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Black Angels
The Black Angels formed in '04 but they sound like they started in '66.
The band took its name and general ethos from the Velvet Underground song "The Black Angel's Death Song," which sounds like a third-rate Bob Dylan impersonator accompanied by a discordant (crazed) violin. The Black Angel's logo even incorporated a high contrast negative image of Velvet's vocalist Nico.
A year after they began, the Black Angels were on the "Psychedelica Vol.1" compilation. Lollapalooza and SXSW appearances and tours with the Black Keys, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and other like minded acts, gave the band a big push.
Signed to the indie Light In The Attic label the Black Angels released their debut full-length album "Passover" in '06 and sophomore set "Directions to See A Ghost" two years later.
As might be expected of any notable band, the Black Angels music was heard on TV (Fringe) and in a Kevin Bacon film (Death Sentence). But the most interesting use was in the History Channel's '09 documentary on the murderous SoCal cult leader Charlie Manson. No doubt, the Black Angels haunted, death knell Rock fit the subject matter.
Concurrently, the Black Angels worked with Roky Erickson, the Texas guitarist who was founding a member of the '60's band 13th Floor Elevators ("You're Gonna Miss Me"). He was considered a pioneer of the psychedelic Rock genre. Given the band's direction it seemed obvious they'd hook up.
The Black Angels' third album, "Phosphene Dream," with the trippy psychedelic cover, landed in '10.
ALBUMS
Passover 2006
Directions To See A Ghost 2008
Phosphene Dream 2010
It's not much of a stretch to see Jim Morrison, fresh out of UCLA, joining the Black Angels, before making his mark fronting The Doors. Of course, that didn't happen - largely because no one in Black Angels was even around then.
However, one can hear a place for a pre-Doors Morrison on "Phosphene Dream," a "cool and groovy" revival of the mid-60s period between Paul Revere & The Raiders/Turtles and coming heaviness of The Doors/Jefferson Airplane/Iron Butterfly.
As part of that mish-mash there was faux artist Andy Warhol's NY crew, the Velvet Underground, who really didn't really have a clue but managed, despite their creator, to make something of themselves. And in turn, inspired others.