The Red Krayola

The Red Krayola (formerly the Red Crayola) is an American underground rock band from Houston, Texas, formed in 1966 by the original trio of singer/guitarist Mayo Thompson, drummer Frederick Barthelme, and bassist Steve Cunningham. The group formed as part of the same 1960s Texas psychedelic scene in which the Thirteenth Floor Elevators formed. While studying art at the University of St. Thomas, the members signed with independent label International Artists. Their confrontational, experimental approach employed noise and "free-form freak-outs", presaging the development of industrial rock and winning them a small cult following. The Red Crayola disbanded in the late 1960s, but were resurrected in the late 1970s when Thompson moved to England and found favor in the post-punk scene. Thompson has continued using the name, in its legally altered spelling for performances or releases in the USA, for his musical projects since. The group has released recordings on European labels such as Rough Trade and Recommended. In the mid-1990s, Thompson returned to the United States, signing with Drag City and releasing further albums.