YaHoWa 13... what a wild bunch. formed in the early 1970's (though their roots start earlier), they were the musical outlet of a group called the source foundation, a sort of sex/drug cult centered around a man who called himself father yod (yod in hebrew means hand, or more appropriately hand of god.) they holed themselves up in a california mansion doing the lord knows what, procreating, and recording absolutely amazing primal psychedelic/kraut music. one review i've read of this band stated that they were the closest thing in america to krautrock at the time... while i'm not sure they were the only band sounding like that, they sure as hell were fucking close to the sounds of Can, Amon Duul, Gomorrha, Brainticket, Grobschnit, etc. but they had a different message than many "cults" of the time. having more in common with early judaism, they never really preached to join them or give away all your possesions, the only purpose of their music was to praise god and their father and to open your mind to the outside forces that act on your everyday life. never being quite open about the drugs, there is definitely an obvious psychedelic influence (look at the front cover of contraction or the back cover of to the principles... if you doubt me.)
but lets get to the music... primal and inept at times, yet cutting and urgent in sound, this band centered around the chanting of father yod and his timpani, yet the churning and buzzsaw guitar of djinn aquarian is the usual focal point. there songs were usually sprawling and unstructured, mostly just jams, but for jams this band sure could kick em out! (plus 10 lameness points for the mc5 reference!) always threatening to fall apart, yet never quite getting there, this band was incredible simply because they came from nowhere and were shut off from the world, yet made such a primal and rocking psychedelic sound unlike the usual religious fare, which tends towards folk. truly unique and utterly strange, this band is positively necessary listening for anyone who likes krautrock, psychedelic music, and cult bands. for fans of acid mothers temple, any of the bands i mentioned before, and most of the early independent artists catalogue (13th floor elevators, monks, etc.)
for more info google the source or yahowa 13. the source foundation is still around, and they just released 2 "new" albums, one being unreleased yahowa 13 material and one being a new recording which i am dying to hear... anyone?
father yod died in the mid 70s from a hang gliding accident. how fucking awesome is that?
here are two albums, my two personal favorites (though of the 13 released, it's hard to pick a favorite sometimes...) 1974's "im gonna take you home" and 1975's "to the principles for the children"
yahowa 13 "i'm gonna take you home"
yahowa 13 "to the principles for the children"
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