I WAS DELIGHTED WHEN DAN GARCIA, BASS PLAYER
WITH THE LYRICS HAPPENED UPON MY BLOG AND EMAILED ME AFTER
READING MY REVIEW OF ‘WAKE UP TO MY VOICE’ / ‘CAN’T SEE
YOU ANYMORE’.
I DECIDED TO SEND DAN SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS
TIME IN THE LYRICS. HE’S ALSO JUST SET UP A LYRICS MYSPACE PAGE
WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BAND AS WELL AS SOME PICS, PRESS
CUTTINGS AND OTHER MEMORABILIA.
1. It was interesting to read those press cuttings
on your myspace page. I was intrigued to read that an album was due
to appear. Did the band cut any demos in the studio for the album or
did any studio time for an album not happen in the end?
I
believe “Why Did He Go” was the last song we recorded
2.
Also it was mentioned that Craig Carll had more than 30 original
songs. Can you recall any titles that you may have recorded as demos
or played live at gigs?
Songs we were working on and playing
live , “I’m Missing You” “Dr Trips Medicine Band” “Teach
You To Love” “ Night Flight” ??
3. How much of an effect
did it have on the band when singer/songwriter Chris Gaylord left
after the ‘So What!’ record. Michael Allen also left. That must
have left a big hole. Did the remaining Lyrics consider all quitting
at this time?
No not at all. I remember it being a relief in a
way, Chris and Michael were hard to manage and it was just a matter
of time before Chris left the group to do his own thing. Me, Billy
Garcia and Craig Carll were going in a different direction.
4. Did you ever play the Sunset Strip. If yes, can
you recall the names of the Clubs/venues. Names some other bands you
shared the stage with. Any stories to share with regard to gigs. Any
that went badly? What kind of reaction did the crowd give the
band?
Yes we played a club called The Hullabaloo across the
street from The Whisky A Go Go, we played with “The Byrds” “The
Yellow Payges.
We also went on a TV show called the “The
Woddy Wood Berry Show” I remember we were on with Betty White,
singer Vic Danon and a comedian from Canada.
The crowd was
great we had a large following and had a fan club. We also went on
another TV show called ‘The Groovy Show’ I believe. A guy named
Mike Blochet was the MC it was done outside in a park.
5. What
cover versions did The Lyrics perform live?
Ray Charles,
Doors, Vanilla Fudge, Hendrix, lots of groups.
6. Where was the promo picture taken of The Lyrics
used for the Japanese sleeve for ‘Mr Man’ ….it’s also used
for the poster circa 1967.
That picture was taken in Torrey
Pines State Park in La Jolla.
What was your bass guitar of choice. Did you have any bass players you admired or were influenced by?
My Epiphone , Gibson EBO, Fender P-bass.
Players that I admired Jack Bruce from Cream , Harvey Brooks from Electric Flag, Tim Bogart from Vanilla Fudge.
8. I find it a little sad in a way that The Lyrics never made it beyond your locality because I rate ‘Wake Up To My Voice’ an awesome slice of raga(esque) psychedelia. Way ahead of anything The Doors came up with and you guys were ‘supporting’ them in some shows. Maybe you should have wore some tight leather jeans….ha ha ha.
I think if we would have changed the name Lyrics and like you said wore tight leather we may have had a better chance. It was a great experience.
Originally posted on ‘Flower Bomb Songs’
October 2008
Comments:
The show that Dan is thinking of is Groovy, hosted by Michael Blodgett and filmed on the beach at Santa Monica. Blodgett was an actor but he also recorded a 45 for Capitol, the amazing Fire Engine Sky/Clay People of Boxtown – truly groovy! (Clear Light)
interesting words! thanks! glad the band split up or I’m Gone by the MR would have never been released! and it’s a KILLER ONE! (Anon)
No comments:
Post a Comment