The Velvet Forum

If you had to pick one song from VU&Nico that represents the most stark contrast (musically, lyrically, etc) to the California-based counter culture music of the same year (everything that the Monterey International Pop Festival symbolized), what would it be and why? I have my own ideas but I'd like to get some suggestions from you VU experts.

I guess musically "European Son" because it's just chaotic and lyrically... pretty much anything, "Venus", "Waiting" or "Heroin" in particular.

I never liked the US West Coast "psychedelia" scene but on the other hand I love the UK/London 1967 scene, The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn etc...

i will choose 'heroin'. i always take it to be a manifest song.

imo, these lines show the contrast to the hippie culture
When I put a spike into my vein and Don't bogart that joint, my friend ('don't bogart me' - fraternity of man)

I never liked the US West Coast "psychedelia" scene but on the other hand I love the UK/London 1967 scene, The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn etc...[/quote]

I too am more a fan of the London psychedelic sounds, but I still love Janis Joplin.

I'd say Venus, it seems the furthest away from that west coast scene.

i'd have to agree...venus in furs all the way...
i mean nobody was using viola that way back in those days...
well..almost nobody...
brilliant sound...

Technophallus wrote:I never liked the US West Coast "psychedelia" scene but on the other hand I love the UK/London 1967 scene, The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn etc...

Me too, although don't forget, Forever Changes is as good as anything by anybody. Surrealistic Pillow isn't bad either.

Chance wrote:

Technophallus wrote:I never liked the US West Coast "psychedelia" scene but on the other hand I love the UK/London 1967 scene, The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn etc...

Me too, although don't forget, Forever Changes is as good as anything by anybody. Surrealistic Pillow isn't bad either.

Well, I am a huge Captain Beefheart fan but I'm not sure if he and the Magic Band should be thought of as part of that scene. I know some people do though, so...

And yeah - it's not like I don't like any of that music... Love made some decent stuff, sure. Can't think of many more though...

But pretty much compared to the '60s UK scene I think the Velvets, Beefheart and a few more obscure bands like The Music Machine were among the very few who could hold their own against the British bands of that time.

well..... i gotta say im pretty much a sucker for british OR us psychedelia. But leme tell you thats its only the good bands (theres a lot of bands which are either producer maid or just not talented, just listen to the Nuggets Box set.) But im pretty open like anything from jazz, to classical, to folk, to psychedelia, to avant-garde, to...Velvet Underground... just as long as its good music.

Going back to the topic, probobly any song that includes Nico. Why? Cause unlike the female west coast singers, her voice is deep and not high pitched, wich is totally unlike any counter culture female singer ive heard. Then again she is german. oh and on an extra note... most likely to be confused to be A counter culture song... Sunday Morning.

well..... i gotta say im pretty much a sucker for british OR us psychedelia. But leme tell you thats its only the good bands (theres a lot of bands which are either producer maid or just not talented, just listen to the Nuggets Box set.)

I love the Nuggets box, both of them in fact.