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SAC psyched for Nov. gig at Whisky

Updated: The Strawberry Alarm Clock heads back to the Whisky a Go Go for a headlining gig on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

The date was rescheduled from July and then from February due to the pandemic.

It will be the L.A. band’s seventh appearance in a dozen years at the historic Sunset Strip rock venue, headquarters for the psychedelic scene of the 1960s and still going strong.

SAC bassist George Bunnell says his “favorite thing about playing the Whisky these past few years has been the enthusiasm from the new generations of psych fans. We basically feed off of that.”

“They weren’t around for the summer of love, but they really want to feel that experience. I think people generally are happy to exist in their own time, but that’s not to say they can’t dream a little.

“We’re happy to be their guides!”

The Strawberry Alarm Clock are Bunnell, keyboardist Mark Weitz, drummer Randy Seol, guitarist Howie Anderson, percussionist Gene Gunnels and multi-instrumentalist Steve Bartek.

SAC’s most recent album is “Wake Up Where You Are.” That CD will be available at the show, as well as fresh band merch such as psychedelic logo T-shirts and coffee mugs.

Visual effects for the SAC gig come from Robert Jacobs’ Midnight Sun Light show.

Photo illustration by Robert Jacobs

SAC puts its stamp on PBS ‘World’ docu

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Buoyed by a recent Strawberry Alarm Clock track, the documentary “The World Is My Country” makes its premiere on PBS on Dec. 8.

The documentary tells the story of “World Citizen No. 1,” Garry Davis, who sparked the movement that led to U.N. passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December 1948. The screening celebrates the anniversary of that event.

“The World Is My Country” airs in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area on Sunday, Dec. 1, from noon-1 p.m. CT on “TPT Life.” (Sign up for a preview of the film.)

The Strawberry Alarm Clock’s “World Citizen” — the documentary’s theme song — was written mostly by drummer/vocalist Randy Seol. It appears on the band’s 2012 album “Wake Up Where You Are.” Official credits: Music: Randy Seol, George Bunnell, Mark Weitz, Howie Anderson, Steve Bartek. Lyrics: Ginia Wexler, Arthur Kanegis, Randy Seol. (Kanegis is the film’s director and co-writer.)

Peace activist Davis created the World Passport, a travel document. The former Broadway actor and WWII veteran died in 2013 at age 91.

SAC back to Bogies for November concert

News/blog, Upcoming shows

Time to boogie at Bogies as the Strawberry Alarm Clock returns to the Westlake Village venue Nov. 21.

It’ll be the fourth appearance for the veteran psychedelic rockers at the west Valley club.

> Buy tickets for the Strawberry Alarm Clock at Bogies.

SAC recently played a midsummer gig at the Whisky a Go Go on the Sunset Strip, another favored venue for the band.

The band will be featuring its 1960s classics such as “Tomorrow” and “Incense and Peppermints.” The current lineup remains Mark Weitz, Randy Seol, George Bunnell, Steve Bartek, Howie Anderson and Gene Gunnels (pictured, top).

Recent set opener “Persian Skies” has been getting a fresh take from SAC via a collaboration with poet Stephen Kalinich, who also has worked with Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney and Brian May. Kalinich recites his poem “Galactic Symphony” over the SAC instrumental, to dramatic effect.

Also listen for the band’s (mostly) instrumental take on the Beatles’ “Day Tripper.” “The only vocals in it are the ‘ahhs’ over the signature guitar solo,” bassist Bunnell says. “The body of the song is in the time signatures of 11/8 and 12/8.”

Fan favorites often heard in the live set include “The World’s on Fire,” “Sit With the Guru,” “Tomorrow,” “Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow,” “Birds in My Tree” and the super-hit “Incense and Peppermints.” Along with more recent material such as “World Citizen” and “Mr. Farmer.”

The Strawberry Alarm Clock show at Bogies is set for Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m.

The Strawberry Alarm Clock’s most recent album is “Wake Up Where You Are.” That CD will be available at the show, as well as fresh band merch such as psychedelic logo T-shirts and coffee mugs. SAC gear also is available here on the band’s web site.

Update: Here is the set list from the Strawberry Alarm Clock’s Nov. 21, 2019, performance at Bogies:

SATPURUSH (Stephen Kalinich spoken word)
SIT WITH THE GURU (intro drummers)
TOMORROW
BAREFOOT IN BALTIMORE
SITTING ON A STAR
FUGUE
BLACK BUTTER PAST
STRAWBERRIES MEAN LOVE
PAXTON’S BACK STREET CARNIVAL
MONSTERS
BLOW YOUR MIND
RAINY DAY MUSHROOM PILLOW
BIRDS IN MY TREE
LIVE WATER
PRETTY SONG FROM PSYCH-OUT (dedicated to Ed and Lee)
INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS
I’M NOT THE ONE
WORLD CITIZEN
WAKE UP
WORLD’S ON FIRE

Photo of Gene Gunnels by Laura Calcaterra

Jimmy Pitman of SAC ‘Starshine’ album dies

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Strawberry Alarm Clock veteran Jimmy Pitman has died. The singer-guitarist was a key player and songwriter on the band’s fourth album, “Good Morning Starshine.” He was 72.

Pitman also was known for his work with the North Florida band the Nightcrawlers, famed regionally for the garage-band touchstone “My Little Black Egg.”

The guitarist joined the Strawberry Alarm Clock in 1969, after it had lost several key members. “I engulfed myself in a bit of rock ‘n’ roll fame,” Pitman later said of the experience.

Keyboardist Mark Weitz said he was “very saddened” to hear the news of Pitman’s death. He remembered him as “a good guitarist and lead vocalist. I wrote with Jimmy and we worked well together as writers.”

“Good Morning Starshine” and its singles failed to light up the charts. It proved to be the Strawberry Alarm Clock’s final album for many years. Pitman left in mid-1969, replaced by Paul Marshall (currently of I See Hawks in L.A.). Marshall said upon hearing of the death that he “had the greatest respect and admiration” for Pitman’s singing.

“Jimmy Pitman was a super talent but even more he was a very down-to-earth no bs kinda guy,” said bassist George Bunnell, who had left the band temporarily before Pitman arrived. “He brought with him an arsenal of musicianship, songwriting and the lead vocals the band needed.

“His style fit right in. He had the rock and blues chops that were core to the sensibilities of (group guitarists) Ed King and Lee Freeman. Both musically and vocally. Sadly, now all three are gone.”

Pitman first came to L.A. with the help of Murray Wilson, father of three of the Beach Boys. He brought to town a Southern twang and a love of the blues.

Hanging out on the Sunset Strip in its glory days, Pitman said, “I met and became friends with the likes of Clapton, Morrison, Hendrix, Buddy Miles, the boys from Iron Butterfly and many more.”

In Hollywood, he hooked up with his Florida pals Gregg and Duane Allman, jamming with their short-lived group the Hour Glass.

After SAC, Pitman returned to Florida, mostly keeping a low profile. He never stopped writing songs, though, and in 2007 he started Big Bad Wolf, which played “originals and classics” for the Baby Boomer crowd.

Pitman said his biggest influence growing up was the Ventures. “I learned to play guitar in the record department at Sears,” he said. “I would play their records then go to the guitar area and played what I just listened to.”

Pitman was born Sept. 28, 1946. He died in hospice care Aug. 29, 2019.

Jimmy Pitman, center, with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Ex-SAC guitarist Ed King is second from left.

SAC nets Elvis’ ‘Crawfish’ for charity

Audio, New music, News/blog

The Strawberry Alarm Clock cooking with Elvis? You read that right.

The veteran L.A. psychedelic rockers recently tackled an Elvis Presley movie number for a charity album. Sitting in with the band on vocals was Brendan McKian of the current Oingo Boingo band.

“We had done ‘Crawfish’ and a few other Elvis songs for an Elvis birthday bash back in 2009,” bassist George Bunnell said. “For that show we had invited our friend Brendan McKian to sing lead on that one and ‘King Creole.’ I thought it would be fun to have him back to sing ‘Crawfish.'”

The song appears on an album dedicated to the Victoria’s Voice charity. Victoria Siegel died from a prescription drug overdose. Her parents started the charity to raise awareness of the issue.

“The album will consist of various artists doing an Elvis song of their choice,” Bunnell said. “The concept is the brainchild of our friend Kevin Wachs.”

The track was recorded at Wachs’ studio, Rock Cellar. It was produced and engineered by Michael Stern, guitarist with Wachs’ band the Tribe.

Top photo: Howie Anderson, left, George Bunnell and Randy Seol lay down background vocals for Elvis charity album.

Listen to “Crawfish” by the Strawberry Alarm Clock with Brendan McKian

“Crawfish” credits

Steve Bartek: lead and rhythm guitar
Howie Anderson: lead and rhythm guitar, harmonies
Mark Stephen Weitz: keyboard
Gene Gunnels: percussion
Randy Seol: drums, harmonies
George Bunnell: bass, harmonies, percussion
Brendan McKian: lead vocals

In the studio, from left: Gene Gunnels, producer Michael Stern, Mark Weitz, George Bunnell, Steve Bartek, singer Brendan McKian, Howie Anderson.

Strawberry Alarm Clock stirs up Whisky

News/blog, Upcoming shows

The Strawberry Alarm Clock is winding up for a return to the Whisky a Go Go on July 13.

It will be L.A. band’s sixth appearance in a dozen years at the historic Sunset Strip rock venue, ground zero for the underground scene of the 1960s.

The veteran psychedelic rockers will headline, of course. Support comes from Molly Hanmer & the Midnight Tokers, Full Moon Light, Good Whales, The Poppy Seeds, Laurie Larson and the Swansons.

The most recent SAC set at the Whisky was epic, with fans treated to two dozen songs. Listen for classics such as “The World’s on Fire,” “Sit With the Guru,” “Tomorrow,” “Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow,” “Birds in My Tree” and the super-hit “Incense and Peppermints.” Along with new material such as “World Citizen.”

The Strawberry Alarm Clock’s most recent album is “Wake Up Where You Are.” That CD will be available at the show, as well as fresh band merch such as psychedelic logo T-shirts and coffee mugs.

Visual effects for the SAC gig come from Robert Jacobs’ Midnight Sun Light show.

> Buy tickets for the Strawberry Alarm Clock’s show on Saturday, July 13, at the Whisky a Go Go. (All ages show; doors at 6 p.m.)