Philadelphia’s Psychedelic Rock Scene

The psychedelic rock scene in Philadelphia is heating up, and we’ve got the latest scoop on all the best bands and venues.

The Psychedelic Rock Scene in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s psychedelic rock scene was highly active during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The city was home to a number of influential bands and clubs, including the legendary Electric Factory. This era saw the birth of many important genres and subgenres, including acid rock, hard rock, and power pop.

The Psychedelic Rock Scene in Philadelphia was highly influential in the development of these genres, and many of the bands that emerged from this scene went on to achieve international fame and success. Some of the most well-known bands to come out of Philadelphia’s psychedelic rock scene include the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Tower of Power, Moby Grape, and Big Brother and the Holding Company.

While the psychedelic rock scene in Philadelphia is no longer as active as it once was, there are still a number of great bands keeping the spirit alive. If you’re looking for a taste of what this scene was all about, be sure to check out some of these contemporary Philly psychers!

The Bands

In the late 1960s, a handful of bands from Philadelphia’s suburbs began experimenting with a new sound that would come to be known as “psychedelic rock.” These bands combined elements of traditional rock music with LSD-inspired improvisation and an emphasis on extended instrumental passages. The results were often both trippy and catchy, and the sound quickly caught on with local audiences.

The most successful of these bands was undoubtedly West Chester’s The West End Blues Band, who released two albums on the influential Elektra Records label. Other notable Philly-area psychedelic bands included The Scaffold, whose lone album is now a much sought-after collector’s item, and The Bram Rigg Set, who released a string of singles on small independent labels.

Sadly, thePhiladelphia psychedelic rock scene was short-lived; by the early 1970s, most of the key players had either disbanded or moved on to other projects. But for a brief moment in time, these daring musicians opened our minds and challenged our perceptions of what rock music could be.

The Venues

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Philadelphia had a vibrant and thriving psychedelic rock scene. Some of the most popular venues for psychedelic rock concerts were the Second Fret, the Electric Factory, and the Fillmore East. These venues attracted some of the biggest names in psychedelic rock, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, and The Doors.

The Second Fret was one of the most popular music venues in Philadelphia during the psychedelic rock era. It was located on South Street, in the heart of Philly’s vibrant hippie community. The Second Fret was known for its eclectic lineup of music acts, which included both local and international talent. The venue was also known for its liberal policy towards drugs and alcohol. Many concertgoers took advantage of this policy by indulging in psychedelics before or during shows.

The Electric Factory was another hugely popular concert venue during the psychedelic rock era. The Factory was known for its massive size and its excellent sound system. The venue attracted some of the biggest names in music, including Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and Led Zeppelin. Like the Second Fret, the Electric Factory had a liberal policy towards drugs and alcohol use. This made it a popular destination for concertgoers who wanted to experience psychedelics while enjoying live music.

The Fillmore East was a legendary concert venue located in New York City. Although it was not located in Philadelphia, many Philly-based bands played there on a regular basis. The Fillmore East was known for its intense light shows and its mind-bending sound system. Some of the biggest names in music performed there, including Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and Led Zeppelin. The Fillmore East was also known for its drug-friendly atmosphere; many concertgoers took advantage of this by indulging in psychedelics before or during shows.

The Music

The Philadelphia psychedelic rock scene was a music movement in the mid-1960s that involved rock bands and musicians who were inspired by psychedelic culture and the experiences that came with it, such as the use of drugs like LSD. The music of this scene was characterized by its unique sound, which incorporated elements of both traditional rock ‘n’ roll and new, experimental styles. This sound was often created with the help of feedback, distortion, and other effects that were used to make the music more psychedelic.

The bands and artists who were part of this scene were some of the most innovative and influential musicians of their time. They helped to shape the sound of psychedelic rock and create a new genre of music that would go on to have a profound impact on popular culture. Some of the most notable bands and artists associated with Philadelphia’s psychedelic rock scene include The Electric Prunes, The iTunes, The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Love, and Jerry Garcia.