BORN FROM the psychedelic US underground scene of the late 1960s, the Silver Apples were a duo whose experimental music helped pave the way for techno and indie rock.
The band was formed in 1967 by drummer Dan Taylor and Simeon Coxe III who played a home-made synthesiser consisting of 12 oscillators and an assortment of sound filters, telegraph keys, radio parts, lab gear, and second hand electronic junk.
Their self titled debut on KAPP Records sold well and made the Billboard Top 100. Second album Contact came out in 1969 and a national tour was launched. However controversy over Contact’s rear sleeve, showing an air crash, led to lawsuits by Pan-Am which ruined KAPP and brought the Silver Apples to a premature end.
Their career was resurrected by German label TRC in 1994 when it released the band’s two albums as a double CD. In 1996, Simeon re-activated Silver Apples, and since then he has been recording and performing live with many musician friends and admirers to critical acclaim.
In 2005 Dan Taylor passed away following a heart attack. Now working as a solo performer, Simeon continues the Silver Apples live concerts with Dan’s drum sounds recreated by electronic means.
The Silver Apples play the Róisín Dubh on Tuesday September 10 at 9pm. Tickets are available from the Róisín Dubh and Zhivago.
