The Deep (band)
| Company type | Studio project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Rusty Evans |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Psychedelic Moods (album) |
The Deep was a rock group from the United States, established in New York City in 1966. Their sole album, Psychedelic Moods, was recorded in Philadelphia and released through Cameo-Parkway Records. This record is recognized as one of the earliest to incorporate the term "psychedelic" in its title.
This ensemble functioned exclusively as a studio project, spearheaded by Rusty Evans, who subsequently founded The Freak Scene and produced Psychedelic Psoul in 1967. Additionally, Evans co-authored and performed on The Third Bardo’s track "I’m Five Years Ahead of My Time."
Background
Marcus Uzilevsky, professionally known as Rusty Evans (born 1937), served as lead guitarist, chief songwriter, and vocalist for The Deep. His career began in 1958 as a rockabilly artist before he shifted focus to the folk scene in Greenwich Village during the early 1960s. Under his own name, Evans released three albums: Songs of Our Land, Railroad Songs (both 1964), and Live at Gerde's Folk City (1965). He later became a member of folk ensemble The New Christy Minstrels. Notably, musician David Bromberg contributed to The Deep’s album, although his exact involvement on specific tracks remains unclear.
History
In the summer of 1966, Evans collaborated with producer Mark Barkan to develop a psychedelic record. They secured a contract with Philadelphia-based label Cameo-Parkway, known for artists such as Question Mark and the Mysterians, operating with a limited budget of $1,200. During August, Evans and Barkan assembled musicians from New York under the name The Deep and completed the recording of Psychedelic Moods within four days in Philadelphia. Due to financial constraints, some late-night studio sessions doubled as sleeping arrangements.
At that time, Evans was the only member with an established musical background; the rest were acquaintances. He encouraged creative experimentation throughout the recording process and personally designed the album cover. Approximately 5,000 copies were pressed. The Deep existed solely as a studio entity without any subsequent recordings or live shows.
The album’s release in November 1966 positioned it among the earliest to feature "psychedelic" in its title, alongside the Blues Magoos' Psychedelic Lollipop, following closely after the 13th Floor Elevators' October 1966 release The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators.
The Freak Scene
In 1967, Evans departed from Cameo-Parkway to produce another album under Columbia Records. This follow-up was issued under the name The Freak Scene, titled Psychedelic Psoul, though it involved essentially the same studio musicians as The Deep’s project. Despite this rebranding, commercial success remained elusive, mirroring the reception of Psychedelic Moods, which ultimately led to the group’s dissolution within that year. Sony BMG later re-released this album on vinyl via Columbia Records.
Following these efforts, Evans embarked on a solo path with a psychedelic folk album released as Marcus in 1969. After a hiatus from recording until 1979’s folk album Life's Railway Heaven, he continued to produce music sporadically—mostly within folk and rockabilly genres. In the 1990s, he issued two new age albums titled Slice of Light and Gypsy Dreams under the pseudonym Uzca. Additionally, he fronted a tribute band dedicated to Johnny Cash. Beyond music, Marcus Uzilevsky gained acclaim as a visual artist specializing in landscape painting, showcasing his work throughout California.
Rusty Evans died on December 5, 2015, in Woodacre, California.