Chicago psyche rock rarity! Haymarket Square formed in Chicago in the late 60s and created some of the most sought after psychedelic rock to come out of the Midwest. They recorded only one album, Magic Lantern, early in their career. Around the same time they played as part of the Baron and Bailey Light Circus, a sound and light show that was performed at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Their sound is reminiscent of other late 60s psychedelic rock groups like Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. However, it’s a bit more guitar heavy than their West Coast counter parts. Magic Lantern includes a cover of the Tiny Bradshaw jump blues classic, “The Train Kept A-Rollin.” Originally covered by The Yardbirds, the Haymarket Square version carries on the tradition of the English rockers’ take. Overall they have a heavy, fuzzed out guitar driven sound backed up by some serious chops. They gigged extensively around Chicago during their short existence, but don’t seem to have made it much further than that. Thankfully they left us Magic Lantern before disbanding.

• music label: Guerssen 2013

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 03/2014

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