Power Pop News 'n Tunes
MARCH 2020
your monthly fast-track summary to what's happening
now
in pop
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(
VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE
: Since this a very long newsletter, you will not be able to view the entire contents in your email program or phone.
CLICK HERE
for a better viewing experience.
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Welcome to Issue #8!
(Again, for a better viewing experience on your phone or in your email program,
CLICK HERE
)
Welcome to Issue #8 - and even past Friday, I wouldn't have guessed that the timing of this could not better.
I wanted this information to be a stark, strong and postive counter-point to everything else going on and just be
a simple joy
- and no Corona commentary because you, me
and everyone
is getting plenty of that from other quarters of our lives, right?
With all that appears to be ahead, I sure hope it this brings a smile and diversion...for you, my beloved and fellow music geek.
Some Quick Housekeeping:
After seven issues from April-December in 2019, I'm off and running for 2020. As I mentioned earlier this week, there's some catch-up and a large supply of news from the past three months. Therefore and with all that is going on, I'm going to another issue soon - and keep a flow of more happier news coming to you.
A Reminder: I personally am not selling anything in here, nor receive any compensation from any label or artist - except gracious thanks hopefully for sharing 'the good news'. And that works A-OK with me.
So with that...
LET'S GET GOING!
:-)
Peace 'n Pop,
Bruce
P.S. Please email me back and share with me any of your favorite blogs, sites, new releases, old faves, news you've heard, etc...I'll include them in the upcoming newsletters...next one is in a few weeks.
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As always, Ray at Kool Kat Musik has been supremely busy keeping the PHYSICAL exchange of music alive. That would be: CDs. Tough for many to grasp but, personally, I'm still all in with holding the vehicle of music, even if it's not vinyl. I stream plenty, rest assured. I listen to MP3s and FLAC files but only when that music is not available in a physical format.
Anyway, there's a lot of great new releases for the first few months of 2020 from Kool Kat. Seven total, in fact.
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JOHN WICKS TRIBUTE:
"For The Record"
John Wicks was about to record the vocal tracks for this latest batch of songs before his untimely passing in late 2018. In his stead, friends and pop luminaries have gotten together to see that his final compositions were completed. It's a very personal goodbye and a testament to how much John was loved and appreciated by his peers. The project was masterfully coordinated by Rich Rossi, one of John’s closest friends
.
Click
HERE
to order and for more info
Click
HERE
to read a Goldmine Magazine review
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The project was masterfully produced by Jamie Hoover, and features contributions from John Wicks, Ray Paul, Peter Case, Jamie Hoover, Al Stewart, Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), Paul Collins, Don Dixon, Carla Olson, Bill Berry, Kyle Frost, and Nick Guzman! In addition, you’ll hear brilliant instrumental and vocal contributions from Dave Nachmanoff, Elliot Easton (The Cars), Andy Qunta (Icehouse, Factory), Chris Price, Syd Straw, and many others.
PETER CASE video from "For The Record"
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Click on the images of each album to get
more information and order.
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STRAND - Can't Trust The Rain
Strand carries a lot of influences, but in its beating heart lie the ghosts of Gene Clark and the Byrds, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Big Star, Love, and Gram Parsons.
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THE OVERTURES - Onceinaworld
If you’re a fan of 6 and 12-string guitars, the music of The Beatles, Squeeze, The Searchers, The Byrds, Del Amitri, and The British Invasion, get ready to all in.
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THE DECIBELS - Big Sounds Again
A remixed and remastered version of The Decibels’ 2001 release “The Big Sounds of the Decibels” with a couple bonus tracks thrown in“The Decibels once again stands out from the not so few releases that appear in the tension between punk rock, 60’s and power pop." OxFanzine.
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JORDAN JONES - s/t
Jordan Jones’ fantastic 2019, self-titled debut (previously only available on vinyl/download) is the latest title to be made available for the first time on CD on Kool Kat. And for the occasion, Jordan has tacked on a song, “Text You Back”. "Every now and then, a new artist comes along that has a debut so accomplished you wonder just where on earth they’ve been hiding. Jordan Jones is that man. This is brilliant. Simple as that.” – MaximumVolumeMusic.com
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EMPEROR PENGUIN - Soak Up The Gravy
“Fans of The Grip Weeds, The Pillbugs and 60’s anglophiles you couldn’t do better...” – Powerpopaholic.com “An inventive, quirky power pop band whose music conjures up the Jam as much as Big Star.” – TheUnherd.com
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THE GREEK THEATRE - When Seasons Change
3rd these Swedish psych-pop maestros. "They specialise in gentle West Coast Psych. All of it is an easy listen and borders on Prog and artists as varied as The Byrds, Pink Floyd and the Alan Parsons. Project." IDontHearASingle.com
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THE WEEKLINGS - 3
Their 3rd and, to these ears, their strongest.
"
If you like melodic power pop that ranges from great jangly chime-y chords with big bloopy bass (picture McCartney's bass in "Rain") to harder edged melodic rock - all of which is augmented with sophisticated vocal harmonies, this is for you. The Beatles meet Jellyfish meet The Standells meet The Raspberries meet The Merrymakers meet Big Star etc. (You get the idea). The Weeklings are the most appetizing aspects of all of them.
" - Power Pop Heaven (nice name!)
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THE MIDNIGHT CALLERS
This is not out yet and not certain date to communicate here except something along the lines of 'quite soon'! Produced by Kurt Reil, of The Grip Weeds, I've heard four songs from an advance EP and, rest assured, this is one to keep high up on your radar as it's top-notch and kick-ass. Nice combo.
The four advance songs are anthemic, accessible, immediate, with emphatic choruses and melodies filled with hooks, crunching jangly hooks and tight cornering.
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Click on the images of each album to get
more information and order.
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Ken Fox & Knock Yourself Out
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The Speedways - Just Another Regular Summer
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The Real Impossibles - It's About Time
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The Peawees - Walking the Walk
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Click on the images of each album to get
more information and order.
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Big Stir Singles: The Fifth Wave
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Anton Barbeau - Kenny Vs. Thrust
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Shplang - Los Grades Excritos
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The Forty Nineteens - Tell Me
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Jim Basnight - This is Where I Belong
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Popdudes - Ridin' In My Car
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CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO GET MORE INFO AND LISTEN
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Ryan Hamilton and the Harlequin Ghosts
- Can I Get An Amen
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The Cocktail Slippers - Night Train
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The Empty Hearts - Remember Days Like These
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The Dollyrots - Make Me Hot
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Wyldlife - Year of the Snake
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CLICK BELOW TO HEAR SAMPLES FROM "HOME" - it's amazing!
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One of our premier talents in the Power Pop World, Lannie Flowers has been on a roll in the years since he burst onto the scene compliments of Spyderpop Records. There's CD, digital and a 2-LP vinyl set.
Click
HERE
to read a review
Click
HERE
to read another one
Click
HERE
to go the Spyderpop store
Click on the video on the left to listen to samples
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LISTEN to the debut 6-minute single, "Lighthouse Spaceship"...like NOW!
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JELLYFISH NEWS & COOL NEW BAND ALERT!
It seems most of these issues have some kind of JELLYIFISH news, which is of course quite awesome, yes?! :-)
This time, though, is more special because there's new music from Roger Joseph Manning, Tim Smith and Eric Dover. Yeah, 3 guys from
that band
.
And...when you listen to it here, you are gonna be PRIMED, GEEKED and OVER-DA-MOON with how this one new song will hit you. AND...there's more coming.
ARTICLE
- PopMatters write up, click
HERE
Another Article - Click
HERE
Pre-ORDER the EP
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ONE LAST TIME: IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Make sure you
CLICK HERE
for a better viewing experience and to be able to read everything.
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"The Long Lost Not Lame Recordings Release"...
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(I'M RE-PRESENTING THIS FROM THE LAST ISSUE BECAUSE IT REALLY IS SOMETHING SPECIAL...)
Well, I hope that those have been around me for awhile have not forgotten my work with Not Lame Recordings(1994-2010) and this headline got your attention. Time does fade...but when I heard that A. Michael Collins was readying to dig out the tapes from this missing, never heard project from around 2002, I was very excited. Very. You see, VICTORY LAP was their name. You never heard them or heard of them. I wanted to help power pop fans 'back in the day' to hear them because they were good, real good - especially for fans of The Posies, their strongest influence. At least to my ears.
I sent the band some money to finish recording and, alas, the project petered out and the advance, graciously returned. I kept the tapes(cassettes) and every few years I would come across them and usher out a meek, quiet sigh.
Now, it';s your turn to hear what I heard years ago - and you can decide.
Oh yeah, forgot. Produced and mixed by Ken Stringfellow. ;-P
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NEW SONGS FROM
KAI DANZBERG
What you've not heard of Kai? What you have? Either way, there's new music to listen to!
Click
HERE
for his home page
And, finally, a video JUST POSTED TODAY.
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Producer Keith Olsen has died...
Acclaimed record producer Keith Olsen has died. Though he may best be remembered for his work alongside Fleetwood Mac, the prolific music veteran teamed with a long list of artists over the course of his career, contributing to many legendary...
Read more
ultimateclassicrock.com
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"POP! Fights the Flames" - Great Music for a Great Cause
By John M. Borack Various Artists POP! Fights the Flames (Goldstar Recordings) We've only just flipped the calendar to March, and I can already announce with some degree of certainty that I have heard the compilation of the year (or is it...
Read more
www.goldminemag.com
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Lost Harry Nilsson music comes to light
By Bill Kopp Featuring anidiosyncratically spelled title that evokes memories of his 1977 LP Knnillssonn, singer and songwriter Harry Nilsson has returned with Losst and Founnd, his first album of new music in 40 years. That's an amazing feat for ...
Read more
www.goldminemag.com
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Natural Beauty, by Mo Troper
Mo Troper "the conker's bad fur day of power pop" Natural Beauty, released 14 February 2020 1. I Eat 2. Your Boy 3. In Love With Everyone 4. Your New Friend 5. Everything 6. Jas From Australia 7. Almost Full Control 8. Potential 9. Come and Get...
Read more
motroper.bandcamp.com
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Shoes: Elektrafied- The Elektra Years 1979-1982, 4CD Box ...
This 4-CD anthology of the band's recordings for Elektra, fleshed out with a swathe of pre-album demos, "lost" songs, alternative versions and live tracks dating from the same period, is a veritable smorgasbord of perfect pop from a time when...
Read more
www.cherryred.co.uk
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FUGU - As Found
FUGU is one of those bands who has been around for almost 20 years and still few have heard or heard of them. This is a sampling of their upcoming album and it's a great time to check this French band out
Read more
bandcamp.ww2w.fr
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Watch When Things Go Wrong: The Robin Lane Story..
When Things Go Wrong, directed by her filmmaker Tim Jackson (also her longtime drummer), looks into the in and outs, ups and downs of the career of this unique singer...
Read more
vimeo.com
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KISS: The World's Most Underrated Power-Pop Band? - The...
Sure, at this point, KISS are less a band than an automated merchandise factory, with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley essentially counting down the days unti
Read more
www.the-dowsers.com
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Pretty, but Killing Me - Deluxe Edition, by Pacific Radio
Featured on Pop Geek Heaven's "Best Power Pop of 2018", PACIFIC RADIO is angling to hit the 'Best of 2020" lists with their new one, "Pretty, But Killing Me"...
Read more
pacificradio.bandcamp.com
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New Music from Patrick Barnes of DIRTY LOOKS!
"DIRTY LOOKS". Our 'Dirty Looks', power pop fans - not the late 80s hair band with the same name but the Long Island trio who set power pop fans' mouths agape back in 1980 with their debut. You'll recognize the voice right away...
Read more
patrickbarnes.bandcamp.com
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Review: Jeff Lynne's ELO - "From Out of Nowhere"
By John M. Borack JEFF LYNNE'S ELO From Out of Nowhere Columbia (CD, LP) 4 Stars Like its predecessor (2015's Alone in the Universe), From Out of Nowhere is essentially a Jeff Lynne solo record; engineer Steve Jay plays a bit of percussion and...
Read more
www.goldminemag.com
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Makin Waves with The Anderson Council: Keeping Young
If you are a fan of British Invasion power pop and psychedelia and subsequently inspired acts, Highland Park-based The Anderson Council are you're jam. Released on Jersey-based JEM Records - home to similar Garden State acts The Weeklings and The ...
Read more
www.newjerseystage.com
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BACK ON THE SCENE: Jeff Lescher of Chicago band, Green
When I contacted Jeff Lescher of legendary mod/glam/punk/power-pop band Green to find out what his set would be like for this special gig, he responded quickly and kindly, but added, "One 'angle' that I hope you'll avoid in your reportage is the...
Read more
www.chicagoreader.com
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GO ALL THE WAY: A Literary Appreciation of Power Pop (The Mixtape Series)
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After years of being ignored in the literary world, the last 10 years has seen a regular flow of great and geek-filled tomes covering our beloved genre. It's really quite remarkable - just view the two right here.
Let's start with "Go All The Way". Just look at the cover? Right?! If that does not pull the inner pop geek heartstring, whaddya doing here?
Compiled by musician and biographer Paul Myers and S.W. Lauden, this is a collection of essays on the subject of 'power pop' by a long list of excellent writers, many known by you and me and others fans lurking on the sidelines but fully tuned into the glorious history, sounds and relevance of our beloved genre. Here are some(but not all) of the essays' subject matter.
Heather Havrilesky on Blondie
Carrie Courogen on Liz Phair
Michael Chabon on Big Star
Jeff Rougvie on Cheap Trick
David Yaffe on XTC
Kate Sullivan on Jeff Lynne and ELO
Dylan Champion on Guided By Voices
David Bash on His So-Called (Power Pop) Life
Justin Fielding on The Road to Power Pop
Paul Myers on Sloan
(list continued to the right)
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Jeff Whalen on Power Pop as Beatles Obsession
S. W. Lauden on Fountains of Wayne
Ira Elliot on Putting the Pow! in Power Pop
Rex Weiner on September Gurls
Marko DeSantis on Surrender
Ken Sharp on The Secret Power Pop History of KISS's Paul Stanley
Tom Petty on The Strange Magic of Jeff Lynne (as told to Ken Sharp)
John M. Borack on The Women of Power Pop
Dave Holmes on Tommy Keene
Daniel Brummel on Weezer
Allison Anders on Nick Lowe's Pub Rock Roots
Annie Zaleski on How Jelly Fish Changed the Game
Chris Holm on The Brainy Power Pop of Allan Carl Newman
Scott Miller excerpts from
Music: What Happened?
Kurt Baker on Pop Punk to Power Pop
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ARTICLE - "Best Band You've Never Hard Of" - Click
HERE
VIDEO - Ripping 45 minute set from 1979 - Click
HERE
DISCOGS - listing of all Pezband releases for sale, Click
HERE
ARTICLE - "Power Pop Rediscovered", click
HERE
ALL MUSIC GUIDE - Discography reviews, click
HERE
And if you've not heard it yet, in 2019, JEM RECORDS reissued their 3rd album, "Cover to Cover", totally remastered with a bonus track. It is MUST own purchase. Why? Because the material not only holds up, it sounds stronger, better than it did 40 years ago - AND it's been remastered and much of the original's tinny sound has been 'fixed' and sounds STELLAR! Find it with ease on Amazon.
Article on the reissue, click
HERE
Review on "Cover", click
HERE
Another review on "Cover, click
HERE
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Most power pop fans have some very specific memories of PEZBAND. I've found this to be true in the 25 years I've worked in and around power pop actively and as a vocation for many of those. Whether it was seeing the band live(they were rippingly tight, loud and fastastic), listening to one of their songs after a particularly hard breakup in those early dating years or just 'the first time' hearing them. For me, it was the later. I found the first album a few months after it came out for .49 cents in 1977 at the first visit to a used record store as a teenager. There were hundreds of albums priced between .25-.99 cents(most radios station promos ignored by DJs), I walked out with with over 20 albums for under $10 and wondering what hit me with all my good fortune. One of them was "Pezband" and it was a revelation. Years later, when I started up in Not Lame Recordings in 1994, I reached out to Mimi Betinis(
one of the nicest, most gracious guys in power pop, which is over-run with them!) after some AOL email exchanges, the first and only Not Lame vinyl release was secured: a 7" 4-song EP of unreleased material. Funny how my passions came full circle - and they continued for the next 20+ years as I ended working with or becoming friends with dozens of power pop artists from the 70s. But my 'first' was...PEZBAND. Enjoy these links here.
More Links To Add From Left Side:
I
NTERVIEW with Mimi Betinis - click
HERE
"Newer Releases You Might Have Missed"
Cool Release #1 - click
HERE
Cool Release #2 - click
HERE
Cool Release #3 - click
HERE
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LOOK FOR ISSUE #9 IN A FEW WEEKS. The Good Vibes Will Keeping Coming...
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