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14 underrated psych bands you need to discover today

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In the groovy late ’60s, when the psychedelic wave swept through rock music, it felt like every day brought a new crop of psychedelic bands and artists, just as mushrooms seem to sprout overnight. (Wink-wink, nudge-nudge)

Regardless of being signed by a prominent record label, they faced an issue: expanding their reach was largely dependent on chance due to the label’s promotions, airplay on radio, and word-of-mouth. Essentially, luck played a significant role back then.

In today’s digital era, the opportunities for exposure are abundant, but once again, luck significantly influences the outcome.

Psychedelic rock bands worth listening to today

On this occasion, there are two primary factors at play. Firstly, a broader variety of musical styles (including sub-genres) has become available, which presents new opportunities. Secondly, with an abundance of choices, the wider audience may either discover you or overlook you due to the sheer volume of content they cannot keep up with.

It’s possible that we’ve overlooked many psych bands from the past and present that truly warrant recognition, and it can be challenging to select just a few. Nevertheless, here are 14 bands that definitely deserve your attention right now, even if some of them may not have received it during their peak years.

July 

In fact, you’ve got two bands from Britain named July, both specializing in psychedelic rock, each deserving investigation. Yet, it’s the first one, fronted by vocalist-guitarist Tom Newman and guitarist Paul Cook, that still garners intense interest among niche enthusiasts, and justifiably so.

Two July bands from Britain play psychedelic rock, both are worth diving into. But the one headed by vocalist-guitarist Tom Newman and guitarist Paul Cook has maintained a dedicated cult following over the years, and for good reasons.

Drawing inspiration from the music scene of California during that period, they infused a distinctly British flavor to create something uniquely theirs. Their self-titled debut album dropped in 1968, initially receiving negative reviews from critics but garnering admiration from psych rock enthusiasts. The band reemerged in 2009.

Moby Grape

Moby Grape wasn’t a little-known group; in fact, their record label Columbia invested significantly in promoting them. Their reasons were valid as their debut album (1967) remains one of the rock music classics to this day, regardless of whether it leans more towards psychedelic sounds. However, the band faced numerous health problems and legal disputes from that point forward, and their later work was often overlooked by critics and largely ignored by mainstream audiences, despite being deserving of greater recognition.

The Peanut Butter Conspiracy

If any band truly embodied the essence of psychedelic pop, it was this Los Angeles group that put out three studio albums (1967-1969). Although some of their singles received radio play, their exceptional music didn’t always receive the recognition it deserved. They excelled at crafting intricate song structures and often used subtle, thought-provoking lyrics to create a psychologically stimulating experience for listeners.

Maybe it was the fact that not everybody is a fan of peanut butter, chunky or otherwise.

KAK

Back in the day, if you were a discerning gamer with an ear for psych rock, you’d likely have stumbled upon the mellow psych gem, ‘Lemonade Kid’. This track hails from the self-titled album by San Francisco’s one and only Gary Lee Yoder’s band, released in 1968. The entire album was penned by none other than our frontman, guitarist, and songwriter himself – Gary Lee Yoder.

Initially, neither the album nor the band made much impact, but it eventually caught the attention of psychedelic music enthusiasts. As a result, unauthorized copies (or bootlegs) of the album began to circulate, and later, it was officially re-released.

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

A lesser-known yet beloved act among psych rock enthusiasts, this band failed to capture a broader audience despite their songs “Smell of Incense” and “I Won’t Hurt You” being frequently covered by various bands and artists. Over five albums, they produced an impressive body of work that was highly valued by psych-rock fans, with the fifth album primarily featuring compositions by Bob Markley.

Euphoria

This four-member group, consisting of two women and two men, is an illustration of how captivating the folk-influenced realm of psychedelic rock can be when blended with sunshine pop. However, even though their music was exceptional, they garnered only the interest of dedicated fans. Despite a reissue of their one and only album, it was mainly the hardcore enthusiasts who purchased it.

Dream Syndicate

To delve into the neo-psychedelic scene of the 1980s, you could consider exploring a band hailing from Los Angeles. This group is believed to have made the most significant impact within the early ’80s Paisley Underground movement.

In their initial phase, Steve Wynn and his team created four outstanding studio albums that stand out. Among these, “The Days of Wine and Roses” takes the lead, while their “Live at Raji’s (1989)” is a strong contender for top live album lists. More recently, the band has reunited.

The Bevis Frond 

Under the leadership of guitar prodigy Nick Saloman, who’s also a dedicated keeper of psychedelic rock history, this group has been active since the mid-1980s up until now, producing an impressive catalog of top-tier psych albums. Yet, they haven’t managed to garner anything beyond critical acclaim and interest from psych rock enthusiasts and collectors. Saloman, along with his bandmates, truly merit wider recognition.

The Warlocks 

In the late 1990s, The Warlocks were a key player in the resurgence of psychedelic rock, blending various musical styles into their sound. Interestingly, the group’s creator, Bobby Hecksher, intentionally chose this name with a nod to its history – it had been used by both the Grateful Dead and The Velvet Underground. Drawing inspiration from these iconic bands, The Warlocks incorporated their unique influences into their own music.

The Olivia Tremor Control

A group from the ’90s that revived psychedelic rock, being part of the initial Elephant 6 collective. Their albums captured almost every facet of psych rock that preceded them, ranging from the melodious side of The Beatles and The Beach Boys to the more experimental/instrumental aspect, as exemplified by early Pink Floyd. Regretfully, their lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Will Cullen Hart, passed away in 2024.

The Green Pajamas

Hailing from Seattle since 1984, this band led by Jeff Kelly has stood the test of time. Their discography spans nearly three decades, boasting almost 30 albums across various realms of psychedelia. Although they’ve cultivated a dedicated fanbase, their musical prowess is undeniably deserving of broader recognition.

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. 

Since 1995, Japanese guitarist Kawabata Makoto has been leading his primarily instrumental band, venturing into the psychedelic realms of psych rock, plunging into the intricate layers of Krautrock, and even dabbling in contemporary classical music. The discography of the band is extensive, and so are the praises from fans about their captivating live performances.

The Telescopes

In 1987, British musician and artist Stephen Lawrie established The Telescopes, a band that continues to create psychedelic music today. Similar to other contemporary psychedelic rock artists, Lawrie and his group delve into almost every facet of the genre, but their primary focus is on creating unique guitar tones.

Melody’s Echo Chamber

Melody Prochet, a French musician known by this alias following collaborations with Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, operates within an echo chamber. Her debut album (2012) made a mark on the charts, but her subsequent three albums – with their flowing, dreamy psychedelic sounds – deserved more recognition.

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2025-05-03 13:00

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