Author: powerpopaholic

Charlotte Pop Fest – Sept. 24-27, 2009

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This is going to be the biggest power pop show of the year. After last year’s success James Deem has stocked this 2nd annual event with even bigger bands. In fact you will probably not see this many stars in one festival.

The first day, Thursday – The Posies will make a rare concert appearance and only one night. Only 100 tickets will be sold for this intimate performance.


On Friday, The Spongetones will headline, along with Bill Lloyd and others to be announced. The rest of the weekend is chock full: The Singles, The Jellybricks, Myracle Brah (Andy Bopp), Starbelly, Cliff Hillis, Dennis Schocket, Ed James, Barry Holdship, Cool King Chris, gogoPilot, Michael Slawter, Tony Low and many more to be named.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

All proceeds from Charlotte Pop Fest benefit The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science.

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.

The Scared Cows and the groovy guru

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Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 meet the Groovy Guru (played by Larry Storch of F-Troop) and the psychedelic group known as the Sacred Cows. Apparently that dippy hippy rock and roll was meant to brainwash teens to “Kill, Kill, Kill” and “bump off a square.” Well, maybe El Goodo could use those costumes for their next show?

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.

Radio City "Class of ’77"

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After I heard The Wigs earlier this year, I thought we’d never see another lost treasure from the early years of 1970’s power pop. Long Island, NY native Gary Feldman formed Radio City in 1977, taking a love of The Raspberries, Todd Rundgren and The Byrds with him in the studio. In fact, the band’s big sin was being “too pop” in a fashionably punked-out New York music scene at the time. It’s another case of a group breaking up before it’s full studio release, but Gary revived and remastered the album, and it finally sees the light of day. Opening with true gems like “Don’t Mistake Love” and “Little Runaway” this is a perfect example of the period. Both these singles would have been big hits if they were released back then. Starting with “She’s A Heartbreaker” you can hear a bit of early punk influences poking through. The playing is exceptional, and energy on tracks like “Tomorrow” and “Play It Like A Man” compares well with Elvis Costello or The Rubinoos, full of Rickenbacker riffs and strong drumming. The last 4 tracks have alternate takes and some live performances. For fans of Buddy Love,  The Wigs, Doug Derek & The Hoax and The Toms it’s a no-brainer. This is another band that deserves credit for helping bridge the link from Badfinger and The Raspberries to  The La’s and The Smithereens.

My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.

The Boolevards "Real Pop"

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Merseybeat aficionados will be on cloud nine with this new release. Using the classic instruments of the great Merseybeat era (6 and 12 string Rickenbacker guitars with some acoustic guitar in for flavoring) and utilizing classic Mersey recording styles (double tracked vocals, a clean guitar sound, two part harmonies, plenty of backround “oohs and aahs,” with echoing vocal effects). The brainchild of brothers, Joe and John Nowik and lead guitarist Hugh Murphy, “Real Pop” is chock full of catchy melodies, along the lines of The Wonders (from the movie “That Thing You Do”), The Rubinoos, and Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas. The songs are basic sixties teen angst about girls that remind me of those early Jan & Dean singles. For fans of those early-era Beatles bands (The Fore,  The Offbeat) this will be a welcome addition to your collection. The CD label even lists the facts: 100% Rickenbackers, Hooks & Melodies – 0% long guitar or drum solos. The issue I have here is the sound is a bit too derivative and with the massive amount of tracks (17), none of them really standout much. Tracks seem to blend together here, and the tinny production keeps every sound (vocals, guitars, drums) at a flat EQ curve. The music is also pretty much at the same fast tempo for every song as well. However, if you enjoy the pre–Spector British sound then this is right up your alley. And you have to give props to Joe Nowik and crew for period accuracy, so let your inner-Beatle fan enjoy this one. 

Boolevards | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.