Description
Copperhead – Copperhead – Vinyl Record
Released in 1973, Copperhead introduced the self-titled debut from Copperhead, a short-lived but intriguing band formed by guitarist and songwriter John Cipollina, best known for his work with the legendary San Francisco psychedelic rock group Quicksilver Messenger Service. After leaving Quicksilver, Cipollina set out to create a new project that would blend the free-spirited improvisational feel of the San Francisco scene with a heavier, blues-influenced rock sound.
The lineup for Copperhead included vocalist Jim McPherson, guitarist Gary Philippet, bassist Hutch Hutchinson, keyboardist David Weber, and drummer David Weber (later replaced by Pete Sears in some versions of the band’s lineup). Together they crafted a sound that balanced gritty hard rock with melodic, West Coast influences, reflecting both the fading psychedelic era and the emerging 1970s rock style.
The album leans heavily on driving guitar riffs and bluesy grooves. Cipollina’s distinctive guitar tone—sharp, biting, and expressive—remains one of the defining elements of the record. Known for his unusual equipment setups and creative approach to amplification, Cipollina produced a sound that cut through the mix with a raw, electrified character that had already become his trademark during the late 1960s.
The songs themselves mix hard rock swagger with traces of country rock and psychedelic textures. Some tracks lean into straightforward rock rhythms built around strong riffs, while others explore more laid-back grooves that highlight the band’s jam-oriented roots. The arrangements often give the guitars plenty of room to stretch out, reflecting the improvisational spirit that defined much of the San Francisco music scene.
Jim McPherson brings a soulful rock delivery that fits well with the band’s gritty instrumentation. His voice carries a slightly bluesy tone that helps ground the songs even when the guitars push into heavier territory. The rhythm section keeps the music moving with steady, groove-driven playing that supports the band’s blues-rock direction.
Although Copperhead showed promise, the band’s career was short-lived. Internal tensions and business complications led to the group dissolving not long after the album’s release. As a result, the record has become something of a hidden gem among collectors and fans of the San Francisco rock movement.
Copperhead remains an interesting snapshot of early 1970s rock, bridging the psychedelic era of the late 1960s with the heavier blues-rock styles that followed. For fans of John Cipollina and the broader West Coast rock tradition, the album offers a glimpse of an exciting project that briefly carried the spirit of the San Francisco scene into a new musical direction.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Roller Derby Star
Kibitzer
A Little Hand
Kamikaze
Spin-Spin
Pawnshop Man
Chameleon
Wing-Dang-Doo
They’re Making A Monster
