Ed Hall

Armed with tribal thunder, psychedelic projections, and glow paint by the gallon, Ed Hall was the most successful band to emerge from the inaugural roster of Trance Syndicate Records, the local label started by Butthole Surfers drummer King Coffey. Formed in 1985 by guitarist Gary Chester, bassist Larry Strub, and drummer John Buron, Ed Hall tricked out Black Sabbath’s bleak spanking machine with multicolored shards of lysergic energy and the anything-goes spirit of early Austin punk bands Former Bayou Pigs/Sugar Shack drummer Lyman Hardy joined prior to the Gloryhole tour when Whitley departed to focus on the Cherubs. After recording 1994’s Motherscratcher in five straight days, Ed Hall spent much of that year on the road, touring with Flipper and the Dwarves, and recording John Peel’s BBC radio show in London. The trio headlined the 1995 Austin Music Awards Show and released their fifth album, La La Land, later that spring. Ed Hall broke up in 1996.

A huge personal thanks to Lyman, Gary and Larry for their amazing performances and unique sound. Their shows were always entertaining. You never knew what was going to happen. I was lucky enough to have seen them several times. One time in particular was in Oakland and it was an off night. Hardly anybody showed up so they proceeded to rock out to old UFO songs, they were so free and fun. As ridiculous as they could be sometimes I was always a bit envious if not inspired.