Ant Trip Ceremony

The Ant Trip Ceremony

Industry	Music
Founded	1967
Headquarters	Logan, Utah; Oberlin, Ohio , United States
Products	Psychedelic rock music, album "24 Hours"

The Ant Trip Ceremony was a psychedelic rock group originating from Logan, Utah, in 1967. The band existed in two distinct forms during that year: an initial lineup in the summer and a subsequent formation in the fall. The later ensemble, which operated out of Oberlin College, earned local acclaim for their improvisational instrumental performances. Their sole album, released in 1968 and later reissued, has garnered attention for its pioneering approach to electronic rock experimentation.

History

The Ant Trip Ceremony was founded in 1967 by Steve Detray, an Oberlin College student who was visiting his brother in Logan, Utah. The band's name was inspired by a professor who referenced a novel addressing contemporary societal themes. The original group embarked on a brief local tour but dissolved when Detray returned to Oberlin. Maintaining the band's name, he assembled a second and more prominent version with fellow students during the summer of 1967. This lineup included Detray on lead guitar, George Galt as a multi-instrumentalist, Roger Goodman handling lead vocals, Gary Rosen on bass, Jeff Williams on drums, and Mark Stein on percussion. Drawing inspiration from West Coast psychedelic rock, they were known for their extended reinterpretations of covers featuring intricate improvisations. Their live shows frequently extended for hours and showcased distinctive material blending early electronic rock elements with Eastern musical influences.

In February 1968, the group commenced recording sessions for their debut album across two separate periods; Detray was absent during the spring session. The album was self-produced on campus with assistance from fellow student David Crosby (not to be confused with the famous musician). Due to limited resources and rudimentary recording equipment, they encountered several technical difficulties. Recording utilized a KHL deck tape alongside a two-track Roberts reel-to-reel recorder, with layering achieved by recording on each side before mixing the tracks together. A malfunctioning right speaker resulted in vocals sounding distant and unevenly balanced in the final mix. Mastering took place at Cleveland Recordings Studio. Their album titled 24 Hours, which included a rendition of "Hey Joe", saw a limited release of only 300 copies distributed through the college bookstore.

By the end of 1968, the band had disbanded following the graduation of its members from Oberlin College. After circulating numerous bootleg versions, 24 Hours was officially reissued by Collectables Records in 1999. A remastered edition featuring the original artwork and an accompanying essay was subsequently released on December 2, 2010.

Side one

1. "Locomotive Lamp" (Rosen)
2. "What's the Matter Now" (Galt)
3. "Violets of Dawn" (Eric Anderson)
4. "Riverdawn" (Galt)
5. "Hey Joe" (Billy Roberts)
6. "Outskirts" (Neal Evans, Sandy Lyne)
7. "Little Baby" (Willie Dixon)

Side two

1. "Get Out of My Life" (Allen Toussaint)
2. "Four in the Morning" (Robin Remaily)
3. "Sometimes I Wonder" (Major Lance)
4. "Pale Shades of Gray" (Detray, Goodman)
5. "Elaborations" (Detray)