Music Review: Blue Cheer - Vincebus Eruptum

Blue Cheer was named after a pure strand of LSD. Dickey Peterson (bass and vocals), Leigh Stephens (guitar), and Paul Whaley (drums) were average musicians and fair songwriters, but they had a vision that would lead to a far different type of rock music than was being produced in the late 1960s.

They were a quintessential power trio that helped set the foundation for the development of heavy metal music. They advertised themselves as the loudest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world and history notes that their sound would reach sonic levels. Each instrument would have a bank of twenty speakers. They were also one of the few groups that Billy Graham banned from playing the Fillmore West.

Vincebus Eruptum was their debut album and was released in 1968. It featured extensive feedback, an overbearing guitar, and a sound that was both psychedelic and hard rock. The album struck a resonant chord with the record buying public as it reached number 14 on the national charts.

The classic Eddie Cochran tune, “Summertime Blues,” would become Blue Cheer’s best known song and only hit as it would reach number 11 on the charts. It featured a fuzzy guitar sound with a lot of reverb set against pulsing bass and thundering drums. The sloppy production only served to enhance the track. While this song may seem dated today, in 1968 it was groundbreaking.

Blue Cheer would always sound better covering other artist’s material. “Rock Me Baby” was a B.B. King tune. Dickie Peterson’s vocal remained true to the original blues interpretation and ran counterpoint to the guitar lines. Leigh Stephens was not a blues guitarist and certainly not of the caliber of B.B. King. He did know loud and louder and so churned through the song in an interesting if not creative manner. Another old blues song, “Parchment Farm” written by Mose Allison, was moved over to a heavy rock ‘n’ roll sound and became a successful interpretation.

Article Author: David Bowling

I have been collecting vinyl records for over forty years and my collection is approaching 50.000 records. My wife Susan and children, Stacey and Amy, have learned to humor my passion. I am now settled in beautiful Whispering Pines, North Carolina …

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