Thousand Oaks Rock Bands - Stories of Our Times by Dennis & Others

2018-02-18T12:43:00.000-08:00

The purpose of this Blog was to collect information on local Thousand Oaks Bands from the late 1960s. The 1000 Oaks BandTree Facebook page is an alternate if not better place for current and past information. I am closing this blog as of today but will leave what has been entered already. Thanks for your understanding, Best Regards Dennis Christensen Swanson Children of the Mushrom

Children of the Mushroom at Bandtree 6

2015-09-03T09:59:00.001-07:00

Bandtree VI Sept 6

2015-08-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

Bandtree VI

2015-05-12T22:11:00.002-07:00

Coming Sept. 6
Elks' Lodge Thousand Oaks

A treated photo of
A Skripka

New Children of the Mushroom Album LP/CD

2014-11-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

CHILDREN OF THE MUSHROOM

Children Of The Mushroom

OUT- SIDER

Available in Vinyl LP & CD

With only one 45 released back at the time, Children Of The Mushroom epitomized the psychedelic- garage sound coming out from California in the late 60s. Formed in Thousand Oaks by Jerry McMillen and Dennis Swanson, they evolved from a mid- 60s teen- beat band called The Captives.

In 1967, they became Children Of The Mushroom, a name which reflected their new psychedelic sound and image.

The following year, they caught the attention of a couple of young producers, who signed the band for a 45 release. Recorded in 1968 for Soho Records, "August Mademoiselle" / "You can't erase a mirror", is one of the masterpieces from the first psychedelic era: feedback, fuzz, organ, mysterious vocalsSoon after, the band incorporated a new guitar player, shortened their name to The Mushroom and started playing in a more heavy- psych vein, in a similar style to Iron Butterfly.

This retrospective album includes both tracks from their monster 45 with sound taken from the masters plus previously unreleased tracks by The Mushroom, recorded in 1968. These are raw, lo- fi home recordings (some of the tracks were recorded in a real garage!) with lot of fuzz guitar and organ. It's the sound of a psychedelic band in 1968 playing free and wild, without any producer or record label executive telling them what to do. An incredible document.

Remastered sound. Fold- out colour insert with liner notes / interview with the band members and rare photos / memorabilia.

Tracklist: August Mademoiselle - You Can't Erase a Mirror - Blade* - It Won't Be Enough* - Vortex* - Care For Me* - Exordium (The Mushroom Theme)*

Forced Exposure are our USA distributor

Psychedelicized Radio

2014-08-05T20:06:00.002-07:00

I was contacted recently to do a couple of audio promotions for Children of the Mushroom songs that are in Psychedelicized Radios lineup. Click the link for their Facebook page for station info...

TIMEMAZINE Volume 8 Interview

2014-08-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

Jerry McMillen, my band mate, recently did an outstanding interview for TIMEMAZINE Magazine I believe to read it the magazine has to be purchased but a compilation CD is included that lists our song August Mademoiselle in the line up. Check their Facebook page for details.

'69

2014-03-05T22:58:00.000-08:00

When I was 17, it was a very good year...
T.O. 1969, Wally came over to share Steppenwolf's latest release, 'Monster'-
▶ Steppenwolf - Monster - YouTube
We both were reading Hermann Hesse's 'Steppenwolf' n' sharing the music...

'Monster' still holds up today for our dear Country.

In '86, re-recording an ol' Steppenwolf classic, 'Born to be Wild", I was privileged to play guitar with Sky Saxon of the Seeds, vocals and Mars Bonfire, the song's tunesmith on keyboards.

TO Bandtree V

2013-08-10T06:08:00.002-07:00

Song for Our Ancestors

2013-07-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

It was summer of '68, our house was being built in 'Conejo Hills'.
I was fifteen and a stranger to the 'Gun Smoke' backdrop.
There on Moorpark Rd., my folks were picking out doorknobs in the hardware section of 'Builder's Emporium' across the street from the Janss' Mall where I discovered 'The Mothers of Invention' (in a Thrifty Mart bin near the ice cream).
That late afternoon in 'Builder's', I stood over their record bin near the registers, determined to spend my burning five bucks on one of the sleeves in no alphabetical order.
Steve Miller Blues Band's ($2.99) it's cover grabbed my eye, a cool collage and hand type-

San Francisco fog horns blow.

'Song for Our Ancestors', their opening instrumental

pulled my ear...

and I'm sure Carlos Santana to David Gilmour's as well.

Band Tree 5 Update

2013-07-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday September 1, 2013

From 12;00pm to 10:00pm

Location:

Draughts Restaurant & Bar
398 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks, California 91360

Oh... there may be a cover charge. It won't be more than $5 and hopefully less

Also, Jim Rolfe has the new Band Tree Facebook Page

Bandtree Five

2013-02-06T19:52:00.002-08:00

Dang, 'member the Dave Clark Five... 'Bits n' Pieces'... surprised Reese's Pieces didn't use the tune for a commercial.
Hey'therehitherehothere,
Jim Rolfe is organizing for BTR5 in Sept. this year.
Do hope to be there.

Mushroom News Clipping

2012-09-09T17:42:00.001-07:00

Thousand Oaks news paper clipping advertizing a performance of The Mushroom - circa 1968

Mushroom Poster

2012-09-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

This Mushroom poster advertises the last performance of the band before morphing into Lady...

Dennis's Mushroom Pendant

2012-09-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

This Mushroom pendant arrived in the mail Yesterday via Karen & Christy two sweet girls! I (Dennis) use to wear it during Children of the Mushroom performances back in circa 1967... Thanks ladies! Haven't seen it for a long time....

BandTree 4

2012-08-23T09:47:00.002-07:00

Thousand Oaks Band Tree Reunion IV is finally on the books

2012-08-01T19:41:00.001-07:00

Thousand Oaks Band Tree Reunion IV is finally on the books

Sunday, September 2, 2012
1:00pm until 10:00pm

Draught's

398 N. Moorpark Rd. Thousand Oaks, Ca. 91360

The event will be inside but outdoor seating will be available.

Try to get on Facebook and like the new site. It will be the best way to stay informed.

http://www.facebook.com/ThousandOaksBandtree

Cheers,

Jim Rolfe

It's March... of the Ents...over snow capped Rockies

2012-03-02T19:24:00.003-08:00

A good friend, musician n' Rocky Mountain survivor-

Wally Stoltze III.

He and I printed 'PIG IRON' in '69 to distribute at TOHS; a monthly guide to concerts and reviews.
'Pygmy Productions' for concerts and cave raves... rented the CLC auditorium for a San Fernando Valley band, 'Champion' and Cast of a Thousand concert.
We wrote some tunes: 'Spill the Wine' for Brother's Keeper,
'Evasella' for Lady
'Factory Man' with Cast
'Nordic Reindeer revue' for Marut
'Spiders in Yer Chimney, (baby)' for Cast Iron Pygmies...

Cheers, Wally.

Em dim7 chard

2012-02-28T20:43:00.000-08:00

Mushroom man, Jerry McMillan plays a mean Swiss Chard.

Spider's in yer Chimney?

2012-02-17T23:33:00.000-08:00

Larry 'Spider' Webb still rockin' in Feb.

'Got'sum red hot coals burnin' in a wooly hung stockin',
All thru the house, not even a mouse was talkin'
Here comes McNick in wisker'd white jaws,
Oh yea! Death may be yer Santy Claus...
...Mama.
.

Marut, Cast of Asteroids

2012-02-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

My lovely Cheryl found this article in one of her Mother Jane's memory shoe boxes-

Summer of '78 I joined Wally and his new band, composed of young students of Cast.. Jeff was a new comer prodigy, playing bass, bass pedals, drums, perfect pitch n' sneers.
Marut was a live band, covering 801, 10cc and Cast live.
New songs evolved, 'All in a Breath, Rain and Wally n' eye's, 'Nordic Reindeer Revue'... any vid/recordings out there?

Thousand Oaks News Chronicle
Photo by Paul Fontana

It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine: Children of the Mushroom interview with Dennis

2011-09-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine: Children of the Mushroom interview with Dennis.

California Gold Coast Dreamin'

2011-07-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

Just acme across a new Band blog that is covering the Tri County rock bands from the 1960s. There are a few bands that I'm now becoming familiar with outside of Ventura County. I look forward to checking California Gold Coast Dreamin' often. The featured band on the blog this month of July 2011 is, Children of the Mushroom

makes ya wanna join a band all over again...

A Sunday's Cast of the Light of the Moon

2010-11-24T00:38:00.000-08:00

The Gentlemen of the 'Sunday, Jammy, Sunday';~
Frank Akrey on keys, Bil McCombe on guitars and Cast included.

Thanks to Frank for sharin' his space for a sunny Sunday gathering of friends, a clear night n' a full moon...

...is that lava flowing down the Conejo Grade?

March 23, 1968 Billboard Magazine Mentions Children of the Mushroom

2010-07-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Well, while enjoying a little wifi time at a Ventura Starbucks I happened on this internet archived March 23rd 1968 (page28, see highlighted area) Billboard Magazine which mentions radio station KELP located in El Paso Texas. Their program music director/deejay, Charlie Russell, picked Children of the Musroom's "You Cant Erase A Mirror" for the Best Leftfiled Happening. The El Paso area is where this song took off in a regional breakout which resulted in Children of the Mushroom charting.

Billboard's own definition: Best Leftfield Pick is a record by a new artist/established artist who hasn't had a hit recently that has a chance to go all the way.