Friday09 Nov 04:10 PM
Ya Ho Wa 13 Reunion And The Source Family
If you haven't already procured and devoured a copy of The Source, then please do so now. It's a gripping, untold (until now) American spiritual saga of Father Yod, Ya Ho Wa 13, and the Source Family.
In the late 60's Father Yod, born James Edward Baker, was one of Yogi Bhajan's "most ardent and successful disciples" and an eminent practitioner and teacher of Kundalini Yoga. During this time he established and ran a wildly hip and successful vegetarian restaurant in Los Angeles called The Source. As the story goes, Baker went to India, had an epiphany "on the Ganges," and decided that he needed to break free from the shackles of history. Thus The Source Family was born, supported by the successful restaurant, with a crazy mansion-commune boasting up to 150 members at one point. They also has a psychedelic rock band: Ya Ho Wa 13.
"...the Source Family has the best album covers hands down! Creation at its purest, just being, present as can be, letting the unknown unfold, Raw as the Stooges wasted on Ataraxia, free as the Santa Ana Winds, and rare as an astral encounter with the powers of creation, from Kohoutek to Operetta, the wild saga neverendlessly flows!"
—Devendra Banhart
Of course there's a LOT more to the story, brimming with colorful, copious themes of the era like sex, drugs, rock and roll, and the occult. Every day started at 4am with spiritual exercises and a few tokes of the sacred herb. Eventually the leave LA, and move to Hawaii. Father Yod finally plummets to his death in a hang-gliding "accident". Despite the craziness, the unabashed brilliance of their flamboyance is noteworthy. More striking however, is that after 30 years of reflecting upon those times, many of the cult members look fondly upon those years and consider them among the best in their lives.
After 30 years of secrecy, the family record keeper, Isis Aquarian, decided it was time to let the world know. It was then that Souljerky pals Jodi Wille & Process Media published the book; just as now they have gathered together, after 30 years, the legendary commune's psychedelic house band.
Process Media now has gathered nearly 30 of the original Source Family members to Los Angeles (Nov. 9 through 16) and San Francisco (Nov. 17-18) for a week of Yo Ho Wa shows and The Source Family events. Different Source Family members will be appearing and speaking at each event, and each will focus upon on different topics, so each event will be unique. There will be lectures, book signings, home movies, cable access shows, fashion shows, and of course, rock and roll. Shows will feature the seminal proto-punk psychedelic garage rocker, Sky Saxon and The Seeds —Saxon was also a devoted “member" of The Source Family.
Check out some of these vintage tracks:
World Peace Band (Sky Sunlight Saxon): Beautiful Stars
World Peace Band (Sky Sunlight Saxon): Superman 5
Ya Ho Wa 13: It's a Knack
Details on Yo Ho Wa 13 & the upcoming Source Family event schedule: Link.
More on Yo Ho Wa 13: Link.
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Sun 11 Nov 2007 at 05:15PM
Here's a great article on these guys from LA Weekly. At least take a look at the yoga pose on the splashpage!
http://www.laweekly.com/news/features/father-yod-knew-best/17104/
Thanks Souljerky!
Jesse from Topanga
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