The Mystery Trend
Encyclopedia
The Mystery Trend was a rock band from San Francisco, California. They were part of the early wave of bands in the "San Francisco Sound
," with The Charlatans and The Great Society, and played with the Grateful Dead
and Jefferson Airplane
early in their careers. Although they are categorized in the San Francisco Sound, they differed from other bands in the scene because they were not a folk rock
group nor did they go psychedelic
, but their sound was influenced more from the British rock and mod
sound of The Kinks
and The Who
and the Motown sound writing of Holland-Dozier-Holland
.
's song "Like a Rolling Stone
" (the line actually being "with a mystery tramp"). They were founded by keyboardist Ron Nagle
and bassist Larry Bennett, who joined with guitarist Larry Walorny, guitarist Bob Cuff, and drummer John Luby. They played at various venues, including a disused roller rink in the Fillmore district, the Primalon, which was a hub for the early San Francisco music scene. They also performed at the Mime Troupe benefit in November 1965. However, they did not record their debut single, "Johnny Was A Good Boy" until October 1966, and it was released in February 1967. By the time the single was recorded, Walorny had departed from the lineup, and after its recording Cuff also left the band. He was soon replaced by John Gregory. This lineup failed to release any more singles or an album, but continued playing live until they broke up in the summer of 1967, which was the Summer of Love
in San Francisco. Their first single continued to be the band's only release until 1999, when a compilation album, So Glad I Found You, was released. This album contained the complete studio recordings of the band.
San Francisco Sound
The San Francisco Sound refers to rock music performed live and recorded by San Francisco-based rock groups of the mid 1960s to early 1970s. It was associated with the counterculture community in San Francisco during these years.- Stylistic Dimensions :...
," with The Charlatans and The Great Society, and played with the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
and Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success....
early in their careers. Although they are categorized in the San Francisco Sound, they differed from other bands in the scene because they were not a folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
group nor did they go psychedelic
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
, but their sound was influenced more from the British rock and mod
Mod Revival
The mod revival was a music genre and subculture that started in England in 1978 and later spread to other countries . The mod revival's mainstream popularity was relatively short, although its influence has lasted for decades...
sound of The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
and The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and the Motown sound writing of Holland-Dozier-Holland
Holland-Dozier-Holland
Holland–Dozier–Holland is a songwriting and production team made up of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. They are considered to be one of the greatest songwriting teams in popular music...
.
History
The Mystery Trend was formed in San Francisco's Art Institute in early 1965. They took their name from a misheard line in Bob DylanBob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's song "Like a Rolling Stone
Like a Rolling Stone
"Like a Rolling Stone" is a 1965 song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Its confrontational lyrics originate in an extended piece of verse Dylan wrote in June 1965, when he returned exhausted from a grueling tour of England...
" (the line actually being "with a mystery tramp"). They were founded by keyboardist Ron Nagle
Ron Nagle
Ron Nagle is an American ceramic sculptor, musician and songwriter.-History:Ron Nagle grew up in San Francisco’s Mission District...
and bassist Larry Bennett, who joined with guitarist Larry Walorny, guitarist Bob Cuff, and drummer John Luby. They played at various venues, including a disused roller rink in the Fillmore district, the Primalon, which was a hub for the early San Francisco music scene. They also performed at the Mime Troupe benefit in November 1965. However, they did not record their debut single, "Johnny Was A Good Boy" until October 1966, and it was released in February 1967. By the time the single was recorded, Walorny had departed from the lineup, and after its recording Cuff also left the band. He was soon replaced by John Gregory. This lineup failed to release any more singles or an album, but continued playing live until they broke up in the summer of 1967, which was the Summer of Love
Summer of Love
The Summer of Love was a social phenomenon that occurred during the summer of 1967, when as many as 100,000 people converged on the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, creating a cultural and political rebellion...
in San Francisco. Their first single continued to be the band's only release until 1999, when a compilation album, So Glad I Found You, was released. This album contained the complete studio recordings of the band.
Members
- Ron NagleRon NagleRon Nagle is an American ceramic sculptor, musician and songwriter.-History:Ron Nagle grew up in San Francisco’s Mission District...
- lead vocals, keyboards, clavinet - Larry Bennett - bass
- Bob Cuff - guitar, backing vocals
- John Luby - drums, backing vocals
- Larry Walorny - guitar
- John Gregory - guitar, backing vocals
External links
- http://psychedelicobscurities.blogspot.com/2007/03/mystery-trend-so-glad-i-found-you-1966.html
- http://www.answers.com/topic/the-mystery-trend
- http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/mystery-trend/857787
- http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/the-mystery-trend/poster-art/handbill/BG002.html