The Chocolate Watchband - No Way Out (1967)

The Chocolate Watchband - No Way Out

Perhaps not as obscure as other bands on the blog, Chocolate Watchband is still an underrated band. This Psychedelic garage rock album includes one of my favorite songs, "Dark Side of the Mushroom". I must also mention "Come On". Enjoy.

Album information:

01. Let's Talk About Girls

02. In The Midnight Hour

03. Come On

04. Dark Side Of The Mushroom

05. Hot Dusty Road

06. Are You Gonna Be There (At The Love-In)

07. Gone And Passes By

08. No Way Out

09. Expo 2000

10. Gossamer Wings

11. In The Midnight Hour (Previously Unissued Version)

12. Milk Cow Blues

Band information:

The Chocolate Watchband is an American garage rock band that was based in San Jose, California. The band, formed in 1965, went through several lineup changes during its existence, but developed a sound heavily influenced by The Rolling Stones. Combining typical psychedelic and garage rock components, the band's sound was marked by David Aguilar's lead vocals, and experimental intensity of an early protopunk band. The band's rebellious musical posture, combine with psychedelic-inspired guitar distortions andkeyboards, made them one of the harder-edged groups of the period.

The band was signed to Tower Records in 1966 and released their first single, "Sweet Young Thing", in 1967. Later in the year, the band released their debut album, No Way Out. Though the album was nationally unsuccessful, the band became a frequent attraction in San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1968, their second album, The Inner Mystique, was released and included the band's most popular song, a cover version of "I'm Not Like Everybody Else". By 1969, the band released their final album, One Step Beyond, however it was not as highly regarded as their past work, and the band broke up in 1970.

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The Buoys - Selftitled (1971)

The Buoys - Selftitled

Timothy, where on earth did you go?! This compilation album is a mixture between psyche, prog & classic rock. 18 tracks, well worth to be in an archive.

Album information:

(01) Timothy

(02) Give Up Your Guns

(03) Sunny Days-Memories

(04) Tell Me Heaven Is Here

(05) The Prince Of Thieves

(06] Castles

(07) Bloodknot

(08) Tomorrow

(09) Streams Together

(10) Good Lovin'

(11) Pittsburgh Steel

(12) Absent Friend

(13) These Days

(14) Sunny Days

(15) Don't Try To Run

(16) Dreams

(17) Look Back America

(18) Liza's Last Ride

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Tear Gas - Selftitled (1971)

Tear Gas - Selftitled

Tear Gas is for those days you need to just get run over by a truck. Or rather just need some heavy sound. The band is labeled as Prog rock, but I think we need to add the word heavy somewhere in between. "Love Story" is my favorite.

Album information:

01 - That's What's Real

02 - Love Story

03 - Lay It On Me

04 - Woman For Sale

05 - I'm Glad

06 - Where Is My Answer

07 - Jailhouse Rock & All Shook Up

08 - The First Time

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Tangerine - The Peeling of Tangerine (1971)

Tangerine - The Peeling of Tangerine

Blues and Psyche had a baby, they named it Tangerine. This first and last album has 5 tracks, "A.J.F." and "Come and See Me" being the most memorable ones. Give it a try!

Album information:

01 - Come and See Me

02 - The Hutch

03 - Chain Gang

04 - A.J.F.

05 - My Main Woman

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Swampgas - Selftitled (1972)

Swampgas - Selftitled

Another blues band, but to me they have a much more progressive sound than blues. There are a couple mellow tracks, but the rest is all heavy. "Potato Strut" and "Eulogy" does it for me.

Album information:

01 - Patato Strut

02 - Don't

03 - The Waiting, E Train Blue

04 - Trapped In The City

05 - Eulogy

06 - Frolic Child

07 - Pala

08 - Egg Shells

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Stray Dog - 1973 & 1974

Stray Dog - Fasten Your Seat Belts & While You're Down There

I don't listen to Blues much, but coupled with heavy sound such as Stray Dog, I'm in! I have many favorites from the second album released in '74, cover of "Calamity Jane" introduced me to the band. "Bits & Pieces" is also a noteworthy track.

Album(s) information:

(1973) - Fasten Your Seat Belts

01 - How It Is (The Sacred Mix)

02 - Tramp (Fat 'N' Sassy Mix)

03 - You Know

04 - Crazy ('Bout To Lose My Mind Mix)

05 - The Journey

06 - Drive My Car

07 - Tramp (Live)

08 - Dog's Blues (Live)

(1974) - While You're Down There

01. Calamity Jane

02. Bits & Pieces

03. Pieces

04. I Would

05. Words To Say Goodbye

06. Junkyard Angel

07. Very Well

08. Dreams & Junk

09. Worldwinds

Band information:

The band originally formed in Texas under the name "Aphrodite". They moved to Denver, Colorado, where they became very popular. They were introduced to Neville Chesters, a former Road Manager for Emerson, Lake & Palmer, who convinced the band to go to London where, along with a friend and a former Tour Manager Lorenzio Mazzio, he introducedSnuffy Walden to Greg Lake, who signed them to ELP's label, Manticore Records. Randy Reader was replaced by Leslie Sampson. Lake produced three tracks on the 1973 debut self-titled album, Stray Dog, with the band producing the remainder.

In March 1973, the British music magazine, NME, reported that Stray Dog were to support ELP on their world tour, which was due to commence in Germany at the end of that month.[1]

Stray Dog's follow-up album, While You're Down There (1974), was co-produced by Austin Godsey and the band, which featured new members Tim Dulaine on second guitar and vocals, and keyboardist Luis Cabaza. The additions of Dulaine and Cabaza radically changed the band's sound from blues-based power trio to a more subdued and commercial AOR rock sound.[citation needed] Much of the material on While You're Down There was written and sung by Dulaine, with founder Walden's contributions being reduced. Only two tracks, "I Would" and the instrumental "Worldwinds", retained a sound and stylistic approach reminiscent of their debut.

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Steel Mill ‎- Green Eyed God (1972)

Steel Mill ‎– Green Eyed God

Steel Mill is a heavy prog rock band from the UK. With a single album released, they must be put in the list of underappreciated bands! Riffs in "Green Eyed God" and "Blood Runs Deep", flutes in "Black Jewel of the Forest" and "Har Fleur" are still waiting to be heard.

Album information:

01- Blood Runs Deep

02- Summer Child

03- Mijo and the Laying of the Wich

04- Treadmill

05- Green Eyed God

06- Turn the Page Over

07- Black Jewel of the Forest

08- Har Fleur

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