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Fra i protagonisti del revival psichedelico di New York degli anni '80,
i Vipers
del sassofonista Jon Weiss pendevano invece piu` sul versante del
beat alla Pretty Things e alla Kinks con
Nothing's From Today (1984) e You're Doing It Well (1987).
Outta The Nest (PVC, 1985) e` uno dei classici del garage-rock
psichedelico degli anni '80.
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Among the protagonists of the psychedelic revival of the 1980s, the
New York-based combo of the Vipers was one of the most gifted.
They were formed by vocalist/saxophonist Jon Weiss after he was booted from
the Fleshtones, by guitarist David Mann, who had
played
bass with Television, by second guitarist Paul Martin,
by drummer Patrick Brown and be bassist Graham May.
The sound of their classic Outta The Nest (PVC, 1985 - Cavestomp, 2000)
is the quintessence of 1960s psychedelic rock before it got corrupted by
the Beatles' easy-listening. The Vipers worshipped the Standells, the Remains,
the Electric Prunes, the 99th Floor Elevator, etc.
Their debut single, We're Outta' Here, was a manic rockabilly
with raw guitars and perverse singing.
Their second single,
Nothing's From Today, was an ethereal chant with
fuzz guitar that recalled Fifth Dimension-era Byrds.
Now I Remember was an aggressive rave-up with gorgeous vocal harmonies,
harpsichord-like guitar patterns and an anthemic refrain.
Cheated And Lied was a wild romp in the vein of
Yardbirds and
Animals.
Tellin' Those Lies boasts the vocal magic of the
Mamas & Papas coupled with virulent guitar
and surf organ.
Ain't Nothing Like Her is a frantic blues with harmonica and organ
that recalls the Amboy Dukes
and the Them.
Unlike contemporary works by the Chesterfield Kings,
the album featured only two covers.
Nonetheless, it was a virtual encyclopedia of 1960s' psychedelia.
The Vipers' season was brief.
The single You're Doing It Well was the only highlight of
How About Someone (Midnight, 1987).
The cassette Not So Pretty Not So New (Midnight, 1988) collected
assorted rarities.
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