The Apple Pie Motherhood Band - The Apple Pie Motherhood Band (Reissue, Remastered) (1968/2016)

Psychedelic rock unit the Apple Pie Motherhood Band formed in Boston in 1964. Evolving out of garage outfit C.C. & the Chasers, the group originally teamed guitarists Ted Demos and Joe Castagno, bassist Richard Barnaby, keyboardist Jef Labes, and drummer Jack Bruno, all of whom split vocal duties. In 1965, they relocated to New York City, briefly adopting the name Sacred Mushroom and settling in as the house band at the Bitter End Café, backing acts ranging from Joni Mitchell to Neil Diamond to Kenny Rogers & the First Edition. With a deal with Atlantic pending, the Sacred Mushroom moniker was deemed too drug-oriented. A sarcastic Demos comment resulted in the name Apple Pie Motherhood Band, and their self-titled debut LP followed in 1968, preceded by the single "Long Live Apple Pie." The group relocated to Vermont to record the follow-up, adding lead vocalist Bruce Paine, guitarist Michael Sofraine, and harmonica player Adam Myers for Apple Pie. Opening dates for the Jefferson Airplane, the Butterfield Blues Band, and the Chambers Brothers followed, but in 1970 the Apple Pie Motherhood Band split. Labes later backed Van Morrison and Bonnie Raitt, while Bruno spent close to two decades as Tina Turner's touring drummer; Paine briefly led Steamhammer, but was better known for his acting work. ~ Jason Ankeny