The Ghosts - When You're Dead (1970)

This album is a range of heavy to folk psych with a lot of memorable, (sometimes overwhelming, sometimes chill,) songs. Some of the songs, ironically, have a very haunting quality, like you're on another plane of existence, or they're performed by the dead. Heavy guitar, heavy organ, nice thumbing base, and both male and female vocals round this one out. This is one of my favorite albums. 

Andromeda

Right after recording a studio project as The Five Day Week Straw People (which also rules), the three members went on to form Andromeda, yet another awesome psych band, which put out one album before disbanding. Here is their first album, followed by outtakes, etc. for 2 and a half hours. 

Morly Grey

Morley Grey are my kind of psych music. Rather than play a handful of specific songs , they instead encompassed the wide variety that made their music almost sub-genreless. You got a little of everything, from psych, hard, garage, etc. Both sides of their album, The Only Truth, featured a different lineup, but a three-piece each time, with three different singers on different songs. Some people mistakenly thought they were from England, but they were from the heartland, Alliance, OH, here in the United States. Some people also mistakenly thought this album came out in 1969 instead of 1972. 

Surreal

I had an amazing day the other day. While it wasn’t psychedelic, it was as if space and time were distorted and reality had taken the day off, so I’ll cover it here.

I hadn’t had much sleep, but Angelique, the member of my pack I was about to spend the day with, had been getting less. She had sent me a text message to see if I was ready, to which I responded that I was “killing shit”, i.e. getting everything ready in quick order. She responded, “Get me a buffalo.” We go to get something to eat for breakfast in Covington, early, not realizing everything but Waffle House is closed. We jump across the bridge to Newport, because we know the Pepper Pod is always open and have good breakfast. We eat, chill, talk, and the View Master is brought up in a weird context I will not cover here. At first, we couldn’t remember what it was called, but our waitress helped us on that. We decided to go shopping.

If Angelique were writing this, she’d probably spend more time talking about the shoes she found at the Savings Place, and how her Chuck Taylors were the same as Amy Pond from Dr. Who, but she’s not, so I won’t. We went into a pawn shop, which had nothing but jewelry we weren’t even interested in, but a side door led us into a more eclectic area that had a huge amount of Elvis memorabilia, vinyl records, and an assortment of other odd things. Rather than peruse the music and take six hours, we instead looked at the shelves against the wall, where we found a vintage, 1940-50’s View Master, with the box. We purchased it, but it didn’t have any slides. We were blown away that they had one, and while it may not be an uncommon thing in a pawn shop, I had never seen one around here.

The next leg of our shopping covered many stops, but the St. Vincent DePaul stood out the most, at first. We looked around the entire store, before asking if they had a View Master, particularly slides, since that was what we were really seeking. Less than a week prior, they had received one, so the leady went to check for it. She told us they had been playing with it and looking at the slides, so she knew they had one in, but believed they had sold it. We continued our search down the street at a consignment shop. Instantly in the door, we asked if they had a View Master, and the lady began searching, pretty sure they did. After about five minutes, she found a plastic case, with two red View Masters, a stack of slides, and a sticker with a value more than the money we had on us, but she was willing to accept what we had.

We decided it was due time to go drinking, but first we wanted to show our waitress that we had found exactly what we discussed earlier. She probably thought we were kooks, but we were impressed with ourselves. Angelique told her we were going to play the lottery, so she gave us three numbers, 210, which we played. While having beers at a bar, we looked through our acquisitions, and on one of the slides, we had buffalo. On a fake lottery ticket, we contracted AIDS (long story on why that’s awesome.) There were more coincidences, but I’ve rambled for far too long.

The entire experience was rather surreal, but eventually we had to go our separate ways. Whatever magic we had when together, eventually faded, because when I checked the lottery numbers, we had two of them, just not the third. So close. So damn close. 

This day ruled.

Wicked Lady

Wicked Lady were an obscure apocalyptic psych or proto-metal trio that never released anything while together as far as I can prove. Some would argue that they influenced Black Sabbath's early albums, but their contemporaries were obviously more talented and held it together much longer. While not as polished as something like War Pigs, War Cloud is a rather creepy and haunting premonition of what could happen in the threat of nuclear war. 

LSD

I used to have this album; it speaks for itself.

The C.A. Quintet - Trip Thru Hell (1968)

Some say 500 copies of this album were pressed, some 700, and others say 1000. Regardless, the album wasn't successful, due in part because it was way ahead of it's time, and because it was released independently in Minnesota, where all innovative psych bands were born and died a quick death. The band was actually around for probably 5 or so years, but only managed to crank this one out. It's quite simply an amazing, pioneering record if you're into apocalyptic psych, which I certainly am.
I'll be honest and admit that the album certainly isn't what one would expect, since pretty much every song coming out at the time was about peace, love, women, etc. and here we have a bad acid trip (through hell) presented in music played on instruments that had never been used in the genre before, like a lost Clint Eastwood western soundtrack. This is an all out horror story. Amazing bass performance, entrancing drums, dual guitars, haunting organs and backgrounds, trumpets (yes, trumpets) signifying it is the end, this album is not to be missed. Well, it was, but you should be listening to it now.

Eve Morris - Eve's Song (1974)

This is an obscure gem from Eve Morris, who, prior to this, spent time in the first openly gay country band, Lavender Country. While that band certainly had a more homosexual than lesbian theme (she was the only female,) this song is apparently more autobiographical and focuses on feminism. Not sure if it has a B-side, since I don't own it, and I'm also not sure if this was a one off release or an attempt to put out a solo album. What I am certain of, at least in my opinion, is that, had Lavender Country utilized her as the main vocalist instead of the overly twangy and comical voice of Patrick Haggerty, they probably would have had more success. The psychedelic rock sub reddit, as usual, is just not ready for actual psych music and I got an instant downvote within 10 seconds of posting it over there. If I could get Tame Impala to cover it, I'd have 75 upvotes. 

Hotel Chelsea

This famous New York hotel was the spot for many artists, a list of which would take hours, possibly. The red-brick hotel's inner walls are covered in art, or at least it was until it was renovated. The balconies and railings are made of iron, making the building stand out and giving it an archaic quality in it's surroundings. Leonard Cohen wrote a song about it, called Chelsea Hotel No. 2, which details an encounter with him and Janis Joplin where they got freaky before they were about to split. About a year ago, that song was covered by Lana Del Rey, and the newer version still holds that same timeless quality. I've been having weird dreams, and this song and hotel popped up in them recently. I don't know why. 

Friday Hill

Consisting of members who came from less than successful music projects, this less than successful music project was part of an early, and short lived, trend where musicians were allowed to call their own shots on their debut album. In it's entirety, it pleads the case of music producers, but it's still an interesting look at true creativity without big label influence and a few songs are just as god as anything else getting airplay at the time. Original mint albums of their only release sell for around a grand. 

The Big 4 Of Hipster Music

No one likes hipsters. But for you to pretend that you like their music just because it's becoming popular, well, you can die now. You see, I've had the luxury of pursuing some impressive psychedelic music libraries, not people who just listen to the Doors and Pink Floyd, and any other standard band in the genre, and then clam to be experts. I'm talking about people who break out Matthew Moore Plus Four's Codyne and start talking about how sad it is they never put out a full length before disbanding. Enter hipster music.

"Have you ever heard of The 13th Floor Elevators?"

That's a typical question asked by people who are about to pretend they are hugely immersed in the psychedelic music subculture. They then list The Big 4 of Hipster Music. Here they are and why I don't like them.

1. Tame Impala

They're like making a salad. Basically, their formula consists of "borrowing" elements from every single psych band that has been around in the last 50 years and putting them in a song. Only their new pastiche sucks, so while emulating something greater, they're living up to their moniker by taking every bit of heat and soul out of the original.Tame, indeed. I personally think they should disband, but of all the Australian acts to worship, you morons pick this one. 

2. The Flaming Lips

Continuing the trend of crappy vocalists fronting folk-influenced rock bands, there isn't much difference between them and Tame Impala, aside from more females liking this band. They do borrow some cool space effects, made uncool by the fact they're borrowed and nothing original that hasn't been done ten times better since the 70's. Rest assure, those lips are made for sucking. 

3. The Black Angels

I really hate that they're on this list. Why? Because they're really talented and really have their ear to the music. Unfortunately, they're more or less a rip off of the Doors. Minus Jim Morrison. And Ray Manzarek. And John Densmore. And Robby Krieger. If they were a Doors tribute band, I'd maybe listen; they're not.   

4. The Brian Jonestown Massacre

With a name that suggests metal, and album covers and names that scream Dead Kennedy's, it's a huge shock that this one is a flower happy psych band. This band commits ALL of the transgressions of the bands listed above, and if they were more popular, I'd have listen them first, but fortunately they sound like 8 people ripping off 8 different classic rock icons. Have you added Mick Jagger to your lineup yet?

I was going to reserve this spot for a fifth band, but instead I have decided to do what the others do. I'm auditioning members for my band, The Flaming Black Impala Massacre. Every band is influenced by every sound they hear and there's nothing wrong with that. But there is something wrong with trying to sound like another band and passing it off on your own. Now had all of these bands been around in the 60's and the artists they rip off been around today, their names would be on this list, but that's not the case, because those bands were original and trying something new. Now that I've written about it, you can rip me off by stealing my suggestions.  

In The Garden Of Eden (1968)

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a psych anthem from Iron Butterfly, more or less bridging the gap between psych rock and heavy metal. Some would say it's the best song from Iron Butterfly, ever, myself included. But what makes it unique in my eyes is the number of different edits that were released over the years. 

It's no secret that the song took up an entire side of their album of the same name, since one side of a 12" LP will hold about 18 minutes of music. Being a little more than 17 minutes long, it had to be cut down in order to get it out to record stations and be sold as a single. It was reduced to 2 minutes and 52 seconds. Yes, 2:53 out of 17:05. This became the initial standard 7" 45 and was released worldwide. Somewhere along the way, France, Germany, and the Netherlands got fed up and decided to add 17 seconds of music back in, releasing a 3:10 version. Take that, America! But then the European countries declared war on on each other. A 4:14 version was released by the Netherlands, a full 1 minute and 4 seconds, and soon this became standard across the continent. Then came the 4:50 vocal only version (36 seconds), I think from Germany, but I could be wrong, and then France followed with instrumental only version at 5:12 (an additional 22). I imagine it was a recording engineer who figured that a 45 could record slightly more than 4 and a half minutes of music, depending on things like bass, etc., and they decided to stretch the vinyl to the limit. Finally, the voice of reason spoke, and Spain released a Super 45 of the entire song. It was a 12" recording at 45 rpm, split in two parts, 8:53 on side 1, and 8:12 on side 2 (restoring a total of 11 minutes and 3 seconds). You know, because with a 12" record at 45 rpm, you can only squeeze about 12 minutes per side and it doesn't make any sense to record it in 33 and a third.  Did I mention the 19 minute live version? Just enjoy the damn song. 

Steel Mill - Summer's Child

I caught a lot of shit for just posting a video last Friday and not elaborating on it. Well, I thought the song could speak for itself. It was a 1969 Danish psych rock song that has these amazing lyrics backed up by just as amazing music, and since it's not American or British, no one cares, so I didn't have much to say. 
This time, I bring to you a song from the British band, Steel Mill. You would be correct in thinking that Bruce Springsteen played for a band with the same name. But he went on to be a legendary performer that everyone knows everything about. The British band on the other hand, despite putting out a solid debut album, first released in Germany, that landed them with opening opportunities for David Bowie and T-Rex, was never heard from again. In fact, the very liner notes of their reissue asked anyone with information to come forward. Luckily, the band did resurface once they realized they were owed royalties by someone releasing their music without their permission. They recorded a handful of new tracks, but then nothing was heard from them again. 

Burnin' Red Ivanhoe - Sensitive Plant

Resurrection O Children

"A few minutes alone with me, darlin', and you'll be speaking in tongues." -Max Cadey

There is a certain religiousness to music. You have those people who can recite the words and know everything by heart but don't comprehend shit, and then you have those people that can feel the notes deep in their bones. I just so happen to be one of those unfortunate people, the holiest of the holy.

In 1969, a psych band named Aum, was lucky enough to be signed to a label by Bill Graham. The irony, I know, since they released a little known album called Resurrection. The titular track is downright amazing, especially since the band had a weird, pseudo-religious rebirth and then promptly broke up.

Channeling the same god of music in 2004, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released the double album, Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus. Orpheus being the legendary musician who may have been killed by Zeus for revealing the secrets of the gods to men, and Nick Cave probably eventually being killed in the same manner by the same god for the same sin, the closing track, O' Children, is very similar in tone. 

This is how my brain works. 

Come Wander with Me

This is the name of a song released in 1964. It wasn't released by the traditional route of radio or a 45 record, but instead as a plot device to an awesome show, The Twilight Zone, in the episode of the same name, the last one to ever be filmed. The song was written by Jeff Alexander, who mainly wrote music for television and film, and the episode was written by Anthony Wilson, who was a successful writer for many TV shows, mainly focusing on science fiction, mystery, horror, or just plain weird. It was directed by Richard Donner, who needs no introduction. 
Here's where it gets even more awesome, the story follows a guy named Floyd Burney, better known as the Rockabilly Kid, portrayed by actor Gary Crosby, real-life son of legendary singer, Bing Crosby, and Dixie Lee. He's ironically travelling the countryside looking for the next big hit and willing to pay top dollar for it. That was how the music business worked back then, and if you ever heard a Bing and Gary Crosby song, you'd probably want to shoot yourself. Gary Crosby sounded much better, and more like the character here, on the few rock songs I've heard him on. 
Floyd Burney then runs into a haunting siren who sings a song he must have, bu the name of Mary Rachel, real name Bonnie Beecher, who some thought would become famous, and didn't, and later changed her name to Jahanara Romney, for no reason whatsoever and marriage respectively. She actually sang the song rather well, but apparently she never sang again as far as I can tell, and her acting career failed to impress anyone. She did however kick Bob Dylan in the ass and helped him to pursue music. She would later go on to marry hippie icon Wavy Gravy, which more or less brings us full circle on this fine Flashback Friday. Now for your viewing pleasure: