Get ready to “Blow Your Mind” with a fun yet cerebral single from the Strawberry Alarm Clock.
The digital release, which dropped Dec. 19, features two songs from the band’s new neo-psychedelic album “Where’s One?” due midyear.
“Blow Your Mind” comes from keyboardist Mark Stephen Weitz, who developed the song over a decade. He calls it a “fun little ’60s psychedelic composition.”
“I was inspired to write a happy song that had nothing to do with my real life,” Weitz says. “More of a set of fantasy lyrics. The ‘blow your mind’ lyric reference? … Still a mystery where that came from!
“I gravitate toward writing upbeat, happy songs, so the lyrics came pretty naturally,” Weitz says. “And, it’s fun to sing.”
The song itself did not come so easily. Weitz tells of a “long and arduous journey” that began when he came up with the embryonic song idea back in 2015.
“Guitarist Howie Anderson and I worked on tweaking the arrangement for several months … then it became several years!
“(Bassist) George Bunnell helped create a new bass line and a perfect spot for Howie’s lead guitar solo section midway through the track. Gene Gunnel played some snappy drums and there you have it.” Production went down at several L.A.-area recording studios, extending to a whopping 14 previous versions of the song.
“I would not give up on this track,” Weitz says. “I had faith that it would be a worthwhile track for the SAC if I could only finish it to my satisfaction and to the approval of my bandmates.”
The group effort extended to a pair of family members: Multi-instrumentalist and producer Steve Bartek’s son Christopher programmed “some cool additional drums” and Howie’s son Ian contributed baritone sax.
“Finally, 10 years later, we had a finished track! Thank you Steve Bartek and all involved for sticking with it.”
It’s an intoxicating sonic brew blending catchy guitar hooks with harmonica, sax, electric sitar, electronic loops and of course Weitz’s vintage 1967 Vox Continental organ.
“Blow Your Mind” joins Bunnell’s “Monsters” as an emphasis track from the new Strawberry Alarm Clock album, expected in June. “Monsters” was released in the fall.
“Blow Your Mind” is paired with “Live Water,” fronted by the band’s Randy Seol. The song effortlessly toggles to double time and back, with layers of psychedelic slide guitar, delicate piano and fluttering flute floating above the beats.
“It’s a celebration of water being the life-giving element that loves to be positive,” Seol says of his lyrics. “I’ve learned water has a memory and is telepathic, just like my wife.”
All tracks are released by Burbank-based Big Stir Records.
Blow Your Mind
Written by Mark Stephen Weitz, Howard Anderson, George Bunnell
Mark Stephen Weitz: keyboards, lead vocal
Howie Anderson: lead guitar, electric sitar, vocals
George Bunnell: bass
Randy Seol: percussion, vocals
Steve Bartek: harmonica
Gene Gunnels: drums
Ian Anderson: baritone sax
Producer/engineer: Steve Bartek
Co-producer: Shane Soloski
Additional engineers: Christopher Bartek, Kerry Brown, Joe “Pants” Wohlmuth, Brian Liesegang
Mastering: Ira Ingber
Live Water
Written by Randy Seol, George Bunnell, Howard Anderson and Steve Bartek
Randy Seol: drums, vibes, lead vocal
George Bunnell: bass, vocals
Howie Anderson: lead guitar, vocals
Steve Bartek: flute
Gene Gunnels: drums, percussion
Mark Stephen Weitz: piano
Producer/engineer: Steve Bartek
Additional engineering: Christopher Bartek, Kerry Brown, Joe “Pants” Wohlmuth, Brian Liesegang
Hello, my name is Stefan, and I’m from the Netherlands. Last year your group was my greatest musical discovery. I already had Incense&Peppermint on a great 60’s compilation (the love generation 4cd). Then I found out the other songs are amazing too. I really love your music. I now got the first 4 albums on cd (the 2012 album is not available in Holland), a compilation cassette and the first 3 ones on lp, including a beautiful mono version of your 1st album. I’m writing you to wish you well and thank you for the beautiful music. Your band is now among my favourite bands, next to The Moody Blues, The 5th Dimension and ELO. Will the new album this year be available in the Netherlands? Greetings, Stefan, 43, The Netherlands.
Wow. I love it. Thank you so much. Yes our new album will be available everywhere.
https://www.facebook.com/1151411477/posts/pfbid021iszFU1DdDsZph9DNqwQ6iczKZ2AedtQLCggrHsZefk9kbyzATrwsvHSC7NxEkmbl/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Thank you so much for your reply. And I’m really happy the new album will be available everywhere as I just love the new songs! Powerful and creative! Greetings, Stefan.