"This Los Angeles-based group was the inspiration of Sky Saxon (real name Richard Marsh) who formed them in 1965. Earlier out its included Sky Saxon and the Soul Rockers and the Amoeba. They were extremely popular locally and their records sold quite well. Their debut single Can't Seem To Make You Mine made little impression as did (You're) Pushin' Too Hard when it was first issued. Their music was raw and often simple, but Saxon's growling vocals, and their pummeling repetitive rhythms gave them a unique sound. When the debut album was issued a local DJ gave Pushin' Too Hard extended airplay and it was reissued climbing to No. 36 in the Billboard Hot 100. Their second album was also issued in the U.K. by Vocalion. It opened with the vibrant Mr. Farmer which became their next single, and featured rampant rockers like Rollin' Machine and Tripmaker and a few gentler numbers. The Seeds were now hugely popular in LA and appointed a new manager Tim Hudson who was apparently largely responsible for their nationwide success by pushing their flower power aspect at the right time. In fact, much of their music was punky and only the Future album can really be called 'psychedelic'. This was an 'over the top' production and the sleeve contained (apart from the record) cut out and paste drawings of flowers!
Rick Andridge recalls that their next album, A Full Spoon Of Seedy Blues was never meant to be a Seeds album which is why they went by The Sky Saxon Blues Band monicker. They never played any of those blues songs at any concert and Sky has said he recorded it to try and break their contract with GNP. Rick: "I did it because I learned to love the blues. I still believe to this day that it is one of the best albums we ever did. Really great for a group of white guys."
The Seeds name returned for the Raw and Alive album and two of the new tracks, on this credible blend of old and new - Satisfy You/900 Million People Daily Making Love, were issued as a 45 in a full colour art sleeve. It flopped but has now become the band's most collectable item. Sadly after one further 45, written by Kim Fowley, the band fell apart.
The band's demise came with the collapse of the flower power culture in 1969, although Sky Saxon has continued to record spasmodically since. He re-appeared for two disappointing singles using the same name 'The Seeds' in 1971 - Bad Part Of Town and Love In A Summer Basket. Slightly later a privately pressed heavy rock single, Shuckin' and Jivin' (Productions Unlimited 22) surfaced. He has also been connected with Ya Ho Wa 13 and recorded an album with them for Psycho Records in 1982. This was previously issued on an eight track tape. Only 300 copies of the Psycho issue were pressed and it is now deleted.
All of The Seeds' albums have subsequently been issued in Germany, by Line Records, including their 1977 compilation Fallin'Off The Edge (GNP 2107), which featured rare and previously unissued material.
Other items of interest to Seeds collectors will be Eva's 1983 compilation New Fruit From Old Seeds/Bad Part Of Town and Stary Ride Sky Saxon (Psycho 29) 1984, a mini LP. There's also a 1981 release Purple Electricity recorded live at the Cavern Club in 1986. The backing band includes members of Red Kross and The Primates. "
The Seeds - "Tripmaker" From "Web Of Sound" (1966)
Here's a couple of tracks from The Dovers since you guys like them so much.......
The Dovers - "Your Love" 1966
The Dovers - "People Ask Me Why" 1965
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Mp3 of the month: Wild Things- Another Colored Ink Drawing (A.C.I.D.)
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