The Serpent Power
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | David Meltzer, Tina Meltzer |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
| Products | Psychedelic rock, folk rock music |
The Serpent Power was a 1960s American band known for their blend of psychedelic rock and folk rock styles.
Career
In 1966, poet David Meltzer from San Francisco and his vocalist wife Tina assembled a group of local musicians including Clark Coolidge (drummer and composer), Denny Ellis (lead guitarist), John Payne (keyboardist), Jean-Paul Pickens (banjo player), and David Stensen (bassist). Their performances took place at Bay Area spots such as the Coffee Gallery in North Beach and Gino & Carlo. Ellis and Stensen had previously contributed to recordings by the Lovin' Spoonful. Under the management of Ed Denton, known for his work with Country Joe and the Fish, they secured a contract with Joe’s label, Vanguard Records, operating under the name The Serpent Power. Their debut album, self-titled, was released in 1967.
Critics from Forced Exposure magazine lauded the album as an authentic example of the San Francisco psychedelic sound, highlighting its "exceptional male/female vocal harmonies, distinctive lyrics, and impressive guitar performances." This record was among the pioneers in fusing Middle-Eastern music influences with rock, contributing to the early development of the raga-rock style.
The album was recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 50 albums released in 1967. Critic Robert Christgau compared the band to "the Bay Area's counterpart to the Velvet Underground," emphasizing their "minimalist folk-rock infused with noise" approach and their strong songwriting abilities.
Following the album’s completion, Ellis, Stensen, and Payne departed during rehearsals for a second project. They were succeeded by Bob Cuff (lead guitar) from The Mystery Trend and bassist Jim Moscoso. Despite these changes, their initial album did not achieve chart success or substantial sales, which contributed to the group disbanding in 1968.
Aftermath
After The Serpent Power dissolved, David and Tina Meltzer continued as a duo, releasing Poet Song in 1969. They recorded another album titled Green Morning in 1970; however, its release was postponed by Capitol Records until 1998. In 1984, Tina independently produced a children’s record called Faces (New Songs for Kids).
Tina Meltzer died from ovarian cancer in 1995. David Meltzer later married poet Julie Rogers in September 2011. He passed away at his residence in Oakland on December 31, 2016, following a stroke.
In 2007, previously unreleased material from sessions intended for their second album was issued under the title Ourobouros, featuring extended improvisational tracks.
Discography
- The Serpent Power
- Vanguard Records; Catalog No.: VSD-79252; 1967
- (All songs written by David Meltzer)
- Side A:
- 1. "Don't You Listen To Her" – 2:20
- 2. "Gently, Gently" – 2:36
- 3. "Open House" – 3:31
- 4. "Flying Away" – 4:26
- 5. "Nobody Blues" – 3:49
- Side B:
- 1. "Up And Down" – 3:37
- 2. "Sky Baby" – 2:31
- 3. "Forget" – 3:34
- 4. "Dope Again" – 0:47
- 5. "Endless Tunnel" – 13:13
- Ourobouros
- Locust Music; Catalog No.: LOCUST 81; 2007
- Side A:
- 1. "Ourobouros Part 1"
- 2. "Ourobouros Part 2"