Just an advance warning…this may be the greatest, most perfectly realized rock and roll song of them all. Yes…this is a grand statement…but trust me….it’s at least on the front page of the list. Perhaps one of the reasons why this group of young men didn’t take over the world in 1969 (besides the obvious glut of incredible pop music in those days) was they recorded and performed under the nom de guerre Bubble Puppy. Perhaps not the wisest choice of a moniker if you are a tough sounding psych band from Texas but I suppose they had their reasons (read: acid). “Hot Smoke & Sasafrass” just pummels you from the get go….perfect sounding guitar and tight, heavy-handed drumming all fire up and proceed to barrel you over at a ripping clip. When the vocals come in this bad ass, almost punk tune turns epic….sort-of a Texas take on the Who.

The band photo pretty much sealed the deal for me:

Sold.

Bubble Puppy’s one and only record (as Bubble Puppy) A Gathering of Promises was released in 1969 on International Artists (13th Floor Elevators and the Red Krayola) out of Houston Texas. Beyond the single “Hot Smoke…” which earned the boys a top 20 U.S hit in ‘69, the record never caught on and the band soon parted ways with the label. Our heroes relocated to LA and tried to reinvent themselves as Demien. They obviously went nowhere.  Oh…you’ve heard this tale?…sorry.

A Gathering of Promises is being re-released by UK label Charly Records this month I believe. Turn on.

ARTIST: Bubble Puppy
TRACK: “Hot Smoke & Sasafrass”
ALBUM: 7” Single; A Gathering of Promises (LP)
YEAR: 1969
LABEL(S): International Artists; Charly Records