Indian Puddin' and Pipe San Franjisco CA Psychedelic Rock

Psych-rock combo Indian Puddin' and Pipe formed in Seattle in 1966--originally dubbed the West Coast Natural Gas, the group initially comprised singer/guitarist Kep, guitarists Chuck Bates and Kris Larson, bassist Dave Burke and drummer Jeff LaBrache. A latter-day lineup minus Kep and Bates and featuring vocalist Pat Craig and guitarist Steve Mack relocated to San Francisco and in late 1967 issued the lone WCNG single, the Matthew Katz-produced "Go Run and Play." Katz--the manager of Moby Grape, It's a Beautiful Day and other luminaries of the San Francisco psych scene--structured his contracts so that different lineups could appear under a given group's name anytime and anywhere he desired; one lineup of Indian Puddin' and Pipe already existed, but Katz nevertheless rechristened West Coast Natural Gas with the name as well, moving Craig to keyboards and recruiting vocalist Lydia Mareno for what is now considered the definitive version of the group. Indian Puddin' and Pipe never recorded a full-length LP, but did produce four excellent tracks for the compilation Fifth Pipe Dream, issued on Katz's San Francisco Sound label in 1968. This incarnation of the group split soon after, with Mareno later resurfacing in Stoneground and Craig and Mack reuniting in Pipe..

This group, which has a very confusing and sorted history, began life in 1966 and originally haled from Seattle where they were known as the West Coast Natural Gas. Original members included Steve Guinn (guitar, vocals), Dean Herrick (guitar), Dave Burke (bass), Jeff Labrache (drums) and Kris Larson (12-string guitar, vocals). Guinn and Herrick were soon replaced by Mike "Kep" Kepley (guitar, vocals) and Chuck Bates (lead guitar) who both shared an apartment with Doug Hastings of the Daily Flash. Bates then left suddenly to join the military and was replaced by Steve Mack (lead guitar). Kepley then contracted hepatitis and was replaced by Pat Craig (vocals).

In late 1967, the West Coast Natural Gas relocated to San Francisco, was signed by producer/manager Matthew Katz (Moby Grape, Jefferson Airplane, It's A Beautiful Day) and issued one 45 on Katz's San Francisco Sound label under that moniker. In 1968, they recorded four strong tracks (including the excellent 'Hashish' and 'Water Or Wine') which appeared on the Katz conceived psychedelic compilation LP titled 'Fifth Pipedream, Volume 1'. It's interesting to note that these songs were actually recorded by the West Coast Natural Gas, which abruptly broke up soon after the tracks were laid to wax. Katz then decided to rename the already defunct ensemble Indian, Puddin' And Pipe and issue the tunes under this moniker. Other bands that are featured on this obscure record include It's A Beautiful Day, Black Swan and Tripsichord Music Box.

In late 1968, Pat Craig and Steve Mack got back together and reformed a new, more eclectic version of Indian, Puddin' And Pipe with Rex Larsen (guitar, vocals), Paul Trousdale (tenor saxophone, flute, vocals), Dennis Lannigan (alto saxophone, piano, vocals), Steve "Warthog" Jackson (bass, vocals) and Barry Lewis (drums). Other members that would later join the band before its final demise in late 1969, included Rick Quintanal (drums), Jock Ellis (trombone), David Savage (trumpet) and Lydia Moreno (vocals)..

Members

Jeff LaBrache ~ Drums
Kris Larson ~ Guitar
Dave Burke ~ Bass
Pat Craig ~ Keyboards, Vocals
Steve Mack ~ Guitar, Violin, Vocals
Paul Trousdale ~ Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Vocals
Steve "Warthog" Jackson ~ Bass, Vocals
Barry Lewis ~ Drums
Dennis Lannigan ~ Alto Saxophone, Piano, Vocals
Rex Larsen ~ Guitar, Vocals
Rick Quintanal ~ Drums
David Savage ~ Trumpet
Jock Ellis ~ Trombone
Lydia Moreno ~ Vocals