User:Andrzejbanas/sandbox/Roky

Five Symbols is a 1980 studio album by Roky Erickson.

Background
Prior to recording Five Symbols, Roky Erickson was the lead singer of the 13th Floor Elevators. In 1969, Erickson was arrested in Austin for possessing a single marijuana joint. To avoid prison, Erickson plead insanity which lead him to three and a half years at Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. At Rusk, Erickson received electroconvulsive therapy. After leaving Rusk in 1972, the 13th Floor Elevators had already broken up and Erickson had a meeting with musician Billy Miller. Miller was introduced to Erickson through their mutual friend Patrick McGarrigle. Erickson had been writing new songs and discussed with Miller about forming a new group. Erickson and Miller performed together in a group called Blieb Alien and had their first shows in 1975. The group was invited to record an album by Doug Sahm. The group was allowed a four hour session and recorded the songs "Two Headed Dog" and "Starry Eyes".

Release
Five Symbols was first released in the United Kingdom in 1980 by CBS Records.