The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Founder | Bob Markley, Michael Lloyd, Shaun Harris, Danny Harris, John Ware |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Psychedelic rock music, albums, singles |
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band (WCPAEB) was a psychedelic rock ensemble originating from Los Angeles, California in 1965.
Bob Markley, an aspiring artist with connections in the music industry and financial backing, became involved with the Laughing Wind by utilizing his influence and resources. The initial roster included Michael Lloyd on rhythm guitar and vocals, Shaun Harris handling bass guitar and vocals, Danny Harris on lead guitar and vocals, John Ware on drums, alongside Markley contributing tambourine and vocals.
Their first album, Volume One, was released in 1966 through the modest FiFo label. Early in their career, WCPAEB set themselves apart by incorporating complex psychedelic light shows that became a hallmark of their live performances in Los Angeles. Following Volume One, they secured a contract with Reprise Records and produced three albums, highlighted by the critically praised Volume 3: A Child's Guide to Good and Evil in 1968. Two additional records, Where's My Daddy? and Markley, A Group, appeared on independent labels before the group dissolved in 1970.
Formation and Debut Album (1966)
The band was established in August 1965 when Bob Markley, a wealthy Los Angeles socialite and adopted son of an oil magnate with prior experience in the music business, hosted a gathering featuring notable musicians and industry professionals. Before this, Markley had released unsuccessful singles and produced local artists under his own labels. At this event, producer Kim Fowley introduced him to Michael Lloyd along with brothers Shaun and Danny Harris from the band Laughing Wind.
Michael Lloyd began his musical journey in 1962 as part of the surf rock group New Dimensions, recording three albums while collaborating with Fowley. While attending Hollywood Professional School, he developed friendships with the Harris brothers; together they formed Laughing Wind, which released a single on Tower Records in 1965. Preceding WCPAEB recordings were later compiled on The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Companion (2011).
Inspired by the commercial success of bands like the Yardbirds, Markley proposed financing and securing a recording deal for Laughing Wind if he could join the group. The members agreed and adopted the name West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band as conceived by Markley to position themselves as a west coast counterpart to the Velvet Underground.
In 1966, WCPAEB issued their debut album Volume One via Markley's FiFo label. Much of the recording took place prior to Markley's involvement at Lloyd's studio and a rented storefront space. The album featured original compositions alongside covers including "Louie Louie", "You Really Got Me", and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue".
Reprise Records Era (1967–1968)
Starting June 1966, WCPAEB toured extensively, gaining traction among Los Angeles hippie audiences at venues such as the Other Place and Wild Thing. They performed alongside acts like the Mothers of Invention, the Seeds, Iron Butterfly, and the Yardbirds. Their shows incorporated an elaborate psychedelic light display managed by Buddy Walters, known for his work with Jimi Hendrix and the Animals. While their musicianship received acclaim, Markley's "hypster" persona and tambourine playing attracted criticism. Regardless, Markley secured a three-album contract with Reprise Records after talent scouts attended their performances.
In May 1967, they released their first album under Reprise titled Part One. By this time, Markley had control over the band's publishing rights and influenced single selections: a spoken-word piece "1906" co-written with Ron Morgan and a cover of the Mothers of Invention's "Help, I'm a Rock". The album encompassed various styles including folk rock, garage rock, and Baroque pop. Notably, "I Won't Hurt You" was re-recorded featuring Shaun Harris on lead vocals instead of Lloyd—who would not resume lead singing until the 1969 release of Where's My Daddy?.
Creative conflicts between Markley and Lloyd escalated leading to Lloyd’s exit; Ron Morgan joined as a full-time member thereafter. Lloyd attributed his departure to Markley's growing control over artistic decisions. Post-departure, Lloyd engaged in multiple studio projects alongside Fowley and Mike Curb.
In August 1967, Shaun Harris temporarily left due to frustrations over the band's limited success and to assist his brother Danny during depression treatment. During this interval, he formed California Spectrum with Danny Harris, Lloyd, and Jimmy Greenspoon; they toured parts of the Midwest utilizing Markley's light show but did not achieve commercial success. Harris returned in 1968 with a revamped lineup while continuing to promote California Spectrum until it disbanded early in 1969.
Late 1967 saw the release of their third album Vol. 2 (Breaking Through), which demonstrated ambition but lacked consistency compared to earlier works. The cover featured a striking photograph of Markley alongside the Harris brothers accompanied by a bold declaration about creative liberty. Each track credited band members; however Markley's dominant lyrical themes—often controversial—prevailed throughout. The single "Smell of Incense" did not chart despite being successfully covered by Southwest FOB in 1968. The record included politically charged songs like "In the Arena" as well as anti-war anthems such as "Suppose They Gave a War and No One Comes".
Their fourth album Volume 3: A Child's Guide to Good and Evil, released in July 1968, represented their creative zenith and is widely regarded as their best work. It fused British Invasion influences with folk rock and flower power elements amid an atmosphere tinged with paranoia and protest. Morgan contributed electric sitar parts prominently featured across several tracks. The distinctive butterfly-themed album artwork was designed by John Van Hamersveld, renowned for iconic covers including Crown of Creation and Magical Mystery Tour. Despite artistic advancements, sales remained insufficient for chart placement which led Reprise to drop the band from their roster.
Independent labels (1969–1970)
In late 1968, Jimmy Bowen established Amos Records and signed the group in 1969. During the creation of Where's My Daddy?, Danny Harris rejoined the lineup, while Lloyd returned to provide backing vocals and co-write several songs alongside Markley. This album marked a departure from their earlier vocal harmonies, adopting a more intimate, closely miked sound. It loosely followed a conceptual storyline told from the viewpoint of a homeless girl navigating the turbulent aftermath of the Summer of Love in Los Angeles. Despite this artistic direction, both the album and its single "Free as Bird" did not achieve commercial success and are often regarded as among the band’s least effective works.
Lloyd arranged for their final record’s distribution through Forward Records in 1970. Initially intended to be self-titled, it was released as Markley, A Group at Markley’s insistence. On this record, Lloyd assumed lead vocal duties, played keyboards, handled orchestral arrangements, and benefited from Danny Harris’s songwriting contributions on half of the tracks. Although critics generally considered it an improvement over the previous album, internal tensions stemming from Markley’s unpredictable behavior led to the group disbanding shortly after its release.
Aftermath
Following the band's end, Markley continued a playboy lifestyle centered around a beach house in Los Angeles; he produced Jim Stallings’ European hit "Heya" before withdrawing from the music scene. Reports suggest he became reclusive after facing legal issues related to underage girls in 1972. He passed away in Gardena, California in 2003 at age 68.
At just 20 years old, Lloyd was named vice-president of MGM Records and subsequently produced teen stars including the Osmonds, Shaun Cassidy, and Leif Garrett. He also oversaw soundtracks such as Dirty Dancing well into the 2000s. Shaun Harris released a solo country rock album in 1973 before serving as president of Barry Manilow’s publishing firm; he also wrote a play based on his life experiences. Danny Harris recorded a gospel album in 1980 before pursuing careers as a folk musician and actor; he died of a heart attack on set in 2012. Ron Morgan co-founded Three Dog Night but left prior to their success and later joined the Electric Prunes for their final album; he died in 1989 at age 44.
Band members
- Bob Markley (1935–2003) – tambourine, spoken word, vocals (1965–1970)
- Michael Lloyd (born 1948) – rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals (1965–1967, 1969–1970)
- Shaun Harris (born 1946) – bass guitar, vocals (1965–1970)
- Danny Harris (1947–2012) – lead guitar, vocals (1965–1967, 1969–1970)
- John Ware (born 1944) – drums (1966–1968)
- Ron Morgan (1945–1989) – lead guitar, sitar (1967–1970)
Timeline
<timeline> ImageSize = width:600 height:auto barincrement:25 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:50 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1965 till:01/01/1970 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Colors =
id:tambourine value:claret legend:Tambourine id:rhythm value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_Guitar id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:lead value:teal legend:Lead_Guitar id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:1965
PlotData=
width:13 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Bob Markley from:01/01/1965 till:01/01/1970 color:tambourine bar:Shaun Harris from:01/01/1965 till:01/01/1970 color:bass bar:Danny Harris from:01/01/1965 till:01/01/1967 color:lead bar:Danny Harris from:01/01/1967 till:01/11/1967 color:rhythm bar:Danny Harris from:01/01/1969 till:01/01/1970 color:rhythm bar:Michael Lloyd from:01/01/1965 till:01/05/1967 color:rhythm bar:Michael Lloyd from:01/08/1969 till:01/01/1970 color:rhythm bar:John Ware from:01/01/1966 till:01/01/1968 color:drums bar:Ron Morgan from:01/01/1967 till:01/01/1970 color:lead
</timeline>
Studio albums
- Volume One (1966)
- Part One (1967)
- Vol. 2 (Breaking Through) (1967)
- Volume 3: A Child's Guide to Good and Evil (1968)
- Where's My Daddy? (1969)
- Markley, A Group (1970)
Compilation albums
- Legendary Unreleased Albums (1980)
- Transparent Day Sampler (1986)
- The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Companion (2011)
Singles
- FiFo Records
- "Sassafras" b/w "I Won't Hurt You" (1966)
- Reprise Records
- "1906" b/w "Shifting Sands" (1967)
- "Help, I'm a Rock" b/w "Transparent Day" (1967)
- "Suppose They Give a War and No One Comes" b/w "Queen Nymphet" (1967)
- "Smell of Incense" b/w "Unfree Child" (1968)
- Amos Records
- "Free as Bird" b/w "Where's My Daddy?" (1969)
References
- Citations
- Sources