60s British Pop Psychedelia

[Ministrone]

For almost as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by the British underground bands of the first psychedelic era – the late 1960s.

This amazingly creative music is often overlooked and occasionally viewed with embarrassment with some of the bands who later went on to greater success.


The release of the Beatles Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts club band in early 1967 spearheaded possibly the most progressive period in modern musical history with many copycat bands forming, much changing of musical styles and the odd ‘squares’ cash-in single.

Here are a few of my favorites from the period for you to listen to the colours.


Factory – Path Through the Forrest


Tintern Abbey – Vacuum Cleaner


The Attack – Magic in the Air


Jason Crest – A Place In the sun


The Idle Race – Imposters of Life's Magazine

[Steve Austin]

These are great Ministrone.  I listened to them all and The Factory is the standout for me, I listened to it a few times.  I like bands of the 60's such as The Beatles (of course), Jimi & The Small Faces but had not come across these gems before.  Will definitely dig around more into tunes like this

[Windy Miller]

I’ve never heard of Tintern Abbey, and I was amazed to find out the 45 single of the track you posted is very sought after, fetching around £1,000 plus amongst collectors.

TBH, I’d never heard of any of these bands until you posted them here Ministrone. It was also interesting to find out Jeff Lynne was a former member of the band The Idle Race. Amazing how things in music are interlinked.

[Ministrone]

Glad you enjoyed them.

This video is taken from a Spanish film and features Cardboard Watch by the group The End.
The End are most famous for having Bill Wyman as the producer on their album Introspection 

[Steve Austin]

Strange interlude but good tune.  Says it all when they're most well known for their producer though, shame.  Thanks for posting and bringing these tunes to my attention.  I'm going to purchase Path Through The Forest

[Villain]

Great stuff Ministrone, many thanks for posting those absolute gems . 'The vocals on 'Path Through The Forest' have a touch of Syd Barrett about them.

The seeds of British psychedelia go a bit further back to early '66 when The Beatles were recording the first run throughs of 'Tomorrow Never Knows', and the backwards tape loops on 'Rain', the B side of 'Paperback Writer', recorded a few months later. After 'Pepper' they weren't averse to going full on psychedelic when the occasion arose, just listen to George's 'All Too Much' ('Yellow Submarine' soundtrack) and 'Ski-ing' ('Wonderwall' soundtrack). The latter is mind-blowingly intense! If you strung all these tracks together and added 'Strawberry Fields Forever' you'd have a corker of an album.

One of my favourite psychedelic tracks is Jimi's 'Are You Experienced', the title track of the band's first LP, definitely worth a listen.

Villain

[Arthur Pringle]

Here's a mod/psych song with a Sweeney connection. Winston's Fumbs featuring Jimmy Winston, the original keyboard player with the Small Faces, only made one single but it's a pretty good one. Winston, like Small Face Steve Marriott, did some acting & appears as Sid in 'Hearts And Minds'. Winston is on the left of the youtube photo.

[Steve Austin]

I think that George's "It's All Too Much" is a much underrated tune, Ringo's drumming is superb. Nice link there Arthur

[Ministrone]

Thanks Arthur Pringle, I never knew about the Jimmy Winston /  Sweeney connection.
Here are a couple of other 60s Pop Psyche / TV crossovers

Rodney Bewes - Dear Mother love Albert (Spot the Beatles references in this!!)


Peter Cook and Dudley Moore - LS Bumble Bee


Fraser Hines - Who is Doctor Who?


Kenny Everett - Nice Time

[Ministrone]

I've been neglecting this thread lately so I though I'd add a couple of song that has been invading my consciousness this week.
First is a nice and gritty little garage tune called I'm Rowed Out by The Eyes, (with scenes of the Carnaby Street in crowd)



Second is the trippy A-side track by Tintern Abbey called Beeside (what else)



I hope you like them as much as I do.