Sam Gopal (also called Sam Gopal's Dream) was an underground British Psychedelic-Acid Rock band. The band was named after its founder, Sam Gopal, born in Malaysia. From the age of seven, he played tabla, a northern Indian percussion, which replaced drums in the band.
Sam formed a new line-up which included vocalist-guitarist 'Ian Willis' (better known as Lemmy), Roger D'Elia and Phil Duke. The album Escalator was recorded in late 1968 and released in March 1969. Lemmy went on to be the bassist of Hawkwind and, in 1975, the founder, singer and bassist of Motorhead.
Escalator is the only album by the Sam Gopal band, released in 1968 on the small Stable Records label. The band also released a single "Horse", with the B-side a Willie Dixon cover "Back Door Man", just before the release of the album, which the re-released album includes as bonus tracks. Ian Fraser Kilmister, later known as Lemmy, joined the band after playing in The Rockin' Vickers, but appears as Ian Willis, as he was considering changing his surname to that of his stepfather George Willis.
TRACKS
01. Cold Embrace 3:20
02. The Dark Lord 3:40
03. The Sky is Burning (Ian Willis) 2:30
04. You're Alone Now 3:41
05. Grass (Ian Willis) 4:03
06. It's Only Love (Ian Willis) 4:18
07. Horse
08. Escalator (Ian Willis) 2:49
09. Angry Faces (Leo Davidson) 4:03
10. Midsummer Night's Dream 2:14
11. Season of the Witch (Donovan) 4:27
12. Yesterlove (Ian Willis) 4:55
13.Back Door Man (Willie Dixon)
THE DARK LORD Lyrics
( At he late 60s when all the hippies sing about Peace , Harmony and Love , emerges Sam Gopal with his "THE DARK LORD "
Black rains across the sky bring the nightfall
Winds wide around the stars blackriders call
Light fading, Times wasting
Hells waiting for the Dark Lord
Towers leading glowing red eyes in their walls
Watching the roads that lead to their downfall
Ice splashing, Rain lashing
Death in the name of the Dark Lord
Doom stands astride the plains watched by the eye
Lit by the dying rain from the dead sky
Gas warming, Smoke coming
Ruining the name of the Dark Lord
Tunnels of darkness yearn the moment draws night
Too late the black rains beat, too late to cry
Death flying, Light dying
Tearing the veil of the Dark Lord
PERSONEL :
Sam Gopal : Tabla - Percussion
Ian ( Lemmy ) Wilis : Vocalist - Lead - Rhythm Guitar ( Hawkwind - Motorhead )
Roger D'Elia : Lead - Rhythm Guitar
Phil Duke : Bass Guitar
Recorded : 1968 Stable Records
Made in Italy