Tag: The Amplifier Heads

The Amplifier Heads and Banda AL9

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The Amplifier Heads

The Amplifier Heads “Super 8”

The legendary Sal Baglio was a founding member of East Boston’s The Stompers, and has since been a fixture in The Amplifier Heads and The Peppermint Kicks. Baglio helped create the kind of blue collar East Coast rock that has inspired many, and on ‘Super 8’ he is keeping the faith. “Rock N’ Roll Riot” kicks things off with an explosive two-minute history lesson delivered at Ramones speed. The song is about the Moondog Coronation Ball and the birth of rock ’n’ roll.

He continues with the Stone-styled swagger of “Hot Stars” and the Louie Louie-inspired riffs of “A Girl Named Chop Suey.” The influences are obvious, but Baglio wears them proudly. “They Don’t Dance Anymore” reminisces about the time when people danced to the music on the radio. In contrast, the brilliant “Superstar” struts as he sings, “I don’t know what it’s like to be you.” Each song is a standout, and there is no filler. ‘Super 8’ is a love letter to the days when guitars, basses, drums, and saxophones ruled. It’s a shout-out to aging rock-and-roll wild men. If you need a reminder of why rock ’n’ roll was so much fun in the first place, turn this one up loud. Highly recommended.

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Banda AL9

Banda AL9 “Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9”

Banda AL9 brings the joy of Beatlesque power pop without overthinking it. This Brazilian duo, brothers Matheus Khouri and Thiago Khouri, have come a long way since their 2022 debut. After catching the attention of Little Steven’s Underground Garage and landing on Wicked Cool Records for their American summer release, the brothers arrive with an album packed with hooks, harmonies, and plenty of sunshine.

There’s hardly a dud in the bunch. The Khouris stack those sweet brotherly harmonies throughout, while tracks like “She Calls Me Love” and “American Girl” wear their Fab Four influence proudly. Then they crank up the energy on the Kurt Baker-penned “She Can Do It All.” The lyrics stay light, romantic, and carefree, which suits the music perfectly. Banda AL9 delivers the sort of power pop that begs for a summer afternoon, a shady spot on the beach, and something cold in your glass. Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel (as The Lemon Twigs have demonstrated repeatedly.) You just need great melodies, ringing guitars, and a chorus you want to sing along with. Banda AL9 has all three. Highly Recommended.

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More June gems: Scott Gagner, The Amplifier Heads, Bramwell, Little Gold, Barry Walsh, The 286

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Scott Gagner is back with a serious “Sugar Rush.” His upcoming album ‘Sweet Tooth’ leans harder into pure pop than his previous work, and the first taste is irresistible.

Next up, The Amplifier Heads are ready to turn up the volume. Led by Boston power pop veteran Sal Baglio, the band delivers a crunchy preview of their forthcoming album that reminds you why rock and roll still matters.

UK outfit Bramwell channels the golden age of British AM radio on the excellent “Standing on Stones,” blending timeless melodies with sharp songwriting.

Little Gold offers another standout preview from its upcoming LP, mixing power pop hooks with a warm, lo-fi country spirit.

From Ireland, former Fireflys frontman Barry Walsh returns with the infectious new single “Star Ride,” packed with melody and charm.

Closing things out, The 286 delivers an EP worth your attention. Drawing inspiration from Jeff Lynne’s melodic style, the collection mixes strong covers with standout originals like “Midnight Symphony” and “Unbreakable.”

March singles: Luke of Ulysses, Willie Dowling, The Amplifier Heads, Chaft, Softjaw

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New month, and new singles! ‘Car Trouble’ is the debut solo single from Luke of Ulysses (UK Psych-Glam revival pioneers Ulysses). Luke played all the instruments and sang, except for a guest spot from his wife, Lily, as a hot French alien in the video. See the Bandcamp below for more! Willie Dowling has another single (“The Cure”) from his upcoming album to share (as a freebie), and The Amplifier Heads turn up the guitars and sax as it’s more rockin’ aliens. I had never heard of Chaft before, but I will be looking into this smart pop rocker from Norfolk, Massachusetts. Each of these 3 songs hit the mark, beautifully written and mixed. Finally, a solid single from California band Softjaw. “Waiting at the End” is a meat-and-potatoes power pop song along with a second single, “Pleased With Me” completed this month. Both deserve to be heard, and I hope a full-length LP is in the works.

Mo Troper and The Amplifier Heads

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Mo Troper

Mo Troper “Dilettante”

After a daunting Beatles cover album, Mo Troper is back to his bedroom DIY fuzzy melodies and Dilettant is more hit than miss over the course of 28 short snippets. The influences are too numerous to mention but the opener “Total Euphoria” sets up a single hook before its gone, and then the driving guitar of “The Expendables Ride Again,” a rant about how ephemeral the music is, and the reaction “What’s the name of your new band? The one with you and my old friends?”

There are thematic gems sprinkled throughout, with others being simple song sketches. “The Perfect Song” is the goal here, one that “gets stuck in my head all day long.” Some artistic anger on “All My Friends are Venmo,” and plenty of highlights that compare well with GBV; “My Master’s Voice,” “Armpit,” “Better Than Nothing” and “Blake and Lanny.” Like a bag of Halloween candy, you may not eat everything but it sure is sweet.

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Amplifier Heads

The Amplifier Heads “Saturnaliens”

Boston rocker Sal Baglio (The Stompers) skillfully continues his journey with his band The Amplifier Heads as they cruise through their third album on Bar Rum Records. Described as “a  graphic novel for the ears and head” I just start by giving kudos to the cover design. These UFOs would kick Boston’s ass.

The fine opener “Ghost Star Rider” mines that Western motif in the instrumental, and then the raw garage rock of “Rocket Boys” delivers the first salvo. Loving those riffs on “Earth Girls on the Loose,” and “All Fueled Up,” it almost goes full rockabilly with a hint of punk attitude. “GlamOrama,” “Candi Starr,” and “Bast Shit Crazy” are very Sweet-esque tributes, and the band doesn’t ease up on the gas. All lots of fun, but it can be a bit exhausting by the end of the album. Still more hits than misses here, and definitely highly recommended.

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More September Singles and EPs: The Amplifier Heads, Shake Some Action!, The Nobility, The Cheap Cassettes, Alex Dominish, Richard Turgeon, On The Runway, Meyverlin

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September isn’t over yet, and neither are the new singles and EPs from great power pop artists. The Amplifier Heads signed with Rum Bar Records and  Sal “Shag 72” Baglio (The Stompers & The Peppermint Kicks) rocks out with this new Glamtastic single “SaturmalienS”. It’s also so nice to hear Shake Some Action! again and “Break It Down” mixes psych-pop and jangling rhythms to perfection. Nashville’s The Nobility gives us “The Sweetest Sound” and it is indeed a great tune — let’s hear more of this! With the end of the season, The Cheap Cassettes make it official with the slow R&B rocker “Endless Summer Ends.”

A few EPs here are also worth a download; Richard Turgeon gets reflective with a series of Campfire Songs. The buzzing anthem of “Be Who You Really Want To Be” and “Line of Sight (Tahoe Song)” recall classic-era REM. Memphis-based On The Runway is a new band created by Randy Norris and John “Boz” Boswell (Crash into June) with help from Neilson Hubbard, and Will Kimbrough. The easy-going mood of “This Charade,” and “Stuck On You” lifts you up and sticks with you. Alex Dominish is the guitarist for the Showboat Branson Belle (Branson, Missouri) and he’s got a bouncy, poppy sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face; be it first romance (“Rockin’ Steady”) or first job (“Desk Job”). Finally, a video from the upcoming band Meyverlin is here. The LP is out next month, they have a distinct ’80s influence, fans of the Cure will like this one.