The Spats - Gator Tails and Monkey Ribs

October 1964 - Weeks On Chart: 8 - Highest Position: 12

This is a classic bit of early lo-fi garage rock goodness. It's trying a bit too hard to sound like "Louie Louie" but that's not a bad thing.

The Spats were from Sacramento, California. They sported a clean-cut image which, indeed, included spats. "Gator Tails and Monkey Ribs" appears to have been only a regional hit, as it made it to only #96 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band continued in existence until 1968; it broke up because many of its members were drafted. I hope they made it out okay.

Created February 7, 2026.

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