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Formed in 1967, the original band was a patchwork quilt of musical innovations as diversified as their individual leanings. This hard-working group soon developed a solid fan base throughout New York and New England. Within their first year, the boys signed a multi-album recording contract with Mainstream Records, and became label-mates with Janis Joplin (Big Brother & the Holding Company), Ted Nugent (The Amboy Dukes),The Tangerine Zoo and the Bohemian Vendetta. Their first self-titled album enjoyed mild success, but it was destined to be short lived. Although the release did score a "number 1 hit" in Boston and in the States of Louisiana and Florida, that milestone was not enough to overcome impetuous youth and inadequate label support. The group found itself adrift amid a rapidly changing music scene without effective management, nor a positive direction. With no pilot at the wheel, this popular New York group disbanded in early 1969, and thus was assured shelf space in the archives of musical obscurity where they would be lost forever. This story should have ended right there, denoting nothing more than mere memories of ones carefree youth.

For the next thirty years this story was assumed complete, as the band and their music had disappeared into the depths of musical abyss.....or so they thought!!! Forward to early 1999, in what can only be best described as a bizarre chain of events. A record collector friend living in Florida contacted original BANDIT, Mike Raab, with a news flash. 'Goldmine's Price Guide to Collectible Record Albums' had dedicated a full page spread to the BANDITS and their music, declaring their 1967 Mainstream Album a "...highly sought-after collectors item".. Via the Internet, the original band members soon learned that they, and their music, had been elevated to "...semi-cult status..." and had gathered a worldwide following ("Google" The JELLYBEAN BANDITS and the first 34 pages are dedicated exclusively to them). Their electric music was being covered by musicians globally; They have been included in every major record collector's publication; Their songs have been featured on 6 separate compilations including the 'Pebbles', 'Crown Jewels' and 'Psychedelic States' series (see collection below); and their music is being bootlegged from Austria to Zimbabwe.

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BANDIT organist Mike Raab, (living in North Carolina), contacted guitarist Jack Dougherty, (now living in Florida), and bassist Fred Buck and drummer Joe Scalfari, (both residing in New York), with the 'out of left field' news. After several weeks of phone conversations and e-mails, the original band members decided not to let several thousand miles between them disappoint the growing fan base that were calling for a BANDIT reunion. The band elected to go back into the studio and complete the recordings they were working on some thirty years earlier with Mainstream. (Original lead singer, and the big voice heard on their classic recording "Generation", Bill Donald, declined participation at this time due to his involvement with his high-powered musical act, 'Big Edsal')

In 2001, the, BANDITS descended on North Carolina's Cape Fear Studio and, "Time and Again", the first new recording from the group in thirty years, was recorded and released to positive reviews, validating that the band hadn't lost a beat.

"Best known for their 1967 album on the Mainstream label, the band acquired a cult following in recent years due to the astounding range of music present on their LP. We're happy to report that their new release, "Time and Again" , is just as electric and amazing as their original album."

The Lance Monthly

"After thirty-something years they released a second album, "Time and Again", to an audience that sneaked in through an internet portal and exalted the BANDITS to a semi-cult status...it is testimony that there exists an appetite for something more substantial than test-tube tunes."

Gypsies of a Different Time

Back in 68 by The Jelly Bean Bandits
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Since then, the BANDITS have released several fan and collector requested recordings. 2002 welcomed the release of "Mirror Music", a live performance from 1967, artistically transposed from an 8-track tape to disc. 2003 introduced a high-tech version of the original 1967 Mainstream recording, the self-titled "Jellybean Bandits". Early 2004 brought to light another live recording gem from 1967, "Other Side of the Mirror". A very special moment for the band came in the spring of 2004 with the release of a worldwide recording project, "Bandit Planet". Three continents, four countries, nine bands, nineteen tracks. Musicians without borders paying tribute to the music of The JELLYBEAN BANDITS.

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You can listen to, and purchase any of the electric music of The JELLYBEAN BANDITS at any of the following sites..

Since 2004, the band has been writing all new music for their latest project recently released in March of 2008, entitled "Rock & Roll Is Keeping Me Alive". This fresh CD includes 10 new original songs, totally unique and diverse, covering multiple genre's reminiscent of their original LP album. The group has made a conscience effort to direct this recording towards the film/TV/advertising industry. The title song could become the mantra for "oldies" stations coast to coast.

Included on this latest CD is their powerful song of hope and a celebration of life., entitled "If You Believe". It began as a song written for the purpose of spreading the message of The American Cancer Society, as the band has been giving back to the community by working for local and regional cancer benefits, including the "Relay for Life" programs, and with cancer survivors in attempting to promote their message of hope. The song has been offered to a friend and a "Kick-Ass" survivor to aid her in her crusade for Breast Cancer awareness.

MUSICIAN DATABASE

We are honored to host the largest band/musician database on MYSPACE and are blown away with the dynamite talents gathered here on the following pages of our Myspace Friends".

All of the 'friends' listed below are musicians and/or bands that have come aboard this rockin' database through their Myspace music page. We enjoy having them and you should take a moment and enjoy listening to them. The BANDITS deeply appreciate your interest and your time to check this page out. Should you desire to leave a message, please log on to our website at www.jellybeanbandits.com

This month's featured artists are:

The "Greatest Entertainer" the world has ever known". Thank You, Michael

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