The Final Solution - Just Like Gold: Live At The Matrix 1966 (2025) Hi-Res

The Final Solution was among the more intriguing of the legions of bands populating the mid-1960s San Francisco rock scene. Though they rarely recorded, the outfit was captured at the height of their powers in a blistering live performance at legendary SF club The Matrix. Now officially available, this long-overdue anthology of their extant recordings is prime evidence that this band deserves to be heard.

The Solution was formed in 1965 by bassist Bob Knickerbocker and guitarist Ernie Fosselius, friends at San Francisco State, then a melting pot of personalities which would fuel San Francisco's young-adult bohemian scene. Rounding out the band were John Chance on drums and John Yager on guitar and vocals. The group began by playing Haight-Ashbury dives like Haight Levels, and were soon gaining notoriety for their performances.

In July of 1966, the Solution had stepped in to perform when the Great! Society had to cancel a gig at San Francisco's Matrix club. Peter Abram was running his tape deck that night and captured a dynamic set that clearly shows the band's diversity and musical chops. From the opening raga "Tell Me Again" to the propulsive folk-rock of "Time Is Here And Now" and the Dylan-esque "Bleeding Roses", the Solution's original songs leave unequivocal proof of their untapped potential.

The live material has been newly transferred from Abram's original reels and expertly mastered by Dan Hersch to reveal the magic on stage that night in July 1966. In addition to "Truck Driving Son-Of-A Gun" from the Matrix performance, the CD contains an additional 6 tracks recorded in their rehearsal space in November 1966 with The Great! Society’s Jerry Slick on drums.