Very fitting: Go to the Ozrics homepage and they’re sitting in a crop circle, the quintessential emblem of acid eaters, kooks, and paranormal wackos. Guess which category the Ozrics fall into?
Ozric Tentacles are an anomaly in the music world: Simply put, they’re unique. Unique means one of a kind. There is no “nearly” unique, there is no “almost,” no “very.” You’re either unique … or you’re not. And the Ozrics are unique. Their origins are closer to the psychedelic sixties than they are to the bland double-0s; they’re not out of place in the here and now, although they are still unique. Their music is a mixture of mostly psychedelic sounds and light effects, but there are readily recognizable strains which show up: I’ve heard them called a jam band, but they’re unlike any jam band you’ve ever heard. I’ve heard them called dub, but again, unlike any others. I’ve heard them called rave, but again…
So, who/what are the Ozric Tentacles? They’re the best psychedelic dub-acid-jam-rave-ambient-festival-prog rock group that’ll bless your ears. They’re a legend in their own time in the U.K. and Europe, yet relatively unknown in the U.S. They’ve been a legend in the U.K. and Europe for over 25 years, playing to sellout crowds all over, often even in the U.S. One of the reasons they’re still relatively unknown here has to be down to their limited live appearances. This is their first American tour since 1999, which until this year is the only time I’ve been lucky enough to catch the Ozrics live.
Another reason is, of course, the homogenization of radio stations in the U.S. Go to Anytown USA, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, tune in your radio, and you’ll find the same music you left in East Jesus, Alabama. Man (and woman) cannot live by pap alone. There’s got to be some variety in your life, unless you aspire to become the Gray (Wo)Man. GIGO, right? Garbage in, garbage out. Add some variety, expand your world.
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