Journey to Tyme

The song "Journey to Tyme" by Kenny & The Kasuals, featured on their album Teen Dreams, is a seminal track in the garage rock and early psychedelic music scene. Released as a single in August 1966, it’s celebrated for its fuzzed-out guitar riffs and existential lyrics, which capture a sense of disillusionment and a psychedelic escape. One piece of trivia is that the song’s riff bears a striking resemblance to The Kinks’ "Come on Now," a point noted by music enthusiasts on platforms like Rate Your Music, though the band’s raw vocal delivery and swirling organ make it distinctly their own. The track was recorded with a fuzz tone pedal, inspired by bassist Lee Lightfoot’s enthusiasm for The Who, marking it as one of the earliest examples of psychedelic music, with some even crediting it as the first of its kind. Local Dallas DJ Jimmy Rabbit played an acetate of the song on his radio show, helping it become a Top 10 hit in Dallas and parts of the Northeast, which led to a deal with United Artists for national distribution.

Another fascinating story about "Journey to Tyme" comes from its cultural impact. The song was covered by the garage rock revival band The Fuzztones in 1985 for their debut album Lysergic Emanations, and later by The Time Beings in 2007, showing its lasting influence. Fans on Last.fm have called it a “classic punk psyche stormer” and “punk before it was punk,” highlighting its raw energy and forward-thinking sound. The song’s lyrics, such as “Today, all meaning faded away / Tonight, a journey to tyme,” reflect a psychedelic journey, possibly influenced by the era’s experimentation with hallucinogens, as noted on SonicHits. Its inclusion in Rhino’s 1998 expanded Nuggets compilation further cemented its status as a garage rock staple. The song’s recording took place at Robin Hood’s Studio in Tyler, Texas, where the band added crowd noises to their “fake live” album Impact, a technique that carried over to the Teen Dreams sessions recorded in 1966-67 but not released until 1978 as a limited red vinyl pressing of just 200 copies.

Kenny & The Kasuals began in Dallas, Texas, in 1964, founded by rhythm guitarist Kenny Daniel, who was encouraged by his father, a former big band leader from the 1930s. Initially called The Illusions Combo, Daniel teamed up with high school friend Tommy Nichols on lead guitar and vocals, joined by neighborhood friends Blaine Young on drums and Charles Beverly on bass. They started as a cover band, playing British Invasion hits and R&B standards at local venues like the Harry Stone Recreation Center. Their sharp suits and Vox equipment, inspired by The Beatles, gave them a polished look as they performed at Dallas hotspots like the Studio Club and Three Thieves. By 1965, they were a favorite on the regional TV show Sump N’ Else, hosted by Ron Chapman, and opened for major acts like The Rolling Stones, Sonny and Cher, and The Beach Boys. The band’s shift toward original material, especially with the addition of guitarist Jerry Smith in 1966, pushed them into psychedelic territory, with "Journey to Tyme" as their creative peak.

The band’s legacy continued through multiple reformations into the 2010s, with Kenny Daniel as the constant until his passing in 2021. Their official website, kennyandthekasuals.com, offers a detailed history and music downloads, while their Facebook page shares updates and nostalgic posts. Unfortunately, their Instagram and X accounts are less active, with minimal recent engagement. Fan communities thrive on platforms like Last.fm, where listeners share tracklists and reviews, and on Discogs, where collectors discuss rare vinyl pressings. A dedicated fan group, the Kenny and The Kasuals Fan Club on Facebook, keeps the band’s memory alive with photos, memorabilia, and stories from their 1960s heyday, connecting Zoo Freaks and other fans to their enduring influence.