The Electric Prunes
- Actor
- Composer
- Soundtrack
The Electric Prunes are a mid 60s psychedelic acid/garage rock band
from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. They are well
known for their offbeat and unique hard-rocking sound which makes
inventive and extensive use of echo, reverb, and other kinds of quirky
sonic distortion. The group first formed in 1965. The original members
were James Lowe (vocals), Ken Williams (lead guitar), Mark Tulin
(bass/keyboards), and Michael Weakley (drums). They started out as the
Sanctions before changing their name to Jim and the Lords. The name the
Electric Prunes was suggested as a joke by manager and RCA Records
sound engineer David Hassinger. Their debut single "Ain't It
Hard/Little Oliver" was a flop. The band achieved their greatest
commercial success with the groovy "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last
Night)," which peaked at #11 on the Billboard pop charts. The equally
gnarly follow-up tune "Get Me to the World on Time" likewise did well;
it reached #27 on the Billboard pop charts. Moreover, the Electric
Prunes recorded several albums which include the underground cult
favorite "Mass in F Minor," "Release of An Oath," and "Just Good Old
Rock and Roll." However, these three albums were recorded by different
line-ups of the band. The Electric Prunes folded in 1970. The song
"Kyrie Eleison" was featured on the soundtrack for the hit
counterculture movie "Easy Rider," "Shadows" popped up on the
soundtrack for the obscure exploitation picture "The Name of the Game
is Kill," and "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" was put to
effective use on the soundtrack for the horror film "Bad Dreams."
Original members Lowe, Tulin and Williams reunited in 1999. They
recorded the album "Artifact" in 2001 and have performed at various
venues all over the world.