(Q) The Music Encyclopedia of The Gravis Sub Humus

Q65: Afghanistan (Negram 1970)

Q65 were a monumental & long spanning group from the Netherlands. Being originally formed in 1965, their earlier material was "Stones like" RnB/Beat oriented & is not my consideration here. However the secondary phase of their existence, beginning in 1970 with the release of Afghanistan, most certainly is. At this point, when the lead singer formerly with Group 1850 was added, the music took a turn for the Heavy & somewhat Psychedelic. The music that Q65 played during their "Negram label" years in the early 70s superbly exemplified the Heavy "free spirited" Dutch underground. Musically, the Q65 is a very straight forward amalgam of guitar driven Bluesy Psych Rock that rhythmically locks down and grooves deep, dark and hard. The vocals conjure up what is a simple yet intense common man's social plight into and amongst the many sensual and merry details of hash smoking, repression, lots of sex, and more hash smoking. It' not surprising why this band was loved and followed so intently wherever they played as you really can't help but smile while you listen. A few reissues exist of this time period within Q65's musical history with the best being on the quality Pseudonym label.