Arcadium

This 1960s psychedelic band was fronted by songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Miguel Sergides with Graham Best on bass, Allan Ellwood on organ, John Albert Parker on drums and Robert Ellwood on lead guitar.

Arcadium’s cathedral-like organ, distorted guitar and anguished vocals were clearly derivative of bands such as The Doors, Iron Butterfly and Vanilla Fudge – a sound and genre that was very popular at the time.

After building a live following in the clubs, they were approached by a small label called Middle Earth, who issued the band’s sole LP, Breathe Awhile (1969)- a bad-trip soundtrack of minor-key melodies full of blazing acid-drenched guitars, tortured vocals, ghostly harmonies and heavy nightmarish sounds.

For all its flaws – bad production, sloppy vocals and doomsday atmospherics – the intensity and sense of urgency of the music is immense, and heard now, in retrospect, the LP perfectly conveys the atmosphere and vibe of the late 60’s.

The original tapes were lost forever and copies of the original LP now command over £500. A CD version of the remastered album was released in 2000.

Miguel Sergides
Vocals, guitar
Robert Ellwood
Guitar, vocals
Allan Ellwood
Organ, vocals
Graham Best
Bass, vocals
John Albert Parker
Drums