Yes, you did read that right, The 13th Floor Elevators are to reunite at this year’s Levitation Festival in Austin (formerly Austin Psych Fest) – they broke up in 1969.
After what Roky Erikson has been through you’d never have thought he’d return to music, especially after watching the 2006 documentary ‘You’re Gonna Miss Me’ which documented his often traumatic and depressing life. Since then he has surprised many by steadily building back up a music career making appearances on tracks such as Mogwai’s 2008 Batcat EP, returning to the stage for the first time in the same year with Austin’s The Black Angels as his backing band. Then in 2010 releasing True Love Cast Out All Evil, his first album of new material in 14 years with fellow Austin-ites Okkervil River on band duties.
Whilst he has also toured since then this is the first re-union with Roky, bassist Ronnie Leatherman, drummer John Ike Walton and their lyricist, jug player – Tommy Hall. Heads are spinning in amazement at the news especially with Tommy Hall, now 72, re-joining them. The visionary lyricist gave an interesting interview to the Austin Chronicle which is worth a read in which he talked about the universe and pyramids – he also admitted that he has some practicing to do if he’s to get back in shape on that fluttering electric jug to perform You’re Gonna Miss Me…it only seems fitting that it be our second Song of the Day (yes I’m excited):
The 8th annual festival will be held May 8-10 at Carson Creek Ranch in Austin, TX. Check the full line-up here.
Line-up Video: