The Action

The Action were an English rock band that was active during the mid-to-late 1960s. Popular among clubgoers on London’s mod scene, the band released five Parlophone singles in their time and recorded more than three full album’s worth of material that would later be compiled on the archival CDs Ultimate! Action and Rolled Gold. The band would morph by decade’s end into Azoth/Might Baby.

Members: Reg King (vocals, 1965-67), Alan King (guitar, lead vocals), Mike Evans (bass), Roger Powell (drums), Peter Watson (guitar, 1965-66), Ian Whiteman (keyboards), Martin Stone (guitar)

Musically, The Action progressed from an R&B/beat style akin to The Artwoods and The V.I.P.s to a more refined, soulful, full-bodied approach by the time of the 1967–68 Rolled Gold sessions. The band’s mature phase is best represented by the electric/acoustic chordal thickness and harmonized airs of “Things You Cannot See” and “Icarus,” which were finally issued 30 years after they were recorded by archival label Dig the Fuzz.

Discography:

• “Land of a Thousand Dances” / “In My Lonely Room” (1965)
• “I’ll Keep Holding On” / “Hey Sha-Lo-Ney” (1966)
• “Baby, You’ve Got It” / “Since I Lost My Baby” (1966)
• “Never Ever” / “Twenty Fourth Hour” (1967)
• “Shadows and Reflections” / “Something Has Hit Me” (1967)

Compilations:

• The Ultimate! Action (1964–67 recordings)
  
• Rolled Gold (1967–68 recordings)