I recently discovered Mo's first album randomly on Youtube and instantly loved the vibe. But the best was still finding out about his life, the equipment and synths he invented, and all the artists he collaborated with. It's truly inspiring! Thanks to David his son for keeping the website running!

The music universe lost one its greatest men when Mo went on to better things! Mo taught me much about music and about life, without even trying. From his shouts of "get out of the chord!" to stories of Hindu monks and the Ganges River and their (and his) ability to fart on cue and in pitch it was a true life experience knowing Mo and his wonderful family! I will never forget the night I got out of my car and carried on a conversation with one of Mo's goats, thinking it was Mo playing mind games with me. I guess you would have had to have been there.........!

We recorded a Buccaneer song there. Loved the experience. You were a very neat guy Mo.

I would like to record again 'Don't Cha Think About Leavin'' Dave Lovell is Diego Mar. www.Diego-Mar.com. Contact info. is on web site.

do you have any photos of zerfas? my uncle mark was in the band. i have a memory of being at the farm, transfixed by all the gear set up!

Cool website. I found an original copy of Primevil LP in a thrift store a couple of years ago which I didn't expect since I live in the Pacific Northwest. Records can still be found anywhere. Great lp.

In the late 80's I played in Larry Bryant's band. He recorded an album with you in 1976. His albums have been re-released as cd's. I engineered and recorded his second record. Larry and his wife Linda both passed away in the early 90's while still in their early 50's. They always had a good word about your work. Please add them to your memorial page. Rick Jones

In trying to find information on a band from my youth I came across this amazing site! It is such a wealth of information that I was not aware of. I saw Jack Phelan mentioned (a life long friend) and it brought back memories of seeing him perform with his daughter Susan shortly before his passing... If anyone can help... I am trying to obtain a copy (either physical or digital) of the Buccaneer release. I saw the show in Indianapolis as well as HAD the album at the time and I am yearning to hear the work again! Feel free to email me at terrypowerz[remove]yahoo.com Thank you for keeping the history of possibly the finest musical era of Indy alive! Terry

Hi, I just located this awesome site. I remember the guys, the music, the late nights, the great band Primevil. I knew these guys pretty well, I was a roadie with them for a few years in the mid 70's. My name is listed in the credits simply as Jeff, along with a couple of my good friends that helped also. We worked for free just to be around such good musicians and to learn as much as I could. I was with the band at Moe's studio during various sessions when all kinds of erratic events would take place.( Yes there is a fart mixed in on the album as Jay mentioned in his blog.) I went on to work with Jay at the music store making speaker cabinets that became the Dr. Fong line. I also was involved in some of the thought process and the beginning of the construction of staging for Jay's secret project. Simply put, we worked hard at touring regionally in the midwest, but Primevil should have been touring nationally. I was still in school and it was so cool to hear Mike Griffin play Pretty Women on WNAP Radio during shop class and then tell my buddies where the gigs were that weekend. Greetings to all of the people of the Primevil family. I am very much looking forward to the re-release of 'Smokin' Bats At Campton,s'. In the meantime I still have (2)copies of the original. I would like to catch up Jay and anybody else from this era. My e-mail is jos229[remove]sbcglobal

Mo, Jon Dembroski here. I don't know if you remember me. I think I did some recording with you but am not sure. I worked with Jay Wilfong for quite a while, and played in J.D. Redmond's Band, also subbed for John Whittemore at Franklin Place occasionally. That's where I met Jimmy Guilford. I then played with Jimmy at a few other places. Anyways, I have my own studio now and am getting ready to record some new songs with Jimmy. Jimmy said he remembers having done some stuff at 700 west with a group called 'Three Way Street'. It was for a movie that never happened so I don't know if it was ever released. Group included Mingo Jones (or possibly Jack Phelan), Danny Smith, Errol Grandy, and Jimmy. Produced and paid for by Greg Callahan. Do you still have access to any of that stuff? What we're really after is Errol Grandy's stuff. I have the only known recordings of Errol except for the ones you may have. I am trying to come up with enough material to release something. Any help would be appreciated. Jimmy would also like to talk with you. Thanks, Jon Dembroski specktron-at-sbcglobal.net 317-596-1892 http://www.myspace.com/specktron http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=274342 Jimmy's phone number is still 317-251-1603

Hi Moe, just ran across your website. I'm a bass player in Bloomington and used to work in Tommy Wills' road bands a lot with your brother John in the '80s. I saw John a while back at Bill Overman's 80th birthday party where we both performed, but he cut out after the first set and I lost him. He used to talk about you all the time when we were on the road. One of my fondest memories was a gig we played in Quincy, Illinois and we had a night off. It was raining all day and we were sitting around the motel watching ESPN2 where these guys were racing these giant three wheeled ATVs which have since been outlawed because so many guys got killed. (But I digress.) John's sitting in his bathrobe at about 2 p.m. smoking cigarettes and drinking beer (totally decadent) and looks up and sez, 'Steve, do you realize we're watching grown men ride tricycles in the mud in the name of SPORT!?!' Perfect moment and a quote for the ages. It got so boring there that Bill Witherington (trombone) came in with a magic marker and started drawing more birds on the paintings in the room 'til soon they looked like the Alfred Hitchcok movie (but I digress once more). Anyway, good to see your site and maybe we'll run across each other sometime.

Hello dear people of 700 west, My name is Ra'anan Chelled and I'm a writer from Israel. I am currently in the process of writing a book called 'Demons, Fairies & Wailing Guitars' - a book documenting the best 100 obscured rock bands from the years 68-75. I am happy to report that the legendary Zerfas have been chosen to be one of those 100 bands thanks to their immaculate album. The book is schedueled for a local publishing only (atleast in the meantime) and will be published privately in small quantity. I am doing this out of love for the music and for the opportunity to expose readers to great bands they had no idea existed prior to that. I have a small request from you: I would like to use the Zerfas album cover to illustrate my book (There will be a few full color pages presenting the albums cover art). I need your permission to do that since you hold the rights for that album. Bests wishes, Ra'anan Chelled

My first recording session was 1978, for Charlie Crosby's single. Wow,almost 30 years ago. I remember Mo's glaring at me as I layed down a lousy guitar solo - he was right! Charlie & I came back a week later & re-cut. Best of luck - wonder what happened to Chalie?

Jay Wilfong (Dr. Fong) is a mind-blowing musician. All 8 tracks on Primevil-Smokin_Bats_At_Camptons">Smokin' Bats At Campton's are insane, but, by far, 'Your Blues' portrays the band's skills best. It is truly a Blues-Rock masterpiece on all counts. I live in TN and got the album through Jay's son. He (The Doctor) still plays without limitation. Dr. Fong is writing music and running a blues jam down here in TN. To many here in and around the Music City, he is a living legend, myself included. ROCK AND ROLL FOREVER!!! -John, 17, TN

My brother Larry Lucas and Mark Sipe founded this band in early 1970. It is so great to see other people who enjoyed this music. I have such great memories of the band and all of the people that surronded them at that time. Larry Lucas is still playing music on weekends with his close friends. I will talk to him maybe they will release more tunes. Larry's Sister

Anybody reading this needs to pick up a copy of The Best of 700 West vol. 1. All of that was done at a time in my opinion where the musical creativity in Indy was at its peak. And 700 West was the only place around that could give you service WAY ahead of its time at an affordable price. Of course it's a blast listening to all the different styles, but I was especially blown away at how good Ultimate Force & Primevil were back then. Still, I know of no one who understands the creative process the way Moe Whittemore does. To me he was definitely one of the pioneers in starting a recording scene in Indy as I knew it. Many thanks, Moe. The Best of 700 West vol. 1 is a FUN piece of history.

mo,member me?i was 17 when i walked into your farm house studio,i was so shure i was gonna be a star someday. now im 45 and still dreaming .you could have smashed my overblown ego easily .instead you gave me encouragement and guidance.to this day ive not met a more posative person in the music biz.i truely thank you for the long hours you spent with me for so little pay . you must have had the patients of a saint.you are truely a legend. my son (now 27)remebers you well(he was 3yrs old in a sleeping bag behind your console chair,remembers your farts.THOSE WER THA DAYS.randy(still cant spell,but i sing like a mutha fuka)

Still waiting for the Primevil release, where is it? I'm getting sick of waiting. :-)

i found a scratchy copy of the PRIMEVIL lp in a goodwill thrift store here in tucson a few years back for 50 cents. never heard of them, but it looked like a cool 70's rock lp. the record nearly tore my head off! you people need to get this reissued on lp or cd! it's a f*ckin' monster! an excellent US 70's hard rock band!

I remember those days fondly. Marshalls screaming at the top of Moe's stairwell and then crashing to the bottom...Sennheiser entangled, power tubes still glowing. The goats calling my name in the dark...laughing at me from their hiding spot in Moe's barn... Surely I can't leave out the strategic fart placement, a little known trademark of the studio....and doubling a 70 second shrill scream just before passing out on the floor. Yes, those were the days...dueling Marshalls and Kasinos attempting to drill 150 db induced sonic holes in the studio walls. Wish I could go back and do it all again. The amazing work that came out of 700 West will someday truly be recognized for the genius that it was...and the glue that made it all happen....one Moe Whittemore, Madman/master musician/record producer extraordinaire.

Very interesting photos. You looked good back in '70. This website is professional. Good job! Ted Hsieh

I've always like this one. So much crazy stuff going on and Herman making it up as he went along. Wonder where the author it? Make a Little Wine was my tops favorite. But what do I know? I only lived with this for 12 years. Drums at 10 pm, trumpets at 3 am. Dutch with stacks of speakers and double base drums. No wonder Bobbi's horse collection walked off the shelves.

Man, is the Primevil album due for a reissue? Who's doing it and how do I get in touch? I've been looking for the album for a while, so it would be really nice to get a CD made from the master tapes. Do you have masters of the material you recorded? Someone must be interested in making CDs of it - the Buccaneer album was pretty great. Knut Nortun Norway

In the 80's I found two copies of smokin bats at camptons in my buddies moms records back in Highschool. We gave one to jay Wilfong when he was running that guitar store in Knightstown. I later found a sealed copy at a record convention in Indy and purchased it for maybe ten bucks or so. In some sort of strange delirium or fit I sold it to some used record store in broadripple. i WISHED I HAD'NT DONE IT! I would love to get another copy. If anybody has an extra.....?

Just thought I'd mention that the writer, Bonnet, should be spelled Bonnett. Zeke was a great band. If anyone else had the chance to hear them live up in South Bend or Indianapolis, Indiana, I'd like to hear their comments. Wish I had the record. Hopefully soneone locally has a copy to sell me for a lot less than $700 :)

Really appreciate your help Mo! Haven't heard anything yet, hopefully will.Your back on my favorites and let me know what is up to buy that is kind of like Zerfas or rock-n-roll, Thank You, Brad Mason

My first release, which was on 700 West, (Day Before Tomorrow) is now available on CD. Contact Moe or contact me directly at gbpike[remove]nltc.net for ordering info. Please mention that you heard about it here. Kevin Stone

I've been looking for this album since the 70's.A friend of mine had it and I recorded it on a 8 track. Needless to say,It wore out within a year.He moved and I never heard from him again.If anybody out there knows how I can get a copy,or if It can be purchased new,please let me know.I'm looking forward to listening to this again.Thank You,Brad Mason(baddbrad_927[remove]msn.com).

Are any of these recordings available on CD? How would I go about getting some of them?

I didn't know that any other wilfongs rocked. I would like to talk to jay. My email is teletwang[remove]icq.com.

Sorry to bother you,but I haven'nt been able to find that ZERFAS album since my friend,Partying buddy,moved back in 73.I thought the last time Iheard the album was earlier than that, Those days were kind of fused together, In a way.Your red and white cover make me realize that's the one.I recorded it on 8 track tape,it died on me,many years ago.I looked all over for it since then.Im 44 now if that tells you anything.I'd very much enjoy hearing them again bbefore its my time.You did'nt leave on you'r site how to purchase this album,or if it'son cd.I will definitely get a copy from you if you could find a way for me to do so.My brother has been looking for it to,he's 47.What made me positive this was the right album was I remembered it was made in Indiana.Kind of hard to remember yesterday,but that stuck with me.The group Zerfas really impressed me.I still wonder why they never made it big,and you could'nt find their album,in michigan.I just bought this computer and got on the web,otherwise I would have tried to get ahold of you a long time ago.I'd really apreciate it if you would let me know where I can purchase this. Notice how I'm using big words? I'm trying to learn how to type.This took about an hour.Well, don't want to bore you anymore so take care and live long.Envious of you, baddbrad[remove]voyager.net

i was raised watching moe make all this strange equipment! i've probably got lead poisoning due to all the soldering that he did!