TRIBUTE TO THE FAB FOUR - SOCORRO! (2007)

Fifth part of the Fab Four Experience. This was their second motion picture. Fourteen songs, ten of which written by the dynamic duo, plus two songs penned by l'angelo mysterioso and two covers.

Special Note: Originally, I made this tribute for a now-defunct blog. I included the two different front covers (UK and USA).

ZS (84 mb)

THE SHIRTS - INNER SLEEVE (1980)

After Mike Thorne had the band all over the map on their second album, "Street Light Shine", the Shirts' third and final disc, "Inner Sleeve", finds Juice Newton/Jackie DeShannon producer John Palladino teamed up with Blood, Sweat & Tears/Steely Dan guitarist Georg Wadenius and they bring out the pop side of Annie Golden's band on these 11 tracks. The niche they've settled into here is the melodic short songtunes essential to the new wave, which, after all, was garage bands looking to find the most fun elements of '60s radio hits and exploit them to become rock stars. Golden had the talent to ride the charts along with Blondie, the Go Go's and, the Cars, and this album has the band headed in the right direction -- it's just too bad they quit after finding their groove here. "Inner Sleeve" is an inviting performance, especially for those who never encountered the other work by the truly underrated Shirts. AMG

Songs
I'm Not One Of Those / One Last Chance / Can't Get It Through My Head / I've Had It / I Don't Wanna Know / Pleasure Is The Pain / As Long As The Laughter Lasts / Too Much Trouble / Hanging Around / Small Talk / Time (Has Seen Me Lonely)

THE LATE SHOW - PORTABLE POP (1980)

LATEST NEWS: The band will reissue very soon this classic album. Link removed.

This is for sure one of power pop's best-kept secrets and most appropriate record titles but also, unfortunately, a very hard to find gem released in 1980 on a small label called "Rave". "Portable Pop" includes 12 melodic nuggets that rank among the very best of the power pop genre. Songs like "Take A Chance", "Hey Sue", "Protect Your Love", "A Matter Of Time",... are just what you need if you are in pursuit of pop happiness with a slight tinge of melancholy. Not only will you carry around in your head wonderful midtempo ballads and faster-paced power pop numbers but they will be associated and imprinted on your mind with such girl's names as Sue, Judy, Mary Anne... which make them easier to remember as you hum tunes over and over and begin to feel ever so happy. Do not miss out on this treasure trove of awesome melodies if you chance to come across it your quest for power pop's all time greats. By the way, in 1996, it was listed by John Borack in Goldmine as #50 of the 50 essential US power pop albums. (Bubblegumthepunk)

In 2007, the album was listed #46 of the 200 essential power pop albums in "Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide"

Special Note : The album rip is part of a "swapping deal" between a huge american powerpop fan and me. I only worked a little on the original wave files provided (RMS normalization done plus a few minor clicks removed). I also stitched the parts of the LP scans he had sent me. The album was ripped from an unplayed LP. You may have seen this album on other blogs or other places, but this one is a brand new rip.

Songs
Take A Chance / Stop / I Won't Play The Clown / Actions Speak Louder Than Words / What Can I Do / Hey Sue / Look Who's Laughing Now / Judy / Protect Your Love / So Happy / Won't Mind Waiting / Just A Matter Of Time

Click here to listen to some Late Show demos from 2007.

THE ACT - TOO LATE AT 20 (1981)

Prior to Dream Academy, Nick Laird-Clowes led the more down-to-earth Act. On the band's lone album, impeccable production gives his controlled passion and the band's tight, tasteful playing a clearly deserved chance to be heard. Elvis Costello and Tom Petty appear to be the Act's major influences (there are also nods to the Byrds and Springsteen) but the quartet rises above derivation, giving such songs as "Touch and Go" and "The Long Island Sound" indelible emotional authenticity. (Trouser Press)

Songs
Too Late At 20 / The Long Island Soul / Touch And Go / The Art Of Deception / Protection / Sure Fire / Skip The Beat / Zero Unidentified / OK Jerko / Get It While You're Toung

JOOLS HOLLAND - BOOGIE WOOGIE '78 (1978)

Jools Holland released his first solo recording in 1978. At the time, he was still playing with Squeeze and got some help from Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford or Gilson Lavis (as writers, producers or musicians). This five-song 7" EP has never been reissued.



Songs
Buick 48 / Deptford Broadway Boogie / Boogie Woogie Country Girl / Mess Around / Should Have Known Better

THE PRANKS - THE WARNER DEMOS COLLECTION (1979)

 

The Pranks were a Santa Barbara band led by Jeffrey Foskett and Randell Kirsch. Circa '74, Jeffrey Foskett first played in a band named Reverie Rhythm Rockers. Randell Kirsch joined him in 1975 and suggested to play originals instead of only covers. Foskett on bass guitar and Kirsch on lead. In fact, they were about to be signed by Warners but that deal never took place because the major label gave eventually Marshall Crenshaw preference over The Pranks. Soon Foskett was invited to tour with the Beach Boys, something he did for the next ten years or so. Too bad! because the band had great originals which tilted towards the classic-retro (perfectly assimilated) sound of the power pop spectrum, with a spontaneous emphasis on Merseybeat and a snappy `79 approach. "Tell Me", "Ab", "Dance Floor", "I Won't Make You Cry", "I Don't Want To Lose The Feeling", "Next Time" would have deserved to be considered as genuine pop standards. Twenty five years later, the Pranks stuff is still in the vaults, only a couple of songs can be heard on official compilations. (Notes by bubblegumthepunk).

More info about Jeffrey Foskett and Randell Kirsch

Special notes : The songs have been transferred either from a master tape or a 1st generation tape (i'm not sure) to a CD-R, i got a copy of that CD-R , then i did the artwork inspired by a famous californian legend.

AVAILABLE ONLY IN LOSSY FORMAT

ZS (129 mb)

Songs
Tell Me / Something On The Order Of Love / Ab / Why / Dance Floor / Turnabout / Paper Planes / Apetopia / S.O.B. / I Believe It's Time / No Love / I Won't Make You Cry / What's The Point / I Don't Want To Lose This Feeling / Next Time / Get Set / I Wanna Know / The Last Ideal / Expectations / Let Me Explain / One Reason / True Love Again / The Message

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS BLOG GIFT FOR YOU - BORN TO GREET (2007)

So this is Christmas (...soon). Last year, there was "A Christmas Blog Gift For You" available on the PPL Blog, Now it is time for me to bring to you another annual exclusive Christmas compilation. But, why one more Christmas compilation , well just because I wanted to share a Powerpop Christmas with all the readers, and it was the right time of the year to release it. So, I've tried to give you "la creme de la creme" of christmas powerpop. Have a Merry Christmas, enjoy. Listen the snow is falling, thanx for Christmas.

ZS (182 mb)

 

Bands

AlternativA / The Jigsaw Seen / The Montgomery Cliffs / Redd Kross / Sugarcult / Fountains Of Wayne / The Raveonettes / Nourallah Brothers / OK Go / Imperial Drag / The Richies / Joey Ramone / Lisa Mychols / The Malibus / Bill Retoff / Corey Leland / Doug Powell / Matt Bruno / Cheepskates / Cowboy And Spingirl / Spooner / The Del-Lords / XTC / Primitives / T.. P....

LEW LEWIS REFORMER - CHORUS TV SHOW (1980)

Lew Lewis Reformer recorded live for the legendary Chorus TV Show. An excerpt of two songs "The Mood I'm In" and "Louie Louie" transferred from the original VHS. There's a short "voice over" by Antoine de Caunes (host of the show). I guess this is part of a longer Chorus aired later, but i really don't know much more about that.
Note: This is the first time i transferred it, so i don't think it is available on YouTube yet.

CHRIS BAILEY (1983)

Chris Bailey performs two songs ("Amsterdam" and "Let's Pretend") on the french TV set of Channel 2 with Antoine de Caunes hosting. Chris Bailey sang both songs just before the broadcast of the Elvis Costello's Rockpalast in 1983. (It was quite late at night).

Note: This "XviD4 PAL" video has been transferred from the original VHS taped in 1983. Lesser quality rips can be watched on YouTube.

JONATHAN RICHMAN - HOUBA HOUBA TV SHOW (1982)

Jonathan Richman on french TV show "Houba Houba" hosted by Antoine de Caunes. He sings the never recorded "Tahitian Hop" plus "Abdul & Cleopatra". Both songs are subtitled in french. As a bonus there's an interview with Antoine de Caunes.
Note: This "XviD4 PAL" video has been transferred from the original VHS taped in 1982. Lesser quality rips can be watched on YouTube.

THE WILKO JOHNSON & LEW LEWIS BAND (1983)

Five years had passed since Wilko Johnson departed Dr Feelgood for new musical pastures. Wilko joined ranks with wizzard mouth harp man Lew Lewis (ex-Eddie & The Hot Rods). On this extended play waxflat, Wilko and Lewis are joined by their live gig oppos, Alan Platt and Russell Strutter (ex-Solid Senders) who complete the line-up.

Bottle Up And Go! (Thunderbolt THBE-001)
Caravan Man / Bottle up And Go! / I Wanna Be Your Lover / Looked Out My Window

THE PLEASERS (1977-1978) The sleeves

With their smart suits and ability to actually play their instruments The Pleasers (Nick Powell, Steve McNerney, Bo Benham & Dave Rotchelle) were at the forefront of the new wave of guitar-based groups that swept through the Britain’s music industry in the late 70’s.They wrote and performed great songs with superb harmonies, jangling guitars and pure sixties drum fills, and their live shows brought back the fashion for being surrounded by cool guy’s wearing thin ties and screaming mini skirted girls. As proud Londoners, the group described their sound as Thamesbeat but you might know it better by the name their music was given by press of the time: Powerpop. The Pleasers
Bonus feature : five FLV videos included.
Listen to some of their recently remastered tracks from 1977-78 now available on itunes or purchase the very highly recommended Thamesbeat CD (1999).

Lies E.P. (Arista ARIST 152)
1 (You Keep On Tellin' Me) Lies
2 I'm In Love
3 Who Are You








The Kids Are Alright
(Arista ARIST 180)
1 The Kids Are Alright
2 Stay With Me








You Don't Know (Arista ARIST 209)
1 You Don't Know
2 Billy

NICK HEYWARD - ROLLERBLADE (1996)

Nick Heyward left his band Haircut 100 just when they were cruising through the pop charts in the U.K. Instead of destroying his career, the move actually provided him with more artistic credibility. In 1995, he released the wonderful Beatle-ish "Tangled" album. "Rollerblade" was one of the singles pulled out from the album. It had two different issues, one of which was a limited edition entitled "A Hard Day's Nick" with three Beatles covers and an artwork based upon the fab four opus. Two independent parts.

A Hard Day's Nick (Epic 662791-5)
Rollerblade / If I Needed Someone / Nowhere Man / All My Loving

Rollerblade (Epic 662791-2)
Rollerblade / The Queen Of Summertime / Better Place / Famous Man

THE BAM BALAMS (1986)

The first two singles of the Bam Balams were produced by Rob Younger and released on the Citadel label. The first lineup was Kibble (vocals, guitar), Brad Fitzpatrick (guitar), Steve Cole (bass) and Matt Manchester (drums).

FLAC: RS
mp3 (320 lame 3.98) : RS or MF

Deliver My Love (Citadel CIT 019)
Deliver My Love / Mean Thang

No One Else (Citadel CIT 025)
No One Else / Gettin' Over You

THE BANNED (1977-1978)

The Banned (Sordid, Thomas, Manswoth and Fresh) had a hit in 1977 with "Little Girl" and the original home pressing on Can't Eat Records (Eat Up 1) was taken up by EMI Harvest. The line up changed in the first few months with Tommy Steel (Jim Hughes) replacing JT on bass and Ben Dover (Ben Grove) relacing RM on guitar. This line-up recorded the second single "Him or Me" with "You Dirty Rat" on the B side. An unreleased third Banned single "Give It To Me Now" was recorded but due to management problems the band folded six months later. Aitken and Grove continued working together in a band called The Retros. In 2004, Cherry Red released a compilation of their complete recordings. Visit the Banned website.

Little Girl (1977, Harvest HAR 5145)
Little Girl / CPGJ's

Him Or Me (1978, Harvest HAR 5149)
Him Or Me / You Dirty rat

THE SMITHEREENS - LIVE AT THE ROXY (1992)

The Smithereens recorded at the Roxy Theater, Los Angeles, CA. 12-17-91. It was first released as a radio promo CD (coupled with a Pearl Jam concert). "Live At The Roxy" is the unauthorized release of the promo CD "Westwood One In Concert".

Songs
Indigo Blues / Time And Time Again / Cigarette / Evening Dress / Yesterday Girl / Blues Before And After / Blood And Roses / A Girl Like You / Top Of The Pops

THE WIND - GUEST OF THE STAPHS (1984)

After "Where It's At with The Wind" (1982), Lane Steinberg and The Wind then relocated north to Queens, New York, stopping in North Carolina long enough to have Mitch Easter co-produce the six-song "Guest of the Staphs" at his studio. Although the charming rush of cluttered, busy arrangements and overstuffed lyrics occasionally resembles Let's Active or the dB's — especially when the rhythms turn off the main road and the guitars and vocals go on a harmonic rampage — "Delaware 89763" is a '60s raveup in the style of early Manfred Mann. Trouser Press

Lossless: FLAC 8 (114 mb)

Songs
House On Fire / Delaware 89763 / The Outgoing Type / You'll Never Live Before Your Time / If I Go One Way / Sureshot

CYRIL JORDAN & THE SNEETCHES - THE DNA LOUNGE (1991)

In 1990, Cyril Jordan and The Sneetches wanted to play together at the I-Beam headline gig. But after a previous rehearsal, Jordan lost his voice and he couldn't sing that night, so Cyril said "I hope i can play with these guys (the Sneetches) again, they're the best band i've heard in the last three years". A few days later, at a hastily assembled all-star "Save The I-Beam" benefit, Cyril Jordan and Roy Loney joined the Sneetches for an encore. Finally, on June 29th (1991), Cyril Jordan and the Sneetches performed at The DNA Lounge in San Francisco. Roy Loney joined the band for a two-song encore. Later, Sneetches' bassist Alec Palao played with the new Cyril Jordan's outfit "Magic Christian". The "DNA Lounge" concert has never been officially released.

Songs
Juju Man / Feel A Whole Lot Better / I’ll Cry Alone / You Tore Me Down / Lady Friend / Teenage Confidential / First Plane Home I Can’t Hide / All I Wanted / Dizzy Miss Lizzy / Shake Some Action / Don’t Put Me On / Sorry / Roadhouse (With Roy Loney)

WONDERMINTS - SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO (1999)

The Wondermints played phenomenally behind Brian Wilson on his last tours. Yet, they aren’t signed to a major label, their first three records were available in Japan, where the band is immensely popular. This one night special gig was recorded in Japan and has never been officially released.

ZS (160 mb)

Songs
Dos Mil e Un (2001) / In And Around Greg Lake / Invisible Paint / Open My Eyes / Cellophane / Dream Machine / Love In The City / Chris Craft #10 / Joy / Porpoise Song / Hypnolove / Global Village Idiot / Tracy Hide / Bubbles / Puppets Girls r Go / Galactic Patrol / Proto-Pretty / Playtex Aviary / Hocus Pocus

THE PALEY BROTHERS - ECSTASY 12" EP (1978)

The Paley Brothers first and only album (1978) was briefly reissued on CD in Japan. The Paley Brothers also released "Ecstasy", a four-track EP (available on 7" and 12"). This EP had to be their finest moment with three songs ("Rendezvous" being a reworking of an old Sidewinders song available on their eponymous album) which were not included on the "Paley Brothers" US edition of the album, plus a different version from the "Come Out & Play" LP version. The CD reissue didn't include the EP, what a shame!!!.

Lossy: 320 lame3.92 (28mb)
Lossless: FLAC 8 (81mb)

Songs
Ecstasy / Rendez Vous / Hide 'n' Seek / Come Out And Play

BAM BALAMS - 45RPM EXTENDED PLAY (1990)

After the Bam Balams had recorded the album "Genuine Rock & Roll Medicine Show" (1988) and its single "Wheel Of Fortune" (1988), Greg Marchant replaced Abdallah on bass in 1989 and this lineup recorded the single "Hellfire" (1989) and "Munster Rock'n'Roller" for the Munster Records compilation Munster "Dance Hall Favourites Vol 3". Dave Castellari replaced Marchant in 1989, this final lineup recording the Extended Play 45 RPM 12"EP, featuring the track "10,000 Miles". The band split up in 1992.

FLAC: RS
mp3 (320 lame 3.98) : RS or MF

Songs
10000 Miles (A Espana) / Ghoulabilly Girl / Boppin' In The Bonetard / Ford Customline

JAMIE HOOVER (1995)

Jamie Hoover of the Spongetones released his first solo album "Coupons, Questions and Comments" (1990). In 1995, he recorded a couple of songs (co-written with Robert Crenshaw) released in Sweden as Jamie Hoover on a limited edition 7" single. The sessions with Bryan Shumate led to a new side project called The Van DeLecki's: "Letters Don't Count" (1996) and "Ebum Shoobum Shoobum" (1999). Both albums are recommended. Hoover then worked with Bill Lloyd for the "Paparazzi" album (2003), and a year later he released "Jamie Hoo-ever" (a batch of covers he'd done for various tribute albums, and new recorded songs). His best work can also be heard on "Most Loved Melodies (Best Of 1982 - 2006)". The Official website.

Nobody Wins This Time
(Sound Asleep ZAX 100)
1 Nobody Wins This Time
2 Flyin' Kites In The Lightning

THE SPONGETONES - BEAT MUSIC (1982)

Originally proud altar boys at the Church of the Holy Mersey, North Carolina's Spongetones — Jamie Hoover, Patrick Walters, Rob Thorne and McCartney lookalike Steve Stoeckel — have evolved from the zesty Beatlish originals of their first two releases to producing lush, superbly crafted pop-rock that owes a debt to other British Invasion acts (Searchers, Zombies) without coming off as slavishly imitative. "Beat Music" is a gas from start to finish, a collection of lovingly performed early-Beatles pastiches. Don't miss the high-octane "She Goes Out With Everybody" or the simply wonderful "A Part of Me Now," two of the greatest songs the Fab Four (and the Rutles) never wrote. "Beat Music" and their second mini album "Torn Apart" were fully remastered on CD as "Beat & Torn", with a previously hard-to-find bonus track. So far, the Spongetones have released more than 10 albums ("Where-Ever Land", "Oh Yeah", "Textural Drone Thing", "Odd Fellows", "Mersey Christmas", "Beat!", "Number Nine") everybody should own. Visit Spongetones.com or buy the cd's at Not Lame or any other online record store. They have just released "Always Carry On: The Best 1980-2005", a 26 song compilation that covers the entire career of The Spongetones. (Trouser Press)

Songs
Here I Go Again / Tell Me Too! / Cool Hearted Girl / Take My Love / A Part Of Me Now / She Goes Out With Everybody / Every Night Is A Holiday / Don't You Know / Where Were You Last Night / You're The One / Better Take It Easy / Eloquent Spokesman

BEES MAKE HONEY - MUSIC EVERY NIGHT (1972)

Bees Make Honey was one of the most influential band in the early pub rock movement in the UK. The band was formed in 1971 in north London by Barry Richardson, Ruan O’Lochlainn, Deke O’Brien and Mick Molloy, former members of Irish showband The Alpine Seven, and American drummer Bob “Cee” Siebenberg, who would later rise to fame in Supertramp. While touring heavily on the emerging pub rock circuit, Bees Make Honey signed with record label EMI to record its debut album "Music Every Night". By the time the album was released, the band was already beginning to break up. Frequent line-up changes preceded the dissolution of the band in 1974. Richardson went onto his own Barry Richardson Band. Demick and Finlayson subsequently resurfaced in Meal Ticket and Byrne moved onto Ace. Ruan O'Lochlainn formed Riff Raff with a young Biilly Bragg.
In November of 1996, Bees Make Honey was included along with other notable UK pub rock bands on a two-disc compilation by EMI Premiere, "Naughty Rhythms: The Best of Pub Rock". Subsequently, in 2003, label Acadia released a two-disc anthology entitled "Back on Track", combining studio sessions and representative live performances by the band. While most of the seminal pub rock albums (Brinsleys, Eggs over Easy...) have been reissued on CD, "Music Every Night" (recorded at Rockfield, produced by Dave Robinson, engineered by Kingsley Ward and Vic Maile) is still out of print.

Songs
Caldonia / Music Every Night / Knee Trembler / Kentucky Chicken Fry / Booterstown / Chinee's Dead / Bloodshot Eyes / Blood Brother / Highway Song / My Rockin' Days

SONS OF THE DOLLS (1984)

"Sons Of The Dolls" (1984, although label says 1982) compiles four bands all connected to the New York Dolls. The Idols, Criminals and Corpse Grinders were released as individual singles but the Killer Kane Band's songs were only available on this compilation released by Fan Club Records (a subsidiary of New Rose Records). Although never available as a CD in France, it was reissued (1993) in Japan as a CD under license from New Rose by Century records.

Features
The Idols : Girl That I Love / You
Criminals : The Kids Are Back / The Cops Are Coming
Killer Kane Band : Mr.Cool / Longhaired Woman / Don't Need You
Corpse Grinders : Rites, 4 Whites / Mental Moron

Note : Visit the new "Sons Of The Dolls" blog and grab plenty of amazing stuff over there.

VARIOUS - LIVE AT THE RAT (1976)

Originally called T.J.'s and The Rathskeller, the club changed name to the Rat in 1975 and played a vital part in helping the underground music scene. Jim Harold produced ten bands (nineteen songs) which were featured on this Bostonian answer to the "Live at CBGB's" album. Some of the bands (The Real Kids, DMZ and Willie Alexander Boom Boom Band) achieved cult status while most of the others disappeared or had some success under new monickers (e.g Tom Dickie from Susan). The most outstanding track (at least IMHO) of the album being Marc Thor's "Circling L.A.".

Bands
WILLIE ‘LOCO’ ALEXANDER BOOM BOOM BAND (3) / THIRD RAIL (2) / THE REAL KIDS (2) / SUSAN (2) / DMZ (2) / THUNDERTRAIN (2) / MARC THOR / SASS / THE INFLIKTORS (2) / THE BOIZE (2)

MARC THOR (1976-1979)

Marc Thor and the finest of the Boston musicians (DMZ, Thundertrain, The Boize) first appeared on the "Live At The Rat" compilation of Boston rock bands with the best tune of the lot. His first single, the anthemic "Holiday Fire" was recorded with the Boston band "The Boize". Then he released his second and last single on the indie label Indy.

LIVE AT THE RAT (1976)
Circling L.A.










HOLIDAY FIRE (1976)
1 Holiday Fire
2 Boystown Boize (with the Boize)








TRAK (1979)
1 Trak
2 Love Sucks

VARIOUS - HITS GREATEST STIFFS (1977)

A year or so after they had been released, Stiff had deleted their first 13 singles. So imagine a world deprived of Nick Lowe "Heart Of The City/So It Goes" and Elvis Costello's "Less Than Zero", but the record company then flashed out an eleven track sampler of this early product and charged only £3.99 for it...Ten of the first eleven singles are represented here (one of which was never even released: Motorhead). The collection focused on B-sides or non album tracks, the reason why Sean Tyla & his Gang had two songs (the single was a double B-side 7"). The inner sleeve is also noteworthy because Stiff displays a picture of "some fine records on other labels you might enjoy". Stiff had style.

 

HITS (224 mb)

Songs
Nick Lowe (Heart Of The City) / The Pink Fairies (Between The Lines) / The Roogalator (Cincinatti Fatback) / Tyla Gang (Styrofoam) / Tyla Gang (Texas Chainsaw Massacre Boogie) / Lew Lewis & His Band (Caravan Man) / Damned (Help!) /Richard Hell (You Gotta Lose) / Plummet Airlines (This Is The World) / Motorhead (Leavin' Here) / Elvis Costello (Radio Sweetheart)

TONIGHT (1978)

Hailing from Southend-on-Sea (UK), Tonight were Phil Chambon (guitar), Dave Cook (guitar), Chris Turner (vocals), Gary Thompson (drums), Russ Strothard (bass). Their first two singles produced by Andy Arthurs (Advertising, 999...) were two minor powerpop hits in their homeland. They released two more singles: "Wheels" and "Jealousy Kills", if anyone has them please contact me. Visit and listen to Phil Chambon at myspace. Russ Strothard toured with Dr Feelgood and Blonde & Beyond (a tribute band to Blondie). Watch Drummerman on TOTP.

Drummerman [TDS 1]
1 Drummerman
2 Stroll On By







Money That's Your Problem [TDS 2]
1 Money That's Your Problem
2 No Sympathy

SNAP!! - THAT SOUNDS LIKE FUN! (1992-1996)

Snap!! was a spanish fanzine launched in Madrid by Alfredo and Angel. Between 1992 and 1996 the fanzine offered three tapes with plenty of unreleased stuff, mixing powerpop and garage. Those tapes were limited editions. I bought the issue #2 (special spanish power pop ) in 1994 while i was in Spain. The other two issues were ripped by Michel, a spanish friend who had bought the issues #1 & #3 back then. I made the custom artwork for all three volumes.

Volume One (1992)

Manual Scan (I Don't Want To Faster (Gotta Stop)) / The Pyramidiacs (No Soul) / The Posies (Open Every Window) / The Lost Lyrics (Stay (Why Me)) / Los Miembros (Dias De Gloria) / Insanity Wave (Second Chance) / Rebel Waltz (Junk Box) / The Lust-O-Rama (I'm Down) / The Dukes (Midnight To A Six Man) / The Salamanders (I Don't Need No Doctor) / The Aardvarks (Merry-Go-Round) / Vancouvers (Queen Bitch) / John Holmes Underground (Albania) / The Lone Wolves (Lone Wolf) / The Shambles (Just Matter Of Time)

Volume Two (1994)

Los Potros(When You Find Out) / The Crocodiles (Crocodile Radio) / Los Hermanos Dalton (Luces De Hollywood) / The Heartbeats (Bad Day) / Los Dukes (I Declare) / Jon Kanis (Arlintong) / Insanity Wave (Rainy Day) / Las Valvulas (Tu Sabes) / Automatics (Nobody) / Parkinson D.C (Love) / Young Fresh Fellows (Way Lo Beat) / Pribata Idaho (Headless Man) / The Kliek (Sandra) / The Beatpack (Teenage Head) / The Cryptones (I Can't Stand My Life Today) / The Shambles (Psychotic Reaction) / The Crepitos (Standin') / The Lears (Coming Home Today) / The Lust-O-Rama (Night Of The Sadist) / The Bandogs (My Life Has Changed) / The Phantom Surfers (Paradise Cove)

Volume Three (1996)

Love Bomb (It's Correct) / The Great Potato Fair (Wild Life) / The Heartbeats (Never Realized) / Looney Tones (It's Happening To You) / The Beat Godivas (Music And Audience) / The Grip Weeds (Be Like You) / The Groovy Cellar (Be Seeing You) / The Lemonbabies (Oh No No No) / The What...for! (How I Feel) / The Beatitudes (So Much) / Jack & The Beanstalk (I Want To Be Like Ray Davies) / The Shambles (Harmony) / The Happy Losers (The Day For Undressing The Shartguys) / Malconsejo (Miel) / Los Huespedes Felices (Tu Olvido) / Los Brujos (Vuelo En Tren (Don't Say Nothing At All) / Vice Barons (Skatedater Rock) / The Slow Slushy Boys (Putty In Your Hands) / Las Best-tias (I Can't Pretend) / The Gravestones (Dreaming)

GARY VALENTINE (1978) & THE KNOW (1980)

After Gary Valentine quit Blondie and wrote one of the best Blondie tunes ("I'm Always Touched By Your Presence, Dear"), he recorded his first single with a little help from the Mumps. Then he formed his own band "The Know" and released the "Know" single (later covered by The Point). Both singles are available on the Gary Valentine UK compilation "Tomorrow Belongs To You" (now out of print).

The First One [Beat 001]
The First One / Tomorrow Belongs To You

I Like Girls [Planet K 12451]
I Like Girls / Out Of Reach (Dreams)

HECTOR PENALOSA - HECTOR (1988)

After the Flying Color album (with outtakes), bassist Hector Penalosa recorded his first solo effort on New York's Cryptovision label, which had released the Flying Color's "Look My Way" single. The "Hector" LP includes contributions from Richard Chase and John Stuart (who plays drums on the whole LP and sings lead on one song), but Penalosa handles virtually all of the remaining instruments himself. For the most part, this immensely likable effort offers a less rocking version of Flying Color's sweetly melancholy jangle. But the whooping rocker "Northwest Trip" and the haunting violin-dominated instrumental "Manuela" indicate that there's more to Hector than just power pop. Hector Penalosa released his wonderful second album "Music For Cats" in 1996 on the spanish label Bam Balam. He also can be heard on the "Bam Balam Explosion Vol 4" with the excellent "Don't Be Down". Trouser Press

Special Note: the album was ripped by ian r. I made the artwork with the scans provided

Songs
Dog In The Rain / Love Comes Charging / Scheming / Paint / The Voice / Right To The End / Hurt So Bad / Manuela / Northwest Trip / The Girl Is Gone / Toy Boat