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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSEEDS, TheGarage band turned psychedelic outfit formed by famed L.A. hippie Sky Saxon (b Richard Marsh), who'd led various groups incl. the Amoebas. Lineup was Daryl Hooper, keyboards; Jan Savage, guitar; Rick Andridge, drums. Signed to GNP Crescendo; first single "Can't Seem To Make You Mine' with Beefheart-style howling by Saxon, almost made top 40 '67 after the second, "Pushin' Too Hard', went top 40 '66, championed by local radio a year after release; "Try To Understand' flopped. All incl. on The Seeds '66 (reissued as Legendary Master Recordings '78) but failed to emulate success of local rivals Love. They recycled Rolling Stones, Bo Diddley, Merseyside sounds (solo on "Pushin' Too Hard' cribbed from Billy J. Kramer's "Bad To Me'); originality lay in Saxon's rambling word-association patterns. Web Of Sound '66 with Harvey Sharpe added on bass was more polished but had less charm; "Mr Farmer', "A Thousand Shadows' were Hot 100 entries '67; Future '67 reflected flower-power; Full Spoon Of Seedy Blues '67 was made only to fulfill contract, despite sleeve note by Diddley. Struggled on through patchy live LP, split mid-'71. Saxon retired to Hawaii, where he released Sky Saxon and the Stars New Seeds Band. "Pushin' Too Hard' remains classic of '60s USA punk rock; the Bangles played it live, while Seeds' stuff is still available on GNP; other issues incl. A Groovy Thing on French New Rose label, Retrospective on German Line, Destiny's Children on PVC (with psychedelic revival guests incl. Mars Bonfire), all '86. |