2563883-tripping-daisy-i-am-an-elastic-firecrackerWere you prescient enough to catch one of the still-revered albums or jump-in-the-air live shows by Tripping Daisy? They were a neo-psychedelic pop-rock band formed in Dallas in 1990.

Nor did this writer catch them, but the name Tripping Daisy certainly made an impression.

Nevermore the regrets, because there’s an almost second chance.

The Polyphonic Spree, the band that was incarnated from the demise of Daisy, is performing in Shreveport at Music Prize Fest and at the opening of the Red River Revel. Led by the charismatic former Tripping Daisy singer, Tim DeLaughter, the infectiously jubilant Polyphonic Spree is for those who love soaring melodies and psychedelic drones. 

The Polyphonic Spree is like Tripping Daisy bathing with the Flaming Lips. They surf with Abba and the Beatles, and their stage show is over the top because there is a chorus of six comely women singing and dancing with DeLaughter as well as violins, horns, chimes and a harp – atop a ballsy rock band.

Remembers Matthew Golden, “I saw Tripping Daisy once in Shreveport, probably 1994-5 at the Riverside Warehouse. A group of us went, naturally the details are hazy, but here is what I recall – we were there early and one or two of our friends managed to go backstage – they came out shortly after and the rumor was Tim had been tripping for three days.”

That rumor is a swell addition to DeLaughter’s legend, if I may say so. Golden continues, “The place was packed, somehow my buddy Steve and I managed our way to the very front right corner. The backdrop was an enormous (20’x40’ maybe?) piece of what looked like aluminum foil. All I remember of the show was when they came out, Tim was wearing these huge aviator-type glasses that I believe were tinted and never left his head. They were amazing live.”

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As a fan, it’s no surprise that Golden has another story: “I saw The Polyphonic Spree once when I lived in San Diego. They played the same night as the final Harry Potter book was released. My wife (girlfriend at the time) went with a bunch of her friends to the bookstore. I took a couple that knew nothing of Tripping Daisy or The Polyphonic Spree to see them. I said ‘trust me’ and they did. The show was out of this world. We were right up front, the full sound of the band, seeing it all being pulled off live, Tim’s control of the crowd was truly brilliant.”

The sum of it? “I remember during the encore they played a song that was 10 to 12 minutes long. A group of people were leaving and during the breakdown of the song Tim said “Hey – you can’t leave now, this is the part you came for!” They stayed, the band finished the song, and confetti shot over all of us. We eventually made our way home, all the better for it. Melissa said it was the best show she had ever seen.”

“Can’t wait to see them in October.”

The Polyphonic Spree plays October 1st. For tickets, visit lamusicprize.com.