Best Psychedelic/Hippie Band

[Reverend Joe]

I'm gonna beat Gawain to the punch on this one, besides which I think he has overlooked the best musical category for far too long now.

Anyhow, I won't even bother with suggestions here, aside from the obvious Jefferson Airplane, probably the most influential hippie/psych band ever (and NO, the Beatles don't count! They were far too mainstream to be hippie or psychedelic. Plus they suck. )

[doc_bean]

Hendrix ! Floyd !

[Decker]

Hendrix ! Floyd !

damnit....

[Motep]

Hendrix ! Floyd !

You evil...

What's up with all of the band threads, anyway?!

[Moros]

I'll just add Jefferson Airplane, as Doc_bean already said the band of bands.

[Geoffrey S]

I've always had a thing for the Ozric Tentacles.

[Stig]

Jefferson Airplane heh

[Beirut]

Pink Floyd
Jefferson Airplane
Vanilla Fudge
Strawberry Alarm Clock
Hawkwind
Tangerine Dream (The older stuff like White Eagle and Stratosphere)
King Crimson
Beatles
Hendrix

Many others...

[Reverend Joe]

For god's sake, if you're gonna mention Floyd, please specify the album(s.) There is no way in hell that anything past Atom Heart Mother is even remotely psychedelic.

[Bijo]

(...) and NO, the Beatles don't count! They were far too mainstream to be hippie or psychedelic.

Being mainstream does not negate being psychedelic.

Beatles say I.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I'll toss Love out there, as no-one has mentioned them yet. Forever Changes is a great psychedelic album.

[Beirut]

For god's sake, if you're gonna mention Floyd, please specify the album(s.) There is no way in hell that anything past Atom Heart Mother is even remotely psychedelic.

Perhaps a more New Testament tone would better befit this discussion, my dearest Reverend, than the Old Testament wrath you seemingly pour upon me in your verse.

As to your statement, I beg to differ. Echoes and One of These Days can certainly be described as psychedelic. Also, the very nature of Floyd's music lends itself to the psychedelic ear, if not always for the overtness of the song, then definitely for it's undertones which are all rooted in the back of the brain introspection and insight Floyd remains so well known for. Both qualities which are inherent to and inseparable from psychedelic music.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

(and NO, the Beatles don't count! They were far too mainstream to be hippie or psychedelic. Plus they suck.

Now them is fightin words. The Beatles praticaly invented the hippy movement. They brought it to the mainstream. Remember when I was a kid being a hippy was main stream. And nobody was more Psychedelic. Come on Lucy in the Sky with diamonds? Just look at their pictures. And what was the song that was the anthem of the movement. Thats right "All You Need is Love". John Lennon was the model for all hippies to follow. After them its Floyd hands down. Then Id go with Zappa.

[Strike For The South]

Skynyrd

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Skynyrd

They weren't psychedelic...

And I don't really like the Beatles either.

[Beirut]

They weren't psychedelic...

I believe to the Southern Man, Skynyrd is all things.

[Reverend Joe]

Now them is fightin words. The Beatles praticaly invented the hippy movement. They brought it to the mainstream. Remember when I was a kid being a hippy was main stream. And nobody was more Psychedelic. Come on Lucy in the Sky with diamonds? Just look at their pictures. And what was the song that was the anthem of the movement. Thats right "All You Need is Love". John Lennon was the model for all hippies to follow. After them its Floyd hands down. Then Id go with Zappa.

Having been raised by an ex-hippie myself, I am going to have to disagree. Lucy in the Sky, for one, is exactly the point of what I am talking about here: it's a mainstream parody of the true psychedelic sound; if you really want to point to a psychedelic Beatles song, you should have gone with "I am the Walrus." Besides which, the hippies were never mainstream until Woodstock, and by that time the movement had almost lost its purpose; after all, Altamont was just a few months away, and the freedom of being a hippie was all but gone. As for the anthem... what about "Somebody to Love?" Or "Break on Through?"

Besides, Floyd may have been a model for the hippies when Syd was around, but they wouldn't become a true "leader" band until the 70's by which time the remaining "hippies" were simply stoners and bums in all but name; the ideals were all dead.

And didn't you say that Zappa was anti-drug? Don't get me wrong; I like the man, but unless I am mistaken, he was rather conservative, by his own admission. (He definitely was not a Reaganite, though.)

@Beirut: Okay, that was unfair... but I would still posit that anything past "Dark Side" was not psychedelic; by that time, the progressive/spacerock sound had fully broken from its roots.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Having been raised by an ex-hippie myself, I am going to have to disagree.

Being an ex hippie Im going to have to disagree

Lucy in the Sky, for one, is exactly the point of what I am talking about here: it's a mainstream parody of the true psychedelic sound;

Its not even about LSD. So if the Beatles do it its a parody. The big start of this music was the record Rain by the Beatles. This was all around the same time as the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, Donovan started experimenting with this sound. Rain was the first big Psychedelic hit.

And didn't you say that Zappa was anti-drug? Don't get me wrong; I like the man, but unless I am mistaken, he was rather conservative, by his own admission. (He definitely was not a Reaganite, though.)

That he was but nobodies music is more mind expanding and hence psychedelic. Thats why its so hard to believe he never did them and was against them.

Besides which, the hippies were never mainstream until Woodstock, and by that time the movement had almost lost its purpose; after all, Altamont was just a few months away, and the freedom of being a hippie was all but gone.

Baloney I didnt get to grow my beard and hair long until I got out of the Marines in 72 . It was still going strong but had taken on a commercialism all its own.

As for the anthem... what about "Somebody to Love?" Or "Break on Through?"

They were ok but in the 60s believe me no one came close to the Beatles in influence or popularity. Its doubtful any group will ever dominate the way they did again.

How old are your parents if I may ask?
You want well here you go.

iron butterfly in a gadda da vida

[Reverend Joe]

Being an ex hippie Im going to have to disagree

Okay then.

Its not even about LSD. So if the Beatles do it its a parody. The big start of this music was the record Rain by the Beatles. This was all around the same time as the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, Donovan started experimenting with this sound. Rain was the first big Psychedelic hit.

Ahem... I think you're forgetting the 13th Floor Elevators...

Besides which, this only reinforces my argument that the Beatles were, at best, mainstream quasi-psychedelic.

That he was but nobodies music is more mind expanding and hence psychedelic. Thats why its so hard to believe he never did them and was against them.

I dunno... Zappa really sounds less psychedelic and more... just... Zappa. Just as Creedence can't really be called anything in particular because of their unique sound, so Zappa stands alone.

Baloney I didnt get to grow my beard and hair long until I got out of the Marines in 72 . It was still going strong but had taken on a commercialism all its own.

...You weren't no hippie, boy.

They were ok but in the 60s believe me no one came close to the Beatles in influence or popularity. Its doubtful any group will ever dominate the way they did again.

Granted... but again, popularity does not automatically make them the true psychedelic band... neither does it make them particularly good. I would still argue, despite the popularity difference, that Jefferson Airplane remains the one true hippie/psychedelic band.

Hell, the best selling record in the world is "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, and I would argue that no man has singlehandedly done more damage to music.

How old are your parents if I may ask?

My mother was never a hippie; she is 53. My father, on the other hand, is 61; he was 21 in 1967. And he is an Aquarius. Trust me, he hung out with the hairiest and the smelliest.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Besides which, this only reinforces my argument that the Beatles were, at best, mainstream quasi-psychedelic.

The two are not mutually exclusive. The Beatles did it all. And it shows they invented the sound before Airplane.

dunno... Zappa really sounds less psychedelic and more... just... Zappa. Just as Creedence can't really be called anything in particular because of their unique sound, so Zappa stands alone.

You havent heard enuff of him then.

..You weren't no hippie, boy.

I sure was. I was a big dope smoker in the Marines. In fact thats where I first saw it. I was still a hippie at heart. And who you callin boy son?

Granted... but again, popularity does not automatically make them the true psychedelic band...

As I said they do it all. You cant really label then as anything .

neither does it make them particularly good.

Only the best there ever was. Anybody who thinks the Beatles stink has no sense of music and is not worth arguing with. Thats my opinion. Theres lots of music i dont like but I can recognise great musicians when I hear them.

I would still argue, despite the popularity difference, that Jefferson Airplane remains the one true hippie/psychedelic band.

Your entitled to your opinion. They certainly were Psychedelic in a greater percentage of their work than the Beatles but that dont make them the best either. I love airplane dont get me wrong.

Hell, the best selling record in the world is "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, and I would argue that no man has singlehandedly done more damage to music.

I think he uses both hands. But Im not arguing the Beatles are the best because of sales but because of what they did. You youngsters dont give them enough credit.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Besides which, this only reinforces my argument that the Beatles were, at best, mainstream quasi-psychedelic.

The two are not mutually exclusive. The Beatles did it all. And it shows they invented the sound before Airplane.

dunno... Zappa really sounds less psychedelic and more... just... Zappa. Just as Creedence can't really be called anything in particular because of their unique sound, so Zappa stands alone.

You havent heard enuff of him then.

..You weren't no hippie, boy.

I sure was. I was a big dope smoker in the Marines. In fact thats where I first saw it. I was still a hippie at heart. And who you callin boy son?

Granted... but again, popularity does not automatically make them the true psychedelic band...

As I said they do it all. You cant really label then as anything .

neither does it make them particularly good.

Only the best there ever was. Anybody who thinks the Beatles stink has no sense of music and is not worth arguing with. Thats my opinion. Theres lots of music i dont like but I can recognise great musicians when I hear them.

I would still argue, despite the popularity difference, that Jefferson Airplane remains the one true hippie/psychedelic band.

Your entitled to your opinion. They certainly were Psychedelic in a greater percentage of their work than the Beatles but that dont make them the best either. I love airplane dont get me wrong.

Hell, the best selling record in the world is "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, and I would argue that no man has singlehandedly done more damage to music.

I think he uses both hands. But Im not arguing the Beatles are the best because of sales but because of what they did. You youngsters dont give them enough credit.

My mother was never a hippie; she is 53. My father, on the other hand, is 61; he was 21 in 1967

Wow I was only 20 in 67. I guess your dad really knows better LOL. :) Probably a Stones fan :)

[Togakure]

Iron Butterfly.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Iron Butterfly.

I already posted this

iron butterfly in a gadda da vida

[Reverend Joe]

Well, I think that all this proves that it's really a matter of opinion.

And NO, my father was NOT no Stones fan.

...He was an Eagles fan. But he did really enjoy seeing the Airplane in concert, circa '69.

By the way... the first Airplane album came out in '66... not to mention the fact that the first psychedelic band was the 13th Floor Elevators, circa 1965. (Strike: the Elevators were from Texas... just to let you know.)

And don't call me no youngster, either. The way I live and think, I ought to have been born in '45 or so. I was made for the 50's and 60's.

...Boy.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

By the way... the first Airplane album came out in '66... not to mention the fact that the first psychedelic band was the 13th Floor Elevators, circa 1965. (Strike: the Elevators were from Texas... just to let you know.)

And when did the first Beatle album come out? Again rain was out before airplane. I didnt say the Beatles were the first. I said they were the best. Now just like what sells the most, who makes the most doesnt make them better either. Quality over quantity.

And don't call me no youngster, either. The way I live and think, I ought to have been born in '45 or so. I was made for the 50's and 60's.

Since Im old enough to be your father i gave you the respect of calling you son , BOY

.He was an Eagles fan. But he did really enjoy seeing the Airplane in concert, circa '69.

As I said I worked with Airplane twice. The first time in 73.

Im shocked you havent brought up Hot Tuna yet.

[naut]

Hmmm, even though it's more Art Rock, I'm gonna throw in The Velvet Underground.

[Reverend Joe]

And when did the first Beatle album come out? Again rain was out before airplane. I didnt say the Beatles were the first. I said they were the best. Now just like what sells the most, who makes the most doesnt make them better either. Quality over quantity.

Now, I already SAID that's opinion. As much as you might keep stating it like it's fact, it doesn't make it true. Besides which the Beatles didn't really get into psych-rock until Sgt. Pepper, in '67.

As I said I worked with Airplane twice. The first time in 73.

Im shocked you havent brought up Hot Tuna yet.

You never said that. And besides, you didn't work with the Airplane if you worked with them after 1969. They went downhill far and fast after Volunteers. Working with the Airplane after '69 is like working with Floyd after "The Wall", or working with The Doors after Morrison left.

And Hot Tuna is assumed, damnit! Besides which, they were a blues band, so what they got to do with the Psychedelic groups?!

@Rhythmic: not bad. Not my thing, but not bad.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Now, I already SAID that's opinion. As much as you might keep stating it like it's fact, it doesn't make it true.

I was going to acknowledge the opinion part last post but I figured it was obvious. Im always telling people their entitled to their opinion...........Even if its wrong

Besides which the Beatles didn't really get into psych-rock until Sgt. Pepper, in '67

But they started it in 66. Listen to Revolver

She Said
"I'm Only Sleeping,"
Even a case could be made for "Eleanor Rigby,"

And Before that in 65 on Rubber Soul
“Norwegian Wood"

And thats not counting Rain and Strawberry fields forever .

You never said that. And besides, you didn't work with the Airplane if you worked with them after 1969

Tell them that. Thats what they were billed as.

Working with the Airplane after '69 is like working with Floyd after "The Wall", or working with The Doors after Morrison left.

The only group that really suffered there was the Doors. They were done. I just watched the Oulse DVD again and you hardly miss Waters. Im not saying their not better with him. Same for the original airplane. But at least it wasnt Jefferson Starship lol.

And Hot Tuna is assumed, damnit! Besides which, they were a blues band, so what they got to do with the Psychedelic groups?!

You can be a Psychedelic blues band cant you?


Chill m8. Its all in good fun. I cant stand the dead or Hot Tuna to tell the truth. But again thats just a matter of taste. I once went with this chick to see the Dead and I did 2 hits of acid. About three hours in she wants to go up by the stage. Im like nah ill just stay here. She came back and I had fallen asleep. Last I remember Garcia was in the middle of one of his long boring solos

[Decker]

The Doors? I honestly don't know besides Hendrix and Floyd

[doc_bean]

The Doors? I honestly don't know besides Hendrix and Floyd

The Doors have indeed been sadly neglected in this thread. They were great, too bad the band (sans Jim) can't let the past be the past and tries to revive the band every few years.