The Daybreakers (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 in Muscatine, Iowa, United States |
| Headquarters | Muscatine , United States |
| Products | Garage rock and psychedelic music recordings |
The Daybreakers were a 1960s American band from Muscatine, Iowa, known for their contributions to garage rock and psychedelic music. They achieved significant regional popularity, particularly within the Quad Cities area. Their connection with DJ and country musician Jack Barlow led to a recording session at Columbia Recording Studios and a contract with Atlantic Records. The single they released on the Dial label featured the track "Psychedelic Siren," distinguished by siren sound effects produced using an early electronic device. While the song found success in Iowa's local markets, Atlantic Records eventually ceased supporting the group, resulting in no additional recordings. Over time, their music garnered appreciation among garage rock collectors and was included in several compilation albums.
In 2008, The Daybreakers were honored with induction into the Iowa "Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame."
History
The Daybreakers were established in 1966 in Muscatine, Iowa, by keyboardist and lead vocalist Max Allan Collins. The original lineup included guitarists Mike Bridges and Denny Maxwell, drummer Buddy Busch, bassist Chuck Bunn, alongside Collins on keyboards. Their rehearsals took place at Collins' family residence, quickly propelling them to become one of Muscatine’s premier bands. In November 1966, they secured victory at Davenport’s Carnival of Bands competition, outperforming 30 other Midwest groups.
Their association with DJ and country artist Jack Barlow facilitated a recording opportunity produced by Buddy Killen. Collins contributed six original compositions for the session, among them "Psychedelic Siren," which featured an electronic siren effect created by guitarist Maxwell using a rudimentary synthesizer. Although the song embraced psychedelic themes popular at the time, none of the band members engaged in drug use; the term primarily reflected contemporary musical trends. The session was recorded at Columbia Studios with bassist Thom Hetzer participating. Killen negotiated a three-year contract with Atlantic Records under its Dial label, leading to the December 1967 release of "Psychedelic Siren" backed with "Afterthoughts." Each band member entered into five-year agreements concerning songwriting rights.
"Psychedelic Siren" enjoyed local success, maintaining a presence on Davenport’s KSTT charts for over three months. Despite this achievement, the group recognized that their sound might soon be eclipsed by emerging artists such as Jimi Hendrix and The Doors. Early in 1968, they embarked on regional tours opening for prominent acts including the Young Rascals, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, the Buckinghams, and Strawberry Alarm Clock. Their accolades continued with a win at the Iowa State Fair Teen Town Battle of the Bands in 1969. Although most original songs were penned by Collins, Bridges, Maxwell, and Peters, no subsequent releases materialized from their Atlantic contract. Attempts to promote demo recordings failed to elicit interest; correspondence with Nashville representatives went unanswered. The band underwent several lineup changes at bass: Chuck Bunn departed and was succeeded by Bruce Peters, then Terry Beckey, followed later by Paul Thomas; both Peters and Thomas also contributed on guitar.
In the early 1970s, under Collins’ direction, The Daybreakers transitioned into Rox, adopting a pop-oriented style influenced by late-1960s Beach Boys and early Raspberries sounds. Midway through that decade, Collins reunited with Peters and Thomas in Crusin', a group focused on early 1960s revival music featuring various former members. Parallel to his musical pursuits, Collins developed a career writing for the Dick Tracy comic strip. Paul Thomas remained active musically until his passing in 2004; Bruce Peters and Terry Beckey have also since died. The original members came together once more on August 30, 2008, to celebrate their induction into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Daybreakers experienced renewed interest among garage rock enthusiasts during the early 1980s when their work appeared on the compilation Psychedelic Unknowns. Their song "Psychedelic Siren" is also featured on Garage Beat '66, Volume 6: Speak of the Devil..., released by Sundazed Music.
Membership
- Max Allan Collins – keyboards, vocals
- Mike Bridges – lead guitar
- Denny Maxwell – rhythm guitar
- Buddy Busch – drums
- Terry Beckey – bass, guitar
- Paul Thomas – bass, guitar, vocals
- Bruce Peters – guitar, vocals, songwriter
Discography
- "Psychedelic Siren" paired with "Afterthoughts" (Dial 4006, December 1967)