Michael Draine's Twisted Vista
The Raik’s Progress
Sewer Rat Love Chant
(Sundazed)
One of the highlights of the Beyond the
Calico Wall comp, the Raik’s Progress’
anthemic “Sewer Rat Love Chant” was
aptly characterized as “one of the strangest
anomalies of the ‘60s” by garage
archivists Greg Shaw and Erik Lindgren.
This 39-minute CD lifts the veil of
mystery surrounding the short-lived Fresno
band, supplementing their classic Liberty
Records single with unreleased demos
transferred from original master tapes.
Booklet essays reveal the group as teenage
overachievers (including a bassist/songwriter		Music Review Index
now known as Tonio K) signed by the William
Morris Agency the day after school let out
in 1966. Despite an infectious minor-key melody
and era-defining lyrics, “Sewer Rat Love Chant”
never charted, and the impatience of youth
dissolved the group by spring ’67. Though none
of the Raik’s Progress’ other originals radiate
the aura of the title track, “Sewer Rat Love
Chant” alone is worth the price of admission.
www.sundazed.com