The Meat Department (Decatur)

In April of 1967, a teenage combo from Decatur, Illinois known locally as the Mystics pooled their money for one hour of studio time at Universal Studios in Chicago.   Members of the group included Skip Huston, Nate King, John "Polar Bear" Sauter, Don Jackson and Steve Whitaker.   

John Sauter's father drove the boys and their equipment the three plus hours to Chicago where they were able to record two songs, enough for a single.  To avoid any confusion with a Chicago group (and countless others) using the same moniker, the Decaturites changed the name of their band to the Meat Department for the release.  The band joked, at least they would get free publicity on supermarket PA's.

Meat Dept., "This Weeks Children" / "Janet" Polar Bear, 41967

The single was released on the band's own Polar Bear Records.  It included an original song written by King and Huston, "Janet," along with a cover of the Electras' "This Week's Children" (written by Warren Kendrick).  The Electras also re-released the song under a different band name, 'Twas Brillig, just a few months before the Meat Dept. single.

The Mystics / Meat Department performed mainly around the Decatur area.   The group doesn't seem to have lasted more than a year.  

John Sauter eventually went on to play bass with Mitch Ryder, Ted Nugent and John Lee Hooker.

In 1995 a few members of the original Meat Department got back together and performed in Decatur for a series of shows known as Flashback.  The reunion concerts, which were organized by Huston, featured a number of 1960's groups from the area such as the Fugitives, the Dutchmen, the Castels and the Reel Blues.

In 1996, Nate King (vocals), Skip Huston (guitar) and John Sauter (bass) re-formed the Meat Department with new members Ed Hemrich (guitar), Randy Luckenbill (drums) and Terry Willis (vocals).

Thirty years after their first single, the Meat Department released their first album on CD called USDA Prime.  All eleven songs on the album were written by Huston.  

You can listen to the group's 1967 cover of "This Week's Children" below.  If anyone knows where I can find a copy of the single or their CD, please contact me at downstatesounds@gmail.com.