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.