SPROTON LAYER
Acid Rock
1968-1971

Influences: Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd, Soft Machine, Ann Arbor's SRC

Described as "Syd Barrett fronting Cream" in OUR BAND COULD BE YOUR LIFE,
a book by Michael Azzerad (p) 2001 


SPROTON LAYER was a well rehearsed psychedelic rock group, lead by brother Roger Miller.
They performed at their high school theatre, battle of the bands,  and Big Steel Ballroom opening
up for COMMANDER CODY and the LOST PLANET AIRMEN (their trumpeter's brothers band).  SPROTON LAYER
also opened up for the likes of Carnal Kitchen (Andy MacKay on sax), and other bands of the day.
For more information on this "astonishing band", visit Roger's Myspace.


SPROTON LAYER performed their debut reunion concerts in Ann Arbor, Detroit,|
Boston, and N.Y.C. during the summer months of June and July, 2013.  The Miller Bros
are in a wonderful state of shock and looking forward to more performances
after the release of their next CD on World of Sound Records, 2014.


Roger Miller
Bass, lead vocals, chief songwriter
Ben Miller
Guitar, harmony vocals, songwriter
Larry Miller
Drums
Harold Kirchen
Trumpet

_________________________________________
FREAK TRIO
The Miller brothers's first band, as the precursor to SPROTON LAYER.  At ages 16 and 14,
this was their initial introduction to original rock music and free improvisation.



John Neilson - CREEM, Option, Matter, NY Rocker  July 27th 2013

A decade ago Mission Of Burma bucked the trend and became one of the rare instances of a rock band - one which had disbanded at the peak of their powers - reuniting and not only not sucking but going on to a whole second act, no less creative and vigorous than before. This year Roger pulled yet another neat trick, reuniting the high school band he had back in Ann Arbor with his twin younger brothers Benjamin and Laurence, and doing some select club dates that were not only not embarassing, but a positive revelation.

Sproton Layer at the Mercury Lounge this evening showed that the teen trio's sources were pretty close to the surface - lots of Interstellar Overdrive, some jagged Crimson riffing, a little 'out' jazz and plenty of late psych flourishes, including some Forever Changes trumpet blasts - but they made them into something of their own and delivered them with the benefit of 40+ years worth of hard-earned chops. It's definitely music of its time (1969-70), but you could hear plenty of premonitions of what they would go on to do in MOB, Destroy All Monsters and their other projects over the years. It also sounded convincingly contemporary for 2013, and how many people could say that about their high school band?

In a perfect world Sproton Layer, too, would pick up where they left off and carry on for a few more great records, but who knows if their other projects will allow that? In any case, if you get the chance to see them by all means go, you're in for a treat.


CD/LP FRONT COVER
Artwork by Arnold Lelis

                                                                                     New Alliance Cover (c) 1992                                                                                                                                                                        World of Sound Cover (c) 2011



Complimentary to New Alliance'sCd/LP release; a three-song 45 rpm single on clear vinyl
(recorded 1969)   (c) 1991 New Alliance Records


CLEAR VINYL RECORD

FRONT COVER

 BACK COVER


WITH MAGNETIC FIELDS DISRUPTED
Manuscript Book
(c) 1972)

Along with the support of Gertrude Kurath, Roger published all the music and words to our 1st and only recorded work,
along with original psychedelic illustrations by both he and the band's artist, Arnold Lelis.  This collection was accepted by the
Ann Arbor Upblic Library into their local archive back in 1972, along with a reel to reel magnetic tape copy of the music.


Pen & Ink drawings by Arnold Lelis accompanied many of the songs
in this book.  Below we see the image for the song, "IN THE SUN".

 


SPROTON LAYER at the BIG STEEL BALLROOM
(summer 1970)

ROGER MILLER: Bass and lead vocals

BEN MILLER: Guitar and harmony vocals

 

LARRY MILLER: Drums

HAROLD KIRCHEN: Trumpet

 



SPROTON LAYER in "THE  LITTLE THEATRE"  at PIONEER HIGH SCHOOL
(summer 1970)