The Bits Between the Bits

The Bits Between the Bits was the final Ozrics cassette release in 1989. It consisted of various previously unreleased recordings from ‘85 – ‘89, released as the band prepared for their Pungent Effulgent album.

The recording took place in Wales at Dave Anderson’s Demi Monde Studios, and was conceived and recorded almost entirely on magic mushrooms, marking the beginning of a new era for the band.

A raggle-taggle, unpretentious assortment of punk-infused, dreadlocked hippies, the Ozric Tentacles had been weaving psychedelic audio-tapestries since 1983. Their music captured the diverse sounds of the free festival scene, blending acid rock with dub, reggae, ethnic world music, electronic, and jazzy experimentation.

This music served as the soundtrack to an alternative lifestyle, away from the psychoses of corporate life. The band had no desire or need for a record label, as their cassette releases funded and supported their journey through the ‘80s. These simple artefacts, with photocopied inserts and rainbow spray-painted labels, were sold in large quantities at festivals, at Club Dog's merchandise table, and through mail order.