Liner Notes:

"I remember hearing the Cucumbers on vinyl before I met them. Their music was so fresh and original. It had wonderfully upbeat pop overtones with not a shred of self-consciousness. When Nels Johnson, my partner at Fake Doom introduced them to me, it became apparent that they were even more genuine then they sounded. The fun began for me as I watched Jon and Deena create and record a diverse group of substantive and well-crafted songs so spiritually well-rounded. Some of these would become Fake Doom Records first full length LP: “Who Betrays Me”.

As proud as I am to have been a part of this period of their creativity, I am even more pleased to have made friends with two of the most kind and honest people I have ever met.
And wow, those years where fun!" -Steve Neighoff, Founder and President, Fake Doom Records

"I’ve played multiple instruments in multiple bands for many years. I’ve had the good fortune to work with many who’ve influenced my musical palette. However, the Cucumbers (Jon and Deena) have always stood head and shoulders above.

Jon and Deena have always stayed on the positive side of my early music business memories. We didn’t get wealthy recording and touring together, but they handled business in ways that are unfortunately 180 degrees opposite of how it was handled in other situations I found myself in. They set a standard of trust that I’ve always respected.

Musically, The Cucumbers are the only band that I’ve ever recorded with that actually captured the complete spirit of what they were about. ‘Who Betrays Me….’ is by far the best album I’ve ever recorded! Thanks Jon Deena & Yuergen." -Brian Hardgroove, bass on “Who Betrays Me”.

"Being in a band and part owner of the band's label simultaneously can be big mistake. A lot depends on the local music scene and the people involved from each organization -- in this case the Northern New Jersey club circuit, the Cucumbers and Steve Neighoff and Tracey Miller, my partners in Fake Doom Records.

Fake Doom started as a way to sell a few singles by the NJ/NYC-based Delphobics. This was easier because the label and the band were both run by the same people. After I left the Delphobics, the other members of that band went on to form the Gyros--a rockabilly outfit also signed to Fake Doom along with the Whyos and Joe Burdette and the New West.

When I got back into joining a band and passed the audition to play bass for The Cucumbers, we all realized we had a lot to offer each other--despite the obvious dangers. Three vinyl records and a lot of college radio airplay later (not to mention good reviews in the Village Voice, New York Times and Rolling Stone) it seemed things were on the right track. Not to mention a fine time to be in The Cucumbers AND part of Fake Doom Records.

30 Years later and still no regrets. " - Nels Johnson, Fake Doom Records, and bass on "Fresh Cucumbers"

“Did more for the reputation of New Jersey than the Boss himself. Did..... Peelable....Deena and Jon move right along”
-David Young, producer

"The Cukes needed a bass player and I borrowed a bass and passed the audition. They had gigs and were about to record "All Shook Up". And so began my association with Jon, Deena and Yeurgen. We saw the country touring, recorded Albums in London, New York and New Jersey. We grew up together, had children together and ultimately still live within a few miles of each other. From the funky Sweater Factory in Jersey City where we rehearsed and shot the video for "All Shook Up" to Lincoln, Nebraska where we played with The Replacements, they were great years of our lives. They were huge influences on me personally and professionally. It was thru Deena's introductions that I got my start in the recording business where I stayed for 25 years. Thank you!" John Williams, bass

THE FAKE DOOM YEARS (1983-1986)
Track list:
From “Fresh Cucucumbers” (1983)
1.My Boyfriend
2. Susie's Getting Married
3. Go Ahead and Do It
4. Snap Out of It
From “Who Betrays Me and Other Happier Songs” (1985)
5. Who Betrays Me
6. Walking and Talking
7. Everything Goes
8. Love
9. Want To Talk
10. Susie's Breakdown
11. D-Zep
12. Desperation
13. Feels Good
14. You're Still Here In My Arms
15. Don't Watch TV
From “All Shook Up” 12” single (1986)
16. All Shook Up
17. All Shook Up (extended)
Bonus Tracks:
18. Keep Your Cool (unreleased demo 1986)
19. Body Groove (live at Ziggy's, Winston/Salem, NC 9/85)

Dedicated with love to the friends and musicians that made these recordings possible: Steve Neighoff, Nels Johnson, David Young, Tom Dugan, Yuergen Renner, Brian Hardgroove, John Williams, Roger Moutenot, Tracey Miller, Dave Lichtenstein, Scott Ansell, Knut Bohn, Paul Wickliffe, Dan Griffin. Thanks and Big Hugs from Jon & Deena

Restored and re-mastered by Scott Anthony at Storybook Sound

Credits from each individual release:

FRESH CUCUMBERS EP CREDITS

1. MY BOYFRIEND
2. SUSIE’S GETTING MARRIED
3. GO AHEAD AND DO IT
4. SNAP OUT OF IT

Jon Fried – guitar, vocals
Deena Shoshkes – guitar, vocals
Tom Dugan – drums, percussion
Nels Johnson – bass

Produced by Dave Young
Engineered by Dave Lichtenstein
Assistant Engineer – Scott Ansell
Recorded at Skyline Studio
Cover by Frank Bosco
Special Thanks To Mike Sternberg

Executive Producers:
Steve Nyhoff and Neil Johnson
Fake Doom Records

All Songs ©(p) 1983 Verbena Music

WHO BETRAYS ME... AND OTHER HAPPIER SONGS
Side A
Who Betrays Me Walking and Talking Everything Goes Love
Want to Talk Susie’s Breakdown
Side B
D-Zep Desperation
Feels Good
You’re Still Here in My Arms Don’t Watch TV
The Cucumbers:
Deena Shoshkes – guitar, vocals, percussion
Jon Fried – guitar, vocals, percussion
Yuergen Renner – drums, percussion
Charles Hargrove – bass, background vocals, percussion
Produced by Dave Young Engineered by Roger Moutenot
Assistant Engineers: Mario Rodriguez, Richard Moskes, Ernie Dimeo
Recorded at Skyline Studio, NYC, Ears, NJ
Mixed at Advision Studios, London
Painting by Masha
Graphics by Fernando/Studio T
Additional rhythm guitar, synthesizer, percussion – Dave Young Special Thanks to Neil and Marion
Fake Doom Records, NY, NY
Executive Producers: Nels Johnson, Tracey Miller
All songs © (p) 1985 Verbena Music

All Shook Up
45 rpm
Side A
All Shook Up 4:00
Side B
Everything Goes 3:16
All Shook Up (extended) 5:10

Deena Shoshkes – vocals and percussion
Jon Fried – guitars, background vocals, percussion
John Williams – - bass, background vocals, percussion
Yuergen Renner – drums, background vocals
David Young – - guitar and phone
Peter Scherer – - synclavier

Produced by David Young
Arrangement by Nels Johnson, Tom Dugan, Jon Fried and Deena Shoshkes
Engineered by Roger Moutenot
Mixed by Paul Wycliffe
Assistant Engineer – Knut Bohn
Skyline Studios, NYC
Drawing by Tim Daly
Graphics by Studio T

Special Thanks to Pat Brannon

BONUS TRACKS:

Keep Your Cool

Deena Shoshkes – vocals and percussion
Jon Fried – - guitar and vocals
John Williams – - bass
Yeurgen Renner – - drums
Recorded by Fran Manzella at The Barge, Wayne, NJ
Mixed by Roger Moutenot at Skyline Studios, NYC
The Body Groove (live)
Recorded by Dan Griffin on a cassette recorder near the soundboard
at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, NC, September 1985