Charlotte Pop Festival 2009...Well Worth It

I traveled two and a half hours for the much anticipated Charlotte Pop Festival, and my experience was nothing of what I had expected. Firstly, the festival is done in cooperation with the city and takes place at Freedom Park, a gorgeous piece of real estate. Beautiful lakes and foliage surround you, and it's so very well kept. Parking is easy as everything is well organized and directed by the police officers on duty.

Although there were a lot of kids particularly around the stage where the bands play, it's a family friendly atmosphere with food vendors throughout serving everything from chicken kabobs to italian sausage to soft-serve ice cream.

Now to the important stuff, the music. I arrived about the time Scott's Garage went on, and they were a pleasant surprise. I had come primarily to see the Jellybricks and The Singles, so I wasn't prepared for the "lesser" bands (and I use that term VERY loosely) being so good. They had the requisite guitar jangle and the harmonies were good, everything one expects from a good power pop band. Things got off to a great start, then it started to POUR down rain. I ran for cover but still caught a glimpse of several other bands, one of which really stood out. The Star Explodes were excellent. It was raining so hard you could almost hear the rain hitting the sidewalk more-so than the sound coming from the amps, but The Star Explodes produced a full sound and had great songs. Check these guys out when you can.

The torrential rains forced the end of the show at that point. I never got to see the Singles or the Jellybricks (The Singles seem to have been removed from the roster for the day). Still, it was time and travel well worth it. Next year, I'm in for the full three day festival package.

Spain doesn't only have great food......

Here's a new release on the best power pop label in Spain, Rock Indiana, by a band called Collection 2....I think. I've only had the chance to give this two or three listenings, and I always hate bands who attempt to sing in something other than their native language...but these guys are GOOD. If I were to describe them in a word, it would be "Jangly Ramones". Okay, so that's two words. Wise-ass. The disc starts out with guitars a janglin' on the Plimsouls / Paul Collins influenced She Said She Loves Me, what would have been a natural single. Beat Me Up could be a Ramones out-take if it weren't for the guitars (which I LOVE), and the beginning of The Swing Time made me think I was about to hear the Ramones doing Needles and Pins (Remember that one?). All in all, a very nice effort.

Pleased To Meet Me....uh, You.

Hey folks, this is my first post, so please be gentle. The title of this post has nothing to do with The Replacements, I just needed a way to say "hello"... Anyway, I thought I'd start this blogging adventure with a post about a disc I really like. But then I'm not a writer by trade, so I figure I'll begin by borrowing a couple of reviews from some writers I really admire, John Borrack and David Bash. By the way John, I really enjoyed your history of Power Pop book (available thru Not Lame) and David, I really dig that black hat. I'll put links to their respective sites as soon as I figure out how.

Here's what these guys had to say about Chewy Marble's "Modulations"...

After a long hiatus, pop whiz kids Chewy Marble are back in the
game with Modulations. Brian Kassan still writes wonderful tunes,
Stu Forman still sings them with an understated grace and pop stalwarts
such as Nelson Bragg, Jim Laspesa and Don Mogill lend instrumental support.
The addition of Kassan as an alternate lead voice lends power to obviously
heartfelt compositions such as "Hey Dad," a love letter to Kassan's late
father, and "Somewhere Else," a scathing breakup song.

--John Borrack

On their third album, "Modulations", you'll find much of the kind of hooky,
melodic power-pop that has made Chewy Marble a fan favorite. The band also
expands their horizons a bit as songwriter Brian Kassan takes on lead vocals
on several of the tracks, giving the band a darker, more introspective side.
This is an album that could end up as many fans' favorite Chewy Marble disc
because of the varying hues.

--David Bash

Thanks to John and David. I'll try to be a bit more original with future posts. I hope to post often with news and reviews about new music you won't ordinarily hear on the corporate airways (in other words, you're not likely to hear any American Idol grads here....not that there's anything wrong with American Idol, mind you).