Fringe Psychedelic Rock Bands You Should Know About
Here are some lesser known psychedelic rock bands that are definitely worth your time.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre is a San Francisco-based band led by singer, songwriter and guitarist Anton Newcombe. The band was founded in 1990 and was one of the first bands to be associated with the neo-psychedelic movement. The band has released 16 studio albums, 5 live albums and 5 compilation albums. The band is known for their experimental sound which blends elements of psychedelia, shoegaze, folk and garage rock. The band has been described as “one of the most enduring and influential bands of the 1990s.”
The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols are an American alternative rock band, formed in Portland, Oregon, in 1994 by Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Peter Holmström. The band was signed to Capitol Records in 1995 and released their debut album …The Dandy Warhols Come Down, in 1997. The album contained the song “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth”, which brought the band some mainstream attention.
The Black Angels
The Black Angels is an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas. The band was formed in 2004 by Alex Maas, Christian Bland, and Kyle Hunt. The three members met while attending the University of Texas at Austin and began playing together while sharing a love for 60s psychedelia and garage rock.
The Black Angels has released five studio albums, each with a heavier, more experimental sound than the last. Their most recent album, Death Song (2017), included the singles “Currency” and “Half Believing”. The band has been praised for their ability to create dark and atmospheric music that still manages to be catchy and accessible.
If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock or garage rock, you should definitely check out The Black Angels.
The Growlers
The Growlers are a Psychedelic Rock band from Orange County, California. The band was formed in 2006 and is currently signed to Cult Records. The Growlers have released seven studio albums, one live album and two EPs. Their most recent album, “Natural Affair”, was released on October 4th, 2019.
The Growlers’ sound has been described as a mix of “garage rock, surf rock, and country-influenced psychedelic rock”. The band has been praised for their unique take on the Psychedelic Rock genre and their ability to create a “laid-back” atmosphere in their music.
The Allah-Las
Hailing from Los Angeles, The Allah-Las emerged in 2012 with their self-titled debut album, a record steeped in the sounds of classic psychedelic rock and garage rock. With sun-drenched melodies and jangly guitars, The Allah-Las recalled the sounds of The Byrds, Love, and The Beach Boys.
The Allah-Las’ sophomore album, Worship the Sun, was released in 2014 to critical acclaim. Once again drawing comparisons to the likes of Love and The Byrds, Worship the Sun showcased the band’s mastery of the retro sound they had become known for.
The Allah-Las’ third album, Calico Review, was released in 2016. On Calico Review, the band explored a more experimental sound, incorporating elements of krautrock and electronic music into their traditional psychedelic garage rock sound.
The Allah-Las are currently working on their fourth studio album, which is scheduled for release in 2019.
