Kool Kat Kristmas

I love Christmas music and particularly power pop Christmas music. There's a new compilation put out by America's best powerpop label (now that Not Lame is gone, are they the only power pop label?), Kool Kat Musik, and it's a lot of fun. Most of the cuts are first rate. Parallax Project's "All I Want for Christmas is a Chance" is very catchy,
and Maple Mars' "Christmas Time in the City" has a melody that sticks. But the standout tracks are The Britannicas' "Chris Hillman Christmas", The Goldbergs' "Channukah Guy", and John Wicks' "Star of bethlehem". The first two are written with a keen sense of humor (an inportant ingredient to any holiday cheer) and the Wicks cut his a nice tune written with Duncan Mackay, formerly of 10CC.

This is a holiday disc you'll play again and again.

My Mistake

In an earlier post I'd stated that Betty Drake's Grape of Red was being reissued....not the case. Kool Kat Musik happened ot have a few extra copies they'd found so they sold 'em. False alarm. SORRY....

An Old Friends Returns...Betty Drake

A few years back, a friend who lives in Barcelona sent me a CDR and prefaced the letter that accompanied it with "You're gonna like this...". He was right. Inside the envelope was a CD by Betty Drake, a band I had never heard of. And the photocopied art did me no service as it was unreadable. But what a great record!

Years later I find myself working with this guy who is really talented and we start talking about music. I discover that, not only does he know the bands I listen to, be knows the guys in Betty Drake. He was in the Beatifics with two of them! (insert "small world" cliche here). We had a long chat about the band and the music.

Keeping a long story short, Christmas is here early. Betty Drake's second CD, Grape or Red, has been reissued by Purple Pit! Purple Pit may be Andy Schultz, I dunno. But that's neither here or there. The re-release of Grape or Red is a wonderful surprise.

Here's the vital statistics on this recording:


Personnel: Andy Schultz, vocals and guitar / Paul Novak, vocals and guitar / Heath Henjum, bass / Nate Jaqua, drums


Songs: Just Like That / Time Will Never Tell / Funny Forever / Movietown / Oh Claudine / A Place To Stay / Lock & Key / Summer Grass / Curtain Call / Last In Line / Lucky Star


This album showcases the songwriting talents of Andy Schultz and Paul Novak, both veterans of the Minneapolis powerpop scene. The songs are witty, soulful sweet. If you like the Beatifics' How I Learned To Stop Worrying you'll love this as Schults picks up right where he left off (minus Chris Dern's contributions). You can buy it at Kool kat Musik. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Rumors, Rumors...

It's been a while since I last posted so please forgive me for my not so brief hiatus. Word is that if you're a Beatifics fan there is plenty to be excited about. Firstly, I got word that Betty Drake's Grape Or Red is being reissued. For those who may not remember, guitarist Andy Schultz. and bassist Paul Novak started Betty Drake from the ashes of The Beatifics and, joined by a couple of guys who's name I've forgotten (they were from a power pop band in North Dakota or something) released Grape or Red in 2002.
I've not yet seen or heard the reissue yet so I don't know if it includes any bonus cuts or extraordinary additions. I'll keep you posted.

Also, rumor has it Randy Seals of Beatifics fame has an upcoming release. AND, Records fans will be thrilled with another offering from John Wicks. More on those very soon!

Marketing At It's Best

For Harry Nilsson Fans

Have you heard about the new Harry Nilsson film? I hear it's a must see. Check out this little piece about it....

Brian Eno is back!!

Okay, he's not exactly power pop, but he has had such an influence on so many great bands in the 70's, 80's, 90's, right up to today. Well, here's the news....
Brian Eno is returning after many years spent as mostly a producer with "Small Craft on a Milk Sea", and the first single from said album has just hit the net. Small Craft on a Milk Sea is due out on Nov. 2.

Check out a sound sample HERE.

Our Little Secret....but not for long.

Out of nowhere comes Edward OConnell with one the the best albums of the year, Our Little Secret. Equal parts Elvis Costello and Tom Petty, OConnell has managed to meld the two influences into his very own sound, not too derivative of either. Acres of Diamonds starts the disc off to a rip roaring start but the coup de grace is the fourth cut on the album, Happy Black. My sole criticism of the disc is that its all at roughly the same tempo throughout, but I'm willing to deal with that one shortcoming in exchange for this collection of brilliant pop tunes crafted like they used to back in the day when guitars jangled and we still wanted that irresistible pop hook. Rates as...BUY IT...NOW!

The Real Elvis

Check out this sound clip....it's Elvis Presley getting down and dirty. I have no idea where or when the show was. Someone went me this soundclip and there is no doubt that it's the king. In all his glory. Check it out here.

Some Exciting New Releases

There are new releases on the horizon from some of Power Pop's best alltime performers. September will bring us new material from Paul Collins and Dom Mariani (DM3, Stems), rarities from Ultimate Fakebook, and a new one from Peter Case (this is actually a June release). Look for reviews shortly!

Join The Beat Army!

Paul Collins is at it again...sign us up!

join the beat army from bobby A on Vimeo.

News of a Graham Parker film bio

One of my favorite songwriters and performers of all time, Graham Parker, is the subject of a much awaited film bio. The filmmaker needs a bit more cash to bring this to fruition so they're actively fundraising. More info to come.

John Hiatt put on one helluva show

Last night we saw and heard one of America's songwriting treasures, John Hiatt. He performed with is new band, billed as John Hiatt & The Combo, and they were truly fantastic as Hiatt plowed through one classic after another. Starting with "Slow Turnin'" Hiatt had everyone into it from the start. "Cry Love" was next. Two songs and two classics...and they'd barely warmed up. He launched into some of the new songs then and, if memory serves, performed the first cut off of the new LP, "The Open Road", this song being the title cut, followed by "Homeland".

Then, for this blues enthusiast, things got REALLY good. The band followed up with "Like A Freight Train" which reminds me of a Muddy Waters number and "My Baby", a new classic if there is such a thing.

We heard many of the favorites including "Tennessee Plates", "Your Dad Did", and "Have A Little Faith In Me". The crowd loved it and the band clearly enjoyed the crowd's enthusiasm.

The band came out for an encore and performed two songs, one being "Riding With The King", a song BB King and Eric Clapton covered a few years back and one of the best songs of the last 30 years in this blues enthusiast's estimation. In fact, it occurred to me that this was one of those rare shows where I could identify each and every song the band played with the moment in my life when I'd first heard it. It was a truly special night.

I'm writing this as a "flow of consciousness" thing before I lose certain details, so I'll add additional details as I recall it. One thing is for sure, I will never feel more at home than I felt last night listening to the soundtrack to my life.

Go see John Hiatt if you have not already. It's quite a feeling. The new album is called "The Open Road". Go buy it.

Another favorite...John Wicks and Paul Collins

Enjoy...

A favorite Buzzcocks song/video.....

Tommy Hoehn Passes On

Memphis musician and power-pop scene staple Tommy Hoehn has died.

Hoehn, known for his solo work and collaborations with Big Star members Alex Chilton and Chris Bell, had been battling cancer for the past year. The 55-year-old Hoehn died on Thursday night at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

The Importance of the Sex Pistols

They reminded us that Rock and Roll didn't have to be pretentiously deep, that it could be fun again....and slightly dangerous. That's what was truly great about The Great Rock n Roll Swindle that was the Sex Pistols. I was reminded of this after a brief conversation I had with a co-worker today (okay, actually she's my boss).

The Sex Pistols are only slightly less responsible for Rock N Roll's return to the masses than The Ramones (and maybe Screeching Weasel). They almost single handedly returned us from the musical wasteland known as Prog Rock and the tedium known as the Grateful Dead.

Too bad it had to end. In the eternal words of John Lydon, "Ever feel like you've been cheated?". Indeed.
Thank You, boys.

Top 40 PowerPop Bands Of All Time

This by no means an absolute list but the best 40 bands I can think of off the top of my head. Note that all these bands are post British Invasion. This is on purpose as this list could easily be comprised on solely 60's bands like The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, etc. That would be pointless. Anyway, here they are:

1. Badfinger
2. The Raspberries
3. XTC
4. The Records
5. The Knack
6. Material Issue
7. Big Star
8. Nick Lowe
9. Cheap Trick
10. The Plimsouls
11. Sugar
12. Super Deluxe
13. The Ramones
14. The Heats (aka Heaters)
15. The Sweet
16. Paul Collins Beat
17. The Nerves
18. Squeeze
19. The Blow Pops
20. Greenberry Woods
21. Fountains of Wayne
22. Jellyfish
23. The Posies
24. The Romantics
25. Hoodoo Gurus
26. DM3 / Someloves
27. 20/20
28. 92 Degrees
29. Emmitt Rhodes
30. Buzzcocks
31. The Spongetones
32. Split Endz
33. The dB's
34. Bram Tchaikovsky
35. Eddie and the Hot Rods
36. The Chevelles
37. The Red button
38. Velvet Crush
39. The Beatifics
40. Weezer

Honorable mention: The Flashcubes, Dwight Twilley, The Jumpers, Owsley, IKE, Knit Delicate, Lackloves, Myracle Brah, Copperpot, Wondermints, Windbreakers, Jumping Windows, Shoes, Evelyn Forever, Chewy Marble.

Will Owsley Passes Away

Singer and guitarist Will Owsley, a power-pop solo artist and guitarist for Amy Grant and Shania Twain, died Friday, April 30. Owsley was pronounced dead at Williamson County Hospital in Franklin, Tenn. around midday. According to the Tennessean, the 44-year-old's death was "an apparent suicide."

New Release From Major Labels

Talk about a "blast from the past". Many years ago in Syracuse NY I spent numerous hours, significant money, and many brain cells going from one bar to another to hear the best powerpop bands the town had to offer. This guy, "Ducky" Carlisle seemed to show up a lot. Bands like The Flashcubes, Screen Test, and The Most occupied my Saturday nights and turntable and "Ducky" seemed to somehow be involved with all of them as a producer or other.

So I was quite surprised when I stumbled upon the name Ducky Carlise recently. This is not the first time I "stumbled" upon Ducky by the way, as I believe I once threw up on his shoes after a Most show in 1979...I doubt he'll ever read this, so I'm safe. Anyway, I digress...It appears he has teamed up with a couple of his powerpop cohorts to produce a new record...umm, CD (there's the age giveaway). "Aquavia" is the most fun I've had listening to a CD in quite a while. What a blast! I've only had the opportunity to listen to it once, but on first impression it was highly enjoyable. These guys have obviously been listening to a lot of Beatles and ELO records, but they don't sound overly derivative. I'll write more on this disc as I listen to it again...and again. I encourage you to buy it and help Ducky get a new pair of shoes. Later.

The Records and The Beat Meet

Why does that sound x-rated? LOL! Regardless, I thought this a good time to post a clip from the highlight of last summer's concerts. John Wicks of The Records (remember the hits "Starry Eyes" and "Teenama") and Paul Collins of The Beat (remember "Rock N Roll Girl" and "All Over The World") teamed up to do some acoustic shows that were fantastic. Here's a clip from the show they did at McCabes in California last summer. They plan on doing some more this year. I've learned they've started booking shows and will once again be in CA this fall in October. Check 'em out if you can. It was a fantastic show full of back to back to back hits from my college days. Even if you're not over 45 yrs of age you'll love these songs.

A Few Excellent Recent Releases

Some of these are just released, others within the past 6 months, but all are recommended. Here's the list. Go out and get 'em:


The Madd - Are Pretty Quick (Beatlesqe, but not overly derivative)
The Meadows - 1st Nervous Breakdown (The second best band in LA)
Farrah - Farrah (Their fourth effort, single is very XTC-ish)
Green Pajamas - Book Of Hours Reissue(best Psych-pop disc of the 80's)
Hoodoo Gurus - Purity of Essence (30 years and Faulkner still kicks ass)
Graham Parker - Imaginary Television (NY's Poet Laureate, or should be)
Seth Swirsky - Watercolor Days (may be the best disc of 2010)
American Professionals - The Specialist (MUCH more energy than "Faking It")
Well Wishers - Post Modern Romantic (Lots of guitars! I love this record)
Greg Pope - Popmonster (some really good singles here)


All these discs are available though Kool Kat Musik, btw.

Exile On Main Street Reissued!

Many Stones reissues have hit the market over the years, often shrewdly timed to a new tour or technology. But none has matched the anticipation and nostalgia stoked by this Tuesday’s deluxe re-release treatment of “Exile,’’ which will include 10 previously unreleased tracks as well as reworked “Exile’’-era songs. For several generations of fans and critics (most of whom have radically revised their initial assessments of the album), the Stones’ 1972 opus remains the band’s definitive, enduring statement.

The New Improved Farah

I've liked this band for a long time since 2001's "Mustache". The second full length, "Me Too" was fairly good as well as their EP which followed shortly after. They've gotten progressively better and the new release simply entitled "Farrah" is their best effort yet. Standout tracks include "Stereotype", "If You Were Mine", "Heavy Metal", and the single (if there is such a thing anymore) "Swings and Roundabouts". Imagine a heavy dose of ELO with a small dash of XTC and you get an idea how infectious "Swings and Roundabouts" is. I've heard it only twice yet I've heard the song's been sticking in my head all morning..and that's a very good thing! Highly recommended!

Roger and Malcolm

This just in:
Prompted by the recent death of Sex Pistols manager and punk honcho Malcolm McLaren, film critic/writer Roger Ebert recently posted an unfinished film script
he wrote for the pioneering English punk band in the summer of 1977. Read Who Killed Bambi? Intended to be the punk version of "A Hard Day's Night", his screenplay
never made it to fruition and the film never made. Bits and peices of fopotage wound up in "The Great Rock n Roll Swindle" though.

Jim Caroll, poet and creator of "Catholic Boy" Dies

Jim Carroll, the poet and punk rocker in the outlaw tradition of Rimbaud and Burroughs who chronicled his wild youth in “The Basketball Diaries,” died on Friday at his home in Manhattan. He was 60.

I've read two of Jim Carroll's books, "The Basketball Diaries" and "Living At The Movies". I highly recommend them both. "The Basketball Diaries" was exactly that, a diary of his high school years. "Living At The Movies" is a great collection of his early poetry.

One of the most memorable rock shows I ever saw was back in 1982 I believe, when I saw Jim Carroll open for The Boomtown Rats. The Rats were great, but Carroll was extraordinary. He had an incredible stage presence and from the moment he took the stage you knew you were experiencing something really special.

Bye Jim. We'll miss you.

FOW Guitarist's New Release

Fountains of Wayne guitarist Jody Porter will release his solo debut Close To The Sun via Engine Room Recordings on May 11, 2010.

According to his website, the US version of Close to the Sun will include two new tracks called Twilite and Good to be Alone. Jody recorded the songs with drummer Jared Nissim throughout January 2010, in NYC.

Known for his impressive...[read more]

Nirvana Bassist Runs For Office

Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has entered the race to become county clerk in Wahkiakum County, Washington, to protest the way the state elects officials.

He is running for office on behalf of the fictional Grange Party, reports Contactmusic.

He strongly...[read more here]

Ten of the Greatest LPs You've Never Heard

I promise that listening to any of the LPs below will change your life forever, compelling you to quit your job and become a middle aged groupie. I urge you to check 'em out...NOW!

1) Greenberry Woods - Rappledapple
2) Randy Weeks - Sugarfinger
3) The Beatifics - How I Learned To Stop Worrying
4) Jumping Windows - Belly Of The Beast
5) The Chevelles - Girl God
6) Windbreakers - Disciples of Agriculture
7) The Heats - Have An Idea
8) Velvet Crush - Teenage Symphonies
9) The Beat Farmers - Manifold
10) The Tearaways - See The Sound

Review: The American Professionals "The Specialist"

Band lead by singer/guitarist Chuck Lindo, guitar player Mike Corcoran, drummer Steve Moriarty and bass player Cheryl Hendrickson produce
an EP full of large loud guitars and catchy melodies that are sure to please any fan of power pop. This release rocks a lot harder than "Faking It", which was
kinda lame in this humble listener's opinion. This EP is a very welcomed change. The fast pace kinda reminds me a little bit of Paul Cook and Steve Jones' post Sex Pistols band The Professionals....just a bit.

No two tracks are similar and the harmonies are just right. "Jump This Train" has a bouncy beat unlike anything else on the EP although
the title track, The Specialist, is exceptional. Probably my fave on the EP is "Down Low", a reminder that it can always get worse.
This EP will leave you wanting for the full length (which is hopefully in the works).

Check these guys out or buy there EP at CdBaby.

Malcolm McLaren Dies at age 64....

Malcolm McLaren, the former manager of the Sex Pistols
and impresario, has died. He was 64.

McLaren had had cancer for some time. His condition recently suddenly worsened and he died this morning in New York. His body is expected to be brought home to be buried in Highgate cemetery, north London.

I never knew Mr. McLaren of course, but I'd heard an interesting story about him from John Wicks, lead singer and songwriter (along with Will Birch) of the classic powerpop band of the late 70s and early 80s, The Records. I hope I can do the story justice. Here's the way I recall John telling it....

John saw this ad in NME looking for a lead singer. He phoned up the telephone number in the ad and this guy on the other line, a guy who owns this London S&M clothing boutique starts telling me about this band he's putting together. He was very specific in what he wanted. The way John tells it he would have auditioned if it weren't for Mr. McLaren's last stipulation...that he cut his hair. There is no way Wicks was cutting his hair for anyone! The conversation ended there. It was a few years later after the Sex Pistols became popular that John put two and two together and figured out that he had been on a phone interview with Mr. McLaren for the job John Lydon would later fill so very well. From this story its easy to see that McLaren was a man with a vision, a specific plan that he could see through according to his specification...one of the rare breed of entrepreneur who could succeed on his own terms. A very rare breed indeed.

That's my Malcolm McLaren story and I'm stickin' to it.

Alex Chilton Leaves Us

Alex Chilton, the pop hitmaker, cult icon and Memphis rock iconoclast best known as a member of 1960s pop-soul act the Box Tops
and the 1970s power-pop act Big Star, died Wednesday at a hospital in New Orleans.
Read more here....

Remembering Doug Fieger

On February 15, 2010 the music world lost Doug Fieger, lead singer and songwriter of The Knack. Doug, who was best known as the voice behind the smash hit "My Sharona" passed away at his home in Woodland Hills, Calif. He was 57. Having been asked his recollections of Doug for the latest issue of PopDose online.

The full article can be found here.

Letter of Intent day and Fanfest at Syracuse

Okay, it was actually national letter of intent day for several division one sports on Wednesday of this past week. With fresh faces promising their allegiance to the Orangemen this coming fall, hope springs eternal.

It just so happens that I stumbled upon some old photos from the 2002 football season's Fanfest the other day. Now you get treated to my version of my Uncle Jule's home movies....Gotta go? Well, tough luck! (if you promise to sit still there's some club soda mixed with orange juice and a bagel for you, sonny. Here they are:

I skipped work and my son skipped school (don't tell on either of us!) to visit Paul Pasqualoni and his football team for Fanfest 2002. We started out in the early morning and if memory serves we pulled into the skytop parking lot around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. The practice field is not too far from Manley Field House where we used to watch Rossevelt Bouie and Louis Orr defeat one Georgetown team after another (what...we lost one?). I can remember Jim Boeheim's plaid suit and Clive Gregson-like glasses like it was yesterday though.
Our spirits were high, anticipating the crisp air and the sound of the big hits and helmet to helmet crashes we'd soon bear witness to. But..Uh-o, we forgot....a football!! One can't get autographs without a football. One trip to Manny's on Marshall Street and $25 bucks later, problem solved!

We got back in time to catch practice, something every football fan really must experience. Whistles, yelling coaches, pads crashing against pads...it was beautiful! But the coup de grace would come soon. The players leave the practice field and then, one or a few at a time, they wonder back out to mingle with the fans who came out to get an early glimpse at the team. We met Walter Reyes, Steven Gregory, and others, all of whom were very good to us. There is no question that Coach P recruited guys of high character. I still remember Coach P remarking to my son how much he admired his new football. That's passrusher extraordinaire James Wyche with my son on the right, btw.

To the left you'll find a picture of Steve Gregory signing a football for my son. I'm told Gregory now starts for the San Diego Chargers.

Fanfest 2002 was quite a day! I don't know if Doug Marone plans the same type of thing for this August, but if so....ROAD TRIP!!!

Next post, what we learned about Carmelo, and G-Mac while at the barber shop on M Street. Stay Tuned!

John Wicks and Paul Collins at McCabes - Best of 2009

I don't see as many live shows as I once did, so I have to be selective these days. That having been said, within the last year or so I've seen/heard The Cheeksters, Don Dixon, Pat DiNizio (Smithereens), Peter Case, X, Suzanna Hoffs (Bangles) and Matthrew Sweet just to name a few. While all are unique talents, some have aged better than others. As I'd mentioned in an earlier post, Suzanna Hoffs hasn't aged a bit in voice or looks, and The Cheeksters haven't been around long enough to age (although I'm hoping they will be as they were very entertaining).

None compare, however, to the experience of seeing John Wicks and Paul Collins at McCabes. With so many memorable hits in their respective back catalogs (John with The Records and Paul with The Beat), it was just one great song after another. And they seem very personable. The room wasn't quite full but it was a good crowd nonetheless, and both John and Paul seemed really appreciative of those who trucked out to Santa Monica on a sunny Sunday Afternoon to see and hear them. They were conversational from the start, sharing humorous stories between the trunk full of hits each singer/songwriter carries with him from town to town.

For powerpop afficionado the coup de grace came when Peter Case stepped onstage to join the guys for a few songs. Again, the stories flowed and the hits kept on coming.

After the show they ventured out to say "hello" to those in the crowd, taking time for friendly conversation with those who hung around a few minutes after.

Here's a video from the performance where the guys play one of John's hits with The Records called "Hearts Will Be Broken" from the second LP entitled "Crashes":



If you want more info on John, Paul, or what they're doing together stop by here:

John Wicks and Paul Collins Official Website

John Wicks and The Records Official Website

Paul Collins Beat Official Website

The 12 Days of Christmas in NJ is in stores!!

What's all this fuss about the healthcare bill, terrorism, and the supposed global warming when there's something truly important going on...my book is out!! Published by Sterling Publishing, it's a children's book about, well, Christmas in New Jersey. Retailing for $12.99 before Christmas, I did what any recession period children's book artist does...I scoffed up five copies after the holiday at a discounted price. So get to a Banrnes & Noble near you. Okay folks, calm down. Don't start a Wallmart style stampede.