Tag: The Bishops Daredevil Stunt Club

Top O’ the Power Pop Premieres: The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club and more

powerpopaholic

The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club’s new single gets a premiere exclusively on Power Popaholic! “Hold You Up” is the first single from the band’s upcoming album Please Stand By, to be released later this year. The rhythm guitar crunches along in a Weezer-like direction, as the lead riff digs its hooks in you. Add some handclaps and jangle, and there you have it  – a super power-pop single.

The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club · Hold You Up

The Afterglows, Sam Cook-Parrott (Radiator Hospital) and Michael Cantor (The Goodbye Party) make sweet harmonies for the lovelorn, comparisons to the Everly Brothers and Beach Boys are inevitable. A great FREE download.

A brilliant 4-song EP by Scott Robertson, mixed and mastered by Nick Bertling just deserves to be heard. Each song hooks you immediately.

Holy crap, I’m in love with Jane Lane’s music. A self-taught guitarist, Jane Lane (aka Sophie Negrini) reminds me of a poppier version of Suzanne Vega mixed with Nina Gordon and the new EP will draw you into her sun-drenched, bittersweet POV.

This duo, The Creachies just trolls people like me, using “powerpop” in the LP title. Sounds like The B-52s meets The Cars, with some sweet tunes here; Check out “Rats” and “Skylar’s Hot Glue Gun.” Definitely worth exploring.

The UniBoys aren’t just some retro-wannabees, they are the real deal. Reza Matin, Noah Nash, Artie Fitch, and Michael Cipolletti are channeling classic power pop from The Shoes, The Beat, and others they’re killing it. Very much in the mold of Italy’s Radio Days. Just listen to “On Your Lovin’ Mind” and check out the very cool retro TV spot.

Singles and EPs: The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, Nerd Magnet, Squire, Devon Kay, The Unswept, The Dowling Poole, Katie Kuffel

powerpopaholic

So much singles goodness here, starting with the strong riffs of The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club. The Nerd Magnet (from Japan) also delivers crunchy guitar goodness that will attract power pop fans. Squire recalls a bit of the ’80s rhythm with that echoing jangle and a Beatlesque composition. Devon Kay & The Solutions has rich harmonies and a catchy chorus that made me like them “a little bit.” Our EPs feature The Unswept covering some power pop greats and The Dowling Poole has a fitting tribute to our former President. Katie Kuffel is releasing “1999” as a wistful look at parent-child relationships. Enjoy!

Freebies: The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, Matti Jasu and The Four Chords

powerpopaholic

The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club is back and with another quality power pop single. These guys keep getting better as “Have You Met You” has plenty of energy to spare with strong synths and driving beat. And it’s a FREE download. Check it out! 
[su_divider top=”no”]
All the way from Finland comes Matti Jasu and The Loose Train, they’ve got a mellow rock folk sound on “Gone To The Dogs.” The simple harmonies and guitar start “What Goes On” is a diary of Jasu’s day done with heart and sweetness.

[su_divider top=”no”]
The Four Chords have a keen pop sense and combine multi-part vocal harmonies with a large dose of power chords and a love of classic pop songcraft. Influences include The Who, Cheap Trick, Beatles, Big Star, Dwight Twilley, Replacements, Tom Petty, Manic Street Preachers, Ramones, Redd Kross and many others.

Holiday Music: “I’ll be drinking this Christmas” and “Bad Sweater Christmas Party”

powerpopaholic

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8LUT0Um4t8[/youtube]

Scott Gagner features probably one of the most popular activities this holiday seaon. From his LP Rise & Shine which I reviewed early this year.
[su_spacer size=”30″]

I always enjoy a new jingle-jangle classic and The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club has a shiny new single that’s ready to be unwrapped. It’s a free download and it has a pretty neat-o B-side “Never Be Big Stars,” which reminds me a lot of Cheap Trick. Thanks for present guys!

Dana Countryman and The Bishops Daredevil Stunt Club

powerpopaholic
Dana Countryman

Dana Countryman “Pop2! The Exploding Musical Mind of Dana Countryman”

Dana Countryman is back! After the debut LP almost exactly one year ago he returns with a solid light pop delight. Unlike last year’s debut Dana isn’t showcasing a mix of different pop styles, he sticks with the mid 70’s romantic sound that was popularized by AM radio staples like The Carpenters, Gilbert O’Sullivan and Andrew Gold.

Dana is extremely comfortable with this style, “Baby I’ll Be Your Star” is a great theme with its crisp melody lines and sax lead, it reminded me of the Hudson Brothers or Eric Carmen. The romantic harmonies of “Just Look In My Eyes” is dripping with so much sweetness, it approaches epic Barry Manilow status. When he chimes “I wake up every morning with a Great Big Goofy Grin,” he sings this affirmation like its his life mantra. Then Dana sings a duet with Beach Boys styled vocalist John Hunter Phillips on “I’ll Get Right Back To You” and its a perfect match as Dana’s vocals are uncannily like Al Jardine — this is another winner. It can get way too corny, “Momma Said I’m Not Supposed To Roll And Roll” is an over the top fifties boogie, but its fun too. Overall, this is bright, bouncy sweet pop music that recalls the top 40 from 40 years ago. If you are a nostalgic sap like me, you’ll love it. Highly Recommended!

Amazon

[su_spacer size=”30″]

The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club

The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club “Veva, Hold On!”

This Chicago band is one of those rare finds where you’ll be saying “Where have these guys been hiding?” Lead by singer songwriter Billy Giricz, the Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club is an alternative rock band that draws influences from The Posies, Radiohead, Stone Temple Pilots and Matthew Sweet. He’s assisted by Dan Passarelli on bass, Paulette Bertrand on keys, Darin Gregg on guitar and Luke Smith on drums.

Opening with “Bob’s Yer Uncle,” you hear clear vocals, steady rhythm and solid song structure. Next my favorite track, “Days At The Pool” is a hypnotic slice of life that draws you in. Paulette adds her vocal on “Treat Yourself”as the harmonies weave into the background. “Singlehandedly” is a highlight similar to Weezer or The Replacements, but it almost goes off track with the six minute droning of “Jaws of Life.” The charming Lou Reed-like title track keeps things fun, and helps make this an enjoyable (but short) LP. Check it out.

Amazon