The Electric Prunes

Primarily remembered for the 1966 hit 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)', The Electric Prunes are indelibly associated with the psychedelic era and, with fuzz-toned guitars, strange sound effects and innovative recording techniques, might be considered precursors of electronic music.

Originally formed out of a garage rock band called The Sanctions, the first line-up featured singer James Lowe, Mark Tulin on bass, Ken Williams on lead guitar and Michael 'Quint' Weakley on drums. They then morphed into Jim & The Lords before adopting the name The Electric Prunes, initially as a joke on some demo recordings. Their first single 'Ain't It Hard' flopped, but they were signed to Reprise Records on the back of it and, with Preston Ritter replacing Weakley on drums and James Spagnola joining as rhythm guitarist, and the songwriting team now consisting of Annette Tucker and Nancie Mantz, the distinctive fuzztone guitar effect evolved and their sound was born.

Gimmicks like backward tapes, distortion and wah wah pedals cemented their place at the heart of psychedelia. In 1968 they released the concept album 'Mass in F Minor' full of religious overtones including Gregorian chants, and one of the tracks, 'Kyrie Eleison' featured in the hit movie 'Easy Rider'. The band split in 1970 after a series of personnel changes, but following the success of compilation album 'Lost Dreams', they re-formed in 2001 with new studio album 'Artifact'. 'California' came in 2004 followed by 'Feedback' in 2006 but in 2011 Mark Tulin passed away after suffering a heart attack. They released 'WaS' in 2014 and then lost Preston Ritter the following year.