Group 1850 (psychedelic rock / The Netherlands)

Groep 1850 was a Dutch psychedelic rock band. The band was founded in 1964 in The Hague by the name Klits and renamed Groep 1850 in 1966. Group 1850 is an interesting, if sometimes exasperating, late-'60s Dutch band who ranks among the most accomplished and original Continental rock acts of the era, though they made little impression in English-speaking territories. Starting as a more or less conventional beat band in the mid-'60s, they had taken a turn for the more psychedelic and bizarre by 1967. Determined to drive into the heart of the psychedelic beast, their songs (performed in English) are quite eclectic for the era, shifting from doom-laden tempos with growling vocals to sunny, utopian passages with breezy harmonies. The group could be roughly labeled as a mixture of the early Mothers of Invention (whom they supported at a Dutch concert in 1967) and Pink Floyd without much of a sense of humor; their songs are intriguing and not without powerful hooks, and the lyrics ambitious (if often inscrutable), but one's attention tends to wander over the course of an album, or even during their lengthier songs. Their late-'60s LPs are highly esteemed by some serious psych/progressive collectors.

When their debut single, "Misty Night" / "Look Around", appeared on the tiny Yep label. Though few copies were pressed, it established them as one of The Netherlands most original bands (alongside the Outsiders and Q65) and they soon signed to Philips. 

More singles ensued, in a highly psychedelic vein, including the "Mother No Head". Their debut album, Agemo's Trip To Mother Earth, appeared in late 1968.
In The Netherlands its sleeve had a 3-D image on the cover, and came with a pair of 3-D glasses. A UK release (also on Philips) did not help the band gain a footing outside The Netherlands, and Philips dropped them soon afterwards. 
Their next album, Paradise Now, appeared on the Dutch Discofoon label in 1969 and was only marginally less acid-influenced than its predecessor.
The band disbanded soon afterwards, but was sporadically active through the 1970s. Especially notable was another single, 1971's "Fire" / "Have You Ever Heard?", which appeared on Polydor.
In subsequent years related albums have appeared by S.I.X. (Sjardin's Invisible X-factor), Sjardin's Terrible Surprise and Orange Upstairs.


At the end of 1968 the band breaks up. Klaasse, Van Buren and Van Bergen form the new band Boots together with vocalist Jack Eckhardt. Beer Klaasse would later turn up in Finch.

In 1968 Peter Sjardin forms a new version of Groep 1850. This time with guitarist Dave Duba, bass player Dolf Geldof and drummer Martin van Duynhoven. Former member Daniël van Bergen returns. 



At the end of the year Martin van Duynhoven is replaced by Paul van Wageningen and Daniël van Bergen leaves the band. With this formation and with the help of percussionist Neppy Noya live recordings are made, which are released in 1974.

In the years to follow Groep 1850 is more a project of Sjardin. They perform in changing formations of musicians and singles are irregularly released. In 1975 Polyandri is released with a bunch of old and new members.


Personnel:

Ruud van Buuren  - bass 
Peter Sjardin  - flute, keyboards , vocals 
Daniël van Bergen - guitar, piano 
Beer Klaasse - drums 
Rob de Rijke bass 

Other Musicians: 

Paul van Wageningen - drums 
Arthur Ebeling  - guitar 
Hessel de Vries -  piano, synthesizer 
Nippy Noya -  percussion 
Dolf Geldof - bass 
Dave Duba - guitar 
Rob de Rijke -bass, flute 
Elout Smit  - drums 
Martin van Duynhoven - drums 




Incomplete discography:

Albums:

Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth Philips PY 844083 (1968)
Paradise Now Discofoon Vroom & Dreesman 7063 (1969)
Polyandri (1974)

Singles:

"Look Around" / "Misty Night" (Yep 1013), 1966
"I Know (La Pensee)" / "I Want More" (Philips JF 333835), 1967
"Mother No Head" / "Ever Ever Green" (Philips JF 333901), 1967
"Zero" / "Frozen Mind" (Philips JF 333973), 1968
"We Love Life" / "Little Fly" (Philips JF 334646), 1969
"Don't Let It Be" / "Sun Is Coming" (Action 2102004), 1970
"Sun Is Coming" / "We Change From Day To Day" (Intertone), 1970
"Fire" / "Have You Ever Heard?" (Polydor 2050111), 1971



Mother No Head:

I Put My Hand on Your Shoulder: