The Holy Modal Rounders

The Holy Modal Rounders, led by Peter Stampfel and Steve Weber, represent the most radical fringe of the 1960s folk revival. Formed in New York's Lower East Side, they are credited with the first recorded use of the word 'psychedelic' in a musical context on their 1964 debut.

Their sound is characterized by a 'freak folk' aesthetic that deconstructs old-time, bluegrass, and blues through a lens of drug culture and absurdist humor. Their career arc saw them move from an acoustic duo to a chaotic rock ensemble, briefly joining forces with The Fugs and later influencing the Portland underground scene. Critically, they are viewed as pioneers of anti-folk, cited as a major influence by artists like Jeffrey Lewis and Yo La Tengo. Their legacy is defined by a commitment to the 'dark and weird' elements of American roots music, rejecting the earnestness of the folk mainstream in favor of a raw, unpolished, and highly idiosyncratic performance style that remains a touchstone for outsider musicians.