In spite of the name, these guys were from Burbank, California. Originally formed in 1963, they started out as a surf outfit, but by the mid-'60s had decided to follow popular trends, reinventing themselves as a psych band.
Featuring a lineup of brothers Mike (keyboards) and Richard (bass) DePerna, singer Travis Fields, drummer David Novogroski and guitarist Mike Stevens, the group debuted with the 1967 single "Words" b/w "Spinach". Originally released by the small Big Boss label, the single was promptly reissued by Gene Autry's Challenge Records. A pair of follow-ups also did little ("Is It Love?" b/w "Don't Leave Me Alone" and "Free Service" b/w "Rose In the Night").
The first released by the MGM affiliated Flick Disc label, 1968 saw the quintet debut with their first LP - the cleverly-titled "The Boston Tea Party". Co-produced by Jerry Styler and Dave Brooks, original material such as "I'm Telling You", "Straighten Up and Fly Right" and "We Have Already Died" wasn't half bad. Largely penned by Stevens, the results were keyboard-driven rockers that reflected a distinctive psych edge. Fields proved a surprisingly strong voice, capable of salvaging even some of the lamer numbers ("I Found a Way").
The band survived long enough to undertake a cameo performance in the American International "B" flick Cycle Savages (a couple of their songs were included in the soundtrack), and they were history. Novogroski reappeared in Edge, while Stevens formed Highway Robbery.
