The Druids of Stonehenge

Formed while students attending New York's Columbia and Syracuse Universities, by 1966 singer Dave Budge, guitarist Carl Hauser, drummer Steve Tindall (personal note - the Sherlock Holmes pipe didn't exactly foster a "hip" image), rhythm guitarist Bill Tracy and bassist Tom Workman had come together as The Druids of Stonehenge; recorded a series of demos and relocated to Los Angeles in hopes of scoring big time successes. Two years of toil on the local club circuit eventually brought overnight success in the form of a contract with MCA's newly formed Uni label.

Produced by Jerry Goldstein (he also contributed one song to the proceedings), 1968's "Creation" didn't exactly set the world on fire, though it's far better than most mid-'60s offerings. Propelled by Budge's nasty growl (imagine Eric Burdon after a week long bender), in contrast to most of their contemporaries who were pursuing ever more sophisticated arrangements, the band exhibited a penchant for roaring Animals-styled R&B (check out "Painted Woman", their blazing cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell On You" and the original "Bring It On Home (Can't Get By Alone)"). The band's other area of interest seemed to be drug-oriented material; check out the subtle "Speed" and their cover of Love's "Signed DC"). Intriguing for it's raw and rugged sound in an era of increasing audio sophistication. (Max Collodie)