Psychedelic Rock Bands in Denver
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Looking for a little bit of mind-bending music to add to your playlist? Check out these five psychedelic rock bands from Denver that are sure to take you on a trip.
The Psychedelic Furs
The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band founded in 1977. They were one of the many acts spawned from the British post-punk scene. Their music went through several phases, from an austere art rock sound, tomiddle-of-the-road pop rock, to a more hard-edged new wave style. By the time they recorded their 1984 album Mirror Moves, the Furshad become creative leaders of the UK rock scene.
The 13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators were an American rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in late 1965. The band was together for about two and a half years and released three albums in their short-lived career. Although the band did not achieve widespread success outside of their native Texas, they are considered by many to be one of the first psychedelic rock bands.
The 13th Floor Elevators were formed in late 1965 by Roky Erickson (vocals, guitar), Stacy Sutherland (guitar), Benny Thurman (bass), and John Ike Walton (drums). The band’s name comes from a story about the building where they rehearsed; allegedly, there was an elevator that went to a 13th floor that was said to be haunted. The band quickly became a popular live act in Austin, playing gigs at local clubs and fraternities. They began working on their debut album, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators, in early 1966.
The album was released in October 1966 and featured the band’s signature sound: a mix of Erickson’s bluesy vocals and proto-psychedelic guitar work, Sutherland’s jangly Rickenbacker melodies, and Walton’s driving drumming. The album also featured the song “You’re Gonna Miss Me”, which became a minor hit for the band.
Despite their success in Austin, the 13th Floor Elevators failed to find a wider audience outside of Texas. In 1968, drug problems and creative differences led to the band’s dissolution. Erickson continued to record music throughout his career, but he never achieved the same level of success as he did with the 13th Floor Elevators.
Love
Love was one of the first American psychedelic rock bands. They were formed in Los Angeles in 1965 by Arthur Lee. The band’s line-up at this time consisted of Lee on vocals and drums, Bryan McLean on guitar and vocals, Johnny Echols on lead guitar, and Alban “Snoopy” Pfisterer on bass. The band’s early success came with their hit song “All You Need Is Love”, which was released in 1967.
The Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes are a psychedelic rock band formed in 1966 in Los Angeles, California. The band’s original lineup included James Lowe (vocals), Ken Williams (guitar), Michael Pinella (guitar), Mark Tulin (bass), and Dick Dodd (drums). The group’s debut album, released in 1967, was the critically acclaimed “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)”, which featured the hit title track. The band’s follow-up album, “Release of an Oblivion”, was less successful commercially but is now regarded as a classic of the genre. The Electric Prunes disbanded in 1968 but have periodically reunited for reunion tours and new recordings.
The Seeds
The Seeds are one of the most iconic psychedelic rock bands of all time, and they’re from Denver! The band formed in 1965 and released their debut album, Web of Sound, in 1966. The album is a masterclass in psychedelic rock, with plenty of reverb-drenched guitars and mind-bending sound effects. It’s no wonder that the band has been cited as an influence by everyone from R.E.M. to The Flaming Lips.
The Standells
One of the most Psychedelic Rock bands to come out of Denver in the 60s were The Standells. The Standells were known for their hits “Dirty Water” and “Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White.” The band was made up of John Blakely on lead vocals, Larry Tamblyn on keyboards, Tony Valentino on bass, and Dick Dodd on drums. The Standells were a garage rock band that was influenced by the British Invasion bands.
The Music Machine
Formed in L.A. in 1966, The Music Machine was one of the first psychedelic rock bands. They were known for their dark, distorted sound and their wild live shows. The band only released one album, 1966’s Turn On, but it was a critical favorite and is now considered a classic of the genre. The Music Machine broke up in 1968, but they have been cited as an influence by many subsequent bands, including Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins.
The Chocolate Watchband
One of the most popular psychedelic bands of the 1960s, The Chocolate Watchband was formed in San Jose, California in 1965. The band’s original lineup consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist David Aguilar, lead guitarist Mark Loomis, bassist Bill Flores, and drummer Gary Andrijasevich.
The Chocolate Watchband’s sound was a unique blend of garage rock and psychedelic rock, with a heavy emphasis on distorted guitars and Aguilar’s powerful vocals. The band quickly developed a large following in the San Francisco Bay Area and soon began touring nationally.
In 1966, The Chocolate Watchband released their debut album, ‘No Way Out’, which featured the hit single ‘Don’t You Lie to Me’. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching #3 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The band’s follow-up album, ‘The Inner Light’, was released in 1967 and featured the hit single ‘Dark Side of the Ghost’. The album was even more successful than their debut, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The Chocolate Watchband continued to tour and release albums throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, but internal tensions within the band eventually led to their breakup in 1974.
In 2005, The Chocolate Watchband reunited for a series of live shows and released a new album, ‘One Step Beyond’. The reunion was short-lived, however, as Aguilar unexpectedly passed away in 2006.
Despite their relatively short lifespan, The Chocolate Watchband left a lasting impression on the world of psychedelic rock. Their music continues to be influential to this day and their legacy lives on through their many fans around the world.
