Strawberry Alarm Clock
Band members Related acts
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line-up 1 (1966-67) as The Sixpence - Lee Freeman -- rhythm guitar, harmonica, vocals - Gene Gunnels -- drums, percussion - Ed King -- vocals, lead guitar, vocals - Gary Lovetro -- bass - Michael Luciano -- vocals - Steve Rabe -- guitar, vocals
line-up 2 (1967-68) as The Strawberry Alarm Clock - Lee Freeman -- rhythm guitar, harmonica, vocals - Ed King -- vocals, lead guitar, vocals - Gary Lovetro -- bass NEW - Randy Seol -- drums, percussion (replaced Gene Gunnels) NEW - Mark Weitz -- vocals, keyboards
line-up 3 (1968) NEW - George Bunnell -- bass, rhythm guitar, and vocals (replaced Gary Lovetro) - Lee Freeman -- rhythm guitar, harmonica, vocals - Ed King -- vocals, lead guitar, vocals - Randy Seol -- drums, percussion (replaced Gene Gunnels) - Mark Weitz -- vocals, keyboards
line up x (1968-69) - Lee Freeman (RIP 2010) -- rhythm guitar, bass, harmonica and vocals NEW - Marty Katin -- drums, percussion (replaced Randy Seol) - Ed King (RIP 2018) -- bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (replaced George Bunnell) NEW - Jimmy Pitman (RIP 2019) -- lead vocals, lead guitar - Mark Weitz-- keyboards, backing vocals
line up x (1969) - Lee Freeman (RIP 2010) -- guitar, bass, harmonica and vocals NEW - Gene Gunnels -- drums, percussion (replaced Marty Katin) - Ed King (RIP 2018) -- bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (replaced George Bunnel) - Jimmy Pitman (RIP 2019) -- lead vocals, lead guitar - Mark Weitz-- keyboards, backing vocals
line up x (1969-70) - Lee Freeman (RIP 2010) -- rhythm guitar, bass, harmonica and vocals - Gene Gunnels -- drums, percussion (replaced Marty Katin) - Ed King (RIP 2018) -- bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (replaced George Bunnel) NEW - Paul Marshall -- vocals, guitar (replaced Jimmy Pittman)
line up x (1970) - Lee Freeman (RIP 2010) -- rhythm guitar, bass, harmonica and vocals - Gene Gunnels -- drums, percussion (replaced Marty Katin) - Ed King (RIP 2018) -- bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (replaced George Bunnel) NEW - Paul Marshall -- vocals, guitar (replaced Jimmy Pittman)
line up x (1974-75) - Steve Barket -- - George Bunnell -- bass - Randy Seol -- drums, percussion
line up x (1982-83) - George Bunnell -- bass - Lee Freeman (RIP 2010) -- rhythm guitar, bass, harmonica and vocals - Gene Gunnels -- drums, percussion (replaced Marty Katin) - Mark Weitz-- keyboards, backing vocals
line up x (1983) - George Bunnell -- bass NEW - Doug Freeman -- - Lee Freeman (RIP 2010) -- rhythm guitar, bass, harmonica and vocals NEW - Leo Gaffney -- vocals - Gene Gunnels -- drums, percussion (replaced Marty Katin) - Mark Weitz-- keyboards, backing vocals
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- A Band Called David (Gene Gunnels) - Steve Bartek (solo efforts) - Braindead Soundmachine (Ikky Shivers) - The Bum Steers (Paul Marshall) - Doug and the Mystics (Steve Bartek) - Fejj Alive (Steve Bartek) - Gaffney Freeman Band (Lee Freeman) - The Goldtones (Randy Seol) - Hunger (Ed King) - Jumbo (JImmy Pittman) - Ed King (solo efforts) - Lynyrd Skynyrd (Ed King) - Majestic Dance Orchestra (Steve Bartek) - The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo (Steve Bartek) - The Nightcrawlers (Jimmy Pittman) - Oingo Boingo (Steve Bartek) - The Sixpence - Thunderchicken (Jimmy Pittman) - Waterfyrd Traene (Gene Gunnels and Randu Seol)
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Genre: pop Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Good Morning Starshine Company: Uni Catalog: 73054 Country/State: Glendale, California Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+; unipack sleeve Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $50.00
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For most folks all they need to know is The Strawberry Alarm Clock = 'Incense and Peppermints'. Shoot, how many people realize the band lasted long enough to record four studio albums, including 1969's "Good Morning Starshine". Bet even fewer know about their 2012 reunion collection "Wake Up Where You Are".
In spite of incompetent management and lackluster support from their label, the band's line-up managed to largely stick together through three albums. That all came apart in the wake of the commercial failure of their third studio set - 1968's "The World In a Sea Shell". With guitarist Steve Bartek, bassist George Bunnell and drummer Randy Seol dropping out of the band, the trio formed the new band Buffington Rhodes when former manager Bill Holmes offered them an opportunity to resurrect the Strawberry Alarm Clock nameplate with a new singer and guitarist. Simultaneously original members Lee Freeman, Ed King and Mark Weitz recruited singer/guitarist Jimmy Pttman and drummer Marty Katin to record a fourth LP for Uni Records. Katin's stay was brief with former The Sixpence drummer Gene Gunnels returning to the fold before the band went back into the studio. Unfortunately, with two Strawberry Alarm Clocks in existence and touring, club owners were reluctant to touch either line-up. Threatened with legal action, Holmes eventually disbanded his version of the group.
With seemingly nothing to lose Uni management allowed King and Weitz and the remainder of the band to self-produced this album. Featuring a largely original collection of material, new singer/guitarist Pitman was prominently featured in the songwriting department. He also handled most of the lead vocals. Exemplified by material like 'Off Ramp Road Tramp', 'Hog Child' and 'Changes Pitman introduce a new, tougher edged blues-rock sound. Nah, it wasn't exactly John Mayall or Savoy Brown, but it was far from their initial pop-psych sounds. In a clear attempt to shed their pop image, it was easy to see why the rest of the band willingly followed the new creative direction. The problem for me was I didn't find Pitman's voice or compositions very enjoyable. Time after time I found myself thinking the results had a feeling of desperation - as if the band knew this was their last chance to grab the golden ring. That wasn't to imply the group totally abandoned their patented pop-psych roots. Material like the title track (released as a single), 'Small Package', 'Miss Attraction' (presented in album and 45 variations) and '(You Put Me On) Standby' will sound familiar to longtime fans. Ironically the title track was the only song that wasn't produced by the band. In spite of the fact the members disliked the song, Uni released it as the leadoff single. Their timing could not have been worse with Oliver's version of the song going top-five while their version languished in the bottom reaches of the top-100. It made for a sudden and somewhat unexpected change in musical orientating; not one I found particularly satisfying. The buying public seemingly concurred with the album quickly vanishing into cutout bins.
"Good
Morning Starshine" track listing: 1.) Me and the Township (Jimmy Pitman) - 3:14 rating: *** stars I'm guessing they were trying to trot out their rock and roll credentials, but 'Me and the Township' was kind of a mess. Pitman went from swamp rock growl to sounding like he'd smashed his hand in a car door. Musically the song couldn't figure out whether it wanted to be a pop tune, a swamp-rocker, or a conventional rocker ... Lyrically I have no idea what the plotline was, though it was kind of cool hearing the channel fading with Pitman seemingly walking out of the studio and down the hallway while Gene Gunnels while apesh*t on the drums. 2.) Off Ramp Road Tramp (Ed King - Gene Gunnels - Jimmy Pitman - Lee Freeman - Mark Weitz) - 4:15 rating: *** stars Lee Freeman's blazing harmonica came as a shock to my ears, but fit the bluesy feel of the band composition 'Off Ramp Road Tramp'. I guess I'm in the minority but have to say I found Pitman's growling voice to be pretty irritating. He just sounded like he was trying too hard. Sometimes less is more. This was more in line with something you might have expected from Mike Blumfield ... just not something I found particularly engaging. 3.) Small Package (Ed King - Gene Gunnels - Jimmy Pitman - Lee Freeman - Mark Weitz) - 3:58 rating: **** stars 'Small Package' marked a return to their earlier, pop-psych roots. Catchy, radio friendly melody and a return to the harmonies that brought them commercial success. Add in a tasty acid soaked Pitman lead guitar and this would have made a dandy single had it been released back in early 1968. Admittedly the end-of-song Beach Boys 'California Girls' nod was just plain strange, though the band had been touring as an opening act for The Beach Boys.. 4.) Hog Child (Ed King - Gene Gunnels - Jimmy Pitman - Lee Freeman - Mark Weitz) - 5:06 rating: ** stars The ominous opening keyboard pattern sounded like a slice of Krautrock, but then Pitman's growling voice kicked 'Hog Child' into blues-rock territory. Another tune that just never broke loose into excitement territory. Even Pitman's solo sounded - pleasant. About half way in the song launched a mesmerizing backward guitar solo, but that was it for the excitement factor. 5.) Miss Attraction (Ed King - Gene Gunnels - Jimmy Pitman - Lee Freeman - Mark Weitz) - 4:27 rating: **** stars I've always wondered why the band decided to include 'Miss Attraction' in two variations - an extended LP version and the edited single found on side two of the LP. The extended LP returned to their earlier psychedelic roots with enjoyable results. With Freeman and Pitman showcased on battling lead guitars the song was melodic and energetic and I've always liked the stereo panning effects.
(side
2) Another tune lifted from "Hair". it's almost as if every album recorded in 1969 included a clause requiring at least one "Hair" cover. It's easy to see why the band wanted nothing to do with 'Good Morning Starshine'. I've seldom heard a band sound as unhappy or uncomfortable on a song. Under intense pressure from Uni management to score a hit, they ultimately caved and recorded the tune. The credits showed the song was produced by Julius Zabadak aka Uni President Russ Regan. Released as a single it managed to hit the top-100 charts, but Oliver's top-5 cover pulled the commercial rug from under their feet.
- 1969's 'Good Morning Starshine' b/w 'Me and the Township' (Uni catalog number 55125) # 87 2.) Miss Attraction (Ed King - Gene Gunnels - Jimmy Pitman - Lee Freeman - Mark Weitz) - 2:39 rating: **** stars The single version appeared to be recorded in mono and featured a slightly different mix than side one's album arrangement. With a driving beat and some nice Mark Weitz organ it was a far better choice for a single than the title track. Of course nobody was listening.
- 1969's 'Miss Attraction' b/w '(You Put Me On) Standby' (Uni catalog number 55113)
3.) Write Your Name in Gold (Jimmy Pitman) - 3:32 rating: *** stars The ballad 'Write Your Name in Gold' was probably the album's prettiest and most conventional tune. It opened up with a distinctive early-'60s feel and then went into an acid-tinged vibe. Once again Pitman's strained voice didn't do a great deal for my ears, though the last third of the song improved as the focus shifted to Weitz's keyboards and the tne picked up speed.. 4.) (You Put Me On) Standby (Ed King - Gene Gunnels - Jimmy Pitman - Lee Freeman - Mark Weitz) - 2:20 rating: *** stars Ah, finally a return to their classic pop-psych sound. The lead vocals were a touch wobbly, but it was just a "happy" song. 5.) Dear Joy (Jimmy Pitman) - 3:15 rating: *** stars 'Dear Joy' was another lysergic-soaked ballad that would have been better had someone other than Pitman handled th led vocals. I did like the cool guitar effect. 6.) Changes (Ed King - Gene Gunnels - Jimmy Pitman - Lee Freeman - Mark Weitz) - 5:15 rating: *** stars There were no horns, but for some reason the bluesy 'Changes' has always reminded me of early David Clayton-Thomas era Blood, Sweat and Tears. This was one of the few tracks where Pitman's strained vocals didn't totally irritate me. Nice twin lead guitar interaction between Pitman and Freeman.
Freeman passed on from cancer in February 2010.
PIttman died in August 2019
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