The group's sound was hard to categorize, but was definitely blues-based, psychedelic, and very loud. The band has been subsequently acclaimed as an influence on garage rock, punk rock, heavy metal, and grunge. Julian Cope has written, "In 1968, nothing but nothing in America and Britain sounded as brutal as Blue Cheer except for The Velvet Underground."
The group underwent several personnel changes after the 1968 release of Outsideinside, and then through yet more changes during and after 1969's New! Improved! Blue Cheer (different guitarists on side 1 and 2). After Leigh Stephens was replaced by Randy Holden, formerly of Los Angeles garage rock band The Other Half, in 1968, Blue Cheer's style changed to a more commercial hard rock sound à la Steppenwolf or Iron Butterfly. For the fourth album Blue Cheer, Holden, who had left during the third album, was subsequently replaced by Bruce Stephens. Stephens later quit and was replaced by Gary Lee Yoder, who helped complete the album.
The new line up of Peterson, Ralph Burns Kellogg, Norman Mayell, and Yoder in 1970 saw the release of The Original Human Being and then 1971's Oh! Pleasant Hope. When Oh! Pleasant Hope failed to dent the sales charts, Blue Cheer temporarily split up.
From 1988 to 1993, Blue Cheer toured mainly in Europe. During this time, they played with classic rock acts as well as then-up-and-coming bands: Mountain, Outlaws, Thunder, Groundhogs, Ten Years After, Yardbirds, Danzig, Mucky Pup, Biohazard and others.
On the Nibelung Records label they released several albums. 1989 saw the release of Blue Cheer's first official live album, Blitzkrieg over Nüremberg. This album was recorded on Blue Cheer's first European tour in decades. The drum chair was then taken by Dave Salce; bass by Dickie Peterson; guitar by Duck McDonald.
1990 saw the release of Highlights & Lowlives studio album, comprised of blues-based hard rock, sometimes reminiscent of Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones, and several ballads. The album was produced by notable grunge producer Jack Endino. The line-up was Peterson on bass and vocals, Paul Whaley on drums, and Duck McDonald on guitars.
Blue Cheer followed up "Highlights" with the much heavier Dining with the Sharks. McDonald was replaced by German ex-Monsters guitar player Dieter Saller. Peterson was on bass and vocals again, and Paul Whaley was again on drums. Also featured is a special guest appearance by Groundhogs guitarist Tony McPhee. The album was produced by Roland Hofmann.
In the early 1990s, Peterson and Whaley re-located to Germany. Whaley still lives there. Guitar work has been handled by Duck MacDonald since that time. Blue Cheer are still active as of 2009. Peterson reunited with Leigh Stephens and performed with drummer Prairie Prince at the Chet Helms Memorial Tribal Stomp in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in Fall of 2005, and their lively performance drew old rockers like Paul Kantner and others from backstage to observe. They did some recordings in Virginia in Winter 2005 with Joe Hasselvander of Raven and Pentagram on drums. Paul Whaley has since returned to the band as drummer. The group's 2007 CD, "What Doesn't Kill You...", features contributions from both Whaley and Hasselvander. In 2009, Peterson died in Germany, leading to the cessation of Blue Cheer.
Blue Cheer's video for Summertime Blues made an appearance in 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, where Geddy Lee of Rush referred to the group as one of the first heavy metal bands.
The band have also been regarded as the godfathers of stoner rock bands like Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Nebula and Monster Magnet have cited their "heavy-fuzz rock" as a massive influence on them.
Come And Get It
Blue Cheer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I been gone so long, I been riding on a spinning wheel
Flashin' and scratchin', just a-feeling my pulse
Yellin' and screaming and pound on the wall.
Coast to coast I been travelin' and I got to get more
I been up all night just trying to make a score
Hustle it, so fuss it, just make it some chick
She's the piece of heart and I'm screamin' and kickin' it down
Faster and harder, keep on drivin' it down the line
Lookin' for head and feelin' so free
Rubbin' my own in this ecstasy.
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me if you see
It's the only way, the only way that I want it to be
I can't explain, it's just not fate
I got to keep on, this time I just ain't late.
I hope you understand, I'm in love, I'm in love with you
Give ya anything, anything that I'm able to
The way I feel, it's easy to see
Let me hear the way it oughta be.
The lyrics of Blue Cheer's "Come and Get It" are a window into the wild, hedonistic world of rock and roll. The opening lines express an urgent desire for emotional connection, a plea for a partner to reveal how they feel. The singer is a musician who has been on the road for a long time, living a life of excess and intensity. He describes the spinning wheel of touring, the flashing lights and the pounding beat of music.
The second verse is a vivid snapshot of life on the road, with the singer hustling to make a living and satisfy his desires. He uses the metaphor of "pickin' on dolls" to describe his sexual conquests, treating women as mere objects to satisfy his needs. He is unapologetic about his lifestyle, describing the ecstasy of pleasure and the freedom he feels.
The chorus expresses a sense of urgency and desperation, with the singer pleading for understanding and connection. He professes his love for his partner, willing to give anything to keep this connection alive. The song captures the intensity and passion of rock and roll, with its emphasis on excess and rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me hear, let me hear the way you feel
I want to know how you feel, please express it to me.
I been gone so long, I been riding on a spinning wheel
I have been away for so long and my life has been a journey of ups and downs.
Flashin' and scratchin', just a-feeling my pulse
Going through some tough moments, just trying to stay alive.
Yellin' and screaming and pound on the wall.
I am releasing my frustration by shouting and even hitting the wall.
Coast to coast I been travelin' and I got to get more
I have been travelling across the country and I need to get more of something.
I been up all night just trying to make a score
I have been up all night trying to achieve a specific goal.
Hustle it, so fuss it, just make it some chick
Quickly finding a way to achieve what I want without any delay in the process.
Pickin' on dolls and makin' that trick.
I am manipulating others to get what I want.
She's the piece of heart and I'm screamin' and kickin' it down
I really love her and I am willing to go to extreme measures to win her over.
Faster and harder, keep on drivin' it down the line
I will not give up, I will continue to pursue her relentlessly with greater force.
Lookin' for head and feelin' so free
I am looking for someone to give me what I want and it makes me feel free.
Rubbin' my own in this ecstasy.
Self-pleasure is bringing me pleasure.
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me if you see
Please share your perception of things with me.
It's the only way, the only way that I want it to be
This is the only way things must be for me to be satisfied.
I can't explain, it's just not fate
I cannot find any logical explanation, it must be destiny.
I got to keep on, this time I just ain't late.
I must continue pursuing this even if I was slow to start before.
I hope you understand, I'm in love, I'm in love with you
I really hope you get it, I am deeply in love with you.
Give ya anything, anything that I'm able to
I am willing to give you anything within my means.
The way I feel, it's easy to see
My feelings are so clear and obvious.
Let me hear the way it oughta be.
Please share with me how the ideal scenario would be like.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Bluewater Music Corp., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETERSON, STEPHENS, WAGNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind