ιn 1966, san francisco-based poet david meltzer and his wife tina, who was a singer, recruited local musicians clark coolidge (drummer, also composer), denny ellis (lead guitarist), john payne (keyboardist), jean-paul pickens (banjo player) and david stenson (bassist), and started playing gigs at clubs and events in the bay area, such as the north beach's coffee gallery, gino & carlo's, and others. ellis and stenson were already experienced musicians, having previously played on tracks of the lovin' spoonful. ed denton, the manager of country joe and the fish, caught one of their shows and brought them to joe's label, vanguard records, where they were signed as the serpent power, releasing their debut, eponymous album in 1967.