Description
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band – Vol. 2 – Vinyl Record
A Psychedelic Rock Cult Classic of the 1960s
Released in 1967 on Reprise Records, The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band – Vol. 2 (Breaking Through) is one of the most fascinating and unusual albums to emerge from the psychedelic rock movement of the late 1960s. The group, known simply as WCPAEB, was formed in Los Angeles and centered around the eccentric figure Bob Markley, a wealthy, much older lyricist with a passion for youth culture, and the younger, musically gifted members Michael Lloyd and brothers Shaun and Danny Harris. Together, they created music that was equal parts folk-rock, garage rock, psychedelic experimentation, and avant-garde surrealism, setting them apart from more commercially successful acts like The Byrds or The Doors. While the band never achieved mainstream success, Vol. 2 is now considered a cult psychedelic rock classic, remembered for its blend of jangly melodies, cryptic lyrics, and hauntingly experimental textures that captured the strange and eclectic spirit of the era.
The background of the album is as unconventional as the music itself. After releasing their semi-official debut Volume One in 1966, the band signed to Reprise Records, which gave them greater resources and studio access. With Vol. 2, subtitled “Breaking Through,” WCPAEB hoped to carve a distinct space in the Los Angeles psychedelic scene. Rather than following a formula for commercial singles, they embraced experimentation and social commentary, producing a record that combined biting political messages, whimsical imagery, and surreal soundscapes. The involvement of Bob Markley added an eccentric lyrical voice, often satirical, sometimes unsettling, but always distinctive, while Michael Lloyd and the Harris brothers provided strong instrumental and melodic foundations.
Vol. 2 is an eclectic mix of styles. The album contains folk-rock ballads with lush harmonies, fuzz-drenched garage rock, dreamy psychedelia, and moments of Eastern-inspired mysticism. Unlike many of their peers, WCPAEB did not shy away from juxtaposing innocence with darkness, or pop accessibility with avant-garde experimentation. This tension is one of the reasons why the album has remained such an enduring point of interest for psychedelic rock collectors and fans. Thematically, the songs move from anti-war protest and critiques of consumer culture to surreal character studies and whimsical reflections on love and innocence.
Among the album’s most notable tracks is “In the Arena,” which opens the record with sharp social commentary and a folk-rock edge, immediately signaling the band’s interest in political themes. “Suppose They Give a War and No One Comes” stands out as one of their most powerful anti-war statements, perfectly in step with the countercultural climate of 1967, combining jangly guitars with haunting harmonies to create one of the band’s signature songs. “Smell of Incense,” arguably the highlight of the record, is a dreamy, trippy psychedelic number that would later be covered by Texas psych outfit Southwest F.O.B., giving the song further cult recognition. “Buddha” reflects the era’s fascination with Eastern philosophy and spirituality, pairing mystical lyrics with exotic tones. Tracks like “Smilin’” and “Tracy Had a Hard Day Sunday” show the band’s lighter, more whimsical side, while “If You Want This Love” is a reworking of a song from their earlier debut, polished and expanded for this release. Together, these tracks showcase the group’s wide-ranging vision, from biting commentary to surreal escapism.
When Vol. 2 was released in 1967, it received little commercial attention. The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band was not easily marketable, as their music was too strange for pop audiences but too melodic to be lumped entirely with avant-garde underground acts. Critics and radio programmers largely overlooked the band in favor of more accessible Los Angeles groups like The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and Love. Yet, despite its lack of chart success, Vol. 2 was an important artistic statement that reflected the boundary-pushing ethos of the psychedelic movement. It captured the mood of its time in an offbeat and highly original way, and this very uniqueness is what has given the album longevity.
Over the decades, Vol. 2 has been rediscovered by fans of psychedelic rock, garage rock, and obscure 1960s cult bands. Songs like “Smell of Incense” and “Suppose They Give a War and No One Comes” are frequently cited as underground psychedelic classics, while the album as a whole has become a collector’s item. Reissues have brought the music to new audiences, and modern critics often highlight the record as one of the more daring and eccentric examples of West Coast psychedelia. Unlike some polished pop records of the era, Vol. 2 is valued today precisely because it sounds so unusual—experimental, uneven, yet undeniably compelling.
In terms of its legacy, Vol. 2 (Breaking Through) is significant because it illustrates the breadth of the psychedelic rock movement beyond the mainstream. The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band embraced contradictions: they were whimsical and dark, melodic yet experimental, accessible but strange. This balance makes them an enduring cult favorite and ensures that Vol. 2 remains a subject of fascination for music historians and fans alike. While the band never achieved the fame of their peers, their work contributed to the experimental spirit of the 1960s, paving the way for later underground and alternative acts who embraced eccentricity as a core part of their identity.
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band – Vol. 2 (Breaking Through) (1967) is a psychedelic rock cult classic that blends jangly folk-rock, surreal lyrics, political commentary, and bold experimentation. With standout tracks like “Smell of Incense,” “Suppose They Give a War and No One Comes,” and “In the Arena,” the album captures the strange brilliance of a band that thrived on the fringes of Los Angeles’ psychedelic scene. Though overlooked in its time, it has since become one of the most intriguing artifacts of 1960s counterculture and a must-listen for fans of psychedelia, garage rock, and obscure West Coast bands who want to explore the more experimental side of the decade’s music.
Sourced from Master Tapes
Original Mono Mix
Includes Rare Master Reel Carrier Photos
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
In The Arena
Suppose They Give A War And No One Comes
Buddha
Smell Of Incense
Overture – WCPAEB Part II
Queen Nymphet
Unfree Child
Carte Blanche
Delicate Fawn
Tracy Had A Hard Day Sunday
