The Ethix were originally based in Lafayette, California, USA. In 1965 their line-up was comprised of Ken Metcalf, Bill Gerst, Gil Sanchez, Sandy Clifford, Wayne Ceballos and leader Cork Marchesi. Their debut single, ‘Skopul’/‘It’s Time’, is R&B-based with little hint of the change of style revealed on its successor, ‘Bad Trip’/‘Skins’. Whereas the b-side invites comparison with the early Mothers Of Invention, ‘Bad Trip’ is quite unlike contemporary 1967 releases with screaming vocals and random, distorted guitars underpinned by metronomic bass and percussion. The Ethix name was abandoned soon afterwards when Marchesi formed the equally eerie Fifty Foot Hose.