The Psych Ward–Heavy by Iron Butterfly
The Psych Ward–Heavy by Iron Butterfly
While Iron Butterfly is most famous for their 17-minute epic “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” the first album Heavy reveals electrifying potential, bridging the gap between late sixties go-go and powerful acid rock. The band arrived in LA from San Diego in 1966 with flowery dreams of stardom, toting a sizeable amount of musical material created from months of garage rehearsals. Their popular danceable sound soon made them Sunset Strip regulars at venues like the Whisky a Go Go and the Galaxy Club.
Probably the most psychedelic song on Heavy is the last track, “Iron Butterfly Theme.” It is truly hardcore acid rock. Danny Weis’ thick strands of fuzz guitar drape themselves over Doug Ingle’s pulsating Vox Continental organ, drenching the listener with lysergic tones that cement the classic sound of Iron Butterfly. The feel of this track is akin to Pink Floyd’s early space jams, but this new sort of snaking fuzz guitar borne out of the West Coast would become paramount to the acid rock genre. Even the already highly dramatic Vanilla Fudge from New York took notice and started integrating sinuous fuzz guitars into their work.
The second song, “Unconscious Power,” features an amazing instrumental workout from Jerry Penrod on bass, Danny Weis on guitar, and Doug Ingle on organ. Penrod’s walking bassline showcases his low-end wizardry, while Danny Weis’ fuzz guitar becomes the focal point of Iron Butterfly’s sound. The unique effect Weis used became so integral to the music that when he left the band, it was sold along with most of his equipment to incoming guitarist Erik Brann.
Interestingly, in 1967 two of the heaviest rock bands to come from late-1960s California recorded their debut albums just a few miles away from each other. The Bay Area’s Blue Cheer burst forth with Vincebus Eruptum at Amigo Studios in North Hollywood and Iron Butterfly emerged with Heavy, recorded at Gold Star in Hollywood. While Blue Cheer emanated a more bluesy, proto-punk sound; Iron Butterfly could write pop songs covered in shards of glittery gloom. You could dance and chill to Butterfly and that was appealing to the flower children. By contrast, Blue Cheer would be the herald of doom for the groovy generation.
Iron Butterfly is a perfect name for the band. A delicate flying creature with metallic wings. The leaden acid rock / proto-metal sound of the band would go on to influence and provide a foundation for much heavier acts in the succeeding years.
Highlights: “Unconscious Power,” “Iron Butterfly Theme,” “You Can’t Win”
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