Reviews
CERTIFIED BADASS REVIEW - AUSTIN CHRONICLE 2017
Re-enlivened by their 2011 Austin Music Hall of Fame induction, these Sixties psych rock gladiators swing for the rafters again like the shoulder-chipped opening act they spent much of their career being. Original guitarist/vocalist Rod Prince and drummer David Fore enlist guitarists Gregg Stegall and Mark Miller, and bassist Jimi Umstattd for this live studio re-recording of classic selections from BP and their sequel band Demian. Glorious twin guitar leads and regal vocal harmonies proliferate on an elongated "What Do You See." 1969 Top 20 hit "Hot Smoke and Sassafras" retains dynamic punch, but lesser-known Demian songs prove revelatory. Everyman anthem "Only a Loner" rings worthy of the AOR immortality that eluded it in 1971. Whichever regulatory body certifies badassery, Bubble Puppy got this one right.
"Bubble Puppy is back with a vengeance!" (Margaret Moser - June 14, 2014)
Sean Lennon names Hot Smoke and Sassafras as one of the 10 Lost Psychedlic Classics -
The Bubble Puppy, “Hot Smoke and Sasafrass”
They were from Texas, and they’re one of those bands that just sort of fizzled out. I don’t know how many more great songs they have. All I know is that this song has a super-rocking riff, and I love how that riff corresponds to the vocals. Rolling Stone - 2014
"Texas’ children of tomorrow are becoming heavy once again.!" (Matt Stieb - SA Current 2014)
AUSTIN MUSIC AWARDS 2014
March 18, 2015 AUSTIN MUSIC AWARDS BUBBLE PUPPY #3 BEST PERFORMING ROCK BAND! AND OUR DAVID "FUZZY" FORE - #4 BEST DRUMMER! AUSTIN CHRONICLE
Utopia Fest 2013
Austin '60s psychedelic act Bubble Puppy brought all of the older attendees down from their campsites. The 'most feared opening act in rock' performed a burner of a set that came to a peak during their hit "Hot Smoke and Sassafras." Utopia Fest 2013 - Houston Press
AUSTIN MUSIC AWARDS 2013
March 12, 2014! Bubble Puppy wins #4 in the Austin Music Poll for Best Performing Rock Band Category! And our own, David "Fuzzy" Fore wins #4 for Best Drummer! Congrats Bubble Puppy and Thanks to all the Great Fans who voted!
" A huge sound, and kind of gorgeous, too" (Rolling Stone Magazine)
March 20, 2011 - Rolling Stone Magazine - Bubble Puppy, Austin Music Hall, Saturday night. In 1969, this San Antonio unit had a brief moment in the sun – their burbling garage-on-the-verge-of-psych nugget "Hot Smoke & Sassafrass" reached No. 14 on Billboard's pop chart. They later moved to California and evolved into an ominous proto-metal band called Demian. Forty years ago, they broke up; there was a brief reunion in the mid Eighties, but nobody much noticed. Still, there they were on Austin Music Hall's stage Saturday night as part of an Austin Music Awards event – five men (three guitars, bass, drums) probably all in their sixties, one with a mullet and one with a British Invasion moptop and the most balding one brandishing the most demonic voice, having the time of their lives and letting stoner-rock whippersnappers know how it's done. (One hint: bands back then had to be able to sing). A huge sound, and kind of gorgeous, too – showed how psychedelia presaged not just metal, but the Western country-rock of, say, the Marshall Tucker Band.