Kak (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 in Davis, California, United States |
| Founder | Gary Lee Yoder, Dehner Patten |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | San Francisco music scene |
Key people | Gary Lee Yoder, Dehner Patten, Joe Dave Damrell, Chris Lockheed, Gary Grelecki (producer) |
| Products | Album: Kak (1968), Singles: "Everything's Changing", "I've Got Time" |
Kak was a psychedelic rock group from the United States, active in the San Francisco music scene between 1967 and 1969.
The band originated in late 1967 in Davis, California, founded by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Gary Lee Yoder alongside lead guitarist Dehner Patten, both previously part of The Oxford Circle. They were joined by Joe Dave Damrell, who played bass and sitar, and Chris Lockheed on drums and harpsichord. Performing extensively throughout San Francisco, they eventually secured a contract with Epic Records after collaborating with songwriter and producer Gary Grelecki.
Their only album, titled Kak, was released in 1968 and predominantly featured compositions written or co-written by Yoder, some in partnership with Grelecki. The band's sound was influenced by acts such as Moby Grape, Quicksilver Messenger Service, the Grateful Dead, and Donovan. Critic Richie Unterberger characterized their music as "minor-league San Francisco psychedelic rock." Two singles, "Everything's Changing" and "I've Got Time," were issued but failed to gain commercial traction.
Before the close of 1968, Damrell left the group, which ultimately disbanded in early 1969. Following the breakup, Yoder released a solo single and subsequently became a member of Blue Cheer.
Although their initial impact was limited, Kak's recordings have since become sought-after collectibles. The original album was subject to unauthorized bootlegging until an official reissue appeared in 1999 under the name Kak-Ola, featuring additional demos and solo material from Yoder.