Strawberry Alarm Clock is a psychedelic rock band formed in 1967, originating in Glendale, California,[1] a city about ten miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

Seol eventually brought in songwriters Bunnell and Steve Bartek, who participated in the writing and recording of Strawberry Alarm Clock's first album.

The song was initially released as a B-side by Thee Sixpence on All American Records, which was owned by Bill Holmes, the band's manager and producer.

Drummer Seol would rig up wrist gas jets to give the illusion that he was playing the bongos and vibes with his hands on fire, until the gimmick became too dangerous.

Original bassist Lovetro gradually transitioned into the role of road manager, but was eventually bought out of the group after conflicts with the others before the release of the second album, Wake Up...It's Tomorrow.

The second album also benefited from vocal coach Howard Davis, who was brought in to help the members elevate the harmony singing featured on Incense and Peppermints to new levels of sophistication.

The tune received considerable airplay on local Baltimore radio stations and was even occasionally used as a theme song for the city's image in later decades.

Holmes was fired by the remaining members, but he retaliated by creating an alternate version of Strawberry Alarm Clock (featuring Bunnell and Seol) and sending them on tour.

[15] Drummer Marty Katon then joined, along with new lead singer/guitarist Jimmy Pitman (formerly of the Nightcrawlers), and the band shifted to a more blues rock style.

By this time, their popularity had waned considerably, but they continued touring the South in 1970 and 1971, with an unknown Florida band called Lynyrd Skynyrd opening for them.

Lead guitarist King chose to relocate to the South, while Gunnels joined the backup band for the Everly Brothers, along with Waddy Wachtel and Warren Zevon.

Strawberry Alarm Clock reunited once again in 1982 after guitarist Freeman spotted a newspaper ad promoting an appearance by the group at a Los Angeles club, The Music Machine.

"Incense and Peppermints" was re-recorded the same year with a lineup of Freeman, Bunnell, Harrah, Bartek, and Clay Bernard (keyboards), with Bob Caloca on lead vocals.

This version of the group played a benefit for the Veterans of the Vietnam War at New Faces Roadhouse and toured extensively throughout the western US before disbanding a few years later in Jackson, Wyoming.

On June 16, 2001, the group performed at a concert at San Diego's Balboa Park, sharing the stage with Moby Grape, Jefferson Starship, Iron Butterfly, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Country Joe McDonald.

On October 23, 2003, the same lineup was joined by Bartek and Marshall for an appearance at Amoeba Records in Hollywood to celebrate the DVD release of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.

In December 2004, Weitz and King were slated to reunite with Seol, Freeman, and Bunnell, along with original "Incense" singer Munford, for a PBS special on 1960s-era rock music; however, the band did not appear.

Strawberry Alarm Clock keyboardist Weitz (who played keyboards in 2009 for Corgan's side project Spirits in the Sky) stated, "We’re picking up where we left off, but with a modern sound."

[18] Carrying on as Strawberry Alarm Clock were Weitz, Seol, Bunnell, Gunnels, and Anderson, with Bartek appearing as his schedule permitted.

Strawberry Alarm Clock performed live during 2012 around Southern California, including appearances at The Satellite in Los Feliz, the Whisky a Go Go, the Echoplex (for the West Psych Fest), and the Adams Avenue Street Fair in San Diego.

On October 21, 2012, Strawberry Alarm Clock performed at the 29th annual Love Ride benefit in Glendale, which featured grand marshals Jay Leno, Peter Fonda, and Robert Patrick.

[20] On March 18, 2017, Strawberry Alarm Clock performed at the Starry Nights Festival in Santa Barbara with Weitz back on stage with the band once again.

[22] Strawberry Alarm Clock made several television appearances, including American Bandstand, Happening '68, The Steve Allen Show, and the first episode of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.

In the 1968 Jack Nicholson movie Psych-Out, they performed several songs, including "Incense and Peppermints," "Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow," and "The World's on Fire."