INITIAL SHOCK, The

Homebase: Missoula, MT
Stats: 1967...
PERSONNEL: William “Mojo” Collins (guitar, vocals); George Wallace (lead guitar); Steve Garr (bass);  Brian Knaff (drums, vocals). In 1966 this band morphed out an earlier one: the Chosen Few.

Misc Notes: Mojo Collins: "Two of our roadies were sent to San Francisco to check out the scene, as we had heard through the grapevine that something was going on down there. They were supposed to be gone for a weekend, and showed up three weeks later with a big grin, laughing profusely. Later we learned that they had discovered LSD, peyote buttons, and hooch -- and had plenty for everyone. We were excited to learn from them that the Haight-Ashbury was kicking and the Avalon Ballroom and famed Fillmore West were happening big-time, so we packed up our things and set out for fame and fortune. Landing in Berkeley, first we lived there until we could find an apartment in the Haight section of San Francisco.

Once settled in we quickly became popular with the locals and started opening shows for The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Big Brother, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Santana, Steve Miller, The Charlatans, Grace Slick and The Jefferson Airplane... one of the reasons we were able to get those gigs was we had accumulated quite a public address system that was able to rival even the Fillmore and Avalon's.

It was around this time that we changed our image from the 'Paul Revere and the Raiders' outfits to the t-shirt and jeans scene. Our name became The Initial Shock and we were LOUD! ... We tried, unsuccessfully, to get signed over the next three or four years, and opened many shows at the Fillmore and Avalon. The band finally disbanded after a few new members were added to replace others and I found myself without a place to live and any money to speak of. I was a street musician for awhile, panhandling money and playing for food and handouts." [Mojo Collins quotes adapted from his interview with Michael B. Smith in 2000 as originally posted on the Swampland.com website. READ more HERE] Note: Some members went on to regroup as Yellowstone. In the late-1970s Wallace resurfaced in the Invaders.

ALSO SEE:

1.) Mojo's Mark IV
2.) Vulcans, The
3.) Chosen Few, The
4.) Yellowstone
5.) Invaders, The

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