American rock group from Lancaster, California, formed in 1965 by Alex St. Clair Snouffer, and fronted by Don Van Vliet. 　　After two singles in the vein of "popular rhythm n' blues," the group underwent dramatic changes in their musical style, culminating in the Frank Zappa-produced album "Trout Mask Replica", a work conceived and directed by Don Van Vliet - better known as Captain Beefheart. He then followed a career as a solo artist, working with a rotating assembly of musicians comprising The Magic Band.