September Singles and EPs: The Mayflowers, The Gnomes, Birds Streets, Chris Richards and the Subtractions, The Cle Elum, Wifey


With September we go back to school, old school that is. Kyoto Japan’s power pop rockers The Mayflowers are back in a big way. For the first time in over four years, their new song “I’m a Soldier” entails confronting oneself, disease, and despair. Really excited for the old school charm of The Gnomes. The new single “I’ll Be There” is a loaded with Beatlesque harmonies with a touch of punk rhythm to those “Yeah, yeah, yeahs.” Another welcome return is John Brodeur’s third full-length as Bird Streets and the great Jason Falkner  is back too, so check out “Mistaker.” The ’80s band Game Theory left it’s mark on many bands and fans, and Chris Richards and the Subtractions is one of them. Listen to this cool cover of “Make Any Vows.” After a pause, The Cle Elum has a bit of advice to “fake it till you make it” with the new single “Something In The Water.” Next, NYC’s own power poppers Wifey have anew LP coming soon, and lead singer/songwriter Teddy Gray sums it up best; “If modern songwriters would stop trying to write their “Desolation Row” and aimed for “Stacy’s Mom” instead, I think we’d all be a lot happier. Our eardrums would be, at least.” Amen, brother.