'He played 'Incense and Peppermints' like it was the biggest hit in the country!' enthuses Bunnell of the Santa Barbara DJ. And thanks in large part to KIST music director Johnny Fairchild who flipped the single over, they soon found themselves with a regional #1 record. In April 1967, 'The Birdman of Alkatrash' b/w 'Incense and Peppermints' by Thee Sixpence was issued locally on All-American (there are rumors of an early pressing where Peppermints is misspelled). This was the moment that Carter mentioned an idea he had for a song title: 'Incense and Peppermints.' In the meantime, their producer, Frank Slay, contacted John Carter (co-writer of the minor hit 'That Acapulco Gold' for psych group the Rainy Daze) to ask if he was working on anything new. Without giving it much thought, they also laid down a bouncy untitled instrumental written by Weitz and King for the B-side. This time, t he plan was to record 'The Birdman of Alkatrash' - a garage-punk nugget written and sung by their new keyboardist Mark Weitz - as the A-side of their next 45. Their manager, Bill Holmes, also owned All-American Records, the small-time label for which the band recorded.īy the time they went into Original Sound studios in early 1967, Thee Sixpence had already issued several singles, including covers of 'Fortune Teller' and 'Hey Joe,' without garnering much attention. The members of the group initially included vocalist Michael Luciano, guitarist Ed King, vocalist/guitarist Lee Freeman, guitarist Steve Rabe, bassist Gary Lovetro, and drummer Gene Gunnels. Well hopefully, Zeno, you've heard The Churchills from Israel, 1968 (great LP, reissued on CD),Īnd why not get real way out and learn a few new tricks right up yer sleeve:ĭay Of Phoenix - Neighbour's Son & Wide Open N-Way.In the mid-sixties, the suburban Southern California music scene revolved around teenagers, and Thee Sixpence - a talented British Invasion/garage/surf cover band - ruled the teen clubs and pizza joints from Glendale to Santa Barbara. Much ignored Danish band who had an English vocalist, and who made these two great albums in 19 respectively. The first album in particular is a stunning West Coast syled acid rock album with flashes of Quicksilver Messenger Service and Anthem Of The Sun era grateful dead.

The trippy flowing guitar work is truly breathtaking. Highly recommended for fans of US '60's West Coast psych.įrom 1971, this ultra-rare LP featured former Sons Of Champlin member Tim Cain. With a very distinctive Grateful Dead-Quicksilver sound, GDB were one of the rarest bands to come out of the bay area in the early seventies. My favorite is their song 'Rollin' Into Salyer' friendly lyrics, nice hooks and harmoniesĪ superb US country psych gem originally released in 1969 on the White Whale label. The album featured the songwriting talents of Carter Gilbert who wrote such songs as 'Incense & Peppermints' and 'That Acapulco Gold' (For the Rainy Daze) Mixing a blend of CSN&Y, Moby Grape, Stained Glass and early Poco this release is full of beautiful vocal harmonies, biting electric guitar and swirling keyboards. #TURN ON YOUR LOVELIGHT BY THE RAINY DAZE FULL# Don Johson was the vocalist of this group before his acting (?) career. As a side note the band had close links with the grateful dead (guesting on albums and eventually forming Dead side project Kingfish with Bob Weir). Relatively Clean Rivers - Relatively Clean Rivers.įormer Beat Of The Earth leader Phil Pearlman assembled this band in the early 70's. #TURN ON YOUR LOVELIGHT BY THE RAINY DAZE FULL#.

Lyrics acapulco gold rainy daze