Visual Moments in Epic Rock #5: Guru Guru live on German TV

Kraut Bonanza: This year WDR TV in Germany aired a six hour (!) documentary on that country's rock scene of the late 60's/early 70's, and while all the interviews are in German, it was incredible to see real footage of bands I've only been able to visualize by their LP sleeves. Here's a clip of a live practice room take on "Electric Junk" (29MB wmv file) from the great Guru Guru (studio version found on their 1971 record Hinten), showcasing in crystal-clear fashion the monster-riffic trio of Mani Neumeier (drums, gong, vocals), Uli Tripte (bass) and the appropriately-named Ax Genrich (guitar) in full freak flight. Despite the looseness of the playing, the falling-apart hiss of Genrich's gnarly amp, and extended, sometimes meandering pathways of their songs, Guru Guru's playing was also super-tight with total conviction and direction from start to finish; their ability to hypnotize and bury you with massive jams set them apart from fellow cosmic-travelling brothers like Can and Neu, they weren't quite proggy as Amon Duul 2 nor as metallic as the Scorpions. More clips coming soon, thanks Listener Marcus!