Psychedelic Rock

        Psychedelic Rock was born out of Britain in the 1960s and is a subgenre of Rock. Similar genres include Acid Rock and Jazz, Stoner Rock, and Occult Rock. This style of music attempts to replicate and induce feelings brought on by hallucinogenic drugs. Most often, the feelings artists intend to invoke are that of LSD, most commonly depersonalization, dechronization, and dynamization. The goal for these artists is to detach the listener from reality. Due to its vague descriptors based on generally unobjective perceptions, there are many different ways artists can utilize aspects of psychedelic rock in their music. It is more about the feeling the music evokes than specific techniques or instrumentation, but there are commonalities in how many artists achieve this. Common musical elements include electronic sound effects, extended instrumental solos, and improvisation. The music is often disjunct and is inspired by Jazz and the Blues and in some cases even takes on elements from Indian Raga Rock, a genre characterized by classical Indian instruments used in modern and alternative ways. The creation of this subgenre is believed to be a reaction to the renaissance of Jazz that was brewing in the 1960s, which led to many spiritual movements. At the same time Jazz was re-exploding, the Rock scene was also thriving. In a way, Psychedelic Rock became a mesh of the two. The birth of Psychedelic Rock is often attributed to one song– Eight Miles High by The Byrds. This song trailblazed the eccentric and experimental song that became known as Psychedelic Rock. 

The Byrds

        The Byrds is a Rock band from California. They have been credited with trailblazing many trends in the alternative music scene, such as Folk Rock and Psychedelic Rock. They are considered to be a British Invasion Band, which is a title attributed to a certain style of group that embraces counterculture in a uniquely British way, but outside of the country. British Invasion Bands are most often inspired by The Beetles. Their song Eight Miles High was released in 1965 and launched the band into a new direction, It combined the group’s usual folk sound with Raga Rock and inspiration from sitar player Ravi Shankar, which was gaining popularity in Britain. One distinctive element taken from classical Indian music is the droning that is present throughout the song.

        Although the genre began in Britain, as a very whimsical, surrealist subgenre, a contrasting style emerged in America in the late 1960s. This style was much more heavier and extreme than its British counterpart. It later caught traction in its own right and became its own distinct genre, Acid Rock. The American artistswho dabbled in this genre include The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, and The Velvet Underground. 

        The most important years for Psychedelic Rock were 1967-1969. Major international music festivals occurred during this time, which heightened the syncretism of the genre. Most famously Summer of Love and Woodstock Rock Festival, which birthed many more counterculture music subcultures. In 1966, Scottish musician Donovon released the first psychedelic Rock song to chart, Sunshine Superman. 

    

  

        Some of the most important instruments in Psychedelic Rock include electric guitars, sitars, synthesizers, and keyboards. The lyrics often discuss surreal and esoteric topics and many references to drug use and childhood. It takes on inspiration from free-form Jazz, Middle Eastern and Indian classical music. All of these elements come together to create an otherworldly sound that serves to transport to listener to a state of depersonalization. 

        One of the most commercially successful artists of the Psychedelic Rock genre is The Doors. They emerged in 1965 and are considered one of the most influential and controversial acts of the rock genre in the 1960s. They are one of the best-selling bands of all time and are ranked 41st in Rolling Stone’s Greatest Artists of All Time. 

The Doors

        The decline of the genre began in late 1969. The Woodstock festival was the climax of the genre and it was only down from there. There are many reasons for the decline but many cite the widespread outlawing of LSD at this time. The substance became even more taboo than it previously was. Many violent events also contributed to the backlash faced by the counterculture movement. Most famously, the Charles Manson murders and the stabbing of an attendee of a Rolling Stones concert by a security guard. Music subcultures also began taking a much more toned down and relaxed folk-y take on Psychedelic and Acid Rock, with acts such as Fleetwood Mac and the Beach Boys gaining mainstream recognition. This offshoot of the genre became known as acid casualties. The death of many pioneers of the genre such as Jim Morrison of the Doors also contributed to its decline. 

        Despite this stark decline that occurred at the turn of the 1970s, many modern bands take on elements of traditional psychedelic rock. One of my favorites is The Growlers, a group formed in California in 2006. While there subgenre varies from record to record, their most classically psychedelic rock record is Hung at Heart, released in 2013. Over time, they have developed their own unique sound heavily inspired by traditional psychedelic rock. This sound has become known as Beach Goth and The Growlers have been credited as popularizing the sound in the rock scene. 

        Some of the subgenres born out of psychedelic rock include zamrock, space rock, and psychedelic soul. One of the most widepreas subcultures or subgenres that was inspired by this genre is the 1970s neo-psychedelia movement. It is characterized by disjunct guitar melodies, free form elements, and other pop-influenced elements. Some of the artists that pioneered this subgenre include The Bangles, The Soft Boys, and Dream Syndicate. It has gone on to inspire many modern subgenres such as indie rock. There are also thriving psychedelic rock movements outside of the Western world such as in Cambodia and South Korea.

References

“British Invasion.” Encyclopædia Britannica, October 27, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/80244/British-Invasion. 

“British Invasion.” Wikipedia, November 29, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Invasion. 

“Psychedelic Rock.” Wikipedia, October 25, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelic_rock#1969%E2%80%9371:_Decline. 

Stranger than known: The fertilization of psychedelia. Accessed November 30, 2023. https://wildculture.com/article/stranger-known-fertilization-psychedelia/1584. 

“The 13th Floor Elevators.” Wikipedia, November 30, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13th_Floor_Elevators. 

“The Byrds.” Wikipedia, September 21, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Byrds.

“The Doors.” Wikipedia, November 11, 2023. https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doors.