Thousand Oaks Rock Bands - Stories of Our Times -

Da' Rec n' Crew

2009-09-03T18:46:00.001-07:00

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

Phil Hareff Reminiscing At Band Tree lll August 2009

2009-09-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-01T17:03:00.001-07:00

Dennis Looks Perplexed - Band Tree lll 2009

2009-08-31T00:11:00.003-07:00

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

2009-08-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from 'The Rec'

Band Tree lll - In The Making

2009-07-30T03:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-07T04:15:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-25T23:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

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"

2007-10-07T17:48:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-02T18:06:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-05T17:38:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

Marlene Allawos Hallack, Remembering Thousand Oaks Band Times

2007-08-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-27T23:02:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-31T00:13:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

"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.