Haystacks Balboa – Haystacks Balboa (1970) (Remastered, 2007)

No-nonsense powerhouse of a Heavy Prog act, HAYSTACKS BALBOA - a name coined by a friend of the VAGRANTS in reference to the large size and resemblance of BALBOA's guitarist, Mark MAYO, to wrestler Haystacks Calhoun - was from Queens,NY, and released one album on Polydor in 1970 (which has since been reissued as 'Detoxified').

The band formed in '69 and in addition to MAYO's guitar playing, featured Mark BABANI's drums, Lloyd LANDESMAN's keys, the bass of Mark POLOTT, and voice of Bruce SCOTT in a dark mix of stoner hardrock and prog adventure with extended passages. Evidently two of the cuts were penned by Leslie WEST's brother Larry and HAYSTACKS BALBOA has been compared to MOUNTAIN and BLACK SABBATH but exhibit a more traditional Prog approach than either of those groups and should amuse fans of yer old-tyme Prog 'n Roll.