The band was not impressed by songwriter John Carter's singing, so Slay chose Greg Munford, a 16-year-old friend of the band who was from another group called Shapes of Sound, to sing lead on the track. The song was initially released as a B-side by Thee Sixpence on All American Records, owned by Bill Holmes, the band's manager and producer. The first and most famous Strawberry Alarm Clock single was "Incense and Peppermints", produced by Frank Slay. The post-Strawberry Alarm Clock incarnation broke up before any success was realized. There were probably 10 songs in all that were recorded but Bunnell stated that both masters were stolen. There were two recording sessions with some of these personnel, one with Dave Hassinger at the Recording Factory and one with Bill Lazarus at Sunset Sound. 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). 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. Seol eventually brought in songwriters Bunnell and Steve Bartek, who participated in the writing and recording of Strawberry Alarm Clock's first album. Randy Seol (drums, vibes, percussion, vocals) and Mark Weitz ( keyboards, vocals) joined to replace the departing Gunnels, Rabe, and Luciano just as the name change to Strawberry Alarm Clock was occurring. Categorized as acid rock, psychedelic pop and sunshine pop, they charted five songs, including two Top 40 hits.Ĭareer 1966–1967: Formation and early success Ī 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 group originally named Thee Sixpence initially consisted of Ed King (lead guitar, vocals), Michael Luciano ( vocals), Lee Freeman ( rhythm guitar, harmonica, vocals), Gary Lovetro (bass), Steve Rabe ( guitar, vocals), and Gene Gunnels ( drums). They are best known for their 1967 hit single " Incense and Peppermints". Members of the band recently gathered for a reshoot of their iconic debut album cover (top).Īlive and ticking, the Strawberry Alarm Clock celebrates its 50th anniversary while working on an album of all-new material.Strawberry Alarm Clock is a psychedelic rock band formed in 1967 with origins in Glendale, California, a city about ten miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Sundazed Music has undertaken a rerelease campaign of the band’s classic albums, including “Incense and Peppermints,” “Wake Up … It’s Tomorrow,” “The World in a Sea Shell” and “The Best of Strawberry Alarm Clock.”Īnd the band continues to find new fans through its music’s use in films and television series, especially the enduring hit record “Incense and Peppermints” - a favorite of super spy Austin Powers. Well received by critics and longtime fans, the comeback album “Wake Where You Are” featured new SAC songs, a driving cover of a Seeds classic and several reimaginings of the band’s classic songs. Key gigs include a string of shows at the storied Whisky A Go-Go - most recently in late 2018 - the Desert Stars Festival in 2016, the Starry Nites Festival in 2017, and the 2007 live concert film “Summer of Love: A Musical Celebration.” The Strawberry Alarm Clock has been performing in concert with the current lineup since 2007. Guitarist Howie Anderson is “the new kid,” although he’s been a member since 1987!īartek (Oingo Boingo), produced SAC’s 2012 album, “Wake Where You Are.” The band continues to write and record vibrant new music, while adding new powerful new elements to its classic songbook.Ī half century on, the Southern California group’s lineup features five original members: The Strawberry Alarm Clock came to fame in the swinging psychedelic scene of the late 1960s, but don’t call them an oldies act.
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