The Open Mind

about

The band was originally formed as The Apaches in 1965 by four musicians from Putney, South London. A personnel change a year later brought about the new name “The Drag Set,” which consisted of Mike Brancaccio (guitar, vocals), Timothy du Feu (bass guitar), Phil Fox (drums), and Terry Martin (a.k.a. Terry Schindler - guitar, vocals). They enjoyed a solid reputation and a modicum of success on the London blues circuit throughout 1966, backing such visiting luminaries as Wilson Pickett and John Lee Hooker. In 1967, they laid down some tracks with a “very enthusiastic and encouraging” Joe Meek, but his suicide less than a week later quashed any potential release. In March, the CBS subsidiary Go released their debut single, the Mod-inflected “Day and Night” b/w “Get Out of My Way.” Despite favorable reviews in Record Mirror and NME, the single sank without a trace (although the band would rework the A-side in the future – more about that in a moment). About this time, the band’s management were “muscled out” of the picture by well-known boxing promoter Benny Huntman, who installed his son Roger as manager. By now, “a lot of bluesy bands were starting to go psychedelic, and we were no exception,” exclaims bassist Tim du Feu, who “thought up the name The Open Mind to reflect our attitude towards life.” Armed with a new moniker and wardrobe (“At the same time we got leather suits made, which were very unusual for the period. You could say we started the look that people like Iron

top songs

albums

The Open Mind

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Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond, Vol. 3

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Fenriz a.k.a. DJ V.K.O.M. presents... Trapped Under Vice, Vol. II

A Kaleidoscope of Sounds: Psychedelic & Freakbeat Masterpieces

Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond

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MOJO Presents Heavy Nuggets

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Open Mind

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Rolling Stone: Rare Trax, Volume 33: Nine Miles High

Rubble 1 - The Psychedelic Snarl

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I'm A Freak, Baby... A Journey Through The British Heavy Psych And Hard Rock Underground Scene 1968-72

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The Day After The Sabbath 27: Psych Tentacles

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