The short-lived London hard rock band with a heavy bluesy and psychedelic sound was formed in 1970 and consisted of singer Peter French and guitarist Mick Halls, both formerly of Black Cat Bones and the Brunning Sunflower Blues Band, brothers Derek (guitar) and Stuart Brooks (bass), as well as drummer Keith George-Young. The band’s name Leaf Hound and the song titles are taken from horror stories by the British writer Herbert Van Thal. They recorded their only album Growers of Mushroom in just a few hours in 1970 at Spot Productions Studios in London, produced by Paul Lynton. However, the album was originally released on the German Telefunken label. But two songs on it were simply forgotten: the title track and the opening track, Freelance Fiend.

This was subsequently corrected in the English Decca edition, which appeared a year later in October 1971. By that point, the quintet no longer existed. This chaotic release policy of the record company and the resulting failure certainly contributed to the band’s disappointment and break-up. Ultimately, though, this is one of the best 70s heavy rock bands that never achieved the success it deserved. Nowadays, however, they are recognised as such worldwide. Therefore, not only is the original English Decca release priceless, but the German edition, which at least includes a poster (!), is also sought after worldwide and is extremely expensive.