The Goods kicked off my week with the jangly pop gem “Summer’s Almost Gone,” and it has me counting the days until the new album arrives. Golden Richards is also back with another single, the wonderfully self-aware “I Want To Be Like Jeff Goldblum.” If you’re into Fountains of Wayne, especially their playful side, this one hits the mark. The Schwa reached out to me on the same day I stumbled across them on Instagram. Funny how that works sometimes. Their new free single, “Gotta Get Away,” sounds like Devo and The Ramones teamed up to play an Offspring song, and somehow it all fits. Minnesota’s Remo Drive also deserves a mention. I somehow missed these singles when they first dropped, but “Live in Pain” stands out with its emotional punch and strong melody. He’s Dead Jim keeps things loose and scrappy with a fun take on summer AOR, while Memphis newcomers Sweet Cream Ladies wear their Guided by Voices influence proudly. The edges are rough, but there’s enough promise here to make them worth keeping an eye on.
Power Popaholic Takeover at 11L RNI on Sunday July 26
11L Radio NY International Takeover! Powerpopaholic will takeover the airwaves! Show time is LIVE 7:30 PM Eastern, this Sunday (7/26). We have new power pop hits, rare XTC, a deep dive on Todd Rundgren and rejected James Bond themes. Tune in!
Listen in on WBCQ (5.130 MHZ) or at the links below:
https://169.61.85.22/grits
http://splatterbox.us/rni
Power Popaholic Interview: Dressy Bessy
A very quick chat with Dressy Bessy led by songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist, Tammy Ealom and guitarist John Hill (The Apples in Stereo). We chat about BETTY BOOP’S BIRTHDAY BASH on August 8, host by actress, comedian, and musician Kate Micucci. We also get into the band’s newest material too. BTW, I checked and we are all wrong on Betty’s age. Betty Boop was created in 1930, making her 96 years old as of 2026.
Here is the new video from The Tammy Shine!
Power Popaholic Interview: Mo Troper
Mo Troper returns with one of his most personal and melodic albums yet, “Today I Played My Guitar And Sang.” We talk about the new record, songwriting, influences, recording at home, and the stories behind these sharp, hook-filled songs. If you’re a fan of power pop, Teenage Fanclub, Fountains of Wayne, or The Beach Boys, this conversation belongs on your watch list.
Great July EPs and album previews: The High Frequencies, The Long Honeymoon, Bleu, My Raining Stars, Twin Bloom, The Private Eye
Let’s start great fresh cover of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” courtesy of The High Frequencies with power pop queen Lisa Mychols continuing to churn out great music every year. Look out for the full Dylan comp on Jem Records. I am thrilled to find out that Bleu is back with a new album and ‘Sargeant Pepper Grinder’ boasts his signature power pop sound, “Start a Band” is a tribute to long time friend, engineer Ducky Carlisle. Minneapolis-based The Long Honeymoon has a very deliberate songwriting method, and it’s all from the heart. Check out “Beauty in Reality.” My Raining Stars is an under rated new wave styled pop band that also deserves attention, listen to “It Will Take Me a While.” Great song writing by Thierry Haliniak. I don’t know much about Twin Bloom, but I liked the Teenage Fanclub vibes of “Summer’s Gone.” L.A. punk poppers The Private Eye have a lot of balls naming a song “Can’t Buy Me Love by the Beatles” but these guys are worth staying for the rest. I liked “Necessity Problem” and “Mary Couldn’t Carry.” Enjoy!