Gabriel Bondage

Gabriel Bondage was an American post-psych band from Chicago that released the album Angel Dust on local-press Dharma in 1975, followed by Another Trip to Earth in 1977.

Members: Rex Bundy (lead vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar, drums, piano, effects) Tony Stram (vocals, bass, keyboards, programming), Larry Biernacki (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Bill Wisniewski (lead vocals, backing vocals, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute, clarinet), Ron Schwartz (piano, synthesizer, Hammond organ, programming), P.J. Shadowhawk (drums)


Their name was inspired by Gabriel Prosser, an enslaved 18th century blacksmith who — held in bondage on a Richmond, Virginia, plantation — became a martyred early hero of the abolitionist movement after planning one of the earliest anti-slavery revolts.

The group formed in 1973 as One Brain when singer and multi-instrumentalist Rex Bundy, a former writer of religious music, enlisted bassist Tony Stram, once of the Pink Floyd covers band Stark Raving & Mad. They grew to a six-piece with reedist Bill Wisniewski, who once rubbed shoulders with members of Chicago.

As Gabriel Bondage, they opened an early US date by Canadian rockers Rush. Bundy developed a set of originals, influenced by The Beatles, Genesis, and Emerson Lake & Palmer.

Gabriel Bondage signed to Dharma Records, a Libertyville, Ill., indie label whose roster included jazz-rockers Streetdancer and the symphonic trio Atlantis Philharmonic.


Discography:

  • Angel Dust (1975)
  • Another Trip to Earth (1977)

Sources:

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