The Carouser
The Psychedelic Issue
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In This Issue 4. Editor’s Letter 5. Contributors 6. Wank Bank 8. George Harrison 16. Helter Skelter 18. Pink Floyd 22. Psychedelic Drugs 24. Summer Of Love 29. Monterey Pop Festival
42. Liquid Lunch 44. Psychedelic Cinema 52. Hendrix 56. Essential Psychedelic Rock 62. Book Club 66. Follow The Yellow Brick Road 70. Guide To San Francisco 74. Carouser Moment
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Editor’s Letter
When considering expanding my mind for this issue, I had a number of questions. What if I like my brain as it is? Would my mind be altered permanently? Will expanding my mind cause me to throw myself into a sewer and rub rats across my naked body? This issue will sadly not be able to help answer these questions. But what it will be able to do is give you insight into the story of psychedelia in the late ‘60s. I thought the ‘quiet’ Beatle George Harrison was the perfect man to adorn the cover. He helped introduce the sitar as one of the staples of psychedelia, composed some of the The Beatles’ most psychedelic tracks (possibly under the influence of LSD) and brought it to a wider audience. Although he tuned off and publicly denounced LSD at the end of ‘67, his contribution had been received. In this issue we’ve explored the influence of psychedelic drugs on cinema, art and the minds of mad men. It’s been 50 years since the tye dye tsunami arrived, plus this will be The Carouser’s tenth issue, so I hope we’ve made it extra special and I’m truly proud of what we’ve achieved. With the help of a couple of galleries, we’ve brought you some very rare imagery of one of the very first rock festivals and are extremely lucky to be given the story of an original Haight-Ashbury hippie. Even though I decided against taking acid for this issue and let the brilliant writer and illustrator Jim Newcombe do the honours, I have had a few psychedelic experiences in the past. Most of which ended up with me trying to eat my own face- a story I don’t wish to repeat. I’m not here to glorify drugs or to romanticize about the past. A lot of people from the Psychedelic age are not here to tell the tale. But we hope this issue captures a moment in time and when drugs influenced music and, more importantly, it influenced life. So, without sounding too Austin Powers, but... I hope you find this issue groovy.
Editor & Founder
Mandy Morello @Mandy_Morello
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Carousers
Carouser Contributors
Tom Rowe, Writer
Charlie Messing, Writer
One of The Carouser’s most treasured storytellers has explored the life and influence of George Harrison (page 8) and the unforgettable Jimi Hendrix (page 52).
Charlie was an original Haight-Ashbury local who witnessed the whole rise and fall of psychedelia at the source. He writes about his time on page 24.
@The_Tom_Rowe
Jill Gibson, Photographer
Jim Newcombe, Writer & Illustrator
Jill Gibson was lucky enough to be back stage at one of the first festivals in rock history, The Monterey Pop Festival. We’re lucky enough to showcase some of her work on page 29.
Describing and illustrating an acid trip is pretty hard but we think Jim Newcombe has captured his experience with LSD perfectly on page 66.
For more of Jill Gibson’s work: https://www.montereypix.com/jill-gibson/
@Idol_Threat
Editor Mandy Morello Contributors: David Harris, Tom Rowe, Darius Drewe, Emma LeFerrand, Conor Buckley, Jim Newcombe, Charlie Messing Photographers: Emma LeFerrand, Jill Gibson Special thanks to the Morrison Hotel Gallery & Monterey Pix. Published December 2017 TheCarouser.com
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Wank Bank What we’re boning over this issue...
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
Stingy Jack
1. Because the can is psychedelic. 2. Because Robert Plant’s son is Mr Beavertown. 3. Because it is autumn in a can. 4. Just drink it already.
Tom Wolfe details the second most important bus trip after Rosa Parks. This was and is the ultimate Hippie handbook.
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Sitar
Little Girl Blue
A sitar would be a nice edition to my cupboard of instruments that I don’t have time for. Everyday would feel so zen.
Janis Joplin’s story is a sad one. If I was a weaker woman, this would have moved me to tears. But I’m not so it didn’t, but still a good watch.
Are You Experienced?
Pink Floyd Tee
Even if you don’t like the band this Dark Side Of The Moon tee is fucking cool.
I’m not sure what field of work in which we might be experienced but the answer is yes, yes and more yes.
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Escaping The Beatles, The Counter-Culture And Finding The Self: George Harrison’s Mission To India By Tom Rowe He loathed superstardom, a phenomena that, at the time, many hadn’t felt. The songs he wrote focused on both the glory of God and the petty annoyances of day-to-day life. In life, he preached piety and the pleasures of living simply, yet resided in a 120-room mansion and collecting expensive brassy cars. Harrison was one of the first true spotlight elusives. Understated but true to himself despite being part of something inescapably bigger. Late 1966, The Beatles were exhausted from their own legacy and still in damage-control
from John Lennon’s ‘bigger than Jesus’ comments which overnight turned the world that once embraced them to a dark sphere that lingered all around them, burning their songs and memorabilia. Their star only in the sky for five or so years, the sheer hype and the controversy, that we all famously know, encapsulated the band which hadn’t been seen before or perhaps since. Even the best of us would desire to run away or to find something new if we simply had the courage. In the Autumn of 1966 Magpie took flight to find his own self…
e r e w n the e w i t a o h t W ening ring this listffice dusue. o is
Find the full playist on thecarouser.com/tag/playlists 10
Jimi Hendrix- Purple Haze The Rolling Stones - 2000 Light Years From Home Tomorrow- My White Bicycle Count Five- Psychotic Reaction Scott McKenzie- San Francisco The Lovin’ SpoonfulSummer In The City The Byrds- Eight Miles High Jefferson Airplane- White Rabbit 11
Jimi Hendrix Making magic from the ghosts of plectrums past
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Twenty Essential Psychedelic Rock Albums
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“Ontostage I make love twenty five thousand people; and then I go home alone.�
Guide To San Francisco
J
anis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and many more musicians flocked to the Haight Ashbury area of San Francisco in 1967. Why? Something ‘groovy’ was happening. Endless parties, drugs and music flooded the streets while free health clinics were being set up in the name of Love.
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ven though we couldn’t make it during the Summer Of Love, we can still experience a slice of what was left behind. Here’s the ultimate guide to carousing in what Hunter S Thompson dubbed as ‘Hashbury’.
Music
Bar
Rasputin music was founded in 1971 and quickly set up a number of independent stores including ono spot on Haight Street. They sell vinyl, CDs and put on a good show every now and again.
During the ’60s many would have drank in the street, but there are still many bars that are still open from that era. One is the North Star Cafe- a dive bar and one of the oldest drinking vessels in the area.
http://www.rasputinmusic.com/
Chill
560 Powell St.
Shop
One of the most iconic places to put your feet up and watch the day go by is on the green of Hippie Hill. Untouched since the ’60s, this was the place to come smoke, have a laugh and watch the sunset. It still gets a huge amount of visitors who come to recreate those forgotten days.
With many boutiques and emporiums on Haight Street, it’s hard to choose where to spend your money. This shop, in particular, plays only Grateful Dead music and has visions of keeping the Hippie dream alive. Fulfill all your tye dye dreams here.
Golden Gate Park
https://loveonhaightsf.com/
Attraction
Hotel
The communal home and hangout of ’60s band The Grateful Dead still stands in all its colourful joy. Although someone else lives there (the cheek!), the artwork and building still reside for a perfect photo opportunity.
A hotel that’s steeped in rock n roll history and famous guests is the Phoenix Hotel. The retro hotel has attracted the likes of Blondie, Kurt Cobain and even JFK. Just ask the staff for some stories, and you’ll never want to leave.
710 Ashbury St.
http://www.phoenixsf.com/
Books
Food
City Lights bookstore was born out of the Beat Generation and arguably inspired the ‘artsy’ generation of hippies. The store still sells political reads and poetry.
El Faro has been dishing up a delish, classic Mission burrito since they opened in the ’60s. It’s a firm favourite for foodies who travel far and wide just for a taste.
http://www.citylights.com/
82 1st St
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