power pop criminals

THE TAXI BOYS
THE TAXI BOYS 7" (1981) THE TAXI BOYS 12" (1981)

The Real Kids were one of Boston's earliest new wave band. Their debut album was full of dynamite tracks that took the trashier aspect of the Rolling Stones and coupled it with the high-power guitar approach of the Ramones.
Frontman (and onetime Modern Lover) John Felice not only provided tough guitar and distinctive lead vocals, he had a knack for writing clear, infectious melodies. Poor sales of the Real Kids' first LP led Felice to become a Ramones roadie, but he subsequently returned to Boston and formed the Taxi Boys (named after a Real Kids song) , whose two EPs carry on the Real Kids tradition with high-energy '60s garage-band rock. The production of the records might be crude, but Felice is in fine form on both. (The Bomp! release is a 12-inch, the earlier one a 7-inch pressed on pink or black vinyl.) Then, John Felice reactivated the Real Kids with a new and improved lineup.

Star Rhythm 7"

I Can't Kick / Down To You / Up Is Up / Some Love Like Yours

Bomp 12"

She / Bad To Worse / Happens All The Time / What She Don’t Know / What’s It To You / Everybody’s Girl