The Plastic Cloud
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Bay Ridges, Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Psychedelic rock music |
The Plastic Cloud was a psychedelic rock ensemble from Bay Ridges, Ontario, Canada, formed in 1967 and active for approximately one year.
Drawing inspiration from The Byrds, the group released a single experimental album before dissolving. Although they did not attain commercial success during their brief existence, The Plastic Cloud’s pioneering approach to psychedelic music has garnered attention in later years.
Formation
Established in 1967 as a folk rock quartet, the lineup consisted of bassist Brian Madill, lead singer Don Brewer, lead guitarist Mike Cadieux, and drummer Randy Umphrey. Initially focused on folk rock with mainstream appeal, the band gradually integrated psychedelic elements influenced by the San Francisco and Los Angeles music scenes, evolving into a sound characterized by heavier fuzz tones. They concentrated solely on original songs to perfect their material prior to obtaining a recording deal.
Album
In 1968, The Plastic Cloud secured a contract with Allied Records and recorded their eponymous album. All tracks were composed by Brewer, with production handled by Jack Boswell and Bill Bessey. The record showcased psychedelic vocal harmonies and instrumental experimentation, including distinctive sound effects reminiscent of The United States of America. The album’s first half leaned towards folk and soft rock styles, while the latter half embraced electric and psychedelic rock influences. Released late in 1968, it did not achieve commercial traction largely due to the limited reach of the psychedelic genre in their region. The band disbanded shortly thereafter.
Nevertheless, the album evolved into a sought-after collector’s item, with original copies fetching prices up to $1,000. A reissue was released in 2005 by Pacemaker Records; however, this did little to elevate the band’s standing historically or fully document their musical impact.