The Misunderstood

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The Misunderstood
The Misunderstood in London - 1966
The Misunderstood in London - 1966
Background information
Origin Riverside, California, USA
Genre(s) Psychedelic Rock
Years active 1963 - 1969, sporadically thereafter
Label(s) Fontana Records (UK), Cherry Red Records (UK), UT Records (USA)
Associated
acts		 Juicy Lucy
Website http://www.themisunderstood.com/
Members
Richard Shaw Brown
Glenn Ross Campbell
Tony Hill
Rick Moe
Greg Treadway
Steve Whiting
Former members
George Phelps

The Misunderstood were a psychedelic group originating from Riverside, California in the mid-1960s. They moved to London in 1966, with the assistance of their manager, John Peel. In UK they recruited Englishman Tony Hill on guitar, thus forming an international rock-music group, preceeding Hendrix[1].

American singer Rick Brown and new British guitarist Hill soon formed a prolific song writing team, and their classics are credited to "Hill/Brown". Bass player Steve Whiting was also involved in some song writing but never received recognition until the publication of UT Magazine #21 in 2003. For example, Whiting created the "riff" used in the song "I, Unseen." His bass playing was also unique in the complexity and speed at which he played, plus his novel use on bass of slide bar, fuzz tone and distortion, sustained feedback, and other innovative effects. All original Misunderstood song lyrics were written by Brown[2].

In London they released a few critically acclaimed singles before being forced to disband, notably two classic psychedelic tracks: "Children of the Sun" and "I Can Take You to The Sun". Influenced by The Yardbirds, the distinctive feature of their sound was the pedal steel guitar of Glenn Ross Campbell. Rolling Stone Magazine (Issue 956) in a September 2, 2004 review describes the Misunderstood's Campbell as "Jeff Beck & Jimmy Page rolled into one."

After The Misunderstood's Fontana press reception 4-song live performance in London's Phillips Studios the British media was wide spread and unanimous in praise of the band[3]. At this juncture their career was disrupted and ruined by the Vietnam draft of lead singer and song writer Rick Brown. Members of The Misunderstood went on to Juicy Lucy and High Tide.

In spite of their relatively small output, many musicians consider them to be influential pioneers of the acid style of rock music. Head Heritage, in a 2006 review write, "The Misunderstood’s material extended far beyond the reach of the period in which it was conceived. The extraordinarily advanced tracks on side one from 1966 reveal them as one of the earliest and most original probes into psychedelic Rock"[4].

British DJ John Peel championed the Misunderstood music throughout his entire career. Shortly before his death, in an interview with Index Magazine, Peel stated, "If I had to list the ten greatest performances I've seen in my life, one would be The Misunderstood at Pandora's Box, Hollywood, 1966. My god, they were a great band!"[5]

Creem Magazine, in a September 2004 review, write, "The saga of the Misunderstood is one of the most unbelievable, heartbreaking, and unlikely stories in the entire history of rock." Record Collector Magazine, in their July 1999 issue, write, "The Misunderstood were a band of immense talent. Their debut single, "I Can Take You to the Sun", stands as one of the most powerful and best psychedelic singles ever released." Richie Unterberger, author of Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll, writes, "The Misunderstood recorded material for Fontana that stands as a pinnacle of early psychedelia[6].

Contents

[edit] Visual Feedback

The band is noted for having pioneered the light show. Campbell initially soldered a guitar jack to a car light bulb and plugged this into the extension output behind each amp. This simple idea produced visual music, as the response between the guitars and the lights plugged into the amps was identical. They first showed this feature at the Hi Ho Club in Riverside in 1965. They also played with lights at the Marquee Club in London in 1966, to the amazement of the audience. An advanced multi colored large scale version of this "light show" or "visual sound" system was being planned in London when the band were forced to retire, just as they were in mid-launch. Another feature of their sound was getting all three guitars feeding back using different tremolo settings and the players leaving the stage flashing with musical lights[7].

[edit] Recognition

In a 2004 book published by UK's Record Collector Magazine, "100 Greatest Psychedelic Records" The Misunderstood were listed in 6th place, preceding Hendrix and Pink Floyd, for their song, "I Can Take U 2 the Sun". In September 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine called them, "the American Yardbirds". In a recent release of early John Peel "Top Gear" shows on BBC he is recorded as saying on air, "This (I Can Take U 2 the Sun by The Misunderstood) is to my mind the best popular record that's ever been recorded"[8][9][10]. "Top 100 Singles" - Issued in Hartbeat! #20: Incl. Misunderstood (twice)[11]; as well Mojo's "100 Greatest Psychedelic Classics" lists the Misunderstood in 1966[12]. The Misunderstood are also listed on Digital Dream Door's "100 Greatest Psychedelic Albums" List[13], also Terrascope's Top 100 Albums list[14]. British music critic Nigel Cross lists the Misunderstood twice, at third and forth place (ahead of their mentors, The Yardbirds), in his Top 100[15]. Noted Rock Historian Richie Unterberger at the end of The Misunderstood chapter in his book, Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll, writes, "This is not just overlooked psychedelia, but a tantalizing glimpse into directions that were never fully explored in rock music as a whole before the Misunderstood's tragically premature demise. Believe it"[16].

[edit] Difference of Opinion

Comments made by critics about the 1969 belated release of the classic lineup's 1966 recording "Children of the Sun" show a huge difference of opinion. Rival Guitarist Roy Wood of the Move told Melody Maker in their Feb. 15, 1969 edition, "I can't see English fans buying this (Children of the Sun by the Misunderstood). Terrible. Even the guitar was crap now I listened to it all!"[17]. On the other extreme Rock Music critic Jade Hubertz wrote in a 1998 review, "When it comes to the Misunderstood, I have no shame and offer no apologies. "Children of the Sun" is the GREATEST psychedelic track of all time and it's CRIMINAL that the band was taken down in its prime."[18]

[edit] Personnel

  • Rick Moe - Drums
  • Richard Shaw Brown - Lead Singer
  • Glenn Ross Campbell - Steel Guitar
  • Greg Treadway - Guitar (while in California)
  • Tony Hill - Guitar (while in London)
  • Steve Whiting - Bass
The Misunderstood: London - 1966 - L-R: Rick Moe, Rick Brown, Glenn Campbell, Tony Hill, and Steve Whiting
The Misunderstood: London - 1966 - L-R: Rick Moe, Rick Brown, Glenn Campbell, Tony Hill, and Steve Whiting

[edit] Later Music

In 1982, the two core members, the singer and the steel guitarist, reunited as "The Influence" and recorded two self-penned tracks, viz., No Survivors/Queen of Madness, for UK's Rough Trade Records in 1983. Lyrics for both songs were written by band associate Austin Gordon. They disbanded in 1985 when Campbell moved to New Zealand and Brown moved to Thailand[19].

In 1998 Cherry Red Records (UK) released a full album of their later material under the name of The Misunderstood: Broken Road (CDM RED 147) with all original track lyrics by Austin Gordon.[20].

Recently, in 2004, UT Records (USA) released another full album of previously unreleased tracks named, Misunderstood: The Lost Acetates 1965-1966, that received International media coverage[21][22].

A motion picture screen play was written about the Misunderstood by Rock historian, Mike Stax (Editor of Ugly Things Music Magazine) in 2002 and it is being considered for production[23]. The script includes original pieces of Misunderstood recorded songs[24].

[edit] Singles, EPs & Albums

  • I Can Take U 2 the Sun/Who Do U Love? (Fontana Records)
  • Children of the Sun/I Unseen (Fontana Records)
  • Children of the Sun EP (Cherry Red Records)

  • 1. Children of the Sun
    2. I Can Take You To the Sun
    3. Who Do You Love?

  • Legendary Gold Star Album (Cherry Red Records)

  • 1. Blues With A Feeling
    2. Who’s Been Talking
    3. You Got Me Dizzy
    4. You Don’t Have To Go Out
    5. Goin To New York
    6. Shake Your Money Maker
    7. I Just Want To Make Love To You
    8. I’m Not Talking (USA)

  • Before the Dream Faded (Cherry Red Records)

  • 1. Children of the Sun
    2. My Mind
    3. Who Do You Love?
    4. I Unseen
    5. Find the Hidden Door
    6. I Can Take You to the Sun
    7. I’m Not Talking (UK)
    8. Who’s Been Talking?
    9. I Need Your Love
    10. You Don’t Have to Go
    11. I Cried My Eyes Out
    12. Like I Do

  • Broken Road (Cherry Red Records)

  • 1. When the Prophet Comes
    2. Child!
    3. Carry Me Far
    4. Peace of Mind
    5. Children of the Sun
    6. I Unseen
    7. Smile on Me!
    8. No Survivors II
    9. Queen of Madness
    10. No Survivors I
    11. When the Prophet Comes
    12. Let Us Influence You
    13. Broken Road
    14. Mona (Live)

  • The Lost Acetates (UT Records)

  • 1. She Got Me (version 2)
    2. Don’t Break Me Down
    3. Bury My Body
    4. Why?
    5. Got Love If You Want It
    6. She Got Me (version 1)
    7. End of Time
    8. Thunder & Lightning
    9. I Unseen (version 1)
    10. Who’s Been Talkin’
    11. My Mind
    12. Find The Hidden Door
    13. Children of the Sun
    14. I Unseen (version 2)

[edit] Compilations

  • Acid Drops, Spacedust & Flying Saucers: Psychedelic Confectionery - Performer
  • Ghetto South - Vocals
  • Pillows & Prayers, Vol. 1 - Performer
  • Acid: Final Frontier - Performer
  • In Search of Space: 60's to 70's, Vol. 3 - Performer
  • Pillows & Prayers, Vol. 2 - Performer
  • And the Heavens Cried - Performer
  • Nuggets II - Performer

[edit] Quotations

"The Misunderstood were a band of immense talent. They were technically American, although Tony Hill, the rhythm guitarist on their best 45s, was British and the bulk of their material was recorded in England. At the end of 1966 their debut single, "I Can Take You to the Sun," was unveiled that December -- the same month as Hendrix's "Hey Joe," and a good two before "Strawberry Fields Forever." Without apologies, the Misunderstood single stands alongside both these classics as one of the most powerful and best psychedelic singles ever released."--- Record Collector, July 1999

On the Spot: John Peel interview with Readers Digest: 2003 Q: Which is the best band you have ever seen? A: "The Misunderstood, from California!"

"The saga of the Misunderstood is one of the most unbelievable, heartbreaking, and unlikely stories in the entire history of rock" --- Creem, September 2004

"The American Yardbirds" --- Rolling Stone Magazine: September 2004

"If I had to list the ten greatest performances I've seen in my life, one would be The Misunderstood. My god, they were a great band!" --- John Peel - Interview 2003

"This ("I Can Take You to the Sun" by The Misunderstood) is to my mind the best popular record that's ever been recorded"--- John Peel, Top Gear (BBC Radio 1), 8 November, 1968

"The Misunderstood (were) hailed in the late sixties as pioneers of the psychedelic movement by the likes of Pink Floyd."---Review by Surge Music 2004

"The Misunderstood may just be the greatest lost band of the 1960s. They had the gifts, the creativity, the chemistry, the ambition, the drive - all the ingredients to make it, plus that extra indefinable 'magic' in their sound, which in its purest moments seemed tuned to a wonderful and strangely magnetic frequency. Torn apart by the Vietnam War draft the band was denied the breakthrough they deserved."--- Mike Stax, UT Magazine 2002

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rolling Stone Magazine Issue 956 (September 2, 2004). "The Misunderstood: The Lost Acetates 1965-1966 by David Fricke". 
  2. ^ (2003) Ugly Things (Music) Magazine by Mike Stax No. 21. 
  3. ^ (2003) Ugly Things (Music) Magazine by Mike Stax No. 21. 
  4. ^ HEAD-HERITAGE: Seth Man, 24th November 2006 Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.
  5. ^ Index Magazine 2003 - Interview with John Peel Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-03-08.
  6. ^ UNKNOWN LEGENDS OF ROCK'N'ROLL Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  7. ^ (2002-2003) Ugly Things (Music) Magazine by Mike Stax Nos. 20-21. 
  8. ^ Unterburger, Richie (May 1998). Unknown Legends of Rock n Roll. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0879305345. 
  9. ^ Record Collectore Magazine, et. al. (2004). "100 Greatest Psychedelic Records". Record Collector Magazine. 
  10. ^ (Nov. 8, 1968) "John Peel Quote". TOP GEAR (BBC Radio). 
  11. ^ Hartbeat's Top 100 Singles Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  12. ^ Mojo Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  13. ^ Digital Dream Door's "100 Greatest Psychedelic Albums" Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  14. ^ Terrascope Top 100 Albums Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.
  15. ^ British music critic Nigel Cross lists the Top 100 Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  16. ^ UNKNOWN LEGENDS OF ROCK'N'ROLL Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  17. ^ (Feb 15, 1969) "Roy Wood Quote". Melody Maker. 
  18. ^ References (Feb 18, 2007).
  19. ^ (2004) Ugly Things (Music) Magazine No. 22 by Mike Stax. 
  20. ^ Ref. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
  21. ^ Entertainment-Reuters (Yahoo News) (June 18, 2004). "New Label Sheds Light on the Misunderstood". Billboard. 
  22. ^ Rolling Stone Magazine Issue 956 (September 2, 2004). "The Misunderstood The Lost Acetates 1965-1966 by David Fricke". 
  23. ^ Mike Stax (2002). Screenplay: The Misunderstood WGA 977444. 
  24. ^ MISUNDERSTOOD Website.. Retrieved on 2007-01-27.

[edit] External links

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