Pisces (band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 in Rockford, Illinois, United States |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Rockford , United States |
| Products | Singles, EPs, albums |
Pisces was a psychedelic rock group originating from Rockford, Illinois in 1967. Over their short tenure, they produced two singles along with an album's worth of unreleased tracks before disbanding in 1970. In 2009, the Numero Group issued A Lovely Sight, a collection of Pisces' studio sessions prominently featuring lead vocalist Linda Bruner. Subsequently, the label released an EP highlighting her previously unheard recordings.
History
The core of Pisces consisted of Paul DiVenti (keyboards and vocals) and Jim Krein (lead guitar), who initially created a promotional single in 1967. After Krein experienced the psychedelic scene in San Francisco, the lineup expanded to include Dale Taylor (rhythm guitar, vocals), Carl Van Laningham (drums), and Red Balderama (banjo and bass). Functioning mainly as a studio ensemble, DiVenti and Krein constructed a recording facility behind Nielsen's Music Store to craft original compositions.
Their recordings incorporated experimental methods such as reversed guitar tracks, phased drum effects, distorted vocal layers, and soundscapes influenced by the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and their 1968 self-titled album. Under Vincent Records, with Vincent Chiarelli as producer, Pisces released the singles "Motley Mary Ann" and "A Homesick Feelin'" in 1968. Later sessions featured 17-year-old Linda Bruner on vocals for four songs including "Dear One" and "Sam". The last single, "Sam", was issued in 1969 credited to Bruner.
In 1970, Bruner and Krein recorded six tracks—mostly covers—before a fire destroyed their studio and damaged equipment, which led to the group's breakup. DiVenti safeguarded the master tapes by placing them in storage. Details about Bruner's subsequent life are scarce; it is believed she exited the music business amid legal difficulties.
The Numero Group’s 2009 compilation A Lovely Sight garnered critical praise for Pisces’ innovative studio work and Bruner’s expressive singing. Critic Douglas Wolk commended their impressive self-produced sound, while Rob Hatch-Miller emphasized the band’s distinctive musical synergy and Bruner’s remarkable vocal contributions.
In 2010, the label released the EP Songs for a Friend, showcasing Bruner’s intimate collaborations with Krein that focused on melancholic covers alongside her original song. Further Pisces material recorded between 1967 and 1969 was issued as Somewhere in Your Mind in 2016.
EPs
- Songs for a Friend (2016)
Singles
- "Motley Mary Ann" (1968, Vincent)
- "A Homesick Feelin'" (1968, Vincent)
- "Good Morning Sunshine" (1969, Epic)
- "Sam" (1969, Vincent)
Compilations
- A Lovely Sight (2009)
- Somewhere In Your Mind (2016)