Fire Records will release the definitive version of ‘The Evil One’ by Roky Erickson And The Aliens on October 30th, 45 years after its original release.
For the first time since 1981, the release restores the original front cover from San Francisco’s 415 Records edition. The 15-track 2xLP is cut at 45 rpm, for maximum sonic depth and clarity.
The origin story behind ‘The Evil One’ is a dark one. The 13th Floor Elevators were gaining attention in Texas and beyond with their compelling single “You’re Gonna Miss Me”, but their open association with psychedelic drugs also brought unwanted attention from the authorities. After Erickson was found with marijuana, he pleaded ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’ to avoid prison and was sent to Rusk State Hospital for the criminally insane. There, he was subjected to electroconvulsive therapy and Thorazine treatment. During his three and a half years at Rusk, he formed a band, shaping early versions of songs that would later appear on ‘The Evil One’.
When Erickson was released in 1974, his reputation had grown thanks to the inclusion of “You’re Gonna Miss Me” on the landmark 1972 Nuggets compilation and top 40 radio support across multiple US states. His time in the hospital became a powerful source of inspiration. He formed Roky Erickson And The Aliens and began writing about zombies, demons, vampires and other such subjects. Moving away from the Elevators’ psychedelic garage blues, Erickson And The Aliens created a harder-edged rock sound.
The Evil One was recorded in 1978 and 1979 with producer Stu Cook, best known as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s bassist. The sessions yielded 15 songs, now presented together in this definitive version on Fire Records. Earlier UK and US editions, released in 1980 and 1981 respectively, each featured different 10-track listings.
The original sessions produced classics including “Two Headed Dog,” “I Walked With A Zombie” and “It’s A Cold Night For Alligators.” Tracks such as “White Faces,” “The Wind And More” and “I Walked With A Zombie” drew on Roky’s love of vintage horror films; “Creatures with the Atom Brian” references the 1955 film of the same name.
Roky Erickson And The Aliens became infamous for their ferocious sound, defined by jagged, distorted riffs, wonderfully weird melodies, and their propulsive rhythm section. At the heart of it all was Roky’s unmistakable voice and lyrics, raw and utterly distinctive, giving the band’s music a character unlike anything else on the rock landscape at the time. Songs from ‘The Evil One’ have been covered extensively and the band has had an undeniable influence on many since.
In this new version, both the CD and LP formats contain rare photos and images from the archives of Roky’s then manager and executive producer of the album sessions, Craig Luckin.
Austin music journalist Joe Nick Patoski attended a 1979 ‘The Evil One’ session and wrote the album essay included in the LP and CD packaging. In his liner notes, Patoski declares,
“Roky has been described as everything from “the Salvador Dali of Rock” and “the ultimate rock cult figure” to “the real Led Zeppelin” and “the Martian Van Morrison.” A host of musicians including Tom Verlaine, Patti Smith and Pere Ubu have credited him as a primary influence on their careers. And, at the very least, he is the patriarch of post-Beatles rock in Texas.”
“Roky considers ‘The Evil One’ to be his favourite album that he ever recorded,” says Craig Luckin. “He really loves that album.”
More than a standalone reissue, this deluxe edition of ‘The Evil One’ opens an exciting new series honouring Roky Erickson’s extraordinary body of work, with ‘Gremlins Have Pictures’ and ‘Don’t Slander Me’ to follow in 2027.
