The 60s Psychedelic Rock Scene in Texas
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A detailed look at the psychedelic rock scene that developed in Texas during the 1960s, featuring key players and venues.
The Austin Psychedelic Rock Scene
The Austin psychedelic rock scene was a music scene that was influential in theUnited States during the 1960s. The scene was based in Austin, Texas and featured bands such as the 13th Floor Elevators and the Red Krayola. The Austin psychedelic rock scene was associated with the counterculture movement and the hippie movement.
The beginnings of the scene in Austin
In the mid-1960s, a loose-knit group of musicians in Austin, Texas, began to coalesce around a new sound that would come to be known as “psychedelic rock.” These artists were influenced by the British Invasion bands of the time, as well as by the more experimental sounds of groups like the Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix.
The Austin psychedelic rock scene was centered around two main clubs: the Vulcan Gas Company and Armadillo World Headquarters. The Vulcan Gas Company was started in 1967 bySound Exchange co-founder Chet Helms, and it quickly became the premier venue for psychedelic rock in Austin. The Armadillo World Headquarters was founded in 1970 by musician and artist Loki from Thor’s Hammer, and it quickly became known for its relaxed atmosphere and diverse bookings.
Notable Austin Psychedelic Rock artists include:
-The 13th Floor Elevators
-Red Krayola
-The Lost Continentals
-The Chocolate Watchband
The development of the scene in Austin
In the mid-1960s, the psychedelic rock scene began to develop in Austin. At the time, there were a number of factors that contributed to this development. First, the city was home to a number of college campuses, including the University of Texas at Austin, which meant that there was a large population of young people. Second, Austin was also home to a number of clubs and venues that were conducive to the development of this new type of music. Finally, Austin was located in close proximity to San Francisco, which was the epicenter of the psychedelic rock scene at this time.
The first psychedelic rock bands in Austin were The 13th Floor Elevators and The Bubble Puppy. These two bands were very influential in the development of the Austin psychedelic rock scene. The 13th Floor Elevators were particularly influential due to their unique sound, which blended elements of garage rock, blues, and psychedelia. This sound would go on to be an important influence on subsequent generations of Austin musicians.
The Bubble Puppy were also influential in the development of the Austin psychedelic rock scene due to their ability to appeal to a wide range of audiences. The band’s music was accessible to both fans of contemporary pop music and those who were interested in more experimental sounds. This helped to create an audience for psychedelic rock in Austin that was both large and diverse.
The success of these two bands helped to pave the way for other psychedelic rock bands in Austin, such as The Red Krayola and The Yellow Balloon. These bands further expanded upon the sound that had been developed by The 13th Floor Elevators and The Bubble Puppy. They also helped to solidifyAustin’s reputation as a hotbed for this new type of music.
The explosion of the psychedelic rock scene in Austin came to an abrupt end in the late 1960s due to a number of factors. First, many of the key figures in the scene, such as Roky Erickson and John Lennon, left Austin for San Francisco. This reduced the pool of talent available for new bands. Second, club owners began cracking down on LSD use, which made it more difficult for bands to perform their music live. Finally, many members of the audience lost interest in psychedelia as it became increasingly politicized in the late 1960s.
Despite its relatively short-lived nature, the Austin psychedelic rock scene had a profound impact on subsequent generations of musicians. In particular, it helped to foster an environment wherein experimentation and innovation were valued above all else. This legacy can still be seen inAustin’s music scene today
The Houston Psychedelic Rock Scene
The psychedelic rock scene in Houston, Texas during the 1960s was a time and place where music, art, and culture collided. Psychedelic rock, also known as “acid rock”, was a subgenre of rock music that became popular in the late 1960s. The Houston psychedelic rock scene was thriving with live music venues and art galleries.
The beginnings of the scene in Houston
The psychedelic rock scene in Houston began in the mid-1960s with a group of local bands who were influenced by British Invasion groups such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. These bands began experimenting with new sounds and instruments, and their live shows became increasingly experimental and improvised. By the early 1970s, Houston had become a center for psychedelic rock, attracting national and international attention. Several Houston-based bands, including the 13th Floor Elevators and the Moving Sidewalks, released groundbreaking albums that defined the genre.
The development of the scene in Houston
The psychedelic rock scene in Houston developed in the late 1960s, with bands such as the Moving Sidewalks and the 13th Floor Elevators gaining a local following. The city’s clubs, including Joe’s Place and Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine, became popular venues for psychedelic rock bands from all over the country.
In 1967, the 13th Floor Elevators released their debut album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, which featured the song “You’re Gonna Miss Me.” The song became a local hit, and helped to raise the profile of the band. The following year, the band released their second album, Easter Everywhere. The album’s title track was another local hit, and helped to cement the band’s reputation as one of Houston’s premier psychedelic rock groups.
TheMoving Sidewalks were another leading light of Houston’s psychedelic rock scene. The band was formed in 1966 by guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Dan McCafferty. Gibbons would later find fame as a member of ZZ Top. The Moving Sidewalks released their debut album, Flash, in 1968. The album featured the song “99th Floor,” which was a minor hit on the US Billboard charts.
By 1968, Houston had established itself as a major center for psychedelic rock. The city’s clubs continued to be popular venues for touring bands from all over the country. Local bands such as Josefus and Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band also found success outside of Houston; Josefus toured Europe and Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band toured with Jimi Hendrix.
The Dallas Psychedelic Rock Scene
In the 1960s, Texas was at the forefront of the psychedelic rock scene. Bands like The 13th Floor Elevators and The Red Krayola were experimental and experimental. They were pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable music. Music from this era is still influential today.
The beginnings of the scene in Dallas
The psychedelic rock scene in Dallas, Texas began in the mid-1960s with bands such as The 13th Floor Elevators and Bubble Puppy. The genre would peak in popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s with bands such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Santana playing at local venues such as the Electric Circus and the Fillmore West. Many of these bands would later come to be considered some of the most influential in the history of rock music.
The development of the scene in Dallas
In the early 1960s, the rock music scene in Dallas was relatively undeveloped compared to other major Texas cities like Houston and Austin. But by the middle of the decade, Dallas had developed its own distinctive sound, thanks in part to the influence of British Invasion bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Local bands like The Thirteenth Floor Elevators and The Red Crayola began experimenting with psychedelic sounds, and soon Dallas became a hotbed for this new genre of music. clubs like The Rubaiyat and The Attic became popular venues for psychedelic bands, and many famous names in psychedelia, including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, performed in Dallas during this period.