Step into the kaleidoscopic world of Thee Strawberry Mynde, a North East power trio channelling the spirit of ‘60s garage beat. Psychedelia, punk grit, and soulful swing combine into something that feels both vintage and vital.
Formed in the late ’90s, the band split, reformed in the 2000s, took a long hiatus, and returned stronger than ever. Now three years into their current line-up – Paul Garner (guitar, vocals), Davy Heard (bass), and Soulboy Stu (drums, backing vocals) -they’re fully in their groove.
Their name? A cheeky twist on “Strawberry Mind” from a list of potential song titles, with a deliberately retro “Thee” added for good measure. It stuck. There’s even a subconscious nod to Robyn Hitchcock.
The band proudly wear their psychedelic leanings, but they’re no one-trick pony. Musically, they’re a melting pot – think mid-‘60s garage and psych meets ‘70s punk, soulful grooves, and the Paisley Underground. “I used to devour Bucketful of Brains fanzines and gamble my pocket money on unheard records,” says Paul. “There was no Spotify – just word of mouth, John Peel, and mail-order risks.”
Their latest EP captures this raw energy perfectly. Recorded at Ranscombe Studios in Rochester, Kent, with garage rock legend Graham Day producing, they laid down six tracks in just over two days – mostly in a single take. “We wanted it to feel live, honest, and immediate,” Paul says. The result? A raucous, high-energy snapshot of the band’s power. A chance email to Jean-Marc at France’s Rogue Records led to an old-school 7” vinyl release that came together almost by accident.
Favourite track? Paul’s partial to the bluesy harmonica on ‘Know No More’, though he says they’re proud of the entire record. Their writing process is collaborative and chaotic – Paul has over 300 “sketches” on his phone just waiting for the right moment.
On stage, they’ve supported The BellRays, James Taylor Quartet, and The Thanes. Playing The Cavern Club in Liverpool was a standout, and they’ll return this June for International Pop Overthrow, before heading to Stockholm’s Encore Club.
Locally, they’re part of a vibrant scene – Hartlepool to Newcastle’s garage matinees via Prehistoric Sounds. “We’re older than most,” Paul admits, “but we’ll play with anyone.”
The dream? “A session for Mark Riley on BBC 6 Music. Got his number?”
And their fantasy gig? Supporting The Cramps on their ‘A Date with Elvis’ tour. Now that was a show!
You can purchase their brand new EP now at theestrawberrymynde.bandcamp.com.
