The 4 Levels of Existence - The 4 Levels of Existence (1976)

 The 4 Levels of Existence - The 4 Levels of Existence (1976)

Artist: The 4 Levels of Existence
Album: The 4 Levels of Existence
Label: 2005 Lion Productions ( LION 604 )
Released: 1976
Genre: Heavy Psych

Greek hard progressive rock/psych with incredible guitar work and great vocals. Greek lyrics. Incredibly rare and sought after collector's item which was originally released in a very small quantity, now it's available again as a limited reissue. ~ acidvisions.com

The 4 Levels of Existence "The 4 Levels of Existence" official CD reissue of stunning ultra rare Greek psychedelic hard rock collector record. From the mastertapes reissue featuring 10 songs! The label says: "The first ever official CD reissue of an album that many people consider to be the best Greek psychedelic album ever recorded, a belief that would mean that the Four Levels of Existence LP would supercede albums by artists like Axis, Aphrodite's Child, Socrates, and George Romanos. We'll let you decide the argument, for of one thing there is no doubt that this is tremendous hard edged psychedelic/progressive material, originally released in a very small quantity by the private Venus label from 1976. As band leader Athanasios Alatas said: Through Nick's musical quest, Mario's sensitivity, Christos's madness, and my thoughts, we create many songs, all characterized by a psychedelic music sound, Greek lyrics, and monumental guitar solos.

Tracklist:

1. Metamorphic
2. When the Snow Melts
3. The Village Postman
4. Wilderness
5. The Fool's Trumpet
6. Our Fight
7. Disappointment
8. Child's Song
9. Untitled
10. Someday in Athens

The 4 Levels of Existence - The 4 Levels of Existence (1976)

High Treason - High Treason (1969)

High Treason - High Treason (1969)

Yes, that's not a replication of the American Flag on the top left of this picture....it's a packet containing actual American Flag rolling papers, compliments of High Treason!! This 1970 self-titled LP was recorded in Philadelphia and actually featured several musicians that played with Perry Leopold. Featuring the beautiful and haunting female vocals of Marci Rauer, this music is spacey, bluesy, and psychedelic sounding, much like that of Jefferson Airplane and It's A Beautiful Day!

1. Leo (Edgar Koshatka) 4:37
2. Maybe, Maybe (Edgar Koshatka) 8:58
3. Subterranean Homesick Blues (Bob Dylan)
4. Circadian Rhythm (Edgar Koshatka)
5. The Witch (Edgar Koshatka) 4:41
6. Fallin' Back (Edgar Koshatka) 12:25

Fat Mattress - Fat Mattress (1969)

 Fat Mattress - Fat Mattress (1969)

Fat Mattress' first album must have come as a surprise to fans expecting something at least somewhat related to the former activities of its most famous member, ex-Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding. But Fat Mattress doesn't sound at all like Jimi Hendrix (and, for that matter, Redding plays guitar on the album, not bass). Instead, it's passable, pleasant late-'60s psychedelia with a far lighter touch than the hard bluesy psychedelic rock Redding played with Hendrix. From the sound of things, Redding (who had a hand in writing much of the material) and his new cohorts were doing some heavy listening to California psychedelic rock and folk-rock, as this is far breezier and more oriented toward harmony vocals. It's often like an amalgam of the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Moby Grape, and Love, with some passing nods to British psychedelia by Traffic (whose Chris Wood plays flute on "All Night Drinker"), the Move, and the Small Faces; there's even a bit of a Monkees-go-spacy feel to "I Don't Mind." In the manner of Forever Changes-era Love, the lyrics have a fleetingly opaque feel, easy on the ear but not really about anything, save soaking up good-time vibes. The problem, at least inasmuch as playing this back to back with something like Forever Changes, is that the words and music don't penetrate nearly as deeply, or coalesce into nearly as strong a group identity. They're pleasing but indeed fleeting in their impression, lacking the indelible hooks or songwriting brilliance of their apparent inspirations, the songs tending to run together in their similar moods. All that said, this isn't a bad album at all; had it not been dismissed by many Hendrix collectors as irrelevant, it might well be getting rediscovered by revisionists and championed as a minor nugget of obscure British light psych. The 1992 reissue on Sequel adds five previously unreleased bonus tracks, undated but from the sound of things cut around the same time as the album or slightly afterward, most of them using a heavier instrumental approach. (All 15 songs from the 1992 reissue are also included on the 2000 Fat Mattress compilation Black Sheep of the Family: The Anthology.)

1. All Night Drinker
2. I Don't Mind
3. Bright New Day
4. Petrol Pump Assistant
5. Mr. Moonshine
6. Magic Forest
7. She Came in the Morning
8. Everything Blue
9. Walking Through a Garden
10. How Can I Live
11. Little Girl in White [#][*]
12. Margarita [#][*]
13. Which Way to Go [#][*]
14. Future Days [#][*]
15. Cold Wall of Stone [#][*]

The Fallen Angels - The Roulette Masters Vol. 1 (1994)

The Fallen Angels - The Roulette Masters Vol. 1 (1994)

1. Room At The Top 2:43
2. Love, Don't Talk To Strangers 2:01
3. Your Friends Here In Dunderville 2:30
4. I've Been Thinking 1:56
5. It Might Be Easier To Stay Home 2:13
6. Most Children Do 3:17
7. Introspective Looking Glass 2:36
8. I Don't Want To Fall 2:23
9. No Way Out 2:41
10. Painted Bird 2:27
11. Your Mother's Homesick Too 2:26
12. You have changed 2:32

Fabulon Triptometer - Padded Lounge (1992)

Fabulon Triptometer - Padded Lounge (1992)

1. A Very Super Action 3:32
2. It Was On A Winter's Day 2:29
3. Winkle Picker Shoes 5:13
4. Tallulah Bankhead 5:35
5. Ten Screaming Queens 2:35
6. Living With The Lady 2:49
7. Moon And Satelite 3:16
8. Little Star On Bethlehem 6:04
9. Psychosis Of The Worm 3:15

B.F. Trike - B.F. Trike (1971)

B.F. Trike - B.F. Trike (1971)

Tracklist:

1. Time & Changes 2:45
2. For Sale Or Lease 3:03
3. Wait And See 2:38
4. Lovely Lady 3:08
5. Sunshine 4:51
6. Bench Of Wood 3:31
7. Three Piece Music 2:39
8. 6 O'Clock Sleeper 4:15
9. Magic Makin' Music Man 2:13
10. Be Free 3:47

The Bevis Frond - Triptych (1988)

The Bevis Frond - Triptych (1988)

2001 Reissue

Tracklist:

1. Into The Cryptic Mist 4:25
2. Debbie's New Song For Drums 0:25
3. Lights Are Changing 4:55
4. Gemini Machine 4:05
5. Phil Exorcises The Daemons 1:40
6. Old Man Blank 3:45
7. The Daily Round 3:05
8. Hurt Goes On 4:25
9. Corinthian 3:13
10. Nowhere Fast 2:41
11. Tangerine Infringement Beak 19:17
12. Hey Joe 1:28
13. Time To Change 3:58
14. You're Trying To Get Me High Again 2:54
15. Still Couldn't See Her 2:40
16. The Pilgrim's Way 5:22
17. Through And Through 3:59
18. You Got To Unwind 3:17

The Bevis Frond - Miasma (1986)

The Bevis Frond - Miasma (1986)

Tracklist:

1. Garden Gate
2. She's In Love With Time
3. Wild Mind
4. Wild Afternoon
5. Splendid Isolation
6.The Earl Of Walthamstowe
7. The Newgate Wind
8. Release Yourself
9. Maybe
10. Ride The Train Of Thought
11. Confusion Days
12. Find My Way Home
13. I Eat The Air
14. Song From Room 13
15. Need All Your Loving
16. High Wind In The Trees

The Bevis Frond - Inner Marshland (1987)

The Bevis Frond - Inner Marshland (1987)

Tracklist:

1. Cries From The Inner Marshland 1:52
2. Termination Station Grey 5:11
3. Window Eye 5:52
4. Once More 7:30
5. Defoliation (Part One) 1:42
6. Reflections In A Tall Mirror 4:43
7. Hey Mr. Undecided 1:35
8. I've Got Eyes In The Back Of My Head 4:49
9. Minsmere Sphagnum 1:01
10. Mediaeval Sienese Acid Blues 5:13
11. Defoliation (Part Two) 5:42
12. Walking In The Lady's Garden 7:15
13. Slave 4:12
14. Run At The Sun 4:37
15. Parapsynquiry 5:40
16. The Great Mistake 6:18
17. Solid Vimto 3:40

The Bevis Frond - Bevis Through The Looking Glass (1987)

The Bevis Frond - Bevis Through The Looking Glass (1987)

Band: The Bevis Frond
Album: Bevis through the looking glass
Year originally released: 1987
Label: Woronzow
Year re-released: 2005
Label: Rubric

Compilation from The Bevis Frond of very early recordings, originally a double LP is here
re-released by Rubric records on cd.

Fan website:
http://members.chello.nl/cvanderlely/bfrond.html

Biography from fan website:
The Bevis Frond is Nick Saloman, a neo-psychedelic renaissance man and the sole writer,
performer and producer behind the cottage industry bearing the Frond name. The head of his
own label (Woronzow) as well as the co-publisher of his own underground magazine (the
highly regarded Ptolemaic Terrascope), Saloman is a quintessential English eccentric, a
frighteningly prolific talent and a true anachronism purveying an archaic musical genre
while simultaneously pioneering the lo-fi aesthetic.

Saloman (11-03-1953) cloaked his formative years in mystery; according to legend, he
formed his first band, the Bevis Frond Museum, during his school years, covering stuff by
Cream, Hendrix, Doors, Blue Cheer, etc. After the group disbanded he performed solo
acoustic sets throughout the London area known as Walthamstow. After founding the
Von Trapp Family, later known as Room 13, Saloman was sidelined in 1982 following a motor-
cycle accident. With the money he received as compensation for his injuries, he revived
the Bevis Frond name and during his recuperation period assembled 1986's Miasma, a slice
of twisted, latter-day psychedelia issued on Woronzow in an original pressing of 250.
Much to Saloman's shock, the record sold out; realizing an audience existed for his brand
of time-warped pop, he quickly issued Inner Marshland, another underground success which
encouraged him to raid his extensive archives for more material. With the floodgates
opened, new Bevis Frond material -- much of it written and recorded at Saloman's home
long before it ever saw release -- appeared constantly; in 1988 alone, Woronzow issued
three separate collections, Triptych, Bevis Through the Looking Glass and Acid Jam, all
spotlighting Saloman's surreal wit and acute social commentary.

In the late 80s and early 90s Nick Saloman also played and recorded as a member of Magic
Muscle (with Rod Goodway), and with the Outskirts of Infinity (with Bari Watts).
Beginning with 1990's Any Gas Faster, Saloman was secure enough financially to begin
recording in an outside studio; as the new decade dawned, he also made his live debut,
appearing sporadically with an ever-changing group of backing musicians. After 1990's
Magic Eye, a joint collaboration with former Pink Fairy Twink, the Bevis Frond issued its
acknowledged masterpiece, 1991's double-LP set New River Head; erratic and eclectic,
Saloman's output continued on without concession to trends or consumer tastes, with new
albums appearing annually with clocklike precision.
Among the strongest were 1993's It Just Is, 1995's Superseeder and 1996's Son of Walter.

The Bevis Frond has become England's premier psychedelic rock band. Nick still continues
to record as a solo artist (under the name of Bevis Frond), mostly writing, playing and
producing everything himself. His latest album, the sublime North Circular is perhaps the
best example of Nick's talents.

Live the Bevis Frond tours as a three piece band includes ex-Hawkwind bassist Adrian Shaw
and ex Camel drummer Andy Ward.

Source:
Jason Ankeny (All-Music Guide), Kees van der Lely.

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. 1970 Home Improvements
3. Now You Know
4. Shrine, The
5. Rat In A Waistcoat
6. In Another Year
7. Expressman
8. Mudman
9. Song For The Sky
10. Purple Sline
11. I Can't Get Into Your Scene
12. Soot
13. Die Is Cast
14. Alistair Jones

The Beginning - This Is The Beginning (2003)

The Beginning - This Is The Beginning (2003)

Formed in the vapour trail of the 1960's oblivion wagon The Beginning... are one of THE great lost wonders of psychedelic rock. Their only album "This Is" lay dormant until recently when it was uncovered by Molten Records. Now available on CD, it contains a mind altering selection of acid guitar music mixing funky rock 'n' roll grooves, with the kind of twin-lead guitar attack that drifted off to the acid tent at Woodstock 30 years ago. Flashes of ever-so-fluid San Franciscan psychedelic improvisation merge with hard edged Detroit rock and hip stoned grooviness. The overall result is a sound that's part Frumious Bandersnatch, Yesterdays Children, Rolling Stones, Led Zep, SRC and Quicksilver Messenger Service!

The is a side project for Josiah main man, Matt Bethancourt. This little project allows Matt to explore a more groovy 60's beat sound compared to the 70's inspired hard rock sound of Josiah. I am not sure who backs him up on the CD as there is very little information with the CD or promo sheet. Anyway, this is some pretty cool stuff with some good grooves and licks! At times it is a bit like Quicksilver Messenger Service and on track 4, "Baby's Takin' Me For a Ride", very Jefferson Airplane like. He really can sound like Marty Balin on this track. There is some cool dual electric leads on tracks throughout to give it a bit more psychedelic flavour than Josiah. Quite a cool record and worth checking out if you like Josiah.

Tracklist:

01 - Soul Revolution - 6.22
02 - The Ju Ju Man - 4.09
03 - Blue Honey - 8.49
04 - Baby´s Takin´ Me For A Ride - 13.17
05 - The Golden Whisper - 8.00

Bliss - Bliss (1969)

Bliss - Bliss (1969)

Raw, heavy power trio from Arizona that recorded at Audio Recorders in Phoenix. The album bears no date, but sounds circa 1969 - comparable perhaps to Wildfire, Banchee or Rock Island. Roughly half the album is top-notch hard rock and it seems surprising that it hasn't been reissued.

One of our favorite recent discoveries, "Bliss" was released by the L.A.-based Canyon Records. Musically the LP offered up a mix of originals (all three members contributing material), and blues covers. Based on the cover which shows a chalice and a young, angry looking priest, our initial expectations were that this might be a Christian-rock LP. Those thoughts were reinforced by the opener "Ride the Ship of Fool" which blended a nice melody with sweet harmonies and a pseudo-religious lyric and "Cry for Love".

While those characteristics are enough to send a large segment of the population running for cover, in this case the results aren't half bad. The religious sentiments are kept in check throughout and are wrapped in a series of tasty rockers. With powerhouse drumming and strong fuzz guitar (check out "Visions" and their cover of Joe Tex's "I Want To be Free"), this is simply a great LP! [Source - Lysergia]

1. 01- Ride The Ship Of Fools 4:13
2. 02- Cry For Love 5:02
3. 03- Gangster Of Love 3:00
4. 04- I Want To Be Free 3:04
5. 05- Visions 3:30
6. 06- Dont think 2:09
7. 07- I m Gonna Hurt You 2:04
8. 08- Make My Old Soul New 2:10
9. 09- Rock Me Baby 3:32

Blessed End - Movin' On (1971)

Blessed End - Movin' On (1971)

Personnel:
KEN CARSON bs A
MIKE PETRYLAK drms A
STEVE QUINZI keyb'ds A
JIM SHUGARTS gtr A
DOUG TETI vcls A

ALBUM:
1(A) MOVIN' ON (Tns J 248) 1971

NB: (1) counterfeited in 1992. Reissued officially on CD with a bonus track (Gear Fab GF-112) 1998 and on vinyl (Akarma AK 118) 2000.

This band came from Philadelphia and their album is excellent Doors-influenced psychedelia with similar keyboards and a vocalist who sounds like Jim Morrison. Consistently good throughout, this is recommended. All ten tracks were self-penned and arranged by the band. The album was produced by Carl Sandell and recorded at "The New Sound" studios in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Teti's vocals are excellent and reach their peak on tracks like Sometimes You've Got To Be Strong and Dead Man. The album's finest moments include Nightime Rider and Movin' On, which both feature superb keyboard work

Steve Quinzi adds: "Mike, Jim, Ken and myself were from Ridley Park Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia, whilst Doug was from Springfield. We are all from more or less working class backgrounds. We met in high school (Ridley High) and the band had already been together about a year when I joined in the Fall of 1970. Up until that that time they had two guitars. The other guitarist - Lenny Perchowsky - had left the band to go off to medical school. The first time we played together we hit it off both musically and personally, Mike and I became best friends and remain so to this day."

"We played at school dances, pep rallies, battle-of-the-bands, splash parties, and coffee houses around town. It was a wonderful time. As we became more familiar with each other, Jim and I began writing songs together. We got the idea to record the album when a local recording studio owner called me and asked if I'd be willing to loan him my farfisa organ (for use at a recording session) in exchange for recording time. Needless to say I accepted his offer. Over a period of about 3 months, Jim and I worked up what we felt were our ten best songs, and the band started rehearsing them. We recorded the whole album in one day (Summer '71). Like a Godsend, three very good paying gigs came up in one week, and we used the proceeds to finance the pressing of the albums. Ken designed the cover."

"Shortly after recording the album, Ken left the band to join the navy. This, as I was later to realize, was the beginning of the end for the band. The only other recording we did was a remake of Can't Be Without Her that we did with a sub bass player."

"Ken's replacement was Rick Swanson. Rick and Jim did not get along, so sometime later Jim left and was replaced by Ernie Fletsig. The band took on more a hard rock edge and began to play frat parties at the numerous fraternity houses in Philadelphia. We also played some cheesy clubs. Ernie suffered a mental breakdown brought on by a drug problem and had to leave the band. He was replaced by Lou Grieco who did not get along with Mike. By this time (winter '73) I was sick of what things had become and left to join a top 40 band playing nightclubs full-time. Blessed End was formaly disbanded. A few months later Doug joined me in the new group, but a year later was fired after a bitter dispute with the other members. I never saw him again."

"I believe that Doug went to medical school. Mike became an auto mechanic. Ken and Jim worked in sheet metal fabrication at the Boeing helicopter plant in Ridley Park. Ken passed away from cancer a few years ago."

"I'm the only one who continued in music. I moved to Miami Florida in '78, where I now do music production for advertising and corporate presentations. I am also a new age artist with two albums out (The Pond and Vanishing Rainforest). A third Rhythm Of The World, on Pacific Time Records, is released in April '99 and is in an ambient-techno style. A dance remix of one of the cuts Mirage has also been released as a CD single."

Leading reissue label, Gear Fab have re-releasd Movin' On on CD, whilst Jim Shugarts also has a couple of original vinyl albums up for grabs - mail him at commanche@hotmail.com. For more info on the Gear Fab reissue and the band in general, check their website: http://www.voicenet.com/~osprey/blessed_end/index.html

Compilation appearances have included: Movin' On on Gear Fab's Psychedelic Sampler (CD).

(Vernon Joynson/Clark Faville w/thanks to Steve Quinzi/Jim Shugarts)

1. Nighttime Rider 3:08
2. Someplace to Hide 3:29
3. Is It Time 4:22
4. Sometime You've Got to Be Strong 3:51
5. Movin' On 7:44
6. Day Before Tomorrow 4:14
7. Dead Man 2:36
8. Can't Be Without Her 4:05
9. One Stop Woman 3:07
10. Escape Train 5:50
11. Can't Be Without Her 4:30

Blackberry Rainbow - Vol. 1 (1990)

Blackberry Rainbow - Vol. 1 (1990)

1. Do you believe in magic 4:37
2. She's a dish 4:51
3. Moths 1:40
4. I need your love 4:32
5. Pungent satin smell 11:43
6. I wanna be free/ Westwind 11:13

Black Sun Ensemble - Black Sun Ensemble (2000)

Black Sun Ensemble - Black Sun Ensemble (2000)

Black Sun Ensemble - The Black Sun Ensemble
Label: Camera Obscura (2)
Catalog#: CAM040
Format: CD, Album, Reissue
Country: Australia
Released: 2000
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

Credits
Bass - Michael Glidewell
Drums - John Brett
Engineer - Steve English
Guitar, Producer - Jesus Acedo
Notes
Originally recorded and mixed in 1985 by Steve English at The Sound Factory.
Re-Mixed by Andy Lehman at Stone Henge Studios, Tucson, AZ and Jim Waters at Waterworks Studio 1999.

Tracklist:

1. Ruby Eyes of China 5:04
2. Heart of the Sky 4:52
3. A Chunk of Mandolin Love 4:37
4. Blue Thunder 5:11
5. Dove of the Desert 3:53
6. Ice Breaker 2:53
7. Golden Rays 4:51
8. Emerald Eye 3:38
9. Mandolin Winds 4:21
10. Mayan Dance 2:51
11. Emerald Eye 2 4:21
12. Bleeding Heart 4:26

Butthole Surfers - Hairway To Steven (1988)

Butthole Surfers - Hairway To Steven (1988)

1. Jimi 12:38
2. Ricky 2:36
3. I Saw An X-Ray Of A Girl Passing Gas 4:56
4. John E. Smoke 6:41
5. Rocky 3:44
6. Julio Iglesias 3:04
7. Backass 6:07
8. Fast 1:36

Butthole Surfers - Locust Abortion Technician (1987)

Butthole Surfers - Locust Abortion Technician (1987)

1. Sweat Loaf 6:14
2. Graveyard 2:36
3. Pittsburg to Lebanon 2:34
4. Weber 0:40
5. Hay 1:53
6. Human Cannonball 3:56
7. U.S.S.A. 2:19
8. The O-Men 3:29
9. Kuntz 2:31
10. Graveyard 2:54
11. 22 Going On 23 4:24

Bulldog Breed - Made In England (1969)

Bulldog Breed - Made In England (1969)

Bulldog Breed "Made in England" CD reissue of rare 1969 UK underground heavy rock psych album. Featured here with two bonus tracks!

The label says: First official issue, taken from the original DECCA master tapes, of this amazing mod/psych/freakbeat rarity from 1969, featuring members of T2 and The FLIES. An album from the very end of the psychedelic era, one of the last landmark albums when bands seemed play exactly what they wanted, instead of opting for either the mainstream or the gutter; the psych-pop sensibilities of 1967 still live in 'Paper Man', 'Eileen's Haberdashery Store' and 'Dougal', 'Silver' and 'Top O' The Pops Cock?!?' give us a nasty Deviants proto-punk edge, while the mournful 'Friday Hill' sounds like Caravan on Prozac. Quintessential English eccentricity! This Acme/Lion issue comes complete with new sleeve-notes, photos and the legendary and mega-rare single "Halo in my Hair" b/w "Portcullis Gate" as bonus tracks. A classic album finally gets proper recognition!!!

1. Paper Man (1969) 3:20
2. Broomstick Ride (1969) 2:22
3. I Flew (1969) 2:49
4. Eileen´s Haberdashery Store (1969)
5. Folder Men (1969) 2:39
6. Dougal (1969) 2:31
7. When The Sun Stands Still (1969) 2:57
8. Reborn (1969) 2:36
9. Friday Hill (1969) 3:14
10. Silver (1969) 2:11
11. You (1969) 2:38
12. Top Of The Pops Cock (1969) 2:13
13. Revenge (1969) 2:22
14. Austin Osmanspare (1969) 3:13
15. Halo In My Chair (Bonus) 3:47
16. Porticullis Gate (Bonus) 2:34

Bubble Puppy - A Gathering Of Promises (1969)

Bubble Puppy - A Gathering Of Promises (1969)

Artist: The Bubble Puppy
Album: A Gathering Of Promises
Released: 1969/1993 Remaster
Collectables/COL-CD-0558
Genre: Rock/60's Psych/Psych Rock

Review:
A Gathering Of Promises by Bubble Puppy represents the hard rock side of American psychedelic music, greatly representing much of the Texas scene itself, which included the likes of Josefus, Joseph and the Moving Sidewalks, and adding a dash of the Hendrix inspired acid guitar. Yet, this album still has enough of a sixties feel to satisfy psych purists. A truly excellent album, full of great tunes and intelligent lyrics, Bubble Puppy would later evolve into Demian, repeating this formula for another worthwhile album, and then later in the late 70s they would evolve into Sirius, a very disappointing band playing less than average rock n roll.
If anyone out there is interested in Bubble Puppy, they should know that they were stand at the dawn of what it means to be psychedelic music, They were originally on International Artists, the same label as The Thirteenth Floor Elevators. They are one of the most unknown from that Texas scene...and I have to say they are not just good they are classic...must have. I realize that another viewer didn't like the album, but I would suggest thay are not hearing with new ears, because every song,in a very short time, transports the listener.

I had never heard of Bubble Puppy until just recently. A friend from another psych group's website mentioned them and trusting his taste in music, I decided to buy the cd and give the group a listen. Was totally blown away by what I heard! Felt like I had come back home and knew them forever. Every song got better and better. Got hooked on their unique style of sounds. Bubble Puppy is truly AWESOME!!!
http://psychedelic-music.net

One of the last bands signed to the legendary International Artists label, Bubble Puppy also gave the company its most substantial hit, "Hot Smoke And Sasafrass". Originally known as the New Seeds, the Austin, Texas, USA-based quartet comprised Todd Potter (guitar), Roy Cox (bass), Rod Prince (guitar) and David "Fuzzy" Fore (drums) and derived their new name from Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. More mainstream than many of their contemporaries, their 1969 debut A Gathering Of Promises, showed traces of Jimi Hendrix, Cream and Moby Grape. An unstable unit, Bubble Puppy moved labels to ABC Records in 1970 and changed their name to Demian. Their eponymous album relied on progressive styles at the expense of melody and this aggregation was allowed to wither away. Prince and Potter re-established the band in 1977 under the title Sirius, and the resultant release, Rising, recalled something of the old unit's erstwhile fire. Ten years later Prince re-emerged with a reconstituted Bubble Puppy and an album, Wheels Go Round, which bore a kinship with ZZ Top.
www.oldies.com

From 1967 until around 1970 Roy, Todd, David, and Rod were The Bubble Puppy. We're in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in an exhibit called "One Hit Wonders" cause we were. Our Song Hot Smoke and Sassafrass reached number 14 in the national Billboard Magazine charts in 1968. We performed on Dick Clark's American Bandstand when we were just kids! We lived together in the country in Austin, or in big house in Houston, where we jammed, wrote songs, and had fun. We changed our name to Demian around 1970 because people associated us with Bubble Gum music, which we definitely were not! We had been touring with Steppenwolf. Their bass player became our manager and we moved to Los Angeles and changed our name to Demian. (Both Seppenwolf and Demian were written by the same author).

A Great Classic, April 26, 2002
Reviewer: Fred Rayworth (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
In the sixties, I had a tendency to pick up albums based on the photo of the band, not what I thought I knew about their music. I pretty much hated pop music so looked for the underground bands. The longer the hair, the uglier, the weirdest dressed, that was my incentive. The Bubble Puppy were dressed weird. Not particularly ugly, their costumes were enough to fork over my hard earned dollar something for their album.
I heard Hot Smoke and Sassafras on the radio without realizing who they were until I bought the album. The song that really blew me away though, was Lonely. That guitar solo was the most awesome guitar prowess I had ever heard up to that time. It inspired me to play better guitar, but today I still cannot play it! I have a lot of respect for Rod Prince on that one. The influences on the album are plenty from hard rock to psychedelic, to tinges of country. It is a weird combination that makes them groundbreaking from my perspective. It disgusts me that they are not ever mentioned in the typical history of rock and roll books. Of course, to me most of the other really good bands never were either.

There is not a dud song on the whole album. The intricate guitar interplay between Rod Prince and Todd Potter adds little details that make the music interesting and very listenable. These guys were the best and never saw the credit they deserved. It is another one of my classic albums that I have worn out. I was really excited to finally find the CD. Though the CD is adequate, it is poorly done and on one song, they seem to have lost the speed regulator on the tape machine. Yet, the essence of the album, the songs, are still there. Boy were they good! What really rubs this whole thing wrong is that the band has probably not seen a dime from the CD. They were a classic case of a band being ripped off by their record company and management.

This is an essential album for anyone out to get to the "real" roots of modern rock and roll and is well worth the time to seek out. The CD version, though flawed, still displays their immense talent. By the way, the original LP is a collectors' item and can fetch more than a hundred bucks if it is in pristine condition. If only I bought two, so I could have saved one for the investment
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Tracklist:

1. Hot Smoke And Sasafrass
2. Todd's Tune
3. I've Got To Reach You
4. Lonely
5. Gathering Of Promises
6. Hurry Sundown
7. Elizabeth
8. It's Safe To Say
9. Road To St. Stephens
10. Beginning

Born Again - Pagan (2005)

Born Again - Pagan (2005)

From the ashes of the band "Red Mountain" rose Born Again. Originally from Marin County in Northern California the band traveled to Los Angeles to try to find fortune and fame. Local producer Roger Dollarhide took the boys under his wing and recorded tracks with them in late '69 and early '70 at Sun West Studios in Hollywood. led by the tasteful guitar playing of Larry Otis and the soulful vocals of Bryce Sullivan, Born Again was a very versatile band that created a hybrid style all their own. Whether it's a country tinged ballad ala KAK ("She's Gone") or an eerie guitar psych instrumental ("Laura's Waltzing" from the 1970 Film Soundtrack from "The Velvet Vampire") these boys were one tight unit that delivered the goods.

Brice Sullivan (vocals, harmonica, keyboards)
Rod Moxie (guitar, bass guitar)
Larry Otis, Steve Avery (guitar)
Stuart Ramsay (bass instrument)
Lloyd Wick (drums).

1. Barnyard Blues 4:23
2. Radio X 4:40
3. No Good Reason 4:01
4. Boiling Point 3:11
5. Three Pipers 1:59
6. Laurie 2:30
7. Sand Castle 3:52
8. Good Blues 2:30
9. She´s Gone 4:46
10. Comin´ Home 5:20
11. Lie Me Down 4:21
12. Velvet Vampire (Radio Spot) 0:58
13. Laurie Waltzing (Bonus) 3:09
14. Sand Castle (Alt. Mix) 4:08
15. Om Namah (Bonus) 6:09
16. Milk & Honey (Bonus) 3:42
17. In That Day (Bonus) 3:21
18. You Let (Bonus) 4:33