The Ophelias (California band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984-10 |
| Founder | Leslie Medford |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Fate | Disbanded in 1989, reunited in 2017 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Leslie Medford, David Immerglück |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, live albums |
The Ophelias are a psychedelic rock ensemble fronted by Leslie Medford, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Established in San Francisco in October 1984, the group disbanded in 1989 before reuniting in 2017. Throughout their career, they have been signed to three different labels: initially Strange Weekend Records for one album, followed by Rough Trade Records which released two albums and an EP, and most recently Independent Project Records, responsible for issuing the Bare Bodkin album on CD in early 2022.
Their sound has been acclaimed for its originality and remarkable variety, merging robust rock'n'roll foundations with instruments such as trumpet, harmonica, and pedal steel guitar to produce a sonic palette that ranges from gritty to melodic. Medford's songwriting was recognized for its literary quality, while his vocal delivery demonstrated versatility—from growling tones reminiscent of Captain Beefheart to falsetto and vocal expressions akin to David Bowie’s distinctive brays. Reviewers emphasized The Ophelias' innovative take on retro-psychedelia, drawing inspiration from artists like Frank Zappa and Marc Bolan yet maintaining a singular artistic identity.
Critics have likened the band to groups including Pink Floyd, T-Rex, Faces, The Zombies, Van der Graaf Generator, Frank Zappa, Queen, and XTC. However, some commentators contend that their influences are not easily categorized. Rolling Stone journalist David Fricke identified The Ophelias as one of the rare authentic psychedelic bands emerging in the 1980s, praising their blend of "futurist acid pop" combined with the energy of postpunk.
The lead guitarist during the band’s most prominent period from 1987 to 1989 was David Immerglück, who is their most widely recognized former member. After his tenure with The Ophelias, he went on to join acts such as Counting Crows, John Hiatt, Camper van Beethoven, and Cracker, while also building a substantial career in session work, production, and engineering.
History
Leslie Medford, originally from Virginia and a Stanford University graduate, founded The Ophelias in San Francisco in October 1984. Prior to forming the band, he had performed over 150 solo shows between 1982 and 1984. Medford had gained attention supporting Violent Femmes during their 1983 Bay Area tour dates, earning recognition for his interpretations of Syd Barrett songs alongside his own compositions. The first addition to the lineup was Boston transplant Sam Babbitt, chosen from approximately twenty guitarists who auditioned. By December of that year, the group solidified into a quartet with bassist Terry von Blankers—then a student at the San Francisco Art Institute—and drummer Rueben Chandler, both acquaintances of Babbitt.
In March 1985, The Ophelias achieved a unique distinction by receiving the only Perfect Ten rating ever awarded by the Demo Derby column in San Francisco Music Calendar magazine after submitting a three-song rehearsal tape. Two months later, in May 1985, they recorded three tracks at Tom Mallon Studio in San Francisco using an 8-track reel-to-reel setup; among these was their acclaimed rendition of “Mister Rabbit,” all of which appeared on their debut album.
Shortly after this recording session but prior to their initial live appearance, Indiana native Geoffrey Armour (formerly of MX80 Sound) replaced Reuben Chandler on drums. Although based in San Francisco throughout this period, The Ophelias did not include any California-born musicians until Edward Benton joined in July 1987.
"Mister Rabbit"
The Ophelias offered a distinctive and unconventional take on the anti-discrimination folk tune "Mister Rabbit," which was featured on the 1985 compilation SF Unscene. This album attracted favorable reviews from outlets such as Spin Magazine (May 1986) and others. The track marked the band's initial significant national breakthrough, gaining support from college and underground radio stations throughout the United States. The height of this attention was captured when Spin reviewed SF Unscene accompanied by a double-exposure photograph captioned: "Leslie Medford of The Ophelias makes like a nun."
David Immergluck, who became a member of The Ophelias the following year, first discovered the band in early 1986. He recalled hearing “Mister Rabbit” on stations KALX and KUSF and being deeply impressed by their live show. Leslie’s commanding stage presence combined with the group’s dynamic energy reminded him of British Glam, Psychedelic, and Progressive rock bands he admired, filling a void in the Bay Area music scene. He distinctly remembered witnessing an early rendition of “There’s A Bell,” considering it the closest experience to seeing Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust era.
The Ophelias.
The group’s first full-length album, launched by Strange Weekend Records in March 1987, swiftly climbed into the KUSF Top 20, reaching number 4 by early April. Dave Marrs from Beef Free Magazine described it as "possibly the finest independent album to emerge from San Francisco in recent times." College Music Journal praised its fusion of "ephemeral mystery" with "bold, assured modernism," establishing The Ophelias as prominent figures in alternative music circles.
Their live shows also received widespread commendation. Joni Hollar of the Daily Californian highlighted their originality and adaptability, stressing their potential to attract wider recognition beyond local confines due to their genre-blurring style and compelling songwriting.[1]
The Night of Halloween
After signing with Rough Trade Records’ U.S. division, The Ophelias released a three-track EP titled The Night of Halloween in August 1987. The Hard Report applauded its "bold arrangements, sharp acoustics, and inventive artistry," confirming the band’s rising stature within the underground music scene.[2]
This EP included a cover of The Kinks' “Wicked Annabella,” notable at a period when renditions of Kinks songs were uncommon. This interpretation attracted considerable acclaim, with multiple outlets naming it among the finest Kinks covers ever recorded. Medford has acknowledged The Kinks as his foremost musical influence.[3]
Oriental Head
Released in May 1988 by Rough Trade Records, Oriental Head is a ten-track LP that achieved airplay on 159 U.S. radio stations within the Top 35, reached the Top 10 at 48 stations, and secured the Number 1 spot at nine stations including WODU Norfolk, VA; WDCR Hanover, NH; and WMMR Minneapolis, MN.
Ann Powers observed that this album presented a more robust and direct sound compared to previous releases, highlighting songs such as "Stay With Me" and "Turn into A Berry" for their echoes of classic rock influences. David Immerglück named it among his favorite albums, considering it one of the finest outputs from the San Francisco Bay Area since landmark records like "Surrealistic Pillow" and Santana's "Abraxas."
The Big O
Issued in March 1989 under Rough Trade Records, The Big O is a 12-track LP that secured Top 35 airplay across 136 American radio stations, reached the Top 10 at 29 stations, and claimed the Number 1 spot at five stations, including WCWM in Williamsburg, VA and KCPR in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Critics from Spin and Rolling Stone lauded the album, with David Fricke labeling it "futurist acid pop," drawing on early Pink Floyd and Van der Graaf Generator influences combined with postpunk vigor. Ann Powers commended the band’s creativity and their strong presence within the San Francisco music community. Hard Report recognized it as one of the most innovative acts in U.S. independent music, emphasizing Leslie Medford’s expressive vocals and the album's bold sonic experimentation.
The vinyl release was notable for its unique die-cut circular sleeve, representing one of the final instances of this format before vinyl production waned in 1990. Comparable round-sleeve records include Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake by Small Faces and E Pluribus Funk by Grand Funk Railroad.
Bare Bodkin and Signing to Independent Project Records
In 2017, the 15-track compilation Bare Bodkin was made available on Bandcamp and YouTube, featuring a selection curated by bandleader Leslie Medford from The Ophelias’ studio recordings alongside five previously unreleased tracks recorded prior to the group’s dissolution.
Medford characterized this compilation as "the last will and testament of The Ophelias," using the four newly introduced opening songs to convey the essence of the band’s musical style, lyrical themes, and visual identity.
By 2019, The Ophelias had become among the initial artists signed to Bruce Licher’s revived Independent Project Records, which issued Bare Bodkin on vinyl and CD as part of its inaugural releases. Following a two-year postponement caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a remastered CD edition overseen by Philip Shaw Bova was released on February 25, 2022, featuring deluxe artwork created by Medford in collaboration with IPR. A double LP pressed at 45 RPM is planned for summer 2022.
Earlier, in August 2021, Independent Project Records celebrated its return with the Source compilation, which included “Capital,” an unreleased rarity from The Ophelias dating back to 1989. Additionally, IPR supported a new video release for the band’s 1987 song “The Night of Halloween,” unveiled on October 26, 2021.
O List!
On December 4, 2018, The Ophelias issued O List!, a live album presenting seventeen tracks performed by Leslie Medford, David Immerglück, Terry von Blankers, along with drummers Edward Benton (featured on twelve tracks) and Alain Lucchesi (featured on five tracks).
This collection contains live renditions of studio material that frequently diverge significantly from their original versions, complemented by over thirty minutes of previously unreleased content including covers of Gong and David Bowie. New original pieces such as "The Hanged Man," "Dead in the Water," "Capitol," and "Dreamer's Waltz" were introduced through this release.
In sum, O List! delivers approximately an hour of The Ophelias’ energetic live performances from 1987 to 1989, highlighting their distinctive fusion of intense psychedelic rock alongside softer interludes.
Green Girl
Issued on April 23, 2019, Green Girl serves as the second installment of live recordings, presenting sixteen archival tracks from the years 1984 to 1987, predating Immerglück's involvement with the band. This compilation features uncommon three-piece arrangements, notably including Melanie Clarin from The Donner Party/The Cat Heads on drums.
"Spanning from the ominous and shadowy tones of 1984's Lightning Tide; through the lyrical and reflective 1985 ballad Exeunt: Janette With Baby And Ghost; to the dual versions of The Hanged Man recorded in 1987, each piece fills a previously missing chapter in the band’s legacy."
Medford’s solo rendition of Nocturnal Blonde, captured during a radio session promoting The Ophelias' debut release, exemplifies the youthful passion and authenticity characteristic of their early phase."[4]
Out of Thy Star
Released on November 23, 2020 through Bandcamp, Out of Thy Star followed the earlier Bare Bodkin. This extensive seventy-minute collection contains twenty-one remastered tracks, comprising alternate takes of ten previously released songs along with unreleased pieces such as “Capitol,” “Pretty Girl,” and “The Hanged Man.”
This album features performances from all iterations of the band: the Medford-von Blankers-Armour trio on tracks like “Palindrome” and “In America the Other Day”; the original four-piece ensemble Medford-Babbitt-von Blankers-Chandler with songs including “Southeast Asian American Blues” and “Clash of the Titans”; and the later four-piece lineup Medford-von Blankers-Immerglück-Lucchesi showcased on “Capitol” and “Pretty Girl.” Nevertheless, the predominant presence is the “classic” quartet—Medford, Immerglück, von Blankers, Benton—represented by fourteen tracks originating from the 1988 sessions for Oriental Head and The Big O.
The album’s artwork pays tribute to the late Scott Miller of Game Theory and The Loud Family, a significant advocate for The Ophelias. Included are two songs he commended in his book Music: What Happened?: “Palindrome” and “Leah Hirsig.”
Thus spake Psilocybin.
The third volume of live recordings, titled Thus spake Psilocybin (with a lowercase “spake” nodding to Zarathustra’s initial edition), was released on May 16, 2021. Assembled by Medford from his personal cassette collection, this 78-minute album primarily features rehearsal recordings spanning 21 tracks. It highlights the trio of Medford-Immergluck-von Blankers, with drumming duties shared mainly by Edward Benton and Alain Lucchesi. The compilation offers a balanced mix of covers, developing album material, and distinctive improvisations that underscore the band’s dynamic live interplay. More than half of these recordings were captured during a three-week residency at Barrington Hall (Berkeley) in December 1987.
Reception and influence
In his 1991 publication Rock and the Pop Narcotic, critic and record label executive Joe Carducci lauded The Ophelias, reinforcing his stance that commercial success does not necessarily reflect artistic merit.
Game Theory’s Scott Miller was an enthusiastic supporter, describing "Palindrome" as “a million bucks” and ranking it among his top four songs of 1987.
Within his book Music: What Happened?, Miller placed "Leah Hirsig" as the third-best song released in 1989. He characterized lead vocalist Leslie Medford as “a multi-instrumentalist eccentric” with a singular vocal delivery. Miller recognized The Ophelias as one of San Francisco’s most influential indie groups on Rough Trade during the late 1980s and praised guitarist David Immergluck as a “true ace,” lamenting that his exceptional skills were undervalued in subsequent projects such as Counting Crows.
Discography
- The Ophelias (1987, Strange Weekend Records)
- The Night of Halloween (1987, Rough Trade)
- Oriental Head (1988, Rough Trade)
- The Big O (1989, Rough Trade)
- Bare Bodkin (2017, Browbeat; 2022, IPR)
- O List! (2018, Browbeat)
- Green Girl (2019, Browbeat)
- Out of thy Star (2020, Browbeat)
- Thus spake Psilocybin (2021, Browbeat)
Members
- Leslie Medford — lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, trumpet, keyboards, percussion (October 1984 – September 1989)
- Samuel Babbitt — guitar (October 1984 – June 1986)
- Terry von Blankers — bass guitar, backing vocals (December 1984 – September 1989)
- Reuben Chandler — drums (December 1984 – June 1985)
- Geoffrey Armour — drums (December 1985 – June 1987)
- Keith Dion — guitar (October 1986 – September 1987)
- Edward Benton — drums, backing vocals (July 1987 – April 1989)
- David Immergluck — guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (November 1987 – September 1989)
- Alain Lucchesi — drums (May 1989 – September 1989)
External links
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