China Lake

Hey, Zoo Freaks, it’s your favorite hippie DJs at THE ZOO, spinning some righteous vinyl vibes with “China Lake” from the 1979 self-titled album Mistress by the rockin’ band Mistress. This track, clocking in at 4:37, is a total trip with its twangy pedal steel guitar from John McFee and a gritty, open-road energy that feels like cruising through the California desert. A gem from a 1979 radio interview shared on Mistress’s X fan page has producer Thomas Jefferson Kaye saying “China Lake” was cut in one take at the Record Plant in LA, with Charlie Williams’ soulful vocals and Danny Chauncey’s searing guitar riffs just vibing off each other. Fans in the Mistress 1979 Fan Group on Facebook love to riff about how the song’s lyrics might be a nod to the lonely desolation of the real China Lake naval base, giving it that haunting, roadhouse feel. What’s the story you’re hearing in those chords, crew?

Another cool tidbit floating around the Mistress1979Archive.com fan site tells of a legendary live show in ’79 at a San Francisco dive bar where Mistress stretched “China Lake” into a smoky, 10-minute jam. Douglas Dillard’s banjo breakdown had the crowd swaying like they were caught in a desert wind. A fan on Instagram posted a grainy photo of an old concert poster, captioning it, “China Lake live was like a cosmic journey—pure magic!” The Discogs page for the album notes its embossed cover and promo status, which collectors in the Facebook group are always hunting for. Some Zoo Freaks on X even say the song’s vibe captures the band’s knack for blending Southern rock with a touch of cosmic country. Spin it loud and let us know what you’re feeling!

Now, let’s groove into how Mistress got rolling, ‘cause this band’s story is all heart and soul. Formed in the mid-’70s in Santa Cruz, California, Mistress was a crew of road-tested musicians led by Charlie Williams on lead vocals and Kenny Hopkins on rhythm guitar and second vocals. According to the bio on Mistress1979Archive.com, they started jamming in a cramped garage, fusing Southern rock, blues, and a hint of country with David Warner Brown’s tight basslines and Chris Paulsen’s steady drums. Michael Utley’s keyboards brought a layer of funky swagger, and they caught a break when producer Thomas Jefferson Kaye, who’d worked with heavyweights like The Byrds, saw them open for a local act. That led to their 1979 RSO Records deal and the Mistress album, a cult classic that still resonates with fans.

Though Mistress never hit the big time, their raw, unpolished sound won them a loyal following. The Mistress 1979 Fan Group shares stories of their epic live shows at small venues, with one fan recalling a gig where Hopkins’ slide guitar solo on “China Lake” had everyone in a trance. Posts on Instagram show off rare vinyl finds, and X users like @RetroRockVibes keep the love alive, tweeting, “Mistress’s China Lake is the ultimate road trip tune—turn it up and roll down the windows!” The band stayed true to their roots, playing dives and bars over stadiums, and their legacy lives on through fans on Mistress1979Archive.com. So, grab that vinyl, vibe with “China Lake,” and hit up Mistress’s Facebook to join the retro rock party!