The Chocolate Watchband - Ed Cobb's Influence and Disputes

Ed Cobb's Influence and Disputes

The band was involved in disputes with their manager Ed Cobb, because they were presented as being more instrumental on record than they were live due to Cobb's vision of what a psychedelic band should be. Never taking the time to see them perform on stage, he had no idea of the talent he had at his disposal. In later life, he would publicly lament this lack of curiosity or foresight on his part. In addition, Cobb recorded parts of the Watchband's albums without them - in fact, less than half of The Inner Mystique was originally recorded by the band, with many of the instrumental songs performed by session musicians. One Step Beyond was to be a fresh new direction for the band but nonetheless completely unsuccessful except for the songs written and sung by David Aguilar that were put in on the album from past recording sessions. The difference was remarkable. Rambling, low energy folk tunes interspersed with rolling in your face rock and roll of the popular earlier band. Before the recording session could really get underway, Mark quit and was replaced by Jerry Miller.

The Chocolate Watchband recorded a Cobb tune already done by The Standells, "Medication" (on The Inner Mystique).