13th Floor Elevators - The Psychedelic Sounds Of......

The 13th Floor Elevators were formed in 1965 in Austin, Texas by singer Roky Erickson, guitarist Stacy Sutherland and Tommy Hall who played something called an 'electric jug'. This was basically a ceramic jug with a microphone held close to it, or for recording studio purposes the mic was often placed inside the jug. Sounds were created by blowing into the mouth of the jug resulting in hypnotic rhythms similar in feel to those produced by the Brazilian cuica drum. This sound helped to define the music of The 13th Floor Elevators who rapidly established themselves as a great live touring band around Texas in the Spring and Summer of 1966. Signed to the International Artists label based in Houston, they set about recording their first album at Sunset Sound Studios, Dallas.

Whether or not, Roky Erickson was the first to use the term 'psychedelic rock' is open to debate but certainly this album represented one of the first occasions that the word 'psychedelic' was used in an album title. The music on the album was clearly influenced by the use of drugs and the album sleeve notes, written by Tommy Hall, advocated open use of drugs such as mescaline and LSD. Sadly, excessive use of such drugs led to the early demise of the band in 1968 and in the following year, Erickson found himself incarcerated in
Rusk State Psychiatric Hospital in Texas.

The musical legacy they left however, begins with this album which was released in November 1966. In eleven fairly short tracks they splash their trademark sound across the grooves of this record. From the distinctive (and some might say, over-used) wibbly-wobbly sound of Hall's electric jug, to the acid influenced poetry of his lyrics. From the melodic guitar phrases of Stacy Sutherland to the wild shouting/screeching voice of Erickson, this album (and the follow-up) have influenced a host of artists since. Apparently Janice Joplin modelled her vocal style on Erickson and one wonders how much of a debt, Robert Plant owes.

I would offer only one piece of advice. LISTEN TO THE VERSION IN MONO!
For some reason the stereo version of the album is awash with reverberation which diminishes the overall impact. Thankfully this is largely removed in the mono mix allowing the power of the rock songs on the album and the clarity of vocals and instrumentation to shine through.  Tune in, freak out and ENJOY.

'You're Gonna Miss Me'
This was the only song on the album written solely by Erickson. Written and performed while he was still with his previous band The Spades, the Elevators recorded a version which was released as a single in January 1966 (backed by 'Tried To Hide') and which sold quite well in Texas. The song has since become something of a garage-rock classic having been covered by many other artists, as well as featuring at the beginning of the film 'High Fidelity'.
From the opening strident guitar chords, the song fairly rattles along with Erickson shouting and yelping until it fades out on his wailing harp solo.

'Roller Coaster'
Like the roller coaster of the title, this number starts fairly slowly but after Erickson sings 'Come on and let it happen to you', the ride picks up speed and it careers down the track driven by great guitar playing from Sutherland.
'You've gotta open up your mind and let everything come through.'

'Splash 1 (Now I'm Home)
The wife of Tommy Hall, the former Clementine Tausch was working on a novel when she was asked by Roky Erickson to write lyrics for some of his songs. This ballad was one of those and was given it's title because it was as though something splashed between the two of them upon meeting. As the lyrics describe it, 'The neon from your eyes is splashing into mine'.

'Reverberation (Doubt)'
The pounding bass of Ronnie Leatherman drives the rhythm of this song, sung in a sleazy, creepy voice by Erickson. His lone bass also introduces the next track -

'Don't Fall Down'
The band members repeatedly chant the title as Erickson sings the verses over the top. This strangely hypnotic song began life as 'We Sell Soul' when Erickson was with his previous band, The Spades.

'Fire Engine'
Side two of the album begins with the simulation of a fire engine siren, perhaps the influence behind the opening of The Move's 'Fire Brigade' from 1968. Erickson howls over the cacophony of sirens and guitar riffs, then the song develops along a Chuck Berry or early Rolling Stones rhythm.

'Thru The Rhythm'
Whether lyricist Tommy Hall was inspired to use the same rhyming patterns for this song as Frank Zappa did for 'Hungry Freaks Daddy' is unknown but the use of the same rhyme at the end of each verse line, is actually quite effective in this nightmarish psychobabble.
'I've smelt the stench from the fumes that rise
From the books that rehash the same old lies.
I felt the panic that they disguise
In the form of laws of every size.' Etc.

See what I mean?

The album then continues with a trio of songs written by a certain Powell St. John.

'You Don't Know (How Young You Are)'
Rayward Powell St John was born born in Houston, raised in Laredo and attended university in Austin. In The Waller Creek Boys he sang and played harmonica with the likes of Janis Joplin. Gravitating eventually to San Francisco, he became a member of Mother Earth a band which for a while featured Mark Naftalin form The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. The quality of his songwriting came to the attention of a number of acts including The 13th Floor Elevators who included three on this, their debut album. Another, 'Slide Machine' would feature on their follow up album in 1967. This track features lines like, 'Your eyes are filled with coral snakes and liquid plastic castles'.

'Kingdom Of Heaven'
The slow plodding bass of Ronnie Leatherman opens this song. 'I'm bringing you this message because it's time I think you knew that the Kingdom of Heaven is within you'. Erickson sings the words of Powell St John over a wash of distorted guitar in this slow, dreamy ballad.

'Monkey Island'
This song about trying to fit in by being something you're not allows Erickson to really stretch himself vocally as he screeches like a demented monkey.

'Tried To Hide'
Another more upbeat song by Tommy Hall and Stacy Sutherland allows Erickson to again demonstrate his vocal prowess and his harmonica skills.

While none of the songs on this album can stand up against the quality of those that had recently been issued by The Beatles, The Beach Boys or The Kinks, the sound created on the disc was unique for its time and certainly inspired many other bands to develop into more psychedelic areas. There are also a number of notable musicians who have acknowledged the influence the 13th Floor Elevators had on their career for example the use of reverb and echo which was adopted by ZZ Top and The Allman Brothers Band.
The irony is that the drugs which influenced their sound and their songs also led to their downfall, but not before the band bettered this first effort. More of that in due course when we look at the influential releases of 1967.

The personnel on 'The Psychedelic Sounds of The 13th Floor Elevators' were:
Roky Erickson - vocals, guitar, harmonica
Stacy Sutherland - lead guitar
Tommy Hall - electric jug and vocals
Ronnie Leatherman - bass
Benny Thurman - bass on 'You're Gonna Miss Me' and 'Splash 1'
John Ike Walton - drums