Ricky knew he'd be Rockin'

Garage Rock Radio Theme - MySpace Video

Garage Rock Radio Theme - MySpace Video

Nice of Garage Rock Radio to include a photo of Children of the Mushroom into their new video theme!

ebay Bidding - Children of the Mushroom

Well I haven't seen one of our 45s for sale on ebay for a while. This one seems a bit worn. How much will it sell for?

I did contact the Seller & this is his reply

YOUR THE MAN!~I wish you lived down the street for i would beg you to sign it....Oh you probably would have just talked me out of this record...how many of you guys are still around?.....Picked this up at an estate sale here in El Paso...Mil.bases everywhere so no telling where it came from....the listing originated on Craigslist....I will see this lady again I'm sure at another sale and will find out everything i can about the family but this may take time..(I wont forget)....Thank you very much for your email...Have you seen the jerry bright on line? take care.....drew

Da' Rec n' Crew

Larry 'Spider' Webb on the T.O.H.S. Quad with Dale Poune in BG

Phil Hareff Reminiscing At Band Tree lll August 2009

You never know what will pop up in conversation at one of Jim Rolf's Band Tree events. Here Phil Hareff is remembering Conejo Car Wash which used to be located at 399 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Owner Hugh Holbert hired many local rock band members. Since our bands didn't generate the funds for us our job there allowed many of us to buy equipment & cars. Along with the hard work we were able to keep up with all the band & girl gossip. Oh the stories we could tell you! Any of you remember Phil's 64 red GTO?





Conejo Car Wash owner Hugh Holbert (seated left) with California Grassfield members (L to R) Rich Severson , Boyd Cannon, Pat Flynn, Colin Kyffin (seated). Boyd & Rich worked at the car was wash with many of us.

A Concert at CLC, Thousand Oaks

Dennis Looks Perplexed - Band Tree lll 2009

Well, Dennis looks hot & like he kinda missed so many friends at the 3rd Band Tree Reuinion. What no Children of the Mushroom! Anyway the day was a great success. Click on the photo link to see a few pics ... Hats off again to Jim Rolfe!!

Thousand Oaks Bandtree Reunion III

I'll be there in spirit for III.

My good friend Joe Dean

will be the Bassman for Cast this year.

Y'all hav'a Blast n' Rock da' Joint!

Rec Zeppelin

Excerpt from 'The Rec'

Band Tree lll - In The Making

Well Jim Rolfe, famous Conejo Valley guitar player/teacher, is getting the word out about BandTree lll Sunday August 30th. See the list below of the confirmed bands so far. Its not easy for many of us that live out of state to get there. I'm considering attending even though Children of the Mushroom might not play. For me its just rubbing shoulders with old friends and hearing and re living the ole stories...

All the Info can be found at the Thousand Oaks Band Tree lll Facebook event page.

Venue Address & Map

Jim Rolfe says...

Admission Free:

You can bring: Hats, sunscreen, money, cameras,

You can't bring: Chairs, ice chests, drinks, food. The venue requests that all drinks and food be purchased there. They are doing a great favor providing the venue so save your pennies and help the T.O. Band tree and have a nice lunch and dinner. See their lunch menu. There many be a change in the food provided.

11:20	Chuck Sternburg and Friends
12:10	Boa Bab Blues Band
12:45	Moore & More
1:30	Shamus Twins
2:15	Blue Coats
2:50	Gary Meinhold and Friends
3:35	Dana Bailey
4:20	Chadwick Williams Band
5:05	Spider Webb
5:50	Cast of a Thousand
6:35	Unsound Souls
7:20	Retro Rocket
8:20	Arlene Kole and Family

Gossip: I found a reference on Wikipedia connecting Jim Rolfe with The Palace Guard's Emitt Rhodes. Something new in the making?

1967 Grad Night Photo From Disneyland

Seems like Jon from Capital City Arts Initiative was on the Internet one day recently hunting for the right photograph for their upcoming graduation celebration mailer & chose this shot of myself & April Pierson (taken at Disneyland Grad Night 1967). The 60s things just keep popping up. Anyway who'd a thought.

Click here for their particulars on Facebook.

Jerry McMillens Vox AC 30

Yes this is the same Vox amp used by Jerry McMillen on August Mademoiselle & You Cant Erase A Mirror back in 1967. Currently owned by Gary Meinhold. Jerry made this thing scream with his Fuzzbuster.



PS - no wonder I cant hear very well today! playing drums in front of this baby...

& Yes that's Jerry in the photo at a BandTreell practice 2007.


Vox History by Jim Miller

Jerry McMillen Interviewed On Takilma FM

Children of the Mushroom's Jerry McMillen was interviewed by Spaceman, a DJ from Takilma FM this last week in Oregon. Jerry unveiled some new tunes as well as an up to date version of "The Mushroom Theme". Yes he shared a bit of the ole 60's stories too. Click here for the archived recording of the show. Jerry's interview starts approximately 30 minuets into the show.

Thanks Spaceman! www.takilmafm.com

I heard Al Pisciotta & Dave Fontana listened in live via the Internet, cool.

Bill Eucker & Pink Dominos

Came across some cool information about a song that the famous Thousand Oaks guitar teacher Bill Eucker was credited for writing in the early 1960's called Pink Dominoes. The web site I read www.officenaps.com also spoke about a group called The Crescents featuring a lady guitarist named Chiyo from Oxnard. You can read all about it at officenaps.com

Children of the Mushroom practice with Krista Swanson

What a very nice treat for a drummer dad to have his daughter invited to sing with Children of the Mushroom at the last Band Tree ll event. Also nice of Frank Akrey to allow some the participating bands a very well equipped place to practice. Hope we can all do it again...

Rock N Roll Meltdown, Glasgow Scotland - Plays "August Mademoiselle"

Hi Dennis,
I am a Radio DJ in Glasgow, Scotland and I recently got my hands on a Pebbles album featuring the Children Of The Mushroom track August Mademoiselle - WOW!

It's the only track I've heard but it is amazing and slightly sinister (which I like even more!). I was doing some research for my show and I came across your site - it's great to see that you guys are still good friends, when so many garage bands have drifted apart. I'm definitely gonna play Children Of The Mushroom on my show in the next few weeks, I'll let you know when. My show is called Rock N Roll Meltdown and it is on Sundays 4-6pm (in the UK) on subcity radio.
So many bands of the time are really hard to find out stuff about - it's great that Bandtree keeps the spirit of these bands going. People in the UK are really into garage rock there is a whole scene going on in Glasgow.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you have a fan base over here, and if you guys are ever in Scotland you would be most welcome to come on the show.

All the best
Pete Howard

Children of the Mushroom Anthology DVD

J & K Productions produced a half hour DVD of Children of the Mushroom. This is a very short sample. Its mixed with early photos of the band as well as clips of some of the cover tunes they played early on. Contact Jerry McMillen at mushroom@cavenet.com to order.

Jerry McMillen With Dennis At BandTree ll

Children of the Mushroom band-mates Jerry McMillen & Dennis spend a moment toghether at BandTree ll. Well, it all started in 1965 so the story goes...

Unsound Souls Featuring Gary Meinhold

What a pleasure to watch these guys play one more time. Gary Meinhold was spectacular and full of tons of energy. And Talk Talk remember that one! I visited with Gary at one of the practices. He shared about his early 1960's days with the band and the years he spent on the road. Thanks Gary for being a part of BandTreell.Gary has the red ball cap in the video. Playing with him some other famous T.O. guys , Jim Rolfe, Rich Severson, & Boyd Cannon

Children of the Mushroom - BandTreell 2007

In Thousand Oaks one more time together August 26th, 2007 with all our friends.
Children of the Mushroom
(left ro right) Paul, Al, Dennis, Jerry, Larry

Click on the link.... You Cant Win

One BandTreell Practice, Camarillo

Marlene Allawos Hallack, Remembering Thousand Oaks Band Times

One beautiful smile that brightened up COTM's day (as well as many others) at BandTreell belonged to Marlene Allawos Hallack! She seemed to remember so much about those past days. I could see eyes light up and smiles appear on everyone she talked with. The memories were so thick you could cut em with a knife. Thanks so much, Marlene for taking the time to remind some of us about some precious times out of our Thousand Oaks band days. I always seem to feel more alive after a BandTree event. My brain was on overload at this function so Marlene I'm so sorry I wasn't very quick to remember. I did wake up the next day with a smile remembering everything. Give my love to Christy and Karen too! Thanks for being there!

Dennis

Just A Small Portion Of BandTreell

Just a quick camera scan of BandTreell at setup, including a shot of Jerry McMillen playing the lead lick in You Cant Erase A Mirror. All of us missed Bob Holland's organ playing but were glad to have Larry Weisman there to fill in. It just amazes me to see how the music has brought so many people together after so many years, just powerful!

See You There Sunday

Poster was created by Dave Fontana. Awesome work Dave!

10:45- 11:15AM Dana Bailey
11:25- 11:45 Cody Road
11:50- 12:10 Tempo Cats
12:15- 12:35 Chadwick Williams Band
12:40- 1:05 Severson/Cannon Band (feat. Bill Eucker and Dennis Tuttle)
1:10- 1:25 Children of the Mushroom
1:30- 1:50 Lady
1:55- 2:20 Unsound Souls
2:30- 2:55 Sea Cloud
3:00- 3:20 Cast
3:30- 3:50 Jonny Huck Flynn
3:55- 4:20 Santa Fe
4:25- 4:45 BluCoats
4:50- 5:10 Dave Dumille/Hayes Tribute Band
5:15- 5:35 Spider Webb & the Nightcrawlers
5:35- 5:55 Bricklayer Love Then
5:55- 6:15 Bricklayer Love Now

Children of the Mushroom 45 Discoverd

I also received this note from John in Texas who contacted me through Mike Dugo's 60sgaragebands.com site.

I grew up in the 60's and have always loved the music of that era -- I heard your record about 20 years ago and thought it was incredible -- I was fortunate enough to get a copy back when it was "only" about $200 a copy !

Thanks again --

John B.

Rate Your Music

I received this comment the other day from screen name Skelter on the Rate Your Music web site about Children of the Mushroom's 45. "Your 45 is one of the greatest singles of the sixties, two brilliant sides! Greetings from Belgium!"

Two Friends Meet In Las Vegas

It was so nice to meet up with Al Pisciotta at the Luxor Hotel this week. I was able to get this clip of us talking about some of our Children of the Mushroom days. Visiting with Al made realize how fortunate we all were to have been in a band together.

The National Pepecast, Episode 3

"August Mademoiselle" Gets a little attention in this podcast program from Yorkshire England. The two fellas playing the song comment at the end that they don't know anything about the band. They do point to the Mike Dugo interview located at beyondthebeatgeneraton.com. The song plays 4th from the last on the 3rd episode


Click here to get your own player.

New Band Reunion Planned

Jim Rolfe and his group are planning another BandTree ll Reuinon in August. Check out Jim's new MySpace BandTree ll Site for up to date information also he as posted some great old photos of several Thousand Oaks rock bands. The only way to see the photos is to join MySpace. (above photo copied with permission from Jim Rolfe's http://www.myspace.com/tobandtree page)

http://www.myspace.com/tobandtree

Disneyland Grad Night 1967 With April Pierson

At Disneyland with April Pierson, Thousand Oaks High grad night 1967. Man up all night too. Just a few few weeks after this Children of the Mushroom recorded our first and only 45.

More Ebay Auction Action COTM 45

Last year one of Children of the Mushroom 45's went for $399.00 at ebay. Now the bids are up to $290.00 with one day left. It makes me laugh..... click the link

Update: auction ended, after 12 bids this 45 sold for $442.77

Mushroom Fan In Sweden

Here is what Sebastian wrote me the other day concerning "You Cant Erase A Mirror" . Sebastian plays in a band called "The Giljoteens", in Sweden.

What can I say...Wow!
"You Can't Erase A Mirror" is the most mystic and beautiful song that I've ever heard and I have tried desperately to find the 45 on ebay.
Did you record more than that 45? If you have some recordings I would
gladly pay for a copy.
If you visit the site of my band and listen to "Point Of No Return" you might hear the inspiration you guys have given us.

http://www.myspace.com/thegiljoteens


Yours sincerely
Sebastian

ahhhh, the dreammmmmm

read on.... we finally settle (d) the fact that Jerry was in CAST for a moment in time. oh, yeah, the police were a pain in the ass, also(too)... who wouldn't want to go to Amsterdam in '72 ???? thanks to Dave Fontana for the source... (he's fishing in Florida soon, bastard!!!)

ahhhh, the dreammmmmm

Podcast Play of "You Cant Erase A Mirror"

Here is a new podcast radio station, Garage Rock Radio. They did play Children of the Mushroom's "You Cant Erase A Mirror" along with three other garage groups on their third program this month. Click here, to listen....

The Blu Coats Movie

What a pleasure to find this video post on youtube.com. By Jim Peritti. The Blu Coats were another great rock band hatched in Thousand Oaks back in the 1960's.

Tommy Boyce - Bass
Medardo Canales - Guitar
Larry Caird - Vocals
Wade Johnson - Drums
Jim Peretti - Guitar





Check this out! Sample the 4 songs recorded by the Blu Coats at 60sgaragebands.com

Stage Coach (written by Wade Johnson)
On Soft Feathers (written by Larry Caird and Jim Peretti)
I Know I'll Have The Nerve (written by Wade Johnson and Larry Caird)
It's Over (written by Wade Johnson and Larry Caird)

1960s Bass Player Extraordinaire - Al Pisciotta

Al Pisciotta as he looked back when Children of the Mushroom recorded our 45 and now as a father. I saw Al grow to be a driving force giving the group the beat that made us stand out. He helped us keep our heads too. Thanks Al for your valued bass playing and humor! Absoluty
irreplaceable!

Dave From Massachusetts Likes Mushrooms Too

This is the heading I found placed on a Donovan site by Dave. If you click on the above link you can preview some awesome music.

My all time fave sixties bands:

Children of the Mushroom was listed among several more famous groups. I guess you never know what young talent might do. The music might remain.

Quote from Dave:

You guys were great. The track, "You Can't Erase A Mirror" awesome song. Did Children Of The Mushroom ever release a full albums worth of recorded material? I would pick it up instantly if so. Your band and all the bands I've listed were so inspirational to me. I'm a recording artist as well. Thanks for speaking up.You guys will never be forgotten.

Update, from Dave and his band Mushroom Tea Stories: We play YCEAM three times a week. We also had a surprise video shoot of one of our shows. It came out pretty good though we had a very limited time slot on stage, we performed three late sixties tunes, one really obscure/The Boss Tweeds: a wristwatch band, then Cream: tales of brave ulysses, and Donovan: hurdy gurdy man. Were gonna try and get a set recorded with You Can't Erase A Mirror as well. That song will always be a fave of ours.

Cast of a Thousand Site

Come on over to the new Cast of a Thousand site. There are some pictures of CAST from the Photos link that Jim Rolfe pulled off of Jerry McMillen's video shoot at CVD.

Cast of a Thousand

Photos - Captives - Children of the Mushroom

Mushroom Equipment Hauling Machines - 1960s

The green 51 Cadillac ambulance was bought from a friend of Al Piciottas. As Captives then we could load all the equipment and members into this monster bought for $150.00. I later painted big yellow Mushrooms on it then actually took it to Earl Shibe and forced them to honor there $29.99 paint job. The Color then became dark blue. April Pierson named it Esmeralda (April was my girlfriend when we recorded our 45, a beautiful lady) . It had started out in New York City. I sold it for $25.00.

The 1963 Volks Piano Van was later painted Volks Orange with yellow wheels and a big chrome stinger at the rear. I paid $600.00 sold for $1000.00


The 1964 Falcon Sprint was purchased for $1000.00. It was my friend Pat VanAuken who had a very nice 65 who inspired me to get this one. Both of our cars were Vintage Burgundy in color.

I also had a 1955 Chevy between the Cady and the Volks, just have to dig a picture out one of these days and add it in.

Dick (Wayne) Parker and Dick Torst of 2 D Productions

Jerry McMillen, Children of the Mushroom, shown with Dick Parker, on the left and, Dick Torst on the right. Parker and Torst were the Producers that spear headed our 45 back in 1967. 2 D Productions took on the task. They produced the 45 with the SOHO label

Children Of The Mushroom 1967

(left to right) Jerry McMillen (lead guitar and vocals); Dennis Christensen Swanson(Ludwig drums); Al Pisciotta (Fender bass); Paul Gabrinetti (Fender guitar and vocals); and Bob Holland (Vox organ and backup vocals).

Jerry McMillen and Bob Holland

Jerry Mcmillen and Bob Holland of Children of the Mushroom, Reunion 2005. The music these two put together in the 60's has lasted after all.

Fuzz Acid & Flowers Referenced Children of the Mushroom

Here is an old Google catched link to Fuzz Acid & Flowers by Vernon Joynson that has Children of the Mushroom listed. How did that ever happen?

The link to the Fuzz Acid & Flowers page is no longer listed. I guess we need to buy the book!

Sea Cloud CVD 2006

Thousand Oaks had another great band from the early 1970's, Sea Cloud

The camera man, me Dennis, regrets he couldn't capture more stuff from the CVD event. After all he is not a camera guy anyway. Anyone having other video segments is welcome to send it to me email style, I'll post it.

Also click on this link for an audio moment with members of Sea Cloud waiting for the stage

Paul Gabrinetti Was There COTM Guitarist 1967

Paul Gabrinetti's Son, Ryan who plays a, you guessed it, Strat chats with me at Conejo Valley Days 2006. He told me he actually plays a right handed guitar restrung to be played left handed Just like Jimi Hendrix. Ryan, I hope you get to make a record one day just like your Dad.

Click on the title link above for audio

Another Children of the Mushroom Fan

This fan wrote this about us today. Located in Germany I believe.

I think that is a GRRREAT photo of MUSHROOM; just looking at it makes me want to go and experience the band live. I now understand that indeed you are a true first generation rock'n'roller and psychedelic, so it's all the more exciting to hear of your exploits. I gather that you must be a couple of years my senior (I was born in 1954); so you are of the generation that we used to look up to in those heady old days.

I the first time I heard of the Children was in about 1985, when 'You Can't Erase...' was included on one of the early garage and psych samplers; The Magic Cube, which incidentally was merely a flexi disc. it probably wasn't quite legal, since I don 't think you ever saw any money for it. yet, it probably was still to your advantage to be on it, because at least that way people got to know your name; people living thousands of miles away, like me, who would now be only too interested in acquiring a CD of your material.

From your words I understand that in the original days you probably didn't take the whole music scene quite as serious as we collectors tend to do; I suppose that's always the way it goes; we always have to interpret so much more into the bands and their motives.

My Daughter Krista Comments at CVD 2006

Krista's comments remind those of us who were there that evening how that nice breeze got to some of us, me anyway! But the fellowship was awesome! Music is important!

Click on above title link....

In Memory of Denise Kelly...

A very lovely face from Thousand Oaks high School -1967- Denise Kelly... (left)


Charlotte McMurray (right), came up to me at CVD 2006 and reminded me of the love that Denise and I shared back in high school. Thanks! I do remember you Charlotte! Charlotte indicated to me Denise had passed in the 1970's

MOD 1967

If Scott Lee hadn't joined the band (Captives) I wouldn't have been able to spend my Conejo Car Wash bucks on clothes like these. He had me drive us down to the Hollywood strip then showed me the shops. It didn't take me long to get back to the jeans though.... Oh,yea.

Regards, Dennis

Wikpedia definition of MOD

cast of a thousand 05/06/2006 CVD

cast of a thousand - laid back

Children of the Mushroom Video Clip CVD 2006

Just a very quick clip of the guys....

hey, it's Dennis

Lady Mushroom

Larry was calling the band Lady Mushroom, Mushroom Lady, Mushroom Ladies, Ladies of the Mushroom... some variations of the above.

Larry Weisman & Jim Rolfe Comments at CVD 2006

Larry & Jim's audio comments to Dennis at the Conejo Valley Days event. Two Mushroom members were very much missed! Al Pisciotta & Bob Holland were not able to travel this time.

Again, click on the above title for audio link.

Dennis & Dave Fontana Talking Onstage @ CVD 2006

At the Conejo Valley Days event this last Thursday I brought my digital recorder out to try to catch a few comments with some wonderful friends. I have to tell you every time I go to one of these events my emotions are affected for a few days, it was an extreme pleasure to talk and visit and play some of the old tunes from the 1960’s for me and 1970’s for others. I’m not a writer nor a reporter but I love all of the guys and gals from the past band times in Thousand Oaks and will try to get something down here. Hopefully others will help me as I cannot capture how they felt. Anyway If you click on the above title link you will hear some audio comments.
Dave Fontana is the first one. He begins with how some of Jim Rolfe’s old home recordings of Cast of A Thousand made him feel.
Children of the Musroom played but without Al Pisciotta & Bob Holland. They were missed by all! All the Bands sounded great! No easy task getting folks together from all over to practice and play. I guess it was easier for us back then because we all lived in the same town. The music was important back then and still is.

See You All Tomorrow In T.O.

Will try to get some audio interviews for the blog as well as some Photos....

Regards,

Dennis

Official Conejo Valley Days Web Site

For those of you who might be interested click on the above link for entertainment listings for Conejo Valley Days.

Ideas While A Captive....

I make myself chuckle a little when I think back on some of the early days when Children of the Mushroom were still called The Captives. Most of our band brainstorming was usually done out in a garage were we practiced. One of my early ideas for the group was to go the way of James Bond, alias 007, and wear suites. Im laughing now.... I guess the Ed Sullivan debut of the Beatles hadn't left me yet. Thanks guys for voting that idea out! I have figured out by now that I can not be a Beatle.

Photo, left to right... Jerry McMillen, Mark McKean, Dennis Christensen Swanson, & Al Pisciotta
(approx. 1965)

Humble Music

A long time ago, The Mushroom

Click on the the link above to listen to a garage recording out of our past! Jim Rolfe recorded this at a practice back in 1969 or 1969. Not a studio recording but has lasted to show what we were up to back then.

Titled..... "The Mushroom Theme" By original band members Bob Holland, Al Pisciotta, Jim Rolfe, Jerry Mc Millen and Dennis Christensen Swanson.

On Jim's List

Jim Deecken wrote this back in 2004 on his forum board

After practicing the bass riff for Day Tripper which was pretty challenging, from the Technicolor Web of Sound, a great source of some of the best music ever recorded...

Donovan - The Summer Day Reflection Song
Bob Dylan - Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Love - Hey Joe
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Burning Of The Midnight Lamp
Moby Grape - Looper
Sopwith Camel - Little Orphan Annie
Marmalade - I See The Rain
The Troggs - When Will The Rain Come
Fat Mattress - How Can I Live
Jethro Tull - Fat Man
Silver Apples - Oscillations
Children Of The Mushroom - August Mademoiselle
Jefferson Airplane - Wild Turkey
Fever Tree - San Francisco Girls (Return Of The Native)
The Monkees - You Just May Be The One
Buffalo Springfield - On The Way Home

What Jim had to say after being contacted
Thanks for being part of the greatest music era in history. I listen to the Technicolor Web of Sound all the time and it is amazing stuff. Hope you are still rockin.

USA Single's List A-Z from 1966-72

Children of the Mushroom listed 1968...



Psychlists USA 45's 1966-72.

Line Up

Dennis, the line up, so far, is Sea Cloud, Mushroom, Lady, Cast of a Thousand, and Buster (Frank Akrey). Anyone with a good digital recorder should be there to record this event. Jerry McMillan, yeah (the voice!)... will be singing

cheers, harry

Harry Is Right

Yes Conejo Valley Days is right! More than a rumor! Its taking shape for the 4th of May. Any one with a confirmed lineup and time your welcome to post it.

Regards,
Dennis

Performance(s)

Rumor has it that Children of the Mushroom, Lady, and Cast of a Thousand will be playing May 4th between 6pm and 9pm at the annual Conejo Valley Days. I will put up more details as they become available. Dennis, have you heard anything about this?

Music Appreciated

Here is what one Children of the Mushroom fan (France I think) had to say recently.

This single has always been my favorite (I'm not the only one in this case), it sounds so fresh today.... Just unbelievable... And that sound is absolutely impossible to duplicate, too bad you never released any Lp.

Another 45 For Sale....

Someone in France is selling there Children of the Mushroom 45 on ebay. Bids starting at $399.00. No bids yet.

Update, it did sell for the above price

Another Internet Radio Station - Last fm

Has children of the mushroom listed in their play list wtih the above link to their Mushroom page...

Yes, I am bored tonight!!

Regards,
Dennis

VARIOUS ARTISTS The Magic Cube (El Cid)

Link to 2002 review by Alan Wright back in the '80s of a 10" flexi-disc The Magic Cube. With one Children of the mushroom song, You Can't Erase A Mirror.

What's In a Name

Yes, I'm bored at work again..... Click on the above link to lollypop.com article. Mentions Children of the Mushroom

Wave That Freak-Flag High The Pleasures of Sixties Psychedelic Garage-Punk
by Chris Adams.

Pebbles Volumes 9 & 10 (AIP) Ear-Piercing Punk (AIP)

Mushroom 45

Here is what Dirk from Ungawa Productions, based in Netherlands, said about his copy of Children of the Mushroom's 45


I didn't buy my copy but traded it at a Rotterdam (Holland) 60s festival where I was one of the deejays. The price was 125 euros (about 160 dollars). The seller was an English guy who found the 45 in a Spanish record store. So this particular piece of vinyl has seen the entire western hemisphere.

So if you have more copies of that 45, try and sell one on eBay. I'm told it's worth between 50 and 150 dollars (depending on the quality). Weird prices nowadays...

ciao
Dirk

Children of the Mushroom 45 on EBay

Sunday afternoon I got wind of one of our Children of the Mushroom 45s being auctioned off on EBay. I followed it just for fun. I guess the bidding started out at US $5.00 and ended up at US $157.50. It just makes me laugh!


Dennis

Garage Compilation Database

Found compilation database link on Beyond the Beat Generation web site: click on linked title to see what was listed for Children of the Mushroom.

Oh, The Stories...

I guess it been a small hobby to cruise on the internet from time to time. I came across this out there some where.....



FRESH AIR (Los Angeles, CA)
"A Breath of" 1970 (Amaret st-5005) [1]"A Breath of" 2004 (CD Radioactive 076, UK)
Obscure band on MGM subsidiary caught in transition from west coast psych to west coast rock. Not rated that highly but I think it's pretty solid, with 2-3 great psychy tracks. Should appeal to fans of the '69-70 style of Sugar Creek or Wizards From Kansas. Pro-sounding affair with nice use of organ throughout. It seems that this may have been a band originally called California Grassfield who had competed locally in Ventura County with psych legends Children Of the Mushroom. Confirmation of this would be appreciated. An original Australian pressing apparently also exists. [PL]---Fine mix of hard distorted guitar and dreamy organ floater psych with trippy dippy lyrics sung meaningfully. Crazed, heavy cover of "For What It's Worth". [RM]---Standard semi-heavy rock with prominent organ, a soulful singer, and a pretty mainstream sound. If this album wasn't so rare, no one would notice it. It's not bad for what it is, but not particularly distinctive either. [AM]

Encyclopedia Listing Found for "Children of the Mushroom"

Encyclopedia listing was found at www.nationmaster.com for "Children of The Mushroom" Online listings like these seem to come and go. For now anyway it seems to be here. Click on the title link above.

Larry Weisman and Dennis Christensen... back in the day.....

Here is a picture of Larry Wiseman on bass and myself on drums (The Mushroom). I believe this was taken around 1969. Will Alger sent it to me via email. He told me it had been in one of the school annuals.

Oh, yea, click on the link for a cool Beatle treat.... //dolby.dyndns.org/foo/foo/flash/beatles.swf

Review of Pebbles, Volume 9 at Bomp.com

Here is a review of Pebbles Volume 9, which mentions Children of The Mushroom, located at bomp.com. It still amazes me and puts a little smile on my face. I really thought it had all disappeared years ago. One Saturday in a studio 1967, hmmmm, Click on the linked title above.

Tony Sanchez...

Here is the frontside and backside of lyrics found with a very used copy of the 45 record recorded in 1968 by Children of The Mushroom. Also a partial copy of the email sent today by Tony.

"I found it in Oceanside, Calif at a thrift shop called DAV on Coast Highway. With it came a receipt for what looks like a recording session and a handwritten notebook page with the lyrics from both tracks written on each side. I found the second copy of the 45 in Santee, Calif. (SanDiego area). Unfortunately both copies were not in great shape, which is a shame, as they're superb psychedelia."

Here is the post that I made and Tonys answer over a year ago on Beyond The beat Generation web site.

Children of the Mushroom: Posted on February 21, 2004 at 01:13:52 PM by Dennis ...Drummer

Very glad you have a copy of the 45. I lost mine in 1971 off the top of my car where I had set it before getting in. The band was from Thousand Oaks , Ca. We all went to Thousand Oaks High.


Children of the Mushroom: Posted on April 25, 2004 at 09:34:22 PM by Tony Sanchez

Hi, I think after your copy of the 45 flew off the top of your car it rolled down into the gutter and found its way into a thrift shop. Like Moptop Mikes' mine is beat too. But the copy I found in the thrift shop also had had written lyrics on some notebook paper and some sort of recording document for the band. To date, I've found two copies in thrift shops, both playable but VG- at best condition. A great 45!! Tony

Will asked if we are ready for the DVD?

I hope everyone enjoys the CD. We were working on the DVD again yesterday, it will be a 2-disk set with about 2 hours of music and a bunch of other cool stuff. I hope that it will ship this month, we still have to finalize it, reproduce it, print covers and inner sleeves, and mail them. So, is everyone ready to do this again next summer? We're starting to talk about it, so let us know what you think.

-Will

Will, I know your putting more than $20.00 into all of this! Myself, I so appreciate the work to put the music out there. It is bringing inspiration to my kids (that's priceless) and I see there eyes light up. I know what they are saying, Boy if my ole Dad was part of this I can do it too.

Dennis

Sample Beyond the Beat Generations Internet Station

Clink on the above link for a Listen in and sample Hans, Beyond The Beat Generations music. It reminds me that there were so many bands back in the 60s that never got much attention. Also you can go to his site.....

beyondthebeatgeneration.com

It was Hans that helped bring Children of The Mushroom back into the Light. He told me that back in 1970 he bought our 45 in a parking lot sale at Capitol Records, Hollywood. He was over on a trip from Holland at the time. What a kick to get his email in 2004 telling me this. At the time of getting his email I had thought all our music was dead and gone.

Boy it was great to be with all the Bands at the first Band Tree Reunion! Thanks to Jim Rolfe and so many associates!

Bil McCombe

What can I say, Bil put out an incredible amount of energy for this show. Don't let him spew on you, though (just kidding).

Steve

Caught off guard

That's Jim Rolfe, Steve Stewart, Keith Heins and Phil Hareff. Phil was my source in the early 70's for excellent new science fiction books.

Steve Stewart

New Link Added For Pictures

Listed also on the right side bar......

Will Alger - Working the Recording

Burgundy Flyte (1970/71)

Left to right Ken Cox, Steve Stewart, Stu Yeany, Bil McCombe, Ken Bloch. This band started out as the Travel Agency in 1967/68. Many members including Bob Simmons, Will Alger, Paul Sternberg, and Ed McGee were early members. This picture shows the last line up before Steve quit to work with Cast of a Thousand. Oh, to have that kind of hair again...

Mushroom Theme

The Mushroom ...playing at the Rec Center Thousand Oaks,
doing what we loved in 1968.

Cast of a Thousand, circa. 1972-1973, again

Another picture from the same day of a picture shoot. That's Jim's Volkswagon in the background. Ok, let me see if I can get this history correct. At the gig in T.O. two weeks ago I tried to explain where Cast came from after Jerry M gave a history COTM. It was Mushroom then Lady and then I started working with Wally, while still playing with Burgundy Flyte, writing tunes. Jim called me up and said, "Let's do something" (ah, Jim did you say that?). Anyway, we started working at one of the Johnson's brother's house, rehearsing new tunes. Our first gig was at the rec center in Newbury Park, September of '72, correct me if I'm wrong, anyone please...

Steve Stewart

Cast of a Thousand, circa. 1972-1973

Cast of a Thousand had many members over the years. In this particular picture we have the original members, Wally Stoltze, Jim Rolfe, Steve Stewart, Dave Fontana, Keith Heins, plus Jerry McMillen. Jerry was added to provide help with vocals. We were supposed to be preparing to go to Europe to do a Heineken sponsored concert. It was all very unclear and the trip never materialized. This picture was shot at my rental house on Los Feliz and was where we rehearsed.

Steve Stewart

Wally Stoltze

I read a great Ventura Star Free Press article on Wally a while back... I have yet to stop and visit him in his Thousand Oaks music store...


Was nice to meet up with you Wally!

The Blu-Coats from the 1960's to 2005......

The Blu-Coats still going strong!



Thousand Oaks Band Tree Runion August 2005

Listen to The Blu-Coats at 60sgaragebands.com

Dennis & Pats Surfing Spot.....Remembering a fateful morning

Pat VanAuken and myself (Dennis) ended up at Ventura Point after a three day surfin safari up and down the coast back in 1969. We were real part time surf bums between playing music, going to school, girlfriends & working....... It was an early Sunday morning Pat had just finished ridding a beautiful wave, I turned around to see him do his porpoise squeal dorsal fin and all. He then dove head first in the sea only to find out the water was only two feet deep. Anyway we ended up at Larry Weismans house in Ventura then on to the emergency room. That was the end of our famous surfing trip.


Ventura Point web cam

A few thoughts

Well, I'm still learning how to get my pictures smaller, hopefully this one will load. Last Sunday's reunion was incredible. It had to have been one of the best concerts I've ever been to. To see California Grassfield and Mushroom brought back some intense memories. Bil and Jim did some hard work to get this thing done. What's amazing, to me, is the musicianship that still exists, even after only one or two rehearsals. Thanks to everyone.

Steve Stewart
harry k stammer is my poetry blog, btw.

Dennis & Peggy Christensen..

This picture was taken around 1969 or 1970. I remember how nice it made me feel when she and her friends started taking notice of our band in the early days. I always felt if my sister liked us we might have a chance! Thanks Peg!

Mark towing Dennis

Yamaha 55 with no brakes.

Boyd remembers.....

Hey Denny, Man, the car wash and the drive in!! Life was really good back then. Thanks for the compliments on the drums but you are one hell of drummer as well. I always loved your blue sparkled Ludwig set. Boyd

Rich stopped by....

Dennis, what a great site. I hope more people use it. Some of you might know one of my projects is a video magazine for guitar players on DVD. I want to do a video piece on garage bands of the 60's,not that any of our bands were garage bands. I too really look forward to this. Are guys are going to do In a Godda Deveda, right?

Talk about bands in a tree. Here is The Captives. Starting left is Jerry McMillen, Mark Mckean, Al Pisciotta and Dennis Christensen

I was just thinking

I am a little nervous about going to this reunion. I loved playing the music we made back then though. I haven't played drums in about twelve years. I only hope I don't have to break any more drumsticks. We didn't mic the drums back then, I don't think we had the ability most of the time. I remember nicking my knuckles a lot, blood all over....

I remember many of our

I remember many of our Mushroom practices ended after a black and white (Ventura Sheriff) unit showed up. Did that happen to any of your bands? ...Dennis - COTM

It seems like that was normal for every practice, right around 10pm. I even remember a bunch of squad cars and helmeted cops trying to enter my house, where Cast was rehearsing. Scary!

Steve Stewart

Boyd and Dennis

I am recalling another time when Boyd and I met up after a day at the car wash. He told me how we could get into the drive in for free. Who cares what was playing we needed some action! Any way I think it was Boyd... As we got close to the drive in he got out and went behind the fence. I paid for myself and drove in. Must have looked completely normal, right. He jumped the fence as I drove slowly by and jumped into the car, wow. Boyd my brain is straining, if this was not you forgive me.

Dennis

PS I always new Boyd was a better drummer than I was. You were great Boyd.

2 of my Sons - Both into Music now

Here is a photo of two of my sons taken in the 1980's. Nathan on the left and Aaron on the right. Both rockers today. The other Photo is Nathan with his hawk.

Hope you enjoy some memories.....

Hi everyone.

Anyway I guess most of us from 60's bands are in our 50's and ready to really share our memories from the Time.

Some of you might remember working at Conejo Car Wash. I remember having some fun along with Boyd Cannon washing too many cars. We called ourselves the Tempers after the product we were told to use on the front bumpers. As true rebels of the time we would smear a little of the product on the bumper so Hugh Holbert the owner would see it was being used. After a very long hard worked day at the car wash some of us would head out on a date to a movie at the Newbury Park Drive Inn or have to shower up and go play our guts out at a local high school and or whatever.

Dennis Christensen Swanson

Children of the Mushroom - drummer