Mallard (band)
Encyclopedia
Mallard was the name of a band featuring ex-members of Captain Beefheart's Magic Band.
In early 1974, after the recording of the uncharacteristically mainstream Unconditionally Guaranteed
album, the tensions between Captain Beefheart
and bandmembers Bill Harkleroad
(Zoot Horn Rollo), Mark Boston (Rockette Morton) and Art Tripp III
(Ed Marimba) had finally reached a breaking point, and the three members left Beefheart's Magic Band. Together, they formed Mallard, with Sam Galpin as vocalist and Rabbit Bundrick on keyboards, releasing their eponymous debut album
in 1975, with logistical support from Ian Anderson
(of Jethro Tull
fame), who financed the recording using his mobile recording unit on his English estate. John French
(Drumbo) was originally involved with the band, and co-wrote some songs.
In 1976 they released their second and last album, In a Different Climate, and performed some concerts in the United Kingdom. George Dragotta now had been recruited as their drummer
, and after Beefheart fired John Thomas, he, too, joined on keyboards. Thomas was briefly involved in the Magic Band, and in the early 1960s had been in a band called Rattlesnake and Eggs with John French.
Despite the principal members' years together and unique musical abilities, as well as support from the British musical press, Mallard never achieved commercial success.
In 1994, both LP
s by Mallard were re-released on CD by Virgin Records
in the UK and in the US.
In early 1974, after the recording of the uncharacteristically mainstream Unconditionally Guaranteed
Unconditionally Guaranteed
Unconditionally Guaranteed is the eighth LP by Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band, originally released in 1974. Upon release it was criticised for being too commercial; in any case, it failed to give Beefheart any real chart success, peaking at #192 on the Billboard Top 200.Immediately after...
album, the tensions between Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
and bandmembers Bill Harkleroad
Bill Harkleroad
Bill Harkleroad, known professionally as Zoot Horn Rollo , is an American guitarist. He is best known for his work with Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band...
(Zoot Horn Rollo), Mark Boston (Rockette Morton) and Art Tripp III
Art Tripp
Arthur Dyer Tripp III is a chiropractor and former musician best known for his work as a percussionist with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention and Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band.-Early career:Tripp grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and started playing drums in...
(Ed Marimba) had finally reached a breaking point, and the three members left Beefheart's Magic Band. Together, they formed Mallard, with Sam Galpin as vocalist and Rabbit Bundrick on keyboards, releasing their eponymous debut album
Mallard (album)
"Mallard" is the eponymous debut by the group Mallard , who formed after tensions between them and Captain Beefheart exploded, causing them to leave his band . They got their start with the help of Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson; he lent them his mobile studio for their work...
in 1975, with logistical support from Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson (musician)
Ian Scott Anderson, MBE is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as the leader and flautist of British rock band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
(of Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
fame), who financed the recording using his mobile recording unit on his English estate. John French
John French (musician)
John "Drumbo" French is an American drummer and musician. He played on Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica and on various other Beefheart recordings: Beefheart dubbed him "Drumbo"...
(Drumbo) was originally involved with the band, and co-wrote some songs.
In 1976 they released their second and last album, In a Different Climate, and performed some concerts in the United Kingdom. George Dragotta now had been recruited as their drummer
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, and after Beefheart fired John Thomas, he, too, joined on keyboards. Thomas was briefly involved in the Magic Band, and in the early 1960s had been in a band called Rattlesnake and Eggs with John French.
Despite the principal members' years together and unique musical abilities, as well as support from the British musical press, Mallard never achieved commercial success.
In 1994, both LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
s by Mallard were re-released on CD by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
in the UK and in the US.