The 13th Floor Elevators were an American psychedelic rock band from Austin that released three studio albums and a live disc between 1966 and 1969 on International Artists. Led by frontman Roky Erickson and electric jug player/lyricist Tommy Hall, the 13th Floor Elevators pioneered acid rock with a raw, reverb-heavy sound and explicit references to […]
Bubble Puppy was an American psychedelic rock band from San Antonio, best known for their 1969 hit “Hot Smoke & Sasafrass.” They released one album, A Gathering of Promises, then changed their name to Demian for a 1971 self-titled effort on ABC–Dunhill. Members: Rod Prince (guitar, vocals), David Fore (drums), Todd Potter (guitar), Roy Cox […]
Starcrost was an American jazz-funk/soul band from Austin that released a self-titled album on Fable Records in 1976. Members: Liza Farrow (vocals), John Mills (saxophone), Michael Mordecai (trombone), David Deaton (keyboards), Jim Spector (bass), Paul Pearcy (drums) Background Starcrost formed in 1975 when vocalist/pianist Liza Farrow and saxophonist/flutist John Mills united through Austin’s jazz scene. […]
Electromagnets were an American jazz-rock band from Austin that issued an eponymous album on self-press EGM 1975. The band recorded a second album in 1976 that was ultimately released in 2005 on Vortexan. Members: Eric Johnson (guitar), Bill Maddox (drums), Steve Barber (keyboard), Kyle Brock (bass) Background Electromagnets formed as Aussenhorowitz around multi-instrumentalist Stephen Barber, […]
Steam Heat was an American soul-funk band from Austin that released the 1975 album Austin Funk on Fable Records. They later reconvened as Extreme Heat. Members: Mike Barnes (guitar), Ralph Fiol (bass), Quincy Jarmon III (congas, percussion), Bruce Spelman (vocals), Phil Ritcherson (vocals, trombone), Neil Pederson (piano, clavinet), Ken Johnson (drums), Tomás Ramirez (soprano saxophone, […]
Forty-Seven Times Its Own Weight was an American jazz-rock band from Austin that released the album Cumulo Nimbus on local-press Fable Records in 1975. Members: Mel Winters (trumpet), Paul Ostermayer (saxophone), Robert “Dude” Skiles (keyboards), Spencer Starnes (bass), John Treanor (drums) Cumulo Nimbus Forty-Seven Times Its Own Weight released their singular album, Cumulo Nimbus, on […]
Watchtower was an American metal band behind the 1985 album Energetic Disassembly on self-press Zombo Records, followed by the 1989 Noise International release Control and Resistance. Members: Doug Keyser (bass), Rick Colacula (drums), Billy White (guitar, 1982-86), Travis Allen (vocals, 1982), Jason McMaster (vocals, 1982-88, 1999-2009), Ron Jarzombek (guitar, 1987-present), Mike Soliz (vocals, 1988-89), Scott […]
