The Electric Prunes

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The Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes in 1966. Clockwise from left: Preston Ritter, Mark Tulin, James Spagnola, Ken Williams and James Lowe
The Electric Prunes in 1966. Clockwise from left: Preston Ritter, Mark Tulin, James Spagnola, Ken Williams and James Lowe
Background information
OriginSan Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Years active1965–1970, 1999–present
Labels
MembersJames Lowe
Steve Kara
Jay Dean
Walter Garces
Rocco Guarino
Past membersMark Tulin
Ken Williams
Michael Weakley
Steve Acoff
Dick Hargraves
Preston Ritter
James Spagnola
Joe Dooley
Mike Gannon
John Herron
Mark Kincaid
Brett Wade
Dick Whetstone
Kenny Loggins
Jeromy Stuart
Ron Morgan
Cameron Lowe
Mark Moulin
Glen Bostic
Websitewww.electricprunes67.com

The Electric Prunes are an American

guitars and oscillating sound effects. In addition, guitarist Ken Williams' and singer James Lowe's concept of "free-form garage music" provided the band with a richer sonic palette and exploratory lyrical structure than many of their contemporaries.[3][4][5]

The band was signed to Reprise Records in 1966 and released their first single, "Ain't It Hard", in the latter part of the year. Their first album, The Electric Prunes, included the band's two nationally charting songs, "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" and "Get Me to the World on Time". With the appearance of their second album, Underground, the band was more free to create their own material.[6] However, the original group disbanded by 1968 when they proved unable to record the innovative and complex arrangements by David Axelrod on the albums Mass in F Minor and Release of an Oath. Both albums were released under the band's name, the rights to which were owned by their record producer David Hassinger, but were largely performed by other musicians.[7] Several of the original band members reconvened in 1999 and began recording again.[6] The band still performs occasionally, although the only remaining original member is lead singer James Lowe.

History

Origin

The band originated from a

sound engineer at RCA Studios and recently completed development for The Rolling Stones' album, Aftermath, expressed a desire to produce a record. He suggested to the group that they change their name, and they considered a list of alternatives. According to Lowe, the name Electric Prunes started off as a joke, but he eventually convinced other band members, saying, "It's the one thing everyone will remember. It's not attractive, and there's nothing sexy about it, but people won't forget it."[8][10] As a result of the recordings, a single, featuring a cover of the Gypsy Trips' folk rock tune, "Ain't It Hard", and the Lowe-penned song, "Little Olive", was released in early 1966, but failed to chart.[11]

Early success

Despite the commercial failure of "Ain't It Hard",

UK Singles Chart. The success of the single prompted immediate touring, and earned the group a promotional contract with musical equipment makers Vox. Williams recorded an advert, demonstrating the use of Vox's wah-wah pedal in early 1967, and the band was featured in magazines such as Vox Teen Beat.[12][13]

The band's follow-up single, "Get Me to the World on Time", which put distorted sound effects to a psychedelic-tinged Bo Diddley beat, was released in May 1967. The song managed to chart at number 27 in the US and number 42 in the UK, and was the most electronically experimental composition by the group thus far.[14] When it came time for The Electric Prunes to record songs for their first album, they were limited musically due to the predominant presence of Tucker and Mantz's (also Jill Jones) songwriting partnership, which composed the majority of the album's material. The group's debut album, The Electric Prunes possessed exotically combined effects, and violin-like guitar riffs, mixed with a diverse, and somewhat uneven, selection of pop songs, with only "Train For Tomorrow" and "Luvin'" being penned by the band. Tracks such as the soft rock tune, "Onie" and "Toonerville Trolley" suggest inconsistency in an attempt to produce a commercially viable sound. Reflecting on the album, Tulin said, "Consequently there are definitely songs that I believe do not belong on the album and were, in fact, a waste of our time and energy. There were several other ideas we were working on, but [we] realized there was no use pursuing them because they too would have been 'too weird.'"[2][15]

In July 1967, the band released their fourth single, one of the more unusual compositions to come from the pen of the Tucker-Mantz songwriting duo, "Dr. Do-Good". The song, which featured Williams playing a prototype

live album, Stockholm '67.[18][19]

The Axelrod period

At the suggestion of manager Lenny Poncher and Hassinger, The Electric Prunes agreed to record a

Gregorian music into psychedelic pop, with the belief it would launch them into commercial success.[20] Poncher recruited David Axelrod, a formally classically trained musician, to compose all of the material for the project. The result, Mass in F Minor, was a complex arrangement of religious-based rock, which was sung entirely in Greek and Latin. Although the band did record the songs "Kyrie Eleison", "Gloria", and "Credo", the intricate orchestration proved to be too difficult and time-consuming for the group. As a consequence, Hassinger enlisted the Canadian group The Collectors, among other session musicians, in completing the album, although Lowe, Tulin, and Weakley did contribute to every track.[21] Mass in F Minor was released in January 1968 and reached number 135 on the Billboard 200.[20] An eerie version of the opening track, "Kyrie Eleison", became somewhat of an underground favorite when it appeared in the soundtrack for the counterculture film, Easy Rider.[22] The Electric Prunes performed with the new songs in concert just once, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, which Tulin described: "From the outset the performance was a disaster. We missed the intro on the first song and it never got any better. Amp speakers blew, charts fell off music stands and everyone was, in general, in a complete state of confusion. Ended up each song turned into one long jam. I think we were, at times, all in the same key. I made my way over to the four celli and four French horns and told them to 'jam in E.' Somehow we would hit a break and James would manage a vocal".[21] As a result of financial and musical issues, Weakley and Lowe left the group in early 1968. Tulin and Williams finished a tour with a line-up that also included Kenny Loggins and Jeremy Stuart, but by mid-1968 they too departed the group.[23]

Nonetheless, Hassinger still owned the rights to The Electric Prunes's name, and was encouraged by the success of Mass in F Minor, which prompted him to assemble a new line-up. He was steered toward the Colorado group, Climax, by Rich Fifield. Fifield had worked in fellow Colorado band, Hardwater (previously the

surf rock band The Astronauts), which was managed by Poncher, and produced an album with Axelrod. The new Electric Prunes line-up included Climax members Richard Whetstone (vocals, guitar), John Herron (organ), and Mark Kincaid (guitar) with Brett Wade (bass guitar), who was recommended by The Collectors.[24] With the group restructured, Axelrod, again, composed all the material for their next album, in the same vein as the previous effort, and centered it around the Jewish prayer, Kol Nidre. The album, titled Release of an Oath, utilized several session musicians including Howard Roberts, Carol Kaye, and Earl Palmer, and saw Whetstone as the only band member to contribute to the recordings. Although the album was considered more cohesive and progressive than its predecessor, it failed to chart upon its release in November 1968.[25][26] Afterwards, Axelrod returned to his past position at Capitol Records, and The Electric Prunes toured as a supporting act for bands such as Steppenwolf, Canned Heat, and New Buffalo Springfield.[27]

The "New Improved" Electric Prunes

The band's final album,

B-side to the non-album single, "Hey, Mr. President".[28][29]

Just Good Old Rock and Roll is much more straightforward than past works, consisting of funk-influenced hard rock, although "So Many People to Tell" and "Silver Passion Mine" also exhibit a late-psychedelic sound. As Whetstone explains, "We were fairly naive in terms of guidance; we had none, so we were experimenting with a lot of musical styles. If you listen to the album, you'll hear a lot of diversity, feel and tempo changes...That was our learning curve."[24] In early 1970, Whetstone and Wade departed the band and moved to Canada where they formed Stallion Thumbrock. Morgan and Kincaid constructed another line-up of The Electric Prunes that included Michael Kearns, Clay Groomer, Huey Plumeigh, and Galen Pugh; however, by mid-1970 the band dissolved.[27]

Revival and reformation

Although the band broke up in 1970, their material continued to be circulated through reissues and

greatest hits album, Long Days Flight. This was the first album to include their first single, "Ain't It Hard", the non-LP track "You Never Had It Better", and the first to be released on the compact disc format in 1989.[10]

By 1997, all of the group's albums were available via compact disc. Following the release of the 1997 live album, Stockholm '67, on Heartbeat Records, the original line-up of Tulin, Lowe, Williams, and Weakley (now known as Fortune) reconvened, in 1999, to record new material for the first time in 31 years. After the success of the 2001 compilation album, Lost Dreams, the band began to perform live again along with new members.[30]

On October 31, 2001, the band released the album, Artifact, which included several guest musicians, most notably former Moby Grape guitarist, Peter Lewis. Deemed the "one we never got to make", the album was a cohesive take on the band's psychedelic sound.[31] In August 2002, the group toured Europe for the first time since 1968, with concerts in the UK and Greece and, in 2003, a DVD looking into the UK portion of their European tour, called Rewired, was released. Additional albums were released over the years, including the concept album, California, in 2004, and their most experimental album since The Electric Prunes's reformation, Feedback, in 2006.[32]

On February 26, 2011, Tulin died aged 62 from a heart attack while volunteering at the University of Southern California Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. After Tulin's death, the band went on hiatus, but returned to touring in 2013.[33] On May 22, 2014, the band released WaS, which featured new material inspired by the group's tour in Tokyo, Japan. The album includes the last recordings with Tulin, and the two live tracks, "Smokestack Lightning" and "Bullet Thru the Backseat".[34] Preston Ritter died in 2015, aged 65.[35]

Band members

Current members

  • James Lowe – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, theremin, guitar, autoharp (1965–1968, 1999–present)
  • Steve Kara – lead guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)
  • Jay Dean – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2004–present)
  • Walter Garces – drums (2006–present)
  • Rocco Guarino– bass, backing vocals (2013–present)

Former members

  • Mark Tulin (1965–1968, 1999–2011; died 2011) - bass, keyboards
  • Ken Williams (1965–1968, 1999–2003, 2006) - lead guitar
  • Michael "Quint" Weakley (1965–1966, 1967, 2001) - drums, percussion
  • Steve Acoff (1965)
  • Dick Hargraves (1965) - keyboards
  • Preston Ritter (1966–1967; died 2015) - drums, percussion
  • James "Weasel" Spagnola (1966–1967; died c.2000) - rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • Joe Dooley (1967–1968, 2001–2005) - drums
  • Mike Gannon (1967–1968; died 1972) - rhythm guitar
  • John Herron (1968–1970; died 2003) - keyboards
  • Mark Kincaid (1968–1970; died c.1994) - guitar, backing vocals
  • Brett Wade (1968–1970) - bass, backing vocals, flute
  • Dick Whetstone (1968–1970) - drums, lead vocals, guitar
  • Kenny Loggins (1968)
  • Jeromy Stuart (1968)
  • Ron Morgan (1969–1970; died 1989) - guitar
  • Cameron Lowe (2001–2003) - keyboards
  • Mark Moulin (2001–2003) - lead guitar
  • Glen Bostic (2007)

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

  • Stockholm '67 (Heartbeat BMRO39), 1997
  • Return to Stockholm Live at Debaser 2004 (PruneTwang 8-69691-13), 2012

U.S. singles

  • "Ain't It Hard" / "Little Olive" (Reprise 0473), 1966
  • "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" / "Luvin" (Reprise 0532) 1966 (US #11, UK #49)
  • "Get Me to the World on Time" / "Are You Lovin' Me More (But Enjoying it Less)" (Reprise 0564), 1966, (US #27, UK #42)
  • "Vox Wah-Wah Ad" (Thomas 08-000132-0), 1967
  • "Dr. Do-Good" / "Hideaway" (Reprise 0594), 1967 (US #128)
  • "The Great Banana Hoax" / "Wind-up Toys" (Reprise 0607), 1967
  • "Everybody Knows You're Not in Love" / "You Never Had it Better" (Reprise 0652), 1968
  • "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" / "Get Me to the World on Time" (Reprise 0704 – Double A-side), 1968
  • "Shadows" (Reprise PRO 287), 1968, one-sided single
  • "Sanctus" / "Credo" (Reprise PRO 277), 1968
  • "Help Us (Our Father, Our King)" / "The Adoration" (Reprise PRO 305), 1968
  • "Hey! Mr. President" / "Flowing Smoothly" (Reprise 0756), 1969
  • "Sell" / "Violent Rose" (Reprise 0833), 1969
  • "Love Grows" / "Finders, Keepers, Losers, Weepers" (Reprise 0858), 1969
  • "Hollywood Halloween" (Birdman Records BMR1313), 2001, Peter Lewis (Moby Grape) backed by The Electric Prunes)
  • "Get Me to the World on Time" (Live) (Birdman Records BMR037), 2002 (recorded at Voxfest III in June 2001)
  • "Left in Blue" (original by Azure Halo)

European singles

  • "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" / "Luvin" (Reprise RS 20532), 1966, UK
  • "Get Me to the World on Time" / "Are You Lovin Me More (But Enjoying It Less)" (Reprise RS 20564), 1967, UK
  • "The Great Banana Hoax" / "Wind-Up Toys" (Reprise RS 20607), 1967, UK
  • "Long Days Flight" / "The King In His Counting House" (Reprise RS 23212), 1967, UK
  • "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" / "Luvin'" / "Little Olive" / "Ain't It Hard" (Reprise RVEP 60098), 1967, France
  • "Everybody Knows You're Not In Love" / "You Never Had It Better" (Reprise RS 20652), 1968, UK
  • "Long Day's Flight" / "Dr. Do-Good" / "The Great Banana Hoax" / "Captain Glory" (Reprise RVEP 60110), 1968, France
  • "Everybody Knows You're Not In Love" / "You Never Had It Better" (Reprise RV 20149), 1968, France
  • "Hey Mr President" / "Flowing Smoothly" (Reprise RV 20198), 1969, France
  • "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" / ("Lies" by the Knickerbockers) (Elektra K 12102), 1973 (from the Nuggets compilation), UK
  • "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" / "Luvin" (Radar ADA 16 – picture sleeve reissue), 1979, UK

Compilation albums

  • Long Day's Flight (Edsel Records / Demon Records), 1986, UK
  • The Singles (Gone Beat), 1995, Israel
  • Lost Dreams (Birdman Records / Heartbeat Records), 2000, US
  • The Sanctions / Jim and the Lords - Then Came the Electric Prunes (Heartbeat Productions), 2000, UK (pre-Electric Prunes recordings)
  • Too Much To Dream - Original Group Recordings: Reprise 1966-1967 (Rhino Records / Reprise Records), 2007, UK & Europe
  • The Original Albums Series, 5-CD box set, released 2012

Various

DVDs

  • Rewired (Snapper Music), 2002, UK

References

  1. ^ "Meet Electric Prunes". Teen Handbook. 1967. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Unterberger, Richie. "LINER NOTES FOR THE ELECTRIC PRUNES' I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM (LAST NIGHT)". Richieunterberger.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  3. ^ Weller, Don (2001), Lost Dreams (CD booklet), Heartbeat Records cat. # CA91806, p. 2
  4. ^ "James Lowe Interview". Richieunterberger.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  5. ISBN 9780789320896
    .
  6. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "The Electric Prunes - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  7. ^ Interview with David Axelrod, Dazed and Confused, 1999, pp. 45–53
  8. ^ a b "The Electric Prunes - Part One". Eelectricprunes.com. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  9. ^ Edwards, Simon (2000), Then Came The Electric Prunes (CD Booklet), Heartbeat Productions cat. # CDHB65
  10. ^ a b Hogg, Brian (1989), Long Day's Flight (CD Booklet), Edsel Records
  11. ^ "The Electric Prunes". Classicbands.com. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  12. ISBN 0879306165
    .
  13. ^ a b "The Electric Prunes - Part 3". Electricprunes.com. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  14. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "LINER NOTES FOR THE ELECTRIC PRUNES' COMPLETE REPRISE SINGLES". Richieunterberger.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  15. ^ Deming, Mark. "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)". AllMusic. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  16. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "LINER NOTES FOR THE ELECTRIC PRUNES' UNDERGROUND". Richieunterberger.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  17. ^ Deming, Mark. "Underground - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  18. ^ "The Electric Prunes - Part Four". Electricprunes.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  19. ^ Edwards, Simon (1997), Stockholm '67 (CD booklet), Heartbeat Productions cat. # CDHB67
  20. ^ a b Campbell, Al. "Mass in F Minor - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  21. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "LINER NOTES FOR THE ELECTRIC PRUNES' MASS IN F MINOR". Richieunterberger.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  22. ISBN 9781593763824
    .
  23. ^ "The Electric Prunes - Part six". Electricprunes.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  24. ^ a b "How musicians in a Colorado band named Climax morphs into The Electric Prunes". Damprock.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  25. ^ Nishimoto, Dan. "The Electric Prunes Release of an Oath". Popmatters.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  26. ^ Mason, Stewart. "Release of an Oath - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  27. ^ a b "The Electric Prunes - Part seven". Electricprunes.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  28. ^ Release Of An Oath (The Kol Nidre) & Just Good Old Rock And Roll (CD booklet), Delirium Records cat. # CCM730, 1997
  29. ^ Vigilone, Joe. "Just Good Old Rock and Roll - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  30. ^ "The Electric Prunes - Part eight". Electricprunes.com. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  31. ^ Greenwald, Mark. "Artifact - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  32. ^ Lowe, James (2006), Feedback (CD booklet), Prunetwang Records cat. # 8696981
  33. ^ "Mark Tulin obituary". Theguardian.com. 17 March 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  34. ^ "Psychedelic Music Legends The Electric Prunes Release New Live CD 'WaS'". Mi2n.com. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  35. ^ Dave Lifton (March 31, 2015). "Preston Ritter, Electric Prunes Drummer, Dies at 65". Ultimateclassicrock.com.

External links

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