THE TRIANGLE (Manchester, CT)

The four sides of this Triangle, standing left to right: Alan Tupek (rhythm guitar and back-up vocals), James McGovern (bass guitar and back-up vocals), Ted Mather (lead guitar and lead vocals). Sitting is Dick Wilcox (drummer).

When a group of high school Beatles fanatics decided to record a couple of original compositions, the results were a far cry from the polished harmony pop of their Liverpool heroes. Rather, this Connecticut combo unknowingly birthed a unique, strangely dark outing — in stark contrast to any "fun" sounds promised by the label name. Both sides are sparse in execution, yet formidable on impact. Extra points for the refrain in "Why": "Don't let me be your man." What a sentiment!

The Triangle consisted of Manchester High School students Alan Tupek (rhythm guitar and back-up vocals), James McGovern (bass guitar and back-up vocals), Ted Mather (lead guitar and lead vocals) and Dick Wilcox (drummer) — Ted, Jim and Dick from the Class of 1967 and Al from 1968. The group stayed together for about a year and played locally in the Manchester/Bolton area, specializing in Beatles covers. Popular local disc jockey Dick Robinson released the band's sole 45 on his own Fun Records imprint, and "Why" received air play on his station, WDRC in Hartford. Though both are credited as writers on each side, Al notes that Ted wrote "Why" and Al wrote "Reputations."

Jim recalls: I remember playing at dances sponsored by Brad Davis, a radio personality with WTIC AM from the 1960s until 1977 when he became the “Morning Person” on WDRC AM radio. And during the mid-60s, the station's popular Saturday night Hootenanny Road Show: featuring live performances by local artists, the show was aired from a different high school or college campus every week. Davis also produced “Connecticut Bandstand” in competition with “American Bandstand.” The Triangle participated in many of these shows.

Ted Mather went on to a successful career in the entertainment business, and continues to work in the industry. Read Ted's extensive music and film biography here.

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THE TRIANGLE
Why / Reputations
Fun Records (U4KM-1106/07) 1967