The Mandrake Memorial - Strange

[donatus62]

This was the house band at a psychedelic club in Phiily known The Trauma. I was lucky enough to see Mandrake play many times, circa 1968. I always thought their records didn't do them justice compared to their live performances. The Trauma was soon overshadowed by the nearby, and larger, Electric Factory.

[TheOldhippiechik]

Thanks for posting, I was lucky to get a good copy of this lp about a year ago and finally got a decent turntable, now am playing this every week !!! Had this when it came out but lost it...

[johncourage1]

I saw them at the Trauma back in the day - we were like 14 but got in with some older friends. They were one of the early bands getting airplay on WMMR and perhaps on WDAS's show "My Father's Son".

[johncourage1]

I saw them at the Trauma back in the day - we were like 14 but got in with some older friends.  They were one of the early bands getting airplay on WMMR and perhaps on WDAS's show "My Father's Son".

[Dion1957]

Their biggest song was "Next Number" . Does anyone have that. They would Blow the roof off the Trama when they played it.

[TheStatue1]

@Dion1957 Yes, I too love "Next Number". I saw them do it live at the 2nd Fret-Mike Kac played a blistering extended harpsichord solo in that song that night- a tough thing to pull off since on the LP recording he played a double overdubbed harpsichord solo...

[birv2]

I saw them at the Trauma many times. Also opening for the Mothers (at the Trauma, I think) and the Doors. Even saw them at Conestoga High once! Loved their baroque sound, harmonies, and dreamy sound. Great band! Good times!

[TheStatue1]

Does anyone out there remember seeing a very short video footage of MM aired on PBS in 1969?

[TheStatue1]

@TheStatue1 The footage was just a few seconds long. Maybe I should email Michael Kac-he would likely remember. Does anyone know of any footage at all still existing of MM?

[TheMichaelkoehler]

I had this album in 1976, my buds never got it. Too bad for them. I love this album.

[gttorino68]

Always enjoyed there sounds very much ..From Philadelphia Pa. Thanks for posting!!!!

[JeffLeites]

YTButchie -LOL.. I'm just getting old. I was the straightest hippie you could possibly find in the 60's.

[TheStatue1]

@JeffLeites yep, me too, never had the money to travel to San Fran. or Woodstock, was busy dodging the draft by staying in college, but I would call myself a true hippie sympathizer.

[TheStatue1]

@JeffLeites I too was a 'straight hippie'. Embraced the good parts, rejected the self-destructive parts.

[johnnydelrey]

@JeffLeites me too. Best way to hear the music for real. You were not alone. (I found drugs in the 70's)

[YTButchie]

Jeff...a true child of the 60's loves all this music...but don't remember going anywhere....

[looseburger]

I loved going to see them at The Trauma in those days -- and that was even before I started getting high!

[00RockyAngel00]

This tune is pretty good, but versions 2 & 3 (identical) of "Just a Blur" from the album 'Puzzle', with the M.C. Escher cover, are some of the best mellow, introspective psych music I've eve heard.

[TheStatue1]

@00RockyAngel00 I totally agree. Randy had a haunting, hypnotic, acid-influenced, surreal, dreamlike voice that hasn't been duplicated since. (Not to take anything away from his brilliant bass playing and the incredible talents of his then teen-age fellow band mates.)

[hpeche]

Remember hearing this for the first time at the Trauma in '66.... saw them all thru the '60's.... thanks for putting this on YouTube - - - still strum their songs on the guitar - dreamy memories of the 60's.......

[microlistener]

We saw Mandrake many times, and I can say that no one expressed the dreamlike feeling of that time more than them. No one played drums like Lally, no one combined guitar electronics with harpsichord baroque with poetry like Mandrake. They were the first band I know of to link all their songs together, with no breaks for applause until the end. I can't think of any band then or since who has done that more effectively or musically.

[TheStatue1]

@microlistener Exquisite description. Their sound was mesmerizing which drew us into their world. Which great music is supposed to do.

[mistercreosote13]

JEEZ-  Can't believe you all heard Mandrake! Incredible. 1st saw them at the Trauma opening for the Mothers. Trauma was great till it got pushed out by the Electric Factory, then the Factory was "cool" for awhile. Michael Kac was spectacular! My on-again-off-again (so to speak) "girlfriend" in high school started dating (or some other verb) Randy Monaco. That started an "off-again" phase. Somehow a braces-wearing, 11th grade soccer player came in 2nd to Mandrake's lead singer. I lived. Peace

[Reinisen]

Amazing... to hear all of this on the web; and that is just from ONE track being avaliable. Yes, I am a collector, but I´m trying to collect as much info on the band as possible and I just wonder if You are able to help in any way: I have been to Philadelphia but I couldn't find Randy Monaco's grave...

[rgorczyca]

I saw them umpteen times at the Trauma and enjoyed them more than I did the headliners, at least for as long as Michael Kac was with the band. They were all great musicians but Kac contributed a uniqueness to their sound that rendered them an "also-ran" after he left.

[JeffLeites]

Nice to see so many Mandrake fans here. Their music was the soundtrack of my college days life. When I lived near Philly, I had to make a nearly weekly pilgrimage to the Trauma, Second Fret, Electric Factory, or where ever their gig was for my Mandrake "fix", (I also saw them at The Main Point, Temple Univ,. and some joint in Croydon, Pa). During my psychedelic music phase, they replaced The Ventures as my favorite band ;-)

[rangnow]

@JeffLeites

Jeff, The name of the joint in Croydon was called The Looking Glass. That is where I got my Mandrake Memorial Album signed by the whole Band. I Still love listening to their music.

[JeffLeites]

Thanks rangnow! I was trying to get the answer to that on FB, but no one remembered. There was another place away from Center City that they were able to remember... The Kaleidoscope in Myanmar, Pa (it think that's where they said it was.).

[JeffLeites]

You Mandrake fans may be interested in this (if you don't already know about it)... There is a group on FaceBook called "I Used to Hang Out At Rittenhouse Square In The 60's-Philadelphia". Lots of memories there. I'd post the link, but YouTube comments chokes on links.

[valleycs]

@JeffLeites .  Mandrake Memorial., playing tonight at The Trauma on Arch St....be there.

[JeffLeites]

vallycs - You must be someone that knows how big a fan I am. LOL That would be a good show, but to the best of my knowledge, Michael is in MN, Kevin is in FL, Craig is in NM, and Randy is in rock & roll heaven. Also, the last time I went past the Trauma, a few decades ago, it was The Funky Donkey! Otherwise, I'd be glad to make the 3,000 trip back to Philly. ROTFL

[MrCudaddy]

@JeffLeites I,along with my friend Michael and his dad,used to clean the Trauma,2nd Fret and a few other clubs on sansom st.,His dad was a custodian and we were in 10th grade and helped mop,etc. Their drums along with Elizabeth and a few others,always stayed at the clubs over nite on weekends. Naturally we would attempt to play them ,etc.The Funky Donkey left in the early 70's as did every club in sansom village. Very fond memories...

[Stratosphoria]

@JeffLeites That's Brynmar, Jeff.

[JeffLeites]

@Stratosphoria You're right. I don't know how I messed up the name so badly, and didn't notice it.

[JeffLeites]

@Stratosphoria I don't know where I got Myanmar, but I went to FB to look for the answer I got before, and I was told it was the Kaleidoscope in Manayunk. There was a place called The Main Point in Brynmar, but I don't remember going there.

[richrollison1]

@JeffLeites Saw a million great shows at the Main Point,Lancaster Ave.Bryn Mawr,Pa. Little feat,Jackson Browne,Stelleye Span,Return to Forever,Linda Ronstadt......a tiny coffeehouse.

[TheStatue1]

@Stratosphoria Hate to nitpick, but it is Bryn Mawr. It was on Lancaster Pike.

[TheStatue1]

@rangnow That signed album probably is worth a small fortune. You indeed have a treasure, and not just monetarily, you own a piece of psychedelic history. I'm jealous.

[ikeeichenberg]

I listened to them in western Pa where they had a good following in the early 70's....great stuff...great album I have it on vynal...

[HollywdMike]

In 1970 I hired Mandrake Memorial, Good God (formerly Elizabeth) and Stockyard for a concert at the Trevose Fire House. Mandrake's drummer that night was Lonnie Castille who had played with Janis Joplin. I still have a 45RPM Mandrake Memorial record that Randy Monaco gave me. Ticket cost for the concert was $3. Man, those were the days!

[positivez3r0]

I'm Craig's daughter, and this is the first time I've heard any of his old music. It's weird for me to think that the group has sort of a cult following, and that Mandrake's stuff is still floating around, because I've never even heard their stuff from my Dad.

[wshflsnfl]

Hi positive- For many of us late 60s Philly area high school hippies-Mandrake was our favorite local band. Listened thru the headphones many times.They had a unique sound and cool lyrics.. The guitar and harpsichord riffs were excellent.

[TheStatue1]

@positivez3r0 Tell Dad that his MM was the best psych. band ever.

[johnnydelrey]

@positivez3r0 I loved this band and still do. Funny, you being so close and not knowing. I would hope he was proud of what he was part of.

[richrollison1]

@positivez3r0 Hi..i saw the band open for the Doors at Phil Arena in about 67.....they were fantastic..so dreamy...never forget this tune.Have all their alblums.

Rich

Brooklyn

[dirtnap1965]

My parents had this album on vinyl. I had a copy on cassette that I made in the late 70s when I was in my mid teens. I probably havent heard this music since the early 1980s but have held it close to my heart all the while. Thank you so much for bringing back a lot of lovley memories

[eektherigo]

Anyone listen to this album stoned? It sounds like you are in the studio with the band!!! You'll really appreciate it!!

[wshflsnfl]

Oh yes eektherigo - many, many times...about 40 years ago.

[eektherigo]

I read online that mandrake reunited in the 70's to do a gig in philly. can anyone confirm that? also, on a side note, how fucken cool would it be to see these guys when they were playing on the college circuits. Those people who have commented and said that they were able to see mandrake; I hate you but admire you at the same time lol. If I could go back in time Id see Mandrake, Love, Orphan Egg, Peppermint Trolley, and Syd Barrett

[rangnow]

I saw the Mandrake Memorial play all the time back in the 60's. They were the house Band for a club in Philly called The Trauma. I have a autograph copy of their first album. It was something special when The Mandrake played.

[jipjap1]

Yes, I saw one of those shows. They opened for the Mothers of Invention. Wish I knew when that was exactly. I was 12 or 13. I can't even remember where the Trauma was located...

[mistercreosote13]

Hey there- I saw them open for the Mothers, too. I was so young we had to get driven into the city by my friend's father- he stayed downstairs and tried to pick up a "hippie" chick.... I was in 10th grade, and I think it was late Fall, so it would've been late 1966. The Trauma was on Sansom Street between 22nd and 21st (or 21st & 20th). After what I did around that time, it's a miracle I can remember where I live, much less where I saw a concert 40+years ago. Never forget- it was great!

[TheStatue1]

@mistercreosote13 The Trauma was at 21st and Arch St., just across the street from the original Electric Factory. 

[TheStatue1]

@mistercreosote13 21st. and Arch St.

[JAskelAM]

I don't know about Elizabeth on YouTube, but I bought their album in the 60's. I don't know if it's available now, but you would need a turntable if you found one.

[JAskelAM]

If you go to "Kac and Cohen" there is an interview with Linda Cohen speaking about being the drummer for "Elizabeth" while Stewkey (from Nazz) was in the band.

[maida1982a]

Are there any Elizabeth clips on youtube? I have Lillian Roxon's Rock Encyclopedia where the band members said that the name of the band, Elizabeth, evokes a memory in almost everyone.

[JAskelAM]

Michael (last name spelled Kac) teaches at the University of Minnesota. If you google "Mandrake Memorial" you will find out more about him. If you stay in "YouTube" and type in "Kac and Cohen" you'll be able to see a video stream of him performing with Linda Cohen who recently passed away.

[island5o]

does any 1 remember the band elizabeth from jersey?

[donatus62]

In the mid to late sixties I saw Elizabeth perform at the Main Point coffee house in Bryn Mawr. Liked them so much, I bought their album which I still have. Also frequented the Trauma in Philly where I became a big fan of Mandrake Memorial.

[island5o]

The last time i saw them was at the trauma what happed to mkl katts?

[TheStatue1]

@island5o google 'Michael Kac'.

[JAskelAM]

Does anyone know what happened to J.Kevin Lally (the drummer of Mandrake Memorial)? I know Craig Anderton has gone on to writing lecturing and that Randy Monaco has passed away, but I don't know what happened to Kevin.

[porky322]

What a fabulous band! My sister and I were their most loyal groupies. Ah, the good old days.

[Diggsblues]

I love this band. Saw them at the trauma so many times.

[PsychedelicGuy]

Just an fyi, some douche decded to say this song was "bloody aweful" along with a few other vids of mine, his name is clarkewi, i blocked him from any other comments, keep a look out if you upload songs that he doesnt bash yours

[fuzztone69]

This song and The Otherside are both fantastic psychedelic songs. Do you have any others from this excellent psych band? I've been looking all over for this group's cd's, extremely rare and hard to find. I've seen them on ebay from time to time but they always go for too much money.

[PsychedelicGuy]

Their S/T album on LP is reissued, and their 2nd and 3rd are gonna be reissued on vinyl in March

[spacepatrolman]

Did he say bloody awful sounds like hes british hermans hermits came here and said any diner here is better than the best restaurant in england.

[TheStatue1]

@PsychedelicGuy Good decision..

[spacepatrolman]

@PsychedelicGuy bloody he must be british when chicago went to england they said some british tea bag thought 25 or 6 to 4 was the odds on a horse race

[silverhat212]

ANYONE have footage ? I saw in Philly at the Trauma, a zillion times and once at my High School auditorium in south jersey ! early 68~

Who could make any money in those days and yes 'note for note" amazing. miss em and the times write back !

[bobsblues08]

Great song. Bird Journey waws the one song that always came to mind when I heard their name. Now this will too. I think I saw them open op for the Doors at the Arena in Philadelphia in 1968.

[TheStatue1]

@bobsblues08 Yep, it was very early August 1968, a Sunday night. The concert started very late, Mandrake and another band opened for the Doors. The Doors didn't begin playing until about 10:30PM. Mandrake and the Doors were both incredibly good that night- the other band was terrible and to make matters worse, when they finally stopped playing, the crowd booed them and their lead singer made some disparaging remarks on stage about Mandrake which led to even more audience booing.

[jaywl3]

@TheStatue1 I was there too. Amazing concert but so, so hot in Philly's old Arena. I saw MM several times after that. I was and remain a fan.

[richrollison1]

@TheStatue1 The first band was called ALL THAT THE NAME IMPLIES-frm NYC. THey were bad,and the crowd wasn't having it. there was a top Philly AM Radio Dj who introduced the show,and tried to intercede,but made it worse.It was hotter than haddes.Lots of shirtless hippies.....sat in 5th row center and Vanilla FUdges' keyboard player was in same row...soaking it in.

Jim jumped into the audience near us ! an unforgettable nite,and my first concert !

[wshflsnfl]

Gr ew up in Philly.Saw them at Electric factory in 69 with the Iron Butterfly-mandrake had a unique sound-very good band-very psychedelic-I feel stoned again just hearing this and i've been sober for 35 years!

[eektherigo]

the nazz??? you cant even compare both bands. hands down the mandrake memorial is the better band!!! id even go as far as to say that they gave bands like the doors a run for their money. i only wonder why it was they like comletely changed their style come their second and third album. fave song is bird journey!!!

[spacepatrolman]

that record had a big orchestration and a synth that craig invented seji osowa wanted to do a symphony concert with them the only thing worse than being behind the time is being ahead of your time

[PsychedelicGuy]

Wow i'm jealous...I have been on a mission to get thier 2nd LP and u got a free copy! Curse my being only 21 and not being around for stuff like that.

[spacepatrolman]

with electric 12 string like the byrds electric piano like the doors and a bass player that sings like steve katz they should have been bigger

[TheStatue1]

@spacepatrolman I agree. I saw MM open for the Doors in Philadelphia in Aug. 1968.. It was like heaven..

[spacepatrolman]

@TheStatue1 interesting cause they both hae electric piano

[TheStatue1]

@spacepatrolman Well,yes. Mandrake had their RMI "Rocksichord" which was an electric piano and electric harpsichord and Doors had the Gibson combo organ with Fender Key Bass.

[spacepatrolman]

@TheStatue1 There was something called an RMI keyboard computer an early synthesizer i dont know if that was a later model it used IBM punch cards they might even make you a card if you had an idea for a differant sound

[spacepatrolman]

I went to see them live twice the secound time it was free and they gave everybody a free copy of their secound lp you cant beat that they played whole sides of albums note for note perfect one of the best live groups of all time.

[posthumanhero]

that second lp is my favorite, it's called medium -- a very special work.....someone oughta put the first and second lps on cd........so worth it.

[spacepatrolman]

the one they gave was puzzle maybe its the 3rd ,has an extra carbourd record that doesnt play music you just watch it spin around and hypnotize yourself,milton glazer designed it [ he ripped off the illustration from mc escher]its in his book ,he also redesigned grand union supermarkets ,i used to know 2 people that worked with him .