The Dream Syndicate

The Dream Syndicate formed in Los Angeles in the late 1970s, with guitarist and vocalist Dennis Hopper at the center. Their debut album 'Days of Wine and Roses' came out in 1982 and established their particular mix of psychedelic rock, folk, and country, all touched by the energy of punk. The record got good reviews but didn't find a wide commercial audience, which became something of a pattern for them.

They followed it with 'Medicine Show' in 1984, which leaned more introspective and experimental. By 1988's 'Out of the Grey,' the sound had shifted toward something more polished. The lineup changed around Hopper over time, with players like Karl Precoda, Kendra Smith, and Chris Cacavas coming through. After a long break, they got back together in 2012 and put out 'How Did I Find Myself Here?'

A song like '50 In A 25 Zone' gives a fair sense of their approach, driving, melodic, with a touch of rebellion in the lyrics. Other tracks from their catalog, such as 'Armed With An Empty Gun' and 'Boston,' show the same commitment to a sound that was always a bit out of step with the mainstream, which earned them a dedicated following.