Christopher were an underground acid rock trio featuring future Josefus drummer Doug Tull. They evolved from United Gas, a psychedelic band from Houston who rubbed shoulders with legends like The
13th Floor Elevators and Moving Sidewalks. After relocating to Los Angeles – where they changed his name to Christopher – they played at numerous biker parties and recorded their sole album in 1970 for the Metromedia label. It’s an amazing example of West Coast psychedelia / acid–rock featuring strong fuzz–wah guitar, great compositions and superb musicianship. It was housed in a terrific cover depicting the band at the same hippie crash–pad where some scenes from the "The Trip" movie were filmed.
In the meantime, due to Tull's increasingly unstable behavior (probably also caused by his extensive
drug use) the band was forced to replace him with John Simpson and Terrance Hand during the recordings. The newly-named Christopher's album was issued in April 1970, it is thought in 1000 copies. Throughout the years their sole album has become increasingly sought after by both collectors, and fans alike. Christopher broke up shortly afterwards, by which time Tull had already resurfaced in fellow Houston band Josefus.
One of the holy grails of American psychedelic–rock and the rarest album originally released by the collectable Metromedia label.
Remastered sound, original artwork, insert with liner notes.
Note: This is the only legitimate, fully–authorized vinyl reissue of Christopher in the current market. Beware of inferior, low quality bootlegs.
"One of the better LPs in the crowded sub–genre of proto–heavy westcoast hippierock, with mid–period Airplane and Cream the obvious influences. The lyrics are memorable strange" – Patrick Lundborg (Acid Archives)
"A great "lost" album from the USA underground, one that grows and grows with repeated listens. Lots of vibrato guitar riffs and creepy vocals a la Frumious Bandersnatch or Framework." – Clark Faville
Christopher – Christopher
Label: Gear Fab Records – GF-108
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered 1997
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock
TRACKS
01. Dark Road 2:51
02. Magic Cycles 5:00
03. Wilbur Lite 3:51
04. In Your Time 5:23
05. Beautiful Lady 2:28
06. Lies 3:04
07. Disaster 3:41
08. The Wind 4:58
09. Queen Mary 3:22
10. Burns Decision 5:09
LINE - UP
Bass, Piano, Recorder – Doug Walden
Drums – John Simpson, Terrance Hand
Drums [Heavy Drum Licks] – Doug Tull
Guitar – Richard Avitts
Percussion, Producer – Ron Kramer
Written-By – Christopher
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