The Clique was formed in 1967 in Austin, Texas, by original members John Kanesaw (drums), Bruce Tinch (bass), Cooper Hawthorne (lead guitar), Larry Lawson (vocals and keyboards), David Dunham (vocals and horns), and Randy Shaw (vocals and horns). Their breakthrough came with the Houston‑Number‑one cover of the 13th Floor Elevators’ "Splash 1" on Cinema Records, which led to a two‑year contract with Scepter Records. In 1969, after lineup changes that introduced Bill Black, Sid Templeton, Jerry Cope, and Oscar Houchins, the group signed with White Whale Records and released their self‑titled album The Clique, featuring the singles "I'll Hold Out My Hand" (Number 45 on 13 December 1969) and "Sugar on Sunday" (Number 22 on 18 October 1969). The latter was a cover of a Tommy James song, and its B‑side "Superman" would later be covered by R.E.M. and Roger Troutman. The album peaked at Number 177 on the Billboard Top LPs chart, and the single "Sparkle and Shine" reached Number 100 in 1970. The band toured nationally with acts such as Tommy James and The Shondells, Grand Funk Railroad, Brooklyn Bridge, and The Dave Clark Five, and appeared on shows like Something Else and The Dating Game. In 2008, the Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame inducted the group, prompting a brief reunion.
