The Baroques formed in 1966 in Milwaukee,Wisconsin.
In January 1967 they signed a contract with Chess Records.
By June 1967, both the album “Iowa” and single “Mary Jane”
were released and banned in the same week. The ban was imposed
by some local DJs whose stations directors thought “Mary Jane”
was a pro-drug song about marijuana. Jay Berkenhagen had actually
written it as an anti-drug song but no one got it. Instead The
Baroques became infamous as “acid-heads” due to the “far-out”
sounds on the record. At this point, Jay had never tried drugs in his life.
The Baroques had a fuzz-guitar/keyboard-damaged sound that
retained much of the garage intensity of ’66 while plunging into the
experimentation that marked the latter part of the decade.
Sure, there are traces of the Byrds and the Zombies,
but by the time the Baroques have had their way with a pop song,
it’s like the deformed bastard child of those bands hobbling around on
one leg. As on “Rose Colored Glasses,” where Jay Berkenhagen’s
odd,deep vocals bounce along with awkward (yet insanely catchy)
riffs until settling into a gorgeous, harmony-laden chorus.
“Nothing To Do But Cry” is an exceptional folk-rocker that’s
dirtied up with some nice distorted jangling and raw power-chording.
At times they veer into chaotic fits of noise that wouldn’t sound
too out of place on a Scientists album.(the punk/garage band from
Perth, Australia-which I think might be stretching it a bit,but what
the heck-maybe you'll check out the band because they are
awesome) (“Iowa, A Girl’s Name” “Musical Tribute…”).
But what really sets them apart from other similarly-minded
bands is the excessively glum atmosphere which pervades most
of the album. The sludge-folk(a new term) of “Purple Day” and
“Seasons” may come off too monotonous for some, but there is
something absolutely hypnotizing lurking in the uncommonly dark
textures of these songs.
Included for your pleasure are the original album The Baroques,
the way it appeared on Chess Records,and I include the newest
release Purple Day 1967-1968 with some ultra rare Milwaukee
recorded outtakes,and other bonus songs,never before heard.
They are a little strange,but they might grow on you.
The Baroques
The Baroques-Purple Day
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