few instances ('Theme for Teen Love,' 'I Get Around'), but there's still enough strong material to earn this school-themed offering from the Knights a passing grade.

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* McParland, Stephen J. (2000). The California Sound - An Insider's Story. The Musical Biography of Gary Lee Usher. CMusic Publishing, 128.