Guest
Strawberry Alarm Clock is a psychedelic rock band formed in 1967 in Los Angeles best known for their 1967 #1 hit single “Incense and Peppermints“. They have also been categorized as acid rock, psychedelic pop and sunshine pop and charted five songs including two Top 40 hits. Their current line-up includes 5 original members: Mark Stephen Weitz - keys, Randy Seol - drums, mallekat, George Bunnell - bass, Gene Gunnels - drums percussion & Steve Bartek - guitar, flute, rain stick, plus guitarist Howie Anderson (member since 1987!). (Original guitarist Ed King, who was also a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away August 22, 2018.) Strawberry Alarm Clock, or “SAC“, evolved from a band called “Thee Sixpence“ in 1967 which included drummer Gene Gunnels, keyboardist Mark Weitz, late guitarist Ed King, and late vocalist & guitarist Lee Freeman. Vocalist and vibraphonist/drummer Randy Seol came aboard during the sessions for their #1 hit “Incense and Peppermints”. Shortly thereafter George Bunnell was brought in as a songwriter and bass player. His songwriting partner Steve Bartek was also asked to join the band but had to decline as he was only 15 years old and couldn’t get parental approval. He did however play flute on the “Incense and Peppermints” album. Steve is also a successful film scorer and orchestrater for Danny Elfman. Gene left the group after the I & P session at the behest of his then-girlfriend only to return in 1969 for their fourth album, Good Morning Starshine. SAC is as relevant now as they were in the summer of love. Check out the interview for Rock Cellar TV by Lauri Reimer.
