ArtistInfo

The Nomads

*1960
Rock

A bizarre psychedelic outfit active in mid- to late-1960's that specialized in strange LSD laced lyrics. The Nomads (from Houston, TX) were one of several Texas groups using that name in the 1960s. The psychedelic band came out of Texas and accounts of their membership vary, although all sources attribute Frank Zigel (or Zigal) as lead singer and Doug (or Bill) Kirby on keyboards; some sources give Johnny Orvis as the name of their lead guitarist, Fred Thomas on bass, and Shawn Bennett on drums; some sources also place James Manlove of the Rebellers in their lineup. Zigel was a charismatic singer with an earnestness in his singing that made him sound both cool and vulnerable, and coupled with a melodic guitar sound, generated some lively and haunting singles, such as "I'll Be There" (which is like a livelier version of the Electric Prunes' "Onie"). They could also sound punk when they had to, as on their Orbit Records recording of "My Little Red Book," which features a very aggressive droning organ. The group later evolved into the Smoke, with Johnny Orvis as the dominant personality in the band, and cut records for Uni in 1969, after relocating to California.