THE DENVER MEXICANS - THE DENVER MEXICANS (1988)

Aaron Price formed the Denver Mexicans with his drinking buddy, bassist Dave Provost (of Droogs fame); on drums was Steve Bidrowski, who also played with Bruce Joyner in the Unknowns.
Sometime in 1986, the trio recorded 8 tracks produced by Billy Bremner (ex-Rockpile). Billy fitted in neatly with the Denver Mexicans take-it-as-it-comes attitude. All the tracks were original band compositions, except a cover of "John Coltrane Stereo Blues" - a song that Dave Provost was very familiar with as a former member of the Dream Syndicate himself, and one that should have give you more idea of where the combo draw their inspiration from. Presenting a very "live" sound, the record was released as an 8 track mini album in the USA. In Germany, Still Sane Records picked up the scent via a review in "Option" magazine. Due to pressure of other commitments with the Droogs, Dave Provost quit the Mexicans and was replaced by Marco Fox. The revised line-up cut three new tracks (same studio, same engineer) that were added to the German issue with a revised cover art which shows the shell of a Mexican church, one of the oldest buildings in downtown L.A. Jon Storey B.o.B #31.

The Denver Mexicans recorded a second album "Empire Town" available on CD (1990).

Songs
Denver Mexican Theme / Rain / Lonesome Road / Cold Steel / Down / Too Far Gone / Dogs Of Surf / John Coltrane Stereo Blues / Restless / Car Crash Salvation / Ezras Parade

CHEEPSKATES - SECOND AND LAST (1986)

Led by the monstruously talented Shane Faubert, the Cheepskates began life as an anomaly to NY's garage rock scene in the mid 80's. They always were scouring for vintage paisleys and deeper, more intelligent accomodations of a derivative sound. They crafted pure pop, clear expressive, refreshing timeless pop treasures. They first released the classic "Run Better Run" in 1984 (reissued in 2005). Then, the original lineup split while recording the follow-up (hence the title "Second And Last"). After losing Keith and guitarist David John Herrera (who went on to release "A Handout From a Cheepskate" in 1989), the Cheepskates continued on as a trio of Shane Faubert, bassist Tony Low and new drummer Jeremy Lee and they released "Remember" (1987), "It Wings Above" (1988), "Waiting For Unta" (1989), and "Confessional" (1990) all available in CD format. Opting out of the Cheepskates in 1992, bassist Tony Low and drummer Jeremy Lee formed their own group, which became, by mid-decade, a tuneful hard-rock quartet named Static 13. Tony Low released "Dandelion In The Year Of The Rooster" (2000), "Sleight Of Hand" (2002), and "Time Across The Page" in 2007. Shane Faubert released three solo albums, the stunning and visionary "Kalkara" (1990) plus "San Blass" (1993) and "Squirrelboy Blue" (1997) and should release his fourth album very soon. So, Along the "Songs Volume One" (1989) and "Songs Volume Two" (1992), "Second And Last" is the only Cheepskates album not available on CD .

Click here to order the Cheepskates and Shane Faubert albums.

Click here to download some Shane Faubert demos. Visit also his blog here.

Songs
Turn Around / Everything / Yours and Mine / Reel Dreams / Good Life / You Don't Belong Here / Every Man's a King / About You / Kustom Shuffle / Tell Me I'm Wrong / Around Here / Too Tired / She Comes Back / Only Grey

VARIOUS - POPCAN (A REFRESHING TASTE OF PURE CANADIAN POP) (1997)

This 1997 compilation features some of Canada's finest indie pop bands, from Vancouver to Halifax. "Popcan" is an exemplary collection that showcases a just fraction of Canada's incredible indie pop scene.

Click on pix for details of the bands involved

VARIOUS - WE WANT THE AIRWAVES (1999)

Another excellent Power Pop compilation released in Spain by Munster Records with bands from the U.S.A, Canada, Spain, Sweden, Denmark and Australia.

Click on pix for details of the bands involved

NILON BOMBERS - BIRD (1996)

Hailing from Gloucestershire (UK), Drew Norton (vocal, guitar), Gareth Ballard (guitar, vocal), Martin Williams (drums) and Kim Dorman (bass) formed the Nilon Bombers and released a few singles and one album produced by the legendary Kim Fowley... Due to lack of success, the band split and that's how almost nobody heard about them.

Bruce Brodeen wrote this review for the Not Lame's Summer '97 catalog (page 13), right below the Badfinger News:
"The UK press confuses me so much. They exalt artistic mediocrity on non-objective, non discernable criterion giving rise to an endless array of non-descript bands they try, futilely, to export to the US for a bigger payoff. Take Nilon Bombers...no one writes about this absolutely wonderful band. Now, as great as they are, i don't think they'd go over gangbusters here, but there is not question this band is outstanding...every song is a nice re-invention of Brit-pop styled power pop, richly blended, loud-ish, sweetly breezy and creative pop porridge with whimsical and simply catchy melodies. Each song is a winner on its own terms and leave us to wonder why less creative bands take the headlines. This may be hard to keep in stock, so you are aware. Wonderful and AAA rating."

Songs
I'm Not Built This / Headache / Superstar / Lauging Gas / Since You Found God / Looking Forward, Going Back / Let's Go / Hard Working Boy / Cracked / Swim / Another Day / Clouds / The Independent / Baby I Love You (Hidden Track)

ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS - JESUS, THIS IS ELVIS (1995)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions recorded in London, (May 17th) performing mostly covers. Elvis Costello's voice is in the same shape as on the MTV Unplugged session. A lot of the tracks have incorrect titles on the artwork. This unofficial CD is similar to the "Hidden Charms" bootleg. The bonus version of "Bama Lama Bama Loo" is from the "Later With Jools Holland" show, May 16th.

Songs
Remove This Doubt / Hidden Charms / Everybody's Crying Mercy / I've Been Wrong Before /Running Out Of Fools / Leave My Kitten Alone / The Very Thought Of You / Pouring Water On A Drowning Man / Must You Throw Dirt In My Face / Bama Lama Bama Loo / Why Don't You Love Me Like You Used To Do / Alison (with Tracks Of My Tears/Tears Of A Clown/Clowntime Is Over) / Pump It Up / Bama Lama Bama Loo (bonus)

THE JOHNSONS - BREAK TOMORROW'S DAY (1986)

The Johnsons were a trio based at the University of Pennsylvania. They were Adam Miller (lead singer & bass), Mike Morrison (guitar & backing vocals), and Dana Penny (drums). With more hooks than a tackle box, The Johnsons dealt in American roots-rock in the vein of Dylan, REM and The Long Ryders. "Break Tomorrows's Day" is a collection of songs ranging from broken-hearted love ballads to energetic rebel war cries. "Hard To Find" and "Burning Desire" ripped up the college radio charts and are sure to stir some dust from your iPod. With harmonies reminiscent at times of Squeeze and Rockpile, and produced by John Wicks (not the one of The Records' fame), The Johnsons demonstrated their pop competence on every track. Another lost gem never reissued on CD.

ZS (299 mb)

Songs
Open Door / Burning Desire / Call Your Name / Sylvia Plath / Breakfast Or The Air / Hard To Find / Different Sun / Love You So / Break Tomorrow's Day / The Affirmation / Phototrails

BIJOU - CHORUS TV SHOW (1981)

In 1981, Bijou performed live their second "Chorus" (the first took place in 1978 with a brass section!!!), the legendary french TV rock show. Vincent Palmer, Philippe Dauga and Dynamite Yan, promoting the release of "Jamais Domptés", will interpret with energy seven songs, from their most powerful LP, which sparkle like so many nuggets powerpop rarely matched in France. More info about the band on the definitive Bijou website here (only in french language), and about the promo DVD edition here.

Special note: The video was converted from the MPEG-2 PAL file to XviD4 PAL with a two-pass compression. You need both parts of the video file to unrar.

Set (1 + 2)
Rock A La Radio / Tout, Tu Etais Tout / C'est La Panique / Ne Crois Pas / Rien Qu'un Doute / P.38 / je Hais Les Mecs Comme Toi

YACHTS - YACHTS (1979, UK Edition LP)

The band recorded their debut LP in New York with producer Richard Gottehrer. and power pop prevails all over the place. Frontman Henry Priestman's tacky organ flourishes surprisingly complement the typical power pop arrangements. The initial copies of the UK release included a 7" freebie ("Suffice To Say (live)" c/w "On And On". Check the Yachts singles compilation on PPC here.
The first album was also known as "S.O.S" in the USA with a different track listing.
The album was briefly reissued on CD in Japan (with the blue stripes cover) and is now OOP.

Songs
Box 202 / In A Second / Love You Love You / Tantamount To Bribery / Easy To Please / Mantovani's Hits / Then And Now / Semaphore Love / I Can't Stay Long / Heads Will Turn / I'll Be Leaving You / Yachting Type

YACHTS - WITHOUT RADAR (1981, US Edition)

Produced by Martin Rushent, the second album was first released in Europe by Radar Records and then got a northern american release by Polydor with a few changes in track listing ("Trust You", "This Thing That Thing", and "Spimosa" were replaced by the excellent "Revelry" (different mix from the UK B side) and the UK single cover of The Hullaballoos' "I Couldn't Get Along Without You". The title "Without Radar" was to reflect their parting of ways with their British label "Radar". A little bit less successful than their excellent eponymous debut, "Without Radar" was quickly found in bargain bins and has never been reissued on CD.

Songs
Don't Call Us / I Couldn't Get Along Without You / Now I'm Spoken For / The Lush / Life Saving's Easy / March Of The Moderates / There's A Ghost In My House / Out Of Luck / Consequences / On The Bridge / Revelry

THE WINKIES - THE WINKIES (1975)

Before going solo, Philip Rambow (lead singer) was in The Winkies with Guy Humprhries, Mike Desmarais (later with Tyla Gang) and Brian Turrington (later with Phil Manzanera). The Winkies were a pub rock band, they recorded some demos (available here) with Brian Eno, became his backing band and their sole eponymous album produced by Guy Stevens flopped. Then, they disbanded. Philip Rambow returned to New York and spent some time as a minor figure on the city's emerging punk scene; he contributed his own "Night Out" to the Max's Kansas City 1976 sampler, and covered two Spector's songs for the punk Phil Spector tribute album "Bionic Gold". But time has done The Winkies considerably more favors than contemporary critics ever did. It does still sound like vintage Mott, but that's something to be celebrated now - imagine if Ian Hunter and Co. had not gone off with Bowie following 1971's madcap Brain Capers album, but if Ariel Bender had joined the group regardless. "Davey's Blowtorch," a Rambow cut which swaggers like the New York Dolls and caused rampant confusion in the archaeological ranks when it was selected to represent the Winkies on the Naughty Rhythms pub rock anthology. AMG

FLAC

Songs
Trust in Dick / Mailman-It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry / Put Out the Light / Twilight Masquerade / North to Alaska / Out on the Run / Wild Open Spaces / Long Song Comin' / Davey's Blowtorch / Red Dog

BLUE ASH 'S BILL BARTOLIN

"Blue Ash lead guitarist and songwriter Bill "Cupid" Bartolin passed away this morning. He was diagnosed with cancer in the beginning of September and died suddenly this morning from complications. I will post more information about funeral arrangements later. It's a sad and terrible day! My heart goes out to Darla and Sean. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him".

Love & peace,

Frank Secich

WONDERBOY - ABBEY ROAD TO RUIN (1994)

Fronted by Robbie Rist (who plays in Martin Luther Lennon too), Wonderboy released "Abbey Road To Ruin" (the title of the album is one of the best shortcut in power pop history...not to say the best and the funniest...)
Released between the first "Wonderboy" album and the classic "Napoleon Blown Apart", the album is so wonderfully Cheap Trick-y you just have to smile and rejoice. Actually Wonderboy are adept of so many styles of pop packing a perfect punch with guitar hooks. Wonderboy was one of the most underrated power pop bands.

Lowest Amazon price: $ 0.05 !!! (a real bargain)

Songs
That's Not Me Talking / All Teary Eyed / Looks Count / Not A Kid Anymore / Wrong With U / Believe / This World Alone / Build Me Up Buttercup / Sunshine Love / The Other With The Guns / Why Is It Cold In There / Reel Me In / No Good At Love

SILVER SUN - RADIO SESSIONS (1998)

Some "Radio Sessions" recorded live by Silver Sun. This is the first volume of the bootleg series (there are 9 or 10 volumes) sold on the Silver Sun website around the beginning of this century. A great collection of some of the best Silver Sun songs.

Special note: As previouly stated for the previous Silver Sun posts, i got this from the same mate a few years ago, once again i made a custom artwork.

Songs
Intro / There Will Be Another Me / Would've Could've / Hey Girlfriend / Sharks / She'll Do / Wonderful / Last Day / Dumb / Top Trumps / Nobody / Trickle Down / In Nature / Dumb / GLR Jingles / Bubblegum / Why So Blue / God Gave Rock And Roll To You / Scared / I Can't Wait / Animal Feets / Patients

GIGOLO AUNTS - LOS CONCIERTOS DE RADIO 3 (2006)

To promote the 2006 tour, Gigolo Aunts performed live on Spanish Television. The RADIO 3 show was aired on November 17. It was introduced as the last gig from the band.

Special note: I grabbed this from a registered website. I converted to DivX5 PAL 720x544 with Ripp-It AM (a DivX two-pass compression) from mpeg2 file PAL. Running time 17'40.

Songs: 1 - 2
One Before the last (Even Though) / Just A Little More / La Chica De Ayer (The Girl From Yesterday) / Everyone Can Fly

You need both parts to unrar the file (220mb)

THE NEPTUNES - GODFISH & HYDROPHOBIA (1991)

Haling from Perth, The Neptunes were an australian band fronted by Greg Hitchcock (Stonefish, Kryptonics, New Christs, Challenger 7, You Am I, The Monarchs), Rob Findlay (The Rosebuds), Rick Mason (The Rosebuds), Martin Moon (The Chevelles, Jack & The Beanstalk). They released 2 mini-LP's "Hydrophobia" (1989) and "Godfish" (1989) which were compiled on CD in 1991 by Citadel Records. This is the kind of powerpop that will appeal most to those who appreciate bands like The Someloves, The Stems or Let's Active. The magic of the Barracudas can also be heard on "Summer's Almost Gone" (certainly a strong contender for the PPC Summer Songs Vol 2...)

Songs
Hydrophobia / Hallucination Day / Julianne / My Mermaid / Stormaline / Summer's Almost Gone / Girl From Another World / Love Sign / Black Rain / Wait For The Sun / Going Down South / Endless Summer

RAIN PARADE - CRASHING DREAM (1985)

Latest news: First time ever on CD!!!!
Enhanced artwork with detailed notes... You can order the reissue from Heyday. The link to the vinyl rip has been removed.

Many consider "Emergency Third Rail Power Trip" as the finest hour of Rain Parade. It was voted Best Album of the 80's by the B.O.B readers for Plastic Passion.
They subsequently were signed by a major label and began working on their third studio album "Crashing Dream" after founder member David Roback had left the band to form Opal. But brother Steven Roback, Matt Piucci and the late Will Glenn had evolved into a tight unit, feeding off one another.
The classic opening pop song "Depending On You" gives an hint of how the band had changed. "Crashing Dream" is an exciting and potent album which offers plenty of great tunes: "Don't Feel Bad" "Sad Eyes Kill" (a different version to the B.O.B. flexi disc), "Fertile Crescent". "Shoot Down The Railroad" is intensely powerful, featuring a blazing guitar battle that is pure Verlaine/Lloyd. (Source B.O.B. Chris Horn)

Steven Roback, Will Glenn and John Thoman went on to form Viva Saturn while Matt Piucci worked with his former bandmates within Viva Saturn and released his solo album "Hellenes" in 2002.

Rain Parade performed live "Depending On You" and "My Secret Country" on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1985. Visit YouTube to watch both videos.

Special note: Although the album has already been posted on various blogs (or can be found in some other places), i thought it would be nice to post this brand new rip which comes complete with the usual artwork set. The album has never been reissued in CD until today (see above)

Songs
Depending On You / My secret Country / Don't Feel Bad / Mystic Green / Sad Eyes Kill / Shoot Down The Railroad Man / Fertile Crescent / Invisible People / Gone West / Only Business

LEROY - ELECTRIC (1989)

Prior to his involvement with Day One, Leroy Bocchieri recorded this aggressive batch of tunes for Spectre Records (Germany). The album was produced by Jeff Murphy (of Shoes fame) and listeners will undoubtly recognize the basic ingredients that Bocchieri eventually brought to Day One (both albums were also produced by Jeff Murphy). This adventuresome solo effort featured the european singles "Holdja Closa" and "Take Heart". Both Day One albums ("Hallowed Ground" ('93) and "Figurehead" ('96) can be purchased from cdbaby.

Songs
Holdja Closa / Ain't Nothin' / Take Heart / Thought It Was A Dream / I Gotta Know / Feel Electric / I Be Shakin' / One More Piece / Shadow Of A Doubt / They Said / When In Rome

BLUE VAN GOGH - MORE COFFEE... (1995)

For much of the 80s, Ray Andersen was a member of the notable Asbury Park NJ,Stone Pony house-band, Cats On A Smooth Surface. Bruce Springsteen played with Ray and the band so much, he often raved to the press worldwide, that they were his favorite group of musicians to jam with when he was off tour.
In 1995, Ray and his wife, Patti Maloney, formed a pop/rock duo, Blue Van Gogh, and a few years prior to the critically acclaimed "Hi-Fi Junkie Sonata", the duo had released the scarce mini album "More Coffee". Later in 1998, Ray got a call to play guitar, keyboards & sing backup for international rock star, Meat Loaf. Today Ray Andersen is better known as Mr Ray and has released so far 3 albums of singalong songs for the kids and their parents.

Songs
Little Secret / Dirty Kat / Know / Dream A Dream / Blue Van Gogh / Top Of The Mountain

THE KNACK - MUSIKLADEN (1980)

Having just released their second album, The Knack performed live in Germany on the legendary "Musikladen" (formerly known as "The Beat Club"). This rare concert appearance was first aired in 1980 and was later aired again in 2008 on Cable TV, part of the "The Lost Concerts" series.

Special note: The video was converted from the MPEG-2 PAL file to DivX 6.8 PAL with a two-pass compression. You need both parts of the video file to unrar. A sampler can be watched on the PPC Channel. Custom artwork included with the audio file.






AUDIO + VIDEO (1 + 2)
Baby Talks Dirty / Your Number Or Your Name / Oh Tara / The Hard Way / I Want Ya / Mr. Handleman / End Of The Game / Siamese Twins / My Sharona