The Oxford Circle

Oxford Circle

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1964 in Davis, California, United States
Defunct	1967
Headquarters	Davis , United States
Products	Garage rock, psychedelic rock music

The Oxford Circle was a garage and psychedelic rock group originating from Davis, California, active during the years 1964 to 1967. They established themselves as a prominent garage rock band characterized by a proto-punk style, drawing inspiration from British Invasion acts like Them and other blues-influenced groups. Their sound merged heavy guitar feedback with psychedelic influences. The band became a notable attraction in San Francisco venues such as the Avalon Ballroom. A live recording from their 1966 Avalon performance was eventually issued in 1997 on the compilation Nuggets from California: Live at the Avalon 1966. In November 1966, they released the single "Foolish Woman" backed with "Mind Destruction," both tracks also featured on the Nuggets from California collection. Drummer Paul Whaley departed in 1967 to join the pioneering heavy rock band Blue Cheer, while lead singer and rhythm guitarist Gary Lee Yoder along with lead guitarist Dehner Patten went on to form Kak (band), which recorded under Epic Records. Yoder later became part of Blue Cheer during a subsequent lineup.

Initially called the Hideaways when formed in 1964, this group came from Davis, a college town near Sacramento. The lineup consisted of Gary Lee Yoder (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dehner Patten (lead guitar), Jim Keylor (bass), and Paul Whaley (drums). They quickly made an impact within the local teenage music scene before adopting the name Oxford Circle in 1965, inspired by a nearby street and British blues-rock bands like Them. Their reputation was built on energetic live performances featuring pronounced guitar feedback, and they became involved in San Francisco’s burgeoning psychedelic movement, sharing stages with acts including the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Big Brother and the Holding Company.

At the Avalon Ballroom—managed by Family Dog and Chet Helms—the band recorded a live set that showcased their fusion of garage proto-punk energy and psychedelic experimentation. Their repertoire featured extended renditions of "Mystic Eyes" (originally by Them), The Yardbirds' "Mister, You're a Better Man Than I", as well as blues classics such as "Baby Please Don't Go" and Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man." The November 1966 single "Foolish Woman" was issued through World United Records. Following Whaley’s exit to join Blue Cheer, Oxford Circle disbanded. Notably, future blues musician Joe Louis Walker had a brief stint with the band. Subsequently, Yoder and Patten formed Kak under Epic Records; Yoder also rejoined Blue Cheer later. By late 1967, Oxford Circle had ceased to exist.

Over time, the band has gained increased recognition among fans of psychedelic and garage rock genres. Their full 1966 Avalon Ballroom concert recording, along with studio tracks such as "Foolish Woman," was released with high fidelity on Big Beat Records’ 1997 anthology Nuggets from California: Live at the Avalon 1966. Additionally, the studio version of "Foolish Woman" appears on the 2004 deluxe box set Trash Box (Hit Records) as well as Big Beat’s compilation Uptight Tonight: The Ultimate 1960s Garage Punk Primer.

Membership

• Gary Lee Yoder (lead vocals, rhythm guitar)
• Dehner Patten (lead guitar)
• Jim Keylor (bass)
• Paul Whaley (drums)

45 r.p.m. single

• "Foolish Woman" backed with "Mind Destruction" (World United 002, November 1966)

Anthology/Live album

• Nuggets from California: Live at the Avalon 1966 (Big Beat, 1997)