The Panicks, a garage band from Ohio, emerged in the 1960s from the remnants of a country group known as West Virginia Dude and the Mountain Dewers. Guitarists Bill Sobecki and Roger Everett honed their skills by drawing inspiration from Cleveland icons such as Tom King, Ritchie and the Fortunes, and Glenn Schwartz, who performed at the Dove Lounge. Despite their initial aspirations, the Mountain Dewers—consisting of a singer known as the Dude and an accordion player—struggled to meet their musical goals. Following the tragic death of the accordion player in a truck accident, the band pivoted to rock and roll, rebranding themselves as the Panicks, or, as the name suggests, in a state of urgency.
Their transition to rock music was catalyzed when a nightclub in Peninsula requested a rock-n-roll set, prompting the need for a drummer. After some trial and error with untrained percussion, Roger Everett displayed a natural talent, leading him to take on drumming duties. Bob Dent, a local guitarist, joined the band, while Bill Sobecki assumed lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Bob then recruited his schoolmate Jim Pierce, and the Panicks were officially formed. They later added a stand-up singer, Teddy G, who brought a strong, soulful style reminiscent of James Brown, drawing from his background in the vocal group era.
The band secured management under Don Fieldman, who had connections with Ernie Malick at Akron Recording. They recorded two of Sobecki's original songs, "Work" and "Treat Me Right." However, their studio experience was marred by disputes over their sound, leading Fieldman to attempt to tone it down to the band's dissatisfaction. Upon releasing their 45 on ARC's Dupree label, Fieldman claimed credit for the songs. After learning of an East Coast band with a similar name, they altered their name to the Panicks, adding a 'k' and stickered over many of their 45s. Although the record received some airplay on WAKR, it ultimately fell short of the band's expectations.
In late 1965 and early 1966, the Panicks became serious about their music and worked to establish themselves in the nightclub circuit. They sought engagements at notable venues such as Salems in Akron, the 5th Quarter in Kent, and Boston Mills Ski Lodge, often performing six nights a week while expanding their reach to western Pennsylvania and northeastern Indiana. The band frequently recorded their live performances for review, although these tapes were often reused for subsequent shows. One live recording from the 5th Quarter was preserved by Bill Sobecki, but unfortunately, it was damaged by a cat.
The lineup briefly included a keyboard player named Katie Hendricks, who helped the band notate music charts and contributed to the recording of their second 45. The Panicks were known for their coordinated outfits, sometimes wearing tailored suits and at other times sporting Mod-styled ruffled shirts. During a performance at Salems, they shared the bill with “1000 lbs of Go-Go,” which turned out to be a group of rather large women. Another memorable incident occurred in Newark, Ohio, where the first night of a two-week engagement was nearly disrupted by a riot after the opening band was stiffed by the club manager. The Panicks rallied the crowd with the chant "No pay, No Play" until the situation was resolved.
Their second 45, featuring "You're My Baby" and "Lots of Pretty Girls," was recorded at Cleveland Recording. With a new manager who replaced Fieldman, the band financed the session and retained the Dupree name despite having no connection to Akron Recording. This release showcased the band's refined sound more effectively than their debut. A key location for the Panicks was Boston Mills, an Alpine ski area that boasted a 12-foot-high stage. While performing there, they received an offer for a long engagement at the 5th Quarter. Initially loyal to Boston Mills, they ultimately accepted the 5th Quarter engagement and drew large crowds on weekends, particularly with their raucous rendition of "Louie Louie."
However, the band's trajectory shifted dramatically when Bob Dent was drafted. Allegedly, Joe Walsh filled in during this time and may have even contributed an overdubbed lead on "You're My Baby," although this remains unconfirmed. Shortly thereafter, Roger Everett departed to focus on a serious relationship. The band experimented with new guitarists and a drummer, but the original chemistry was lost. The Panicks disbanded in early 1968, a decision hastened by the theft of most of their equipment. Despite the setback, several fans came together to purchase a new Vox 12-string guitar for Bill Sobecki. Ultimately, the band members went their separate ways, with Sobecki continuing to perform in country bands intermittently over the years.
