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