The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Jim "Dandy" Mangrum (vocals), Rickie Reynolds (guitar), Stanley Knight (guitar), Harvey Jett (guitar), Pat Daugherty (bass), and Wayne Evans (drums). Their first PA system was stolen from a local high school. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia with grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years at the Tucker Prison Farm (this sentence was later suspended). This led to their retreat to the hills of rural northeast Arkansas where they lived off the land and refined their musical style. Some of their influences during this time were The Beatles and The Byrds.
The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their debut album (and only album with Stax), The Knowbody Else, was largely ignored by the populace. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern spiritualism which, combined with their Southern Baptist upbringing, contributed to their sound.
After several trips to Los Angeles, California, in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their new debut album, Black Oak Arkansas, was released in 1971 while the band toured extensively, gaining a reputation as a live act. The twin album releases that followed in 1972, Keep The Faith and If An Angel Came To See You, Would You Make Her Feel At Home, expanded on the group’s eclectic musical style.
In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their fourth album, Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Tommy Aldridge. It was their fifth album, High on the Hog, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard charts. Vocalist Ruby Starr also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy," which reached number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100.
The 1974 release of Street Party may have failed to maintain the momentum. However, another 1974 release, entitled Early Times, an overlooked Stax recording, made up for lost time. In 1975, the original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released their last album, Ain't Life Grand. A new version of the band, called Black Oak, was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing). In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.
Released in 1984, Ready as Hell debuted a heavier sound with pinch harmonics and keyboards featured throughout. The album also marked the return of Rickie Lee Reynolds on rhythm guitar. In 1986, The Black Attack Is Back continued the heavy style of the previous album and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is widely regarded as the finest of the band's long career, with the greatest lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently enjoys a loyal fan following. However, the later lineups have yet to duplicate the level of album sales that the original lineup generated in the early-mid 1970s. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen front-man David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well.
In 2008, Boston newspaper 'The Phoenix' named them the All Time Best Band from Arkansas.
Band Members
* James L. "Jim Dandy" Mangrum - lead vocals, washboard (1965-present)
* Rickie Lee "Ricky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 1984-present)
* Hal McCormack - lead guitar (2003-present)
* Johnnie Bolin - drums ( -present)
* George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
* Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965-1976)
* Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 2000-2002)
* Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965-1974)
* Wayne Evans - drums (1965-1973)
* Tommy Aldridge - drums (1973-1977)
* Paul Simmons - drums (1985-1986)
* James Henderson - guitar (1975-1979)
* Jack Holder - guitar (1977-1979)
* Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977-1979)
* Andy Tanas - bass (1977-1980)
* Joel Williams - drums (1977-1978)
* Marius Penczner - keyboards (1975-1977)
* Shawn Lane - guitar (1977-1981)
* Chris Craig - drums (late 70's - early 80's)
* Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
* Dave Wilson - Bass Guitar (1979-1981)
* William Lemuel - bass guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Steve "The Axe" Nuenmacher - lead guitar, rhythm guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Billy Batte - keyboards, violin (Ready As Hell)
* Michael "Narley Dude" Martin (R.I.P.) - Lead Guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* "Big" Mike Fowler - bass guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* Biff Bingham - 2nd lead guitarist (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back)
* Jerry A. Williams - drums (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back) (1985-1986)
* Darrell Miller - drums (1970's)
* Les John - drums (1979-1980)
* Cozy Johnson - drums (early 80's)
* James "Little Jim" Mangrum Jr. - drum technician
* Danny Leath - lead guitar
* Rocky Athas - lead guitar (1996-2001)
* John Roth - guitar (mid 80's)
Mutants of the Monster
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Follow me and find your way back through
Time
From the power I possess I can see through
The maze
I can see man's progress cause earth's
Dyin days
But if we go back to nature and live in
Just another animal pure, earth'id live
Longer and we'd live less
Why do we need to live to be so old
When we could live free to die young and
Bold
Man is an animal gone mad
Yes he's turned into a monster
Our generation is his offspring
Yes mutants of the monster
My power is magic
From a wish on a star
Yea earning the wish is karmic
To help what good spirits there still are
But when you've been granted the
Privilege of bein heard
Yea take great care with this power and
Watch every word
For when you know someone's listenin
Your words can mean a great deal yea
They can be the key to magic thoughts
Havin never been revealed
Why do we need to live to be so old
When we could live free to die young and
Bold
Man is an animal gone mad
Yes he's turned into a monster
Our generation is his offspring
Yes mutants of the monster
We're mutants of the monster
The lyrics to Black Oak Arkansas's song "Mutants of the Monster" are a powerful call to return to nature and live free from the madness of civilization. The song opens with the declaration that if we truly believe in something, we can follow it back through time to discover the truths that have been lost. The singer possesses a unique power to see through the maze of human progress and recognize that the earth is dying under our stewardship. The solution, according to the lyrics, is to abandon civilization and return to the wilderness as another animal, living purely and simply.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that man has turned into a monster, and our generation is the offspring of that monstrosity. The singer recognizes that the power he possesses is magical, and he warns that we must use it carefully, as our words can have great impact on those who are listening. The song ends with a final refrain of "we're mutants of the monster," driving home the theme that we are all products of a civilization that has lost touch with nature.
Overall, "Mutants of the Monster" is a powerful anthem for those who long to return to a simpler, more natural way of life. The lyrics speak to the idea that humans have become separated from the world that gave birth to us, and that we must work to reconnect with our roots if we hope to survive as a species.
Line by Line Meaning
If you believe, I mean really believe
Believe in the message that I'm about to deliver
Follow me and find your way back through
Join me in returning to a more natural way of living
Time
The past
From the power I possess I can see through
I have insight into the problems affecting the world
The maze
Complexity and confusion of modern life
I can see man's progress cause earth's
Human progress has come at a great cost to the environment
Dyin days
Approaching the brink of extinction
But if we go back to nature and live in
Returning to a more harmonious way of living with nature
The wilderness
Untamed natural environment
Just another animal pure, earth'id live
Living in harmony with nature would result in greater longevity for the planet
Longer and we'd live less
Individual human lives may be shorter, but the planet's lifespan would be extended
Why do we need to live to be so old
Why should we strive for longevity if it comes at the cost of the environment and our own mental well-being?
When we could live free to die young and Bold
We should embrace a more natural, simpler way of living even if it means living a shorter life
Man is an animal gone mad
Humanity's departure from a natural state has led to destructive behavior
Yes he's turned into a monster
Humanity has become something monstrous
Our generation is his offspring
Modern society is the result of human progress
Yes mutants of the monster
We are products of the destructive and unnatural society that has been created
My power is magic
The ability to see the world in a different way
From a wish on a star
Through positive thinking and imagination
Yea earning the wish is karmic
Making the effort to pursue what we wish for will lead to positive consequences
To help what good spirits there still are
To promote and encourage positive behavior
But when you've been granted the
When you have the opportunity
Privilege of bein heard
To be given a platform to speak
Yea take great care with this power and
The responsibility that comes with a platform is great
Watch every word
Be mindful of what you say
For when you know someone's listenin
When your words are being heard by others
Your words can mean a great deal yea
Your words can have an impact and be influential
They can be the key to magic thoughts
Words can inspire others to think in new and imaginative ways
Havin never been revealed
That they may not have considered before
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HARVEY JETT, JIM "DANDY" MANGRUM, PAT DAUGHERTY, RICK REYNOLDS, STANLEY KNIGHT, TOMMY ALDRIDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind