The Other Half

The Other Half

The Other Half is a group associated with garage rock and psychedelic rock. One incarnation is an obscure San Francisco band from the 1960s, known for a sound that leans more toward psychedelia than straight garage rock. Their material includes the punk-garage single “Mr. Pharmacist”, which later gains attention when it is included on a Rhino Nuggets compilation and covered by the Fall.

1960s San Francisco group

The band records a little-heard but well-regarded album, along with several rare singles, in 1967 and 1968. Its music features the sustain-heavy guitar work of Randy Holden, whose playing is described as strongly influenced by Jeff Beck. Holden had previously played in the Los Angeles psychedelic garage group Sons of Adam, and later joins Blue Cheer before recording solo material.

Later Ohio incarnation

The Other Half also names a satirical rock band from northwestern Ohio, active in the late 1970s and 1980s. This version of the group issues an album called Smut in 1979.

Alternative project name

The name The Other Half is also attached to a 1994 New York-based indie project.