Monocled Alchemist

“Here Comes The Queen” taken from the LP ‘The Incredible Sound Of The Basement Wall’ | (Cicadelic Records LP-992) 1985

The Basement Wall | Here Comes The Queen | (Cicadelic) 1967 | If a rock and roll hall of fame ever becomes a reality, among it’s first entrants would be The Basement Wall. Their credentials lie between the grooves of this fantastic new album.

Beginning with the electrifying guitar of “Never Existed” and ending with the good time sound of “Picture On Page 10” is a sound so fresh and exciting it’s bound to make you desire a peripheral trip back to the sensational ’60s.

Unfortunately, groups like The Basement Wall don’t exist anymore!

The Basement Wall hailed from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and formed in 1966. It wasn’t long before they created a brilliant new sound by combining influences of The Beatles, The Zombies, The Five Americans, and The Association, with their own brand of super-charged pop music.

The Basement Wall | Here Comes The Queen | (Cicadelic) 1967

This fabulous sound was geared around the magical songwriting talents of group members George Ratzlaff and Richard Lipscomb. Bear in mind that all of the selections on this LP are Basement Wall originals.

Nearly two years after forming, The Basement Wall’s first single “Never Existed” was released. Regionally it was a smash hit, setting an all time record for most weeks at #1 in places like Alexandria. The Wall was now at a creative peak and recorded a number of tracks for a possible album.

however, due to a subsequent lack of nationwide publicity and promotion, The Basement Wall disbanded in late 1968, leaving behind the selections on this LP as a testimony to their extraordinary talents. Long live “The Incredible Sound Of . . . The Basement Wall!”

This talented band were from Baton Rouge, Louisiana although they laid down their sounds at Robin Hood Brians Studio in Tyler, Texas. Most of this recorded material was meant to be released on an album but the long player never saw the light of day.

Only this 45 on Senate was released in the 60s and it proved a massive success locally. ’Never Existed’ is a garage pop classic with cool guitar/bass interplay over a simple beat.

The Basement Wall | Here Comes The Queen | (Cicadelic) 1967

The liners of the Cicadelic 1985 Basement Wall collection state that Ronnie Weiss from Mouse and the Traps contributed guitar.

The flip ’Taste Of A Kiss’ is a melodic Association style pop song.

The producer for the session was Wes Farrell. He was a songwriter of some repute having co-written ’Hang On Sloopy’ recorded by The McCoys and ’Come On Down To My Boat’ recorded by Every Mothers Son. Perhaps he’s better known for writing songs for and producing many of The Partridge Family hits.

The Basement Wall:
Richard Lipscombe (guitar/vocals)
Terry Bourdier (bass) died 2012
George Ratzlaff (keyboards/vocals) died 2016
Barrie Edgar (drums)

Reader comments:
The Basement Wall reunited in the summer of 2005 to play at their induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. George Ratzlaff’s later band, Potliquor, was also inducted and performed as well.