Born in Yakima, Washington, in 1966, The Velvet Illusions were a cool teenage garage-psych band whose members were barely 14–17 years old when they began making music together, quickly built a following across Washington and Oregon. Managed by George Radford Sr., the band developed a distinctive image, using powerful Vox equipment. Their first release, “Acid Head,” became controversial when radio stations misunderstood its anti-drug message and banned it—giving the young band unexpected notoriety.
In June 1967, they headed to Los Angeles, arriving in the middle of the Summer of Love. They recorded, performed, promoted themselves and chased the dream of national success, working with figures from the Pacific Northwest music scene and recording at studios including Sunset Sound. Their rare singles—including “Acid Head,” “Town of Fools,” “Velvet Illusions,” “Born to be a Rolling Stone,” “Lazy,” “Mini Shimmy” and “The Stereo Song”—have since become coveted pieces of 1960s psychedelic garage and are collected here.
Their amazing story also includes failed management deals, mysterious record credits, a planned Japanese tour, a bizarre Bigfoot connection and a young Roland Bautista (pre-Earth Wind & Fire) guesting on fuzz guitar on a couple of tracks.
Includes insert with detailed liner notes and photos.