May 29, 2009 Playlist

"Volume 2: Breaking Through" by The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band (1967)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band  "Volume 2:  Breaking Through"  1967 (USA)
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band was a second-string psychedelic band from California, as the name implies intended to be a freaky "happening" band like The Mothers of Invention and Andy Warhol's proteges The Velvet Underground.  At the instigation of the notorious Kim Foley, oil scion and popstar-wannabe Bob Markley got together with a struggling group called The Laughing Wind and WCPAEB was born.  Since he had money, Markley provided the funds for an extravagant light show and state of the art equipment that allowed the group to compete in the psychedelic sweepstakes (their concert reputation led Reprise records to sign them in 1967), though the rest of the band questioned his musical talents (for what it's worth, Markley eventually wound up in legal trouble for his "fascination with young girls" and was last spotted in a mental institution more than a decade ago.)  Since he was the money man, Markley also controlled the rights to the band's name and got to decide which songs were going to be released on their albums -- needless to say, this group was never much of a "band" in the collective sense, and apparently disagreements and arguments were the rule of the day!  In spite of the sordid details (did I mention one of their guitar players also produced the Dirty Dancing soundtrack?!?), WCPAEB did make a couple of groovy records, and my favorite is this one (which despite the title was actually their third album!)  The highlight is undoubtedly the immortal psychedelic nugget "Smell of Incense", later a minor hit for the Dallas band Southwest F.O.B.
Unsurprisingly, there doesn't seem to be any video of this hitless group -- but here's a record geek showing off his copy of this album.

Pledge Drive!

(N) = New Release
(W) = Restored to the Web archive version, not actually played on the radio due to transmitter failure!
      
Artist Song Album Year Country
Sun Ra Space Is The Place (excerpt) Space Is The Place 1972 USA
Engelbert Humperdinck (W) Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In (from Hair) Engelbert Humperdinck 1969 UK
The Cowsills (W) Reach Out (I'll Be There) ("live" - The Temptations) The Cowsills In Concert 1969 USA
James Gang Take A Look Around
   / Tend My Garden (live)		 Live In Concert 1971 USA
April Wine You Could Have Been A Lady (Hot Chocolate) 22 Explosive Hits Volume 2
(various artists - from K-Tel)		 rec. 1972 Canada
 
 
The Chi-Lites (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People) 22 Explosive Hits Volume 2
(various artists - from K-Tel) 		rec. 1971 USA
The Grass Roots Where Were You When I Needed You Golden Grass (greatest hits compilation)
 rec. 1966 USA
Mason Proffit Hokey Joe Pony Movin' Toward Happiness
 1971 USA
Meat Puppets  The Monkey & The Snake Sewn Together (N) 2009 (Megaforce) USA
Meat Puppets Blanket Of Weeds Sewn Together (N) 2009 (Megaforce) USA
Meat Puppets Hot Pink Up On The Sun 1985 USA
   
 
Black Moth Super Rainbow Gold Splatter Eating Us (N) 2009 (Graveface) USA
Black Moth Super Rainbow Iron Lemonade Eating Us (N) 2009 (Graveface) USA
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Overture: WCPAEB, Part II Volume 2: Breaking Through
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1967 USA
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band The Smell of Incense Volume 2: Breaking Through
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1967 USA
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Buddha Volume 2: Breaking Through
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1967 USA
   
 
Shazy Hade Brutalist Time Traveller Angel Marie Mexico 2007 USA
The Zombeatles Dead Prudence (Beatles) Meat The Zombeatles! (N) 2009 (Beeftone) USA
Killdozer Hush (Joe South / Deep Purple) For Ladies Only 1989 USA
Deep Purple Speed King In Rock 1970 UK
Yes Sound Chaser Relayer 1974 UK
 
 
Genesis Get 'em Out By Friday Foxtrot 1972 UK
Richard Lloyd Castles Made Of Sand (Jimi Hendrix) The Jamie Neverts Story (N) 2009 (Sufi Monkey/Parasol) USA
Jimi Hendrix Jam Back At The House (Beginnings) (live) Jimi Hendrix: Woodstock
 rec. 1969 USA
 
  
Funkadelic Maggot Brain Maggot Brain 1971 USA
The Human Instinct Stoned Guitar Stoned Guitar 1970 New Zealand
 
  
The Soft Boys I Wanna Destroy You Underwater Moonlight 1980 UK
Pink Floyd Pigs (Three Different Ones) Animals 1977 UK
Love Gather Round Out Here 1969 USA
      
   
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