Strawberry Alarm Clock
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Strawberry Alarm Clock | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Glendale, California, United States |
Genres | |
Years active |
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Labels |
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Members | Gene Gunnels Randy Seol Mark Weitz George Bunnell Steve Bartek Howie Anderson |
Past members | Lee Freeman Ed King Gary Lovetro Greg Munford Marty Katon Jimmy Pitman Paul Marshall Leo Gaffney Doug Freeman Peter Wasner James Harrah Clay Bernard Bob Caloca Bruce Hubbard Jon Walmsley Glenn Brigman |
Website | strawberryalarmclock |
Strawberry Alarm Clock is a
Career
1966–1967: Formation and early success
A history of the band written by George Bunnell stated that "The Strawberry Alarm Clock came about by parts of two bands, Thee Sixpence and Waterfyrd Traene, morphing into one."
The inception of Strawberry Alarm Clock aside from Thee Sixpence is not well documented, largely because none of the latter band's recordings (subsequently lost) were released. However, according to Bunnell, many Strawberry Alarm Clock songs came from the band he had formed previously with Seol, Bartek, Randy Zacuto, Fred Schwartz, and Criss Jay, which performed under the names Waterfyrd Traene (pre-Strawberry Alarm Clock), Public Bubble (during Strawberry Alarm Clock), and Buffington Rhodes (post-Strawberry Alarm Clock). There were two recording sessions with some of these personnel, one with Dave Hassinger at the Recording Factory and one with Bill Lazarus at
The first and most famous Strawberry Alarm Clock single was "Incense and Peppermints", produced by
Weitz and King (also a member of
Shortly after recording "Incense and Peppermints", the band added Bunnell (on bass, rhythm guitar, and vocals) before making their first album.[10] Also titled Incense and Peppermints, it hit No. 11 on the US album chart in late 1967. Bunnell would also become their main songwriter. Some early Strawberry Alarm Clock songs were penned by Bunnell with Bartek. The latter played flute on the first two Strawberry Alarm Clock albums and would continue to be involved with the band's later incarnations. Bartek later joined The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo and orchestrated Boingo frontman Danny Elfman's film scores.
In November 1967, and then again in April 1968, Strawberry Alarm Clock toured on a bill with the
In their early days of touring, the band members would often sit on "magic carpets" as their roadies carried them to the stage. Drummer Seol would rig up wrist
1968–1969: Lineup changes
During the Strawberry Alarm Clock's short lifespan, it saw many lineup changes. Since Bunnell had become the main writer, he began playing more of the bass parts, since he already knew the songs. Original bassist Lovetro gradually moved over to the
Later 1968 singles included "Sit with the Guru" (charting at No. 65) and "Barefoot in Baltimore" (which peaked at No. 67 and later was included on their The World in a Sea Shell album. The latter song was especially popular in its namesake city of Baltimore, Maryland in the counterculture neighborhood of Mount Vernon-Belvedere. The tune received considerable airplay on local Baltimore radio stations and was even occasionally used as a theme song for the city's image in following decades.
Bunnell and Seol left the band in late 1968 at the end of the sessions for The World in a Sea Shell, due to disagreements with the band over their manager Bill Holmes' mishandling of their business affairs. Bunnell, Seol, and Bartek formed a new band, Buffington Rhodes. Holmes was fired by the remaining band members and he angrily retaliated by putting together an alternate version of the Strawberry Alarm Clock (with Bunnell and Seol) and sending them out on the road. The band countered with an injunction against Holmes, who was subsequently stopped by the Los Angeles County Superior Court from using the name to start an alternative band with the same name.[15]
Drummer Marty Katon then came aboard, along with new lead singer/guitarist Jimmy Pitman (formerly of the Nightcrawlers), and the band shifted to a more blues rock style. King moved over to bass, as he had been playing many of the bass parts in the studio anyway. In early 1969, original "Incense and Peppermints" drummer Gunnels rejoined Strawberry Alarm Clock, replacing Katon. Pitman left in July 1969, after their Good Morning Starshine album failed to sell. He was succeeded by Paul Marshall, who would remain with the group until they disbanded temporarily in 1971. The title track, "Good Morning Starshine", peaked at No. 87 in 1969, but was beaten out by Oliver's version, a bigger hit. Weitz quit in December 1969 and the group continued on as a quartet with King, Freeman, Gunnels, and Marshall.
1970–1981: Breakup and brief reunion
In 1970, the band appeared in the
Strawberry Alarm Clock reunited briefly in 1974–1975 with Bunnell, Seol, and Bartek. The trio played some shows and contributed the theme song to late-night 1970s televised rock concert series
1982–2001: Reunion and alternate lineup
Strawberry Alarm Clock reunited once again in 1982 after guitarist Freeman spotted a newspaper ad promoting an appearance by the group at a Los Angeles club, The Music Machine. Freeman knew nothing about this gig and went to the club to investigate. There he discovered that the advertisement had actually been a plot by the club's owners to get the real band to reunite. At this point, Freeman, Bunnell, Weitz, and Gunnells reformed as Strawberry Alarm Clock. They were joined in 1983 by singer Leo Gaffney and Freeman's brother, Doug.
By 1983, the Strawberry Alarm Clock lineup was Freeman, Bunnell, Peter Wasner (keyboards), and James Harrah (guitar). "Incense and Peppermints" was re-recorded the same year with a lineup of Freeman, Bunnell, Harrah, Bartek, and Clay Bernard (keyboards), with Bob Caloca on lead vocals. The remake was produced by Dennis Dragon (brother of Daryl Dragon), who also played percussion on the track.
Freeman, Bunnell, Harrah, and Bernard continued on, with Seol rejoining. Seol left again in 1984, and Harrah and Bernard were replaced by actor/musician Jon Walmsley (guitar, keyboards, vocals). Bruce Hubbard, who had earlier played with Bunnell in Buffington Roads, took over percussion duties. Walmsley was out by 1986, replaced by guitarist Howie Anderson along with a returning Bernard. Anderson also handled keyboard parts via his synth guitar after Bernard left once again, this time to relocate to New Mexico at the end of the 1980s.
The band began performing on oldies concert tours during the 1980s, usually alongside other late 1960s-era acts such as Moby Grape, the Seeds, and It's a Beautiful Day. The Freeman/Bunnell/Hubbard/Anderson grouping was their longest lived, lasting from 1989 to 2001. During this time, the members continued to work on new material and make occasional concert appearances while also pursuing their other individual careers.
Meanwhile, in 1982, late-1960s Strawberry Alarm Clock member Pitman was playing with a band called Thunderchicken in Salt Lake City, Utah, and decided to recreate his own version of Strawberry Alarm Clock, teaming up with Preston Kofoed (bass), Mordecai Noble (guitar), Dave Stone (keyboards), and Dave (Plumb) Derrick (drums). This version of the group played a benefit for the Veterans of the Vietnam War at New Faces Roadhouse and toured extensively throughout the western US. They disbanded a few years later in Jackson, Wyoming.
2001–present: New album
On June 16, 2001, the group appeared at a concert at San Diego's Balboa Park with Moby Grape, Jefferson Starship, Iron Butterfly, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Country Joe McDonald. Seol and Gunnells joined Freeman, Bunnell, Anderson, and Hubbard for this show.
On October 23, 2003, the above lineup was joined by Bartek and Marshall for an appearance at
In December 2004, Weitz and King were slated to reunite with Seol, Freeman and Bunnell, along with original "Incense" singer Munford, for a
By 2006, Weitz, Bartek, Bunnell, Seol, and Anderson were back playing shows with the group. King, Freeman, Marshall, and Gunnels joined them to perform at the
By 2008, an ill Freeman was sidelined, and in 2010, Bartek began to cut back his appearances with the group.
In January 2010 Strawberry Alarm Clock started recording new material for a record label created by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. Strawberry Alarm Clock keyboardist Weitz (who played keyboards in 2009 for Corgan's side project Spirits in the Sky) said, "We’re picking up where we left off, but with a modern sound". The band also reworked some of its 1960s songs.[17]
Founding member Lee Freeman (born November 8, 1949) died on February 14, 2010, at the age of 60, from complications arising from cancer.[18]
Carrying on as Strawberry Alarm Clock were Weitz, Seol, Bunnell, Gunnels, and Anderson (with Bartek appearing as his schedule permitted). Strawberry Alarm Clock performed live during 2012 around southern California, including appearances at The Satellite in
On October 21, 2012, Strawberry Alarm Clock performed at the 29th annual
On April 1, 2012, Strawberry Alarm Clock released Wake Up Where You Are on the Global Recording Artists label. It was the band's fifth studio album and first since 1969.[19]
Roger Ebert died on April 4, 2013, and on July 27, his widow,
On August 19, 2016, Weitz was hospitalized after a car accident; veteran keyboardist Glenn Brigman took his place while Weitz recovered.[20]
On March 18, 2017, Strawberry Alarm Clock played the Starry Nights Festival in Santa Barbara with Weitz back on stage with the band once again.[21]
Jimmy Pitman (born September 28, 1946) died in hospice care on August 29, 2019, at age 72.[22]
Band members
- Current
- Gene Gunnels – drums, percussion, vocals (1967, 1969–1971, 1982–1983, 2006–present)
- Randy Seol – drums, vibes, percussion, vocals (1967–1968, 1974–1975, 1983–1984, 2001–present)
- Mark Weitz – keyboard, vocals (1967–1969, 1982–1983, 2006–present)
- George Bunnell – bass, rhythm guitars, vocals (1967–1968, 1974–1975, 1982–present)
- Steve Bartek – guitars, flute, producer (1967–1968, 1974–1975, 1983, 2003, 2006–present)
- Howie Anderson – lead guitar, vocals (1986–present)
- Former
- Lee Freeman – rhythm guitars, harmonica, vocals (1967–1971, 1982–2008; died 2010)
- Ed King – lead guitars, bass, vocals (1967–1971, 2007; died 2018)
- Gary Lovetro – bass (1967)
- Greg Munford – vocals, drums (1967)
- Marty Katon – drums (1968-1969)
- Jimmy Pitman – guitars, vocals (1968–1969, died 2019)
- Paul Marshall – guitars, vocals (1969–1971, 2003, 2007)
- Leo Gaffney – vocals (1983)
- Doug Freeman – vocals (1983)
- Peter Wasner – keyboards (1983)
- James Harrah – guitars (1983–1984)
- Clay Benard – keyboards (1983–1984, 1986–1989)
- Bob Caloca – vocals (1983)
- Bruce Hubbard – drums, percussion (1984–2006)
- Jon Walmsley – guitars, keyboards, vocals (1984–1986)
- Glenn Brigman – keyboards (2016)
Timeline
Television and films
Strawberry Alarm Clock made several television appearances, including American Bandstand, Happening '68, The Steve Allen Show, and the first episode of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. Drummer Seol made an appearance as one of three eligible bachelors on The Dating Game and was chosen by the girl.
Strawberry Alarm Clock also made two notable appearances in films. In the 1968 Jack Nicholson movie Psych-Out, they played several songs including "Incense and Peppermints", "Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow", and "The World's on Fire". "The Pretty Song from Psych-Out" was re-recorded by a San Fernando Valley garage band, the Storybook, for the film's soundtrack album, but the Strawberry Alarm Clock's version was heard in the film.
The band's second movie appearance was in 1970's Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, where they played "Incense and Peppermints", "I'm Comin' Home", and "Girl from the City". The soundtrack release featured the latter two songs which were not on any previous albums, recorded with Marshall on vocals.
Discography
Studio albums
- Incense and Peppermints (1967, Uni Records)
- Wake Up...It's Tomorrow (1968, Uni Records)
- The World in a Sea Shell (1968, Uni Records)
- Good Morning Starshine (1969, Uni Records)
- Wake Up Where You Are (2012, Global Recording Artists)
Compilation albums
- The Best of the Strawberry Alarm Clock (1969, Uni Records)
- Changes (1971, Vocalion Records)
- The Best of the Strawberry Alarm Clock Vol. 1 (1985, Back-Trac Records)
- Incense & Peppermints (1987, MCA Special Products)
- Strawberries Mean Love (1992, Big Beat Records)
- Anthology (At Their Best) (1993, One Way Records)
- Incense and Peppermints and Wake Up...It's Tomorrow (2013, Tune In)
Singles
Year | A-side/B-side Both sides from same album except where indicated |
U.S. Charts | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Billboard | Cashbox | |||
1967 | "Incense and Peppermints" b/w "The Birdman of Alkatrash" (Non-album track) |
1 | 1 | Incense and Peppermints |
1968 | "Tomorrow" b/w "Birds in My Tree" (from Incense and Peppermints) |
23 | 14 | Wake Up...It's Tomorrow |
"Sit with the Guru" b/w "Pretty Song from Psych-Out" |
65 | 56 | ||
"Barefoot in Baltimore" b/w "An Angry Young Man" |
67 | 54 | The World in a Sea Shell | |
"Sea Shell" b/w "Paxton's Back Street Carnival" (from Incense and Peppermints) |
- | 98 | ||
1969 | "Miss Attraction" b/w "(You Put Me On) Standby" |
- | - | Good Morning Starshine |
"Good Morning Starshine" b/w "Me and the Township" |
87 | 85 | ||
"Desiree" b/w "Changes" (from Good Morning Starshine) |
- | - | The Best of the Strawberry Alarm Clock | |
"Starting Out the Day" b/w "Small Package" (from Good Morning Starshine) |
- | - | ||
"I Climbed the Mountain" b/w "Three" |
- | - | Non-album tracks | |
1970 | "California Day" b/w "Three" |
- | - | |
"Girl from the City" b/w "Three" |
- | - |
References
- ^ "Strawberry Alarm Clock | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
- ^ "Strawberry Alarm Clock – Songs & Albums". Rhapsody. 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ISBN 978-1-4165-9046-0.
- ISBN 978-0-313-29636-9.
- ISBN 978-0-19-971666-1.
- ^ Goldenburg, Joel (February 27, 2016). "Joel Goldenberg: Sunshine pop offered some respite from '60s strife". The Suburban.
- ^ Bunnell, "Pre-Strawberry Alarm Clock" "Pre-Strawberry Alarm Clock". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ Wisniewski, John (2018). "The Strawberry Alarm Clock interview with George Bunnell". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- All Media Network. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 0-7535-0149-X.
- ^ "The Strawberry Alarm Clock -". Edking.proboards.com. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- ^ "The Hot 100 : Nov 25, 1967 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ "Strawberry Alarm Clock | Psychedelicized".
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 28 December 1968. p. 10. Retrieved 27 October 2017 – via Internet Archive.
strawberry alarm clock.
- ^ If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd, Passion Pictures, Directed by Stephen Kijak, 2018
- ^ "Strawberry Alarm Clock - psychedelic rock on Billy Corgan label". Psychedelicsight.com. 2010-01-17. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ "R.I.P. Lee Freeman of Strawberry Alarm Clock; Nov 8, 1949 – Feb 14, 2010". Unwindwithsac.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ "Global Recording Artists". Gragroup.com. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
- ^ "The Acid Test with the Strawberry Alarm Clock!". SF Gate. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- ^ "Starry Nites Festival: March 18th & 19th 2017 Santa Barbara CA". Archived from the original on 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
- ^ "Jimmy Pitman of Strawberry Alarm Clock dies". Strawberryalarmclock.com. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
External links
- Official website
- Strawberry Alarm Clock discography at Discogs
- Strawberry Alarm Clock at IMDb
- Strawberry Alarm Clock at Classic Bands