Moby Grape - Moby Grape
On this week’s episode, we discuss what was once considered one of the hottest bands to come out of the late sixties San Francisco scene, Moby Grape and their debut album, 1967’s Moby Grape.
Moby Grape is one of the most celebrated debut albums ever produced. Recorded by five musicians who could all write and sing, Moby Grape spans multiple genres (rock and roll, folk music, pop, blues, and country) and does so effortlessly. Add a three guitar attack, and some a amazing harmonies to the mix, and you can begin to understand what all the fuss was about.
Although over-hyped by the record label at the time of its release, constant issues related to their former manager have kept this album from reaching the future audience it truly deserved.
No Recommendation for this episode.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
Moby Grape circa 1967. Pictured (L to R): Bob Mosley, Jerry Miller, Don Stevenson, Peter Leweis, and Skip Spence.
Guitarist Skip Spence, was the original drummer for Jefferson Airplane (hired solely by Marty Balin due to the way he looked) . He was fired form the band for taking off to Mexico right before a gig without telling anybody.
The original Jefferson Airplane. Pictured L to R) Jorma Kaukonen, Paul Kantner, Skip Spence, Marty Balin, Signe Toly Anderson, and Jack Casady.
After Spence was fired form Jefferson Airplane, former Jefferson Airplane manager Matthew Katz (pictured) became interested in starting a band with Skip Spence as the main focus. This would eventually become Moby Grape. Once Katz started managing the band, he routinely made decisions that were not the band's best interest. When Columbia offered a contract to Moby Grape, Katz actually threatened that he would block them from signing with the label unless they signed over their their name and all of publishing rights.
The Ark, a paddle-boat which had been turned into club in Sausilito, CA was Moby Grapes rehearsal space after they formed. The practiced during the day, and performed at the Ark during weekend evening.
Here is the original picture taken by Jim Marshall for Moby Grape’s debut LP. This cover for the underwent some changes along the way. The original pressing of the album obscured the American Flag by coloring it red.
However, the label did not notice drummer Don Stevenson "flipping the bird" on the washboard, and the album went out with the gesture intact. Once it was discovered, the finger was airbrushed out on subsequent releases. In addition, the flag was recolored black due to a worry that red could be associated with communism.
Jumping on the "next big thing" hype, Columbia Records held a huge party at the Avalon Ballroom, complete with Moby Grape branded wine and purple orchids falling from the ceiling.
The label also took the unprecedented step of releasing five singles from the debut at the same time. This had the opposite effect of selling records because radio stations didn't know which single to push. As a result, all of the singles fared poorly on the charts.
On Jan 3, 1968, Moby Grape appeared on The Mike Douglas Show. The performed “Omaha," "8:05” (both f which you can watch below) and "Ain't No Use.”
Moby Grape was the talk of the music industry when they were asked to perform at the Monterey Pop Festival. It was to be their introduction to the masses. As a result of their manager Katz’ unreasonable demand that the band be paid one million dollars for the right to include them in the film of the festival, the band was relegated to opening the Friday afternoon spot and was subsequently left out of the final version of the film. You can watch their performance of “Hey Grandma” at the festival below.
