Spike Drivers - Often I Wonder

The band formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1965 with Mary Carolbrown-vocals, Sid Brown-guitar, Ted Lucas-guitar and vocals, Richard Keelan-guitar, and drummer Steve Booker. Larry Cruise replaced Steve Booker in late 1965. The name of the band came from a song by Mississippi John Hurt called the Spikedriver Blues.
Ted Lucas left the band in 1967 with Richard Keelan,forming The Misty Wizards.
This was one of two singles, recorded in New York in 1966.The other being "Strange Mysterious Sounds".The latter has vocals sounding remarkably like John Cale with a touch of Kevin Ayers.
"Often I Wonder" is regarded as one of the first truly psychedelic recordings but also one of the least known.
A mixture of Eastern influences and psych tinged folk-rock characterises their music which sounds West Coast.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• psychedelic
• druggy
• acid
• psych
• folk
• rock
• West
• Coast
• 60s

[GypsySerai]

It's amazing. And I don't understand why it was not well known. Thanks for sharing

[zzenzero]

@GypsySerai

It's also amazed me too. An absolute classic of the genre ... it ticks every box. Thank you for commenting. : )

[christyman]

very nice track, never heard it before.

Christy Cobalt here, was a member of the Spikedrivers in the 1970's.

Are there any of my bandmates out there? Larry Ray, Jim Thunder, Don Hill?

Ran into one of the Horny Toads out here in CA...

[zzenzero]

@christyman

Thanks alot for your feedback. It's great when these threads can maybe start something ... almost like a forum. :) btw I continue to be in awe of this song.

[MrClearlight]

Strange mysterious sounds is even better!

[zzenzero]

@MrClearlight

I would say different rather than better, but it is certainly a great, great song in its own right. :)

[christyman]

very nice track, never heard it before. LOVE IT!

Christy Cobalt here, was a member of the Spikedrivers in the 1970's.

Are there any of my bandmates out there? Larry Ray, Jim Thunder, Don Hill?

Ran into one of the Horny Toads out here in CA...

[MrClearlight]

Strange mysterious sounds?

[zzenzero]

@richkleen

Lovely to hear from you Richard and thank you for your comments here. This song is just so damn good!!! ... and is rightly regarded as one of the first true classics of the 'genre'.Good people make good music. Take care and thanks for being part of such a gift to the world. :)