Condello
Part garage rock, part surreal pop—this overlooked artifact is proof that Mike Condello was years ahead of his time.
Released in 1968 on Scepter Records, Phase One marked the sole full‑length album by Mike Condello’s psychedelic rock ensemble, Condello, which included future The Tubes guitarist Bill Spooner.
The record weaves jangly folk‑pop and fuzz‑laden blues into lush West Coast harmonies—opening with bright psych‑pop staples like “Crystal Clear” and “Oh No,” before intensifying into gritty jams such as the closing “It Don’t Matter.”
Originally overlooked commercially, it has since become a cult classic—celebrated as a “psychedelic masterwork” and a hidden gem of ’60s psych rock. Stream full album free use ☰ to select track.
The lineup for Condello on the 1968 (late 1967) Phase One LP featured four talented musicians:
Mike Condello – the band's namesake, contributing guitar, keyboards, and lead vocals.
Dennis Kenmore – holding down the rhythm section on drums.
Bill Spooner – future member of The Tubes, playing guitar alongside Condello.
Ray Trainer – handling bass (including string bass), plus adding keyboards, flute, and backing vocals.
Mike Condello was a Phoenix-based guitarist and musical director known for his work on The Wallace & Ladmo Show and for leading the psychedelic band Condello. He created satirical and original music throughout the 1960s and became a respected session musician in the '70s, working with artists like Jackson Browne and Keith Moon. Despite his talent, he struggled privately and died by suicide in 1995.