The solo, post-13th Floor Elevators Roky Erickson story begins with his release from the Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in 1972, after which Erickson formed Bleib Alien (later simply Roky Erickson and the Aliens) and then Roky Erickson and the Explosives. Supported in his artistic vision by a community of younger fans-turned-musicians, Erickson has always had some indie label at his avail to release his music. His songs in this later period reflect the acidic effect of his shock therapy and Thorazine treatments while incarcerated--dark and heavy screeds about aliens and other invasive enemies, played and sung with creaky abandon, but not without artistry. Despite ongoing mental problems, Erickson has remained steadily productive, releasing over a dozen records between 1980 and the mid-00s.