Tag: Shake Some Action

April EP and Single Madness: Brad Marino, Softjaw, Phenomenal Cat, Onesie, Radio Days, Randy Klawon, Shake Some Action!

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Brad Marino has the formula and it still works! His new LP “Agent of Chaos” is out (review soon) and he’s calling my bluff, just check out the video. Next, one of the strongest extended EPs I’ve heard this year is Softjaw. Similar to the Uni Boys, almost every song here is great and a text book perfect example of modern power pop. Next, another great band, Phenomenal Cat from the UK holds nothing back, this is pop art as power pop. I loved “Seatown®” and “21st Century Englishman” with its touch of psychedelic pop akin to Donovan. Brilliant stuff here that should not be missed. Tough to follow, but Onesie rocks out with this new single “Meetcha At Minnies (The Captain’s Song).” Another return is Italian band Radio Days with a new album coming soon, and we get a new single to start. “I Won’t Give Up” is a blast of energy, glad to have them back. Next Randy Klawon (Flashcubes/Half Cubes) gives us a stellar pop single “All is Fair In Love.” Finally, the retro pop of Shake Some Action! new EP “Too Many Secrets” feels like a soundtrack for a lost Austin Powers sequel. Love the atmosphere here. Yeah baby!





Halloween Treats: Toni Cornell, Mo Troper, The Rallies, Dazy, Shake Some Action, Vista Blue

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These treats are so sweet! An aquatic mermaid lair, fairy wings, a candlelit room filled with potions, and a pet lion are just a few of the fantastical aspects that add to the whimsical storyline of the “Campari” music video from popster Toni Cornell. Everyone’s favorite DIY bedroom pop producer Mo Troper is back, and you have “The Best Seat In The House” to this bouncy power pop gem. Seattle’s The Rallies compile some of their newest singles, please listen to my fave, “I Believe.” Another excellent modern power pop band Dazy has an excellent EP ready, and ‘Bad Penny’ doesn’t have a bad song, really! Another real sweet gem here is the return of the mod-influenced Shake Some Action and you are ‘Running Out of Place To Run’ so you may as well enjoy these excellent tunes.Finally, the ever lovin’ Vista Blue. This new freebie single fits today’s theme, but the band has a great tradition of baseball themed EPs, and the new one ‘The Shift Is Dead’ is a fun soundtrack to this year’s World Series. Enjoy the sugar rush, kiddies!




The last of the Christmas Music: CokeRoque, Dan Miraldi, Shake Some Action, James Clark Institute, Sunturns, Pigeon Club, The Krayolas

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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. My top 25 of 2024 is due to post January 4, 2025, so stay tuned!






Halloween, here and gone! Otonoke, Shake Some Action, Barbara, 20/20, Black Flamingos

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Maybe I went a little overboard with these holiday posts. Oh well — in the spirit of cosplay, check out the video for my new favorite anime Dan Da Dan. The song by Japan’s Otonoke isn’t power pop, but it’s frantic and catchy. See how many anime characters you recognize in the video!
On a serious note, Shake Some Action! leans harder into it’s recent retro sound on the new EP Chase The Light. Solid rock and roll that’s just timeless, so check it out. Brothers John and Henry Tydeman are known as Barbara and they’ve got the grand pop harmonies down pat on Happy Days! EP, and melodies as sweet as candy corn! Another treat is the return of power pop legends 20/20; original members Steve Allen (vocals, guitar) and Ron Flynt (bass, vocals) return older and wiser on “Back to California.” Finally we actually has some real Halloween music, courtesy of Black Flamingos. What’s the Cryptkeeper’s favorite type of comedy? Deadpan humor! Have a fun night, boys and ghouls!



Mid August EPs and singles: Cliff Hillis & Dennis Schocket, The Laissez Fairs, Jamie Turner, Sorry Monks, Scott Roberts, Shake Some Action!

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It is a joy to hear Cliff Hillis and Dennis Schocket play for “fun” and deliver this amazing new EP. Every single song is a gem and deserves a space on your playlist. While summer is still here, check out the retro-fuzz of The Laissez Fairs, “Living in The Summer,” and the song “Idiot Proof.” Speaking of retro-sounding new artists, Jamie Turner has popped out another single “Hum Drum” that sounds like a lost Beatles single from 1968. The bedroom pop of Sorry Monks has been hit or miss for me, but he scores on “Young Man.” Scott Roberts reached out to me with his music, and I enjoyed the Big Star-like “After We Go.” Finally Shake Some Action! gives us another echoing single “Spend Your Days In The Sunshine.” Good advice for the remainder of August.