In 1968, Tetragrammaton Records of Beverly Hills, Bill Cosby's label, released a local L.A. group's only recording, the self-titled gatefold lp and 8-track tape entitled "Quatrain." The band consisted of prolific virtuoso lead guitarist Don Senneville, rhythm guitarist Eric Pease, bassist Steve "Buff" Lindsay, and vocalist drummer Jim Lekas, who was also the group's main songwriter. The quartet was produced and engineered by the late David Briggs, Neil Young's producer and engineer for many successful and productive years. Quatrain had a faithful cadre of fans in L.A.
The group achieved some success and acceptance by European fans and played various gigs and festivals there, in particular in Western Europe. French audiences were especially receptive, and France is still a place where Quatrain's popularity is most evident among collectors. Quatrain's lp went on to become a rare and collectible item for fans of 60s Psych Rock and Garage band music. Sundazed Records will soon reissue the original T-5002 Tetragrammaton release in both luscious colored vinyl and cd. Good news for collectors, and the group endevors to attract a new generation.
Those of us who were fortunate enough to be part of the excitement and enchantment of Los Angeles' psychedelic and popular music movement gaze back lovingly and longingly upon those halcyon and magical times. Quatrain was one of many L.A. bands which seized the opportunity to partake in the flow and fabric of the musical weave during those politically and socially turbulent yet equally carefree and provocative moments. L.A. was truly something in the 1960s...open, creative, safe, still innocent, but growing bolder and openly seeking new musical and sociological paths.
The Watts Riots, the emerging Sunset Strip music scene with The Byrds, Turtles, Love, Sonny and Cher, Buffalo Springfield, the Doors, love-ins, sit-ins, the Laurel and Topanga scenes, led to the chilling culmination of the 1960s with the rude awakening brought about by the heinous Tate and La Bianca slayings at the hands of the Manson family. Innocence and idealism had been forever lost, and Quatrain was around.
