Back from the Brink: Pre-Revolution Psychedelic Rock from Iran

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Back from the Brink is a compilation album of pre-revolution psychedelic rock from Iran. It was released in 2006 by Farsighted Records.

The Birth of Psychedelic Rock in Iran

In the early 1970s, Iranian rock music was on the brink of a revolution. At the forefront of this revolution were a handful of young Iranian musicians who were influenced by the Western psychedelic rock scene. These trailblazers would go on to create a uniquely Iranian form of psychedelic rock, blending traditional Persian music with the mind-bending sounds of the West.

The first Iranian psychedelic rock band: The Yellow Dogs

Iran is not usually the first place that comes to mind when thinking about the origins of psychedelic rock, but in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a small but vibrant scene developed in the country. The first Iranian psychedelic rock band was The Yellow Dogs, who formed in 2006.

The Yellow Dogs were inspired by Western bands like The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin, as well as Iranian musicians such as Kourosh Yaghmaei and Dariush Eghbali. They combined these influences with their own Persian heritage to create a unique sound that was part of a larger movement of Iranian youth rejecting the strictures of the Islamic Republic.

The Yellow Dogs were forced to leave Iran in 2009 due to the political climate, but they have continued to make music and tour internationally. They are an important part of the history of Iranian rock music and an example of how art can transcend political boundaries.

The influence of Western music on Iranian psychedelic rock

The 1960s saw a wave of Western music and culture sweep across Iran, resulting in the birth of Iranian psychedelic rock. This new genre of music was heavily influenced by Western styles such as rock n’ roll and folk music, as well as Persian classical and folk traditions. Iranian psychedelic rock bands began to experiment with electric instruments and amphetamines, resulting in a unique sound that was a fusion of Eastern and Western influences.

The most famous Iranian psychedelic rock band wasGoogoosh, who became wildly popular in Iran and abroad. Googoosh’s success helped to legitimize psychedelic rock in the eyes of the Iranian government, and the genre continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1970s. However, the rise of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 put an end to Iranian psychedelic rock, as the new regime banned all Western music and instituted strict censorship laws.

Although it existed for only a brief period of time, Iranian psychedelic rock made a lasting impact on popular culture both inside and outside of Iran. The genre continues to be rediscovered and celebrated by fans around the world, providing a glimpse into a fascinating moment in musical history.

The Iranian Revolution and the Decline of Psychedelic Rock

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 marked a major turning point not only for the country of Iran, but also for the world of music. Prior to the Revolution, Iran was a major player in the global music scene, particularly in the area of psychedelic rock. But with the rise of the Islamic Republic, all that changed.

The impact of the Iranian Revolution on psychedelic rock

The impact of the Iranian Revolution on psychedelic rock was significant. The Iranian Revolution, which took place in 1979, saw the end of the Pahlavi dynasty and the rise of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This had a major impact on Iranian society, and also had an impact on the country’s music scene. Psychedelic rock was one of the genres of music that was affected by the revolution.

Psychedelic rock is a genre of music that emerged in the mid-1960s. It was influenced by psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, and was characterized by distorted sounds and extended jams. Psychedelic rock was popular in Western countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, but it also had a following in Iran.

The Iranian Revolution put an end to Iran’s “White Revolution,” which had been started by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi in 1963. The White Revolution sought to modernize Iran and to reduce its dependence on traditional culture. One of the aspects of traditional culture that was targeted by the White Revolution was music. The Pahlavi dynasty saw Western music as a threat to Iranian culture and worked to suppress it.

However, Western music continued to be popular among Iranians, particularly among young people. This was one of the factors that led to the Iranian Revolution. During the revolution, many Iranians turned to Western music as a way to express their dissatisfaction with the Pahlavi regime.

After the revolution, Iran became an Islamic Republic and strict Islamic laws were put in place. These laws limited freedom of expression, including freedom of musical expression. As a result, psychedelic rock and other forms of Western music were banned in Iran.

Iranian psychedelic rock bands that were active before the revolution continued to release albums after the revolution, but they were forced to do so undercover. For example, Kourosh Yaghmaei released his album “Back from

The decline of psychedelic rock in Iran after the Revolution

After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the use of Western music, especially rock and roll, was greatly discouraged by the new regime.Psychedelic music, in particular, was seen as a threat to the values of the Islamic Republic and was roundly condemned. As a result, many Iranian psychedelic bands either broke up or stopped playing altogether.

In the years since the Revolution, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in pre-Revolutionary Iranian psychedelic rock, with several compilations of such music being released in recent years. This renewed interest has been driven in part by nostalgic Iranians who remember the music from their youth and are now seeking to recapture that lost era.

Despite the current popularity of pre-Revolutionary psychedelic rock among Iranians, it remains to be seen whether this genre will make a full comeback in Iran or whether it will remain relegated to the past.

The Resurgence of Psychedelic Rock in Iran

Psychedelic rock from Iran? It’s a thing, and it’s heating up. Iranian bands are taking the sounds and aesthetic of 60s and 70s psychedelic and prog rock and updating it for the modern day. This new wave of psychedelic music is gaining popularity both inside and outside of Iran.

The formation of the first post-Revolution psychedelic rock band: The Yellow Dogs

In 2006, The Yellow Dogs were formed in the Iranian city of Tehran. Comprised of musicians who were all born after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the band was part of a small but growing movement of young Iranians who were interested in playing and listening to Western-style music, including rock ‘n’ roll.

The Yellow Dogs were able to play openly in public and even released a self-titled album in 2008. However, their success was short-lived; in 2009, the Iranian government cracked down on the band and its members were forced to leave the country.

The Yellow Dogs’ story is representative of the struggle faced by many young Iranians who want to pursue their passion for music in a country that is both repressive and dangerous. Despite the risks, however, some musicians are determined to keep playing and keep hope alive for a future where music can be enjoyed freely.

The influence of Western music on Iranian psychedelic rock

While the term “psychedelic rock” is typically associated with the Western world, the genre has had a surprisingly strong influence in Iran. Psychedelic rock first emerged in Iran in the 1960s, at a time when Western music was becoming increasingly popular in the country. Iranian psychedelic rock bands began to experiment with traditional Iranian instrumentation and influences, resulting in a unique and regionally-specific sound.

Psychedelic rock enjoyed a resurgence in Iran in the 1990s, after the country’s Islamic Revolution in 1979 had led to a ban on Western music. Iranian psychedelic rock bands began to reappear, now playing underground shows and releasing their music on cassette tapes. The Scene, an Iranian psychedelic rock band formed in 1998, was one of the most popular and influential bands of this era; their music incorporated Middle Eastern influences and instrumentation into a distinctly psychedelic sound.

The influence of Western music on Iranian psychedelic rock has been evident since the genre’s early days. However, Iranian bands have always put their own spin on the genre, infusing it with traditional Iranian sounds and influences to create a uniquely local flavor.

The Future of Psychedelic Rock in Iran

In the 1960s, Psychedelic Rock music emerged as a major force in the Western world. With its trippy, mind-bending sounds and counter-cultural lyrics, the genre quickly gained a loyal following among young people looking to push the boundaries of music and culture. But in Iran, the rise of Psychedelic Rock came to a abrupt halt with the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

The impact of the Iranian Revolution on psychedelic rock

In 1979, the Iranian Revolution put an end to the “Golden Age” of Iranian music. Since then, the country has been in a state of flux, with each successive regime banning and unbanning different genres of music. For a time, psychedelic rock was banned outright, but in recent years it has made a comeback.

Psychedelic rock first became popular in Iran in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The style was often compared to Western acts like Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix, and it quickly gained a following among Iranian youth. However, the genre came to an abrupt halt with the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

After the Revolution, all Western music was banned in Iran and musicians were forced to conform to Islamic law. This meant that psychedelic rock, with its drug-inspired lyrics and its rebellious attitude, was no longer allowed. Many musicians were arrested or exiled, and those who stayed faced censure from the government.

In the 2000s, however, things began to change. The reformist president Mohammad Khatami lifted some of the restrictions on music, and bands began to experiment with Western styles again. Psychedelic rock made a comeback, albeit in a more subdued form than before.

Today, psychedelic rock is once again becoming popular in Iran. Although the genre is still not mainstream, it has a devoted following among Iranian youth. Bands like Yellow Dogs and Hypernova are gaining recognition both inside and outside of Iran, and they are helping to keep psychedelia alive in the country.

The decline of psychedelic rock in Iran after the Revolution

The future of psychedelic rock in Iran is uncertain. The deaths of many leading musicians, the emigration of others, and the repression of the genre by the Islamic Republic regimeHas led to a significant decline in the popularity and output of psychedelic rock in Iran. Nevertheless, a new generation of Iranian musicians has begun to discover and experiment with the genre, and there are signs that psychedelic rock may be making a comeback in Iran.

The Resurgence of Psychedelic Rock in Iran

Psychedelic rock is making a comeback in Iran after being banned for many years. Iranian musicians are using the style to express their political and social frustration. The music is giving a voice to the people who are living in a country that is repressive and not very open to Western influences.

The formation of the first post-Revolution psychedelic rock band: The Yellow Dogs

In 2006, Amir Derakshan, Koroush Kanani, Arash Kanani and Sarven Manguiat formed the Yellow Dogs in Tehran. The band’s sound was a combination of psychedelic and garage rock, drawing influence from groups like the Velvet Underground and the Stooges. The band’s music was largely influenced by their experience growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.

The Yellow Dogs were one of the first post-Revolution bands to gain a following in Iran. The group quickly developed a large fan base among Tehran’s youth. Despite the fact that their music was banned by the government, the Yellow Dogs managed to play secret concerts and release several singles and EPs.

In 2010, the Yellow Dogs relocated to Brooklyn, New York. The move was prompted by Derakshan’s desire to pursue his musical ambitions in a more supportive environment. In New York, the band continued to gain popularity, playing shows with well-known indie rock groups such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Beach Fossils.

TheYellow Dogs’ story came to a tragic end in 2013 when Derakshan was shot and killed by another Iranian musician living in New York. The incident sparked a debate about the difficulties Iranian musicians face when trying to pursue their careers in exile.

Despite the tragedy, the Yellow Dogs’ legacy continues to influence Iranian musicians living both inside and outside of Iran. The band’s music is a reminder that art can transcend political boundaries and provide a voice for those who are unable to speak out publicly.

The influence of Western music on Iranian psychedelic rock

Since the 1950s, Iranian pop music has been influenced by Western music, particularly Western rock and roll. This influence became particularly strong in the 1960s and 1970s, when Iranian youth began to listen to Western rock bands such as the Beatles and Led Zeppelin.

In the late 1970s, after the Iranian Revolution, Western music was banned in Iran. However, many Iranians continued to listen to Western music in secret, and a number of Iranian bands began to play psychedelic rock. These bands blended Western psychedelic rock with traditional Iranian music, creating a unique sound that came to be known as “pre-revolutionary” psychedelic rock.

Pre-revolutionary psychedelic rock became popular in Iran in the 1990s and 2000s, thanks in part to the internet. Many pre-revolutionary psychedelic rock bands have reformed and begun playing concerts again, and a new generation of Iranian musicians is beginning to experiment with this style of music.

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