History:

The New Breed was a rock band based out of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The band's original lineup consisted of Jim Mills on lead vocals and drums, Augie Dietz on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Terry Calaman on bass guitar. Their fourth member, Terry Brady, was recruited from The Sharvells, a lounge rock group. He joined on lead guitar after playing lead guitar on a folk album by Gay Minnich.  Members Dietz and Calaman were in their mid 30’s during the group’s heyday and bother were veterans. Calaman served in the navy while Dietz served in Vietnam. 

The band’s origins are unknown besides the fact they got together in the early 70’s and they all worked day jobs. At night they were one of the most popular rock groups in the city. The group enjoyed moderate success playing live in central and southern Pennsylvania and eventually recorded an album. The album, titled “Many Moods Of New Breed”, was recorded at a studio in Maryland known as ITIRI. The music on the album was a blending of originals and soul covers. The album was produced by the band, arranged by Jim Mills, and featured a horn section consisting of Carlisle residents Chet Nace and Ed Strohm. Strohm and Nace frequently performed with this lineup on stage. During the recording, the members of the band experimented by taking up several unfamiliar instruments. Mills played organ on several tracks, Brady played drums on a tune, Dietz contributed some lead guitar parts, and their horn section played various percussion instruments on several tracks. 

The album was accompanied by the release of a single which lifted two tracks from the album. Both were released in 1972. The album sold very well locally and was common to find in Pennsylvania record and thrift shops back in the 90's and 2000's. Apparently the group won a contest to record a jingle for Pepsi. The band went through several lineup changes after the mid 1970's. Brady left first and wound up working the club scene with a variety of other hard rock bands. The final New Breed lineup consisted of Jim Mills, Terry Lloyd, Marshall Bachman, and Pete Einstein. 

As of 2026, Terry Brady is the only surviving band member. Terry Calaman and Augie Dietz both passed away in 2014. Brady announced Jim Mills' passing in 2021. I have heard murmurs of a possible reissue or comp selection due to the album's newfound popularity. The album was featured in The Acid Archives book and several online blogs (including this one!). 

Review:

The Many Moods Of (1972, New Breed Records)

Rating: 8.5/10

This is a great straight up rock album. Nothing that will blow your socks off but it’s a very solid listen. I found it a bit derivative but overall they conduct their business well. “Mississippi Delta” is just a slower version of “Mississippi Queen”. The soul covers are a bit boring and “Never Ending Song Of Love” doesn’t fit. However, “Unlock Your Mind” is really good, and both "Rockbustin' Blues" and “In The Wind” kick ass. “Shotgun” is also pretty fun too. Solid drumming and vocals, some heavy fuzz and wah wah, and a great vibe overall.