Thee Hypnotics

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Thee Hypnotics
OriginHigh Wycombe, England
GenresGarage rock, Psychedelic rock, Hard rock
Years active1986–1999
LabelsSub Pop, Beggars Banquet, Situation Two,American Recordings,Rocket Records
Past members
Jim Jones (vocals)
Ray Hanson (guitars)
Mark Thompson (drums)
Will Pepper (bass)
Phil Smith (drums)
and various , short lived 'hired hands' & members
Adam Sharam(bass)
Chris Dennis (bass)
Robert Zyn (guitar)
Craig Pike (bass)
David Ashe (guitar)

Thee Hypnotics,a four-piece band, {Vox(Jim Jones), Guitars(Ray Hanson), Bass(Adam Sharam 86-87)&(Chris Dennis 87-88)&(Will Pepper 88-93&94-95)& Drums(Mark Thompson 86-89)&( Phil Smith 89-99)} , formed in 1986 and were an influential British garage/psychedelic/hard rock band into the late 90s. They were part of the early alternative rock scene,starting out in 1986, & releasing many singles,videos & three full-length albums and an EP "Liver Than God"on Sub-Pop Records, from 1987-1999 .Having to take an enforced hiatus in 1990, due to their drummer Phil Smith/ Staines breaking his back in a car accident while they were on tour in the United Statespromoting the debut album "Come Down Heavy", they soldiered on,despite this,and continued their UK touring commitment, with The Damned's Drummer & Friend Rat Scabies, while Phil recuperated in Minneapolis (scene of the car crash) for around 8/9 months. ......They soon after,recorded the inspired, inventive 2nd album "Soul, Glitter & Sin" at Rockfield Studios with John Leckie(,John Lennon,Syd Barrett,Stone Roses, and later(post Thee Hypnotics) The Verve & Radioheads' "The Bends") noted,accomplished award winning producer & a'dry' "Coast To Coast" mixed by Jimmy Miller of Stones fame.A more atmospheric, cinematic,introspective & melancholic affair,was injected into thee already, Heavy, Fuzzed out, Psychedelic,groove as the debut studio album "Come Down Heavy",which had, featured guest appearances from Phil May & Dick Taylor(The Pretty Things legends),& recorded in Wardour St, London & mixed in Seattle by Sub Pop supremo Jack Endino........ Regarded as inspirational, influential and in high esteem, by many bands & their peers, such as, The Black Crowes, Primal Scream,Fu Manchu/Nebula, Mudhoney, even later generations of R'nR,like White Stripes, BRMC & The Strokes had it rub off, one way or another...coming from the same place,...the band had kept, extensive touring of the U.S.A. U.K.& a tour of large arena venues, with more esteemed 'rock star' musician fans of the band, The Cult, in Europe through 91 to 93,when bassist of 6 yrs Will Pepper decided to leave the 4-piece high-energy band....Replaced by Craig Pike (who had left Iggy Pops touring band),new demos ensued, but with dubious management deals, "reckless touring" and then, the tragic premature death of, bassist, Craig..... Will was back in the fold on bass,& the band were off to L.A. to record their 3rd and final studio album, "The Very Crystal Speed Machine", which was produced by Black Crowes, lead singer, and long time admirer of the band, Chris Robinson, who had helped in the transition of the band signing, to Rick Rubin's label, American Recordings from Beggars Banquet Records,with guest spots from The Black Crowes, Eddie Harsch & Marc Ford .Another good album, that went under the radar, & the same for a couple of singles,recorded at Toe Rag Studios & with Rocket Recordings in Bristol, and then the bands momentum, was drained out, and finally,fizzled and split in 1999.

Their music was mostly influenced by late 1960s blues-influenced hard rock bands like The Stooges, MC5, The Doors,The Rolling Stones Blue Cheer, early Led Zeppelin,Jimi Hendrix Experience , New York Dolls & also The Cramps, Tom Waits,Elvis,Bad Seeds,Dr John as well as a wide eclectic mix of Dirty Blues, Soul, Rock 'n' Roll,Bump 'n' Grind!Captain Beefheart,Howlin'WolfSly & The Family Stone,Johnny Thunders,Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters,a ton of stuff!Far too many to mention![1] Unfortunately they remain a largely forgotten precursor to stoner rockand other musical 'movements of the late 80's & beyond?..it seems some of their biggest fans, were their peers, other bands & musicians?which, is high praise indeed.

Co-Founder and Chief Co-Song Writer, along with Jim Jones (vocalist), the Guitarist & Riff merchant Ray Hanson, who played all guitars on all recordings, apart from a few rhythm guitar tracks on 2nd album, "Soul , Glitter & Sin"by Rob Zyn, had'hired guns, for 'live work',to replicate ,the multi~tracked guitars he had recorded on all their stuff, took a 15-year hiatus from the music industry, though writing hundreds of songs for his new project, "Ray 'Sonic' Hanson's Whores Of Babylon", which he debuted at Portobello live in London May 2015. He continues to write and perform music,which will be exposed, at some point, soon..

Vocalist Jim Jones fronted The Jim Jones Revue. A self-titled debut album was released in 2008 to some acclaim.After 3 more releases,he formed new outfit Jim Jones & the Righteous Mind in October 2015.....And Phil Smith/Staines,who coincidentally, is in the process of making a Feature Documentary, of "Thee Hypnotics", yet to be released,played in a country band,and currently drumming with his band The Estimators.

Discography

  • Live'r Than God! - (Sub Pop) (1989). Justice In Freedom 12" b/w 'Preachin' & Ramblin' & "Choose My Own Way" (Situation Two, Beggars Banquet)1988
  • Live'r Than God! - EP (UK Situation Two). Half Man, Half Boy 12"b/w "9 times" &'Testimonial'(Situation Two, Beggars Banquet)1990
  • Come Down Heavy - (Beggars Banquet/RCA/UK Situation Two)& (1990).Album: & Re~mastered & re~released w/extras (Cherry Red 2010/11)
  • Soul Glitter & Sin - (Beggars Banquet/RCA/UK Situation Two) & (1991). Album: & Re~mastered..Online w/extras (Cherry Red 2010/11)
  • The Very Crystal Speed Machine - (American/SPV) (1994) "Shakedown"12"b/w "Dont Let It Get You Down"(Beggars Banquet/RCA/UK ( Situation Two )1991
  • Love In A Different Vein 7" single (Vinyl Solution) "Coast To Coast"12"(Jimmy Miller Mix)/"Soul Accelerator"/Shakedown (Situation Two)1991

References

  1. ^ "Trouser Press".

External links

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