The Hook evolved out of legendary Los Angeles' folkrockers The Leaves, and burst upon the 1967 musicscene with a bombastic power trio sound that made BlueCheer sound like wimps!The Hook appeared in the iconic TV cop show, Ironside,in the episode A Trip to Hashbury, performing the mindbendingacid-rock anthems Son of Fantasy and PlugYour Head In , both of which feature on this collection.Signed to the hip UNI label, they released two albums ofheavy psychedelic blues rock, similar to that of Creamand Jimi Hendrix. The addition of keyboards made theirsecond album reminiscent of The Doors and IronButterfly.For the first time, both Hook albums from1968/1969 are married on one CD, complete with adetailed history featuring quotes by band members,illustrated with a multitude of rare photographs andposters. Prepare to get hooked by The Hook!
M**L
Average Amboy Dukes-style psych rock
This band has been compared to Blue Cheer but actually they have quite a different atmosphere and sound to BC. What connects the bands though is that the first song on 'The Hook Will Grab You' has a riff which is very reminiscent of a riff in one of Blue Cheer's Vincebus Eruptus songs. Blue Cheer are far heavier in my opinion, when I listen to this band I think more of early Amboy Dukes, but with a heavier guitar sound. They're not bad albums, but in a field crowded with great artists, it's no surprise they've been overlooked. Nevertheless, this may still interest fans of late 60s heavy psych rock.
C**Y
Great music.
Never heard of this band before viewing an old episode of Ironside. Great music.
I**C
Will grab you!Buy!4,5stars.
LA band the Hook was formed by Bobby Arlin after he quit The Leaves(Grapefruit rec.CD).The first album is hard rock with strong bass lines and Hendrix psychedelic influences.Have some great wah-wah guitar and suitably druggy lyrics.The second is more structured of the two.Both are worth investigating.Issued both in 1968 for Uni label.They were-Arlin-guitar,Craig Boyd-drums,Buddy Sklar-bass,vocal,Dale Loyola-drums and Denny Provisor from Mk II.
