AZ Local

Uploaded Missing Files

2011-12-21T22:28:00.001-07:00

I have added the Stumbles and The Chimeras to the main download pages

Downloads

2011-11-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

A reminder all downloads are on the main page. I have also changed the moderation of comments so they dont need approval since I have been so late in checking messages, sorry for any delays, will try to update more regularly and will hopefully add some of my many half finished projects to the site someday. Thanks for all the kind words.

The Cheeters - Easy To Please Me/You Ain't Breakin' Nobody's Heart 7" (1985)

2010-09-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

This 7" is from 1985 is pretty straight ahead 80's AOR, professionally done, notable for being engineered and mixed by Butch Vig (who also
produced their 1988 full length). They also had a 7" single in 1986, all released on Boat Records. Vig also takes credit for tambourines. recorded and Mixed at Smart Studios in Madison, WI.

Produced by William W. Caplinger and The Cheeters

Dr. Dave Dodger - acoustic and Simmons drums, vocals
Tom Cobb - guitar, vocals
Ashley Harrington - vocals, percussion
Pete Moss - bass, vocals
C.J. Summerfield - guitar, keyboards, vocals

Backing vocals on "Easy To Please Me"- Ashley Harrington, Christine Hess, Lynette Marguiles, Kristy Larson
Handclaps by Eddie Reynolds, The Cheeters, Lynette
Keyboards on "Easy To Please Me" - Franz Zermuehlen

The Cheeters (more songs) Dean Richard's Cheeters site

Download Page

The Rads - Dr. Love/Truly Julie 7" (1982)

2010-09-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

From 1982 Arizona master musician Kerry Jackson's band The Rads turned out this pop rock 7". Produced by The Rads and engineered by Avi Kipper, Assisted by Susan Whipple. Recorded at Hit City West.

Kerry Jackson -lead vocals, guitar, piano,percussion
Gary Wilkes - covals, guitar
Lloyd Moffitt - bass
Del Hopkins - drums, percussion

Buy Kerry's Beat The Meatles:
here

Download Page

Norm Norman - Norm Norman Ep (1983)

2010-09-12T18:43:00.004-07:00

The only release I believe from Norm Norman/The Norm released in 1983 on High Velocity Records/Rocshire records, this 6 song self-titled Ep featured You're A Zombie which received alternative radio airplay and an MTV video featuring Billy Barty. Produced by Norm Norman and Paul Ratajczak except 5 & 6 by Norm Norman and Ted Vegvari.

Norm Norman - Vocals, Synthesizers, Guitars
Allan Adams - Keyboards, Marimba, Background [1-3]
Larry Bustamante - Lead and Rhythm Guitars [1-4]
Paul Comstock - Drums [1-4]
Chuck Jones - Bass [1-4]
Wendy Joy - Backing Vocals, PR
Dan Hurley - Guitars and Backing Vocals [5-6]
Ted Vegvari - Bass [5-6]
Richie Mortensen - Drums [5-6]
Corky Tanassy - Rhythm Guitar [1]

Front Cover by Cee Farrow
Back cover by Rosie Fitts

Download Page

Tao Overstreet - Misunderstood (1993)

2010-09-12T18:43:00.002-07:00

From Tempe, Arizona, Tao Overstreet was wildly across the map in musical style. They later went on to become Idols Of Perversity. This is a CD rip.

From Peter Gilstrap and Serene Dominic's Tapes In the Mail from the August 1994 New Times:

Most local bands' idea of "dedication" is finding one group to emulate and then copy it up the wazoo. Tempe's Tao Overstreet chooses the less-traveled road by taking on several different styles--metal, rap, tribal punk--all at once. A&R people hate it when groups hop musical genres as often as Tao does on its Misunderstood CD, but the good news is that the band pulls off everything it sets out to do. Exceptionally well.
Each of the band's three singer-songwriters exhibits a healthy balance of wit and humour. The most hilarious moments belong to Page Davis, who makes insightful observations about "Teenage Plastic Surgery" (Her big nose bothers her like a disease/She wants nostrils like a Pekingese") and what it's like to be a "Has Been." Who can resist this tender tale of a washed-up, fortysomething musician who assures his 18-year-old trollop that he's several years younger than Keith, but many, many years younger than Mick?
Guitarist Bee Sanders' dead-on Perry Farrell impersonation is another real hoot, and "Strange" is as hooky as Jane's Addiction's best-loved material. But since the Farrell bit appears again several times more throughout the CD, the mimicry is less an homage than it is a hard habit to curb. That he's good enough to fool most listeners is still high praise, indeed. It might take you some time before you can understand Misunderstood, but it's certainly a fun jigsaw to figure out. Easily the most impressive self-produced CD (ditto for the packaging) that's come across the desk this year.

Page Davis - Lead Vocals, Bass
Bee Sanders - Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards
Jimmy Schwenk - Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Mandolin

Blaster Lead Vocals by Kevin Cline

Produced By Jimmy Schwenk
Co-Produced by Page Davis and Bee Sanders
Exec. Producer - Will Yeaton/Dig Bodhi Records

Download Page

New Download Set-Up

2010-08-17T22:07:00.001-07:00

As a major improvement to the blog and an incredible way to simplify things for me, I have added two download links in the upper left hand corner of the home page, you can go to dropbox and download whatever you'd like and I won't have to refresh the links every 30 days. this will allow me to spend some time posting new stuff! Enjoy!
I have also added a donate button as some of you have requested if you wanted to help defray some costs of operating the blog but please don't feel obligated. I am doing this for the love of the music, not to make a living!

Updates

2010-08-16T21:33:00.002-07:00

Finally have found some time and went through all the messages, so much spam it became overwhelming to keep up. I plan on refreshing all the links very soon, I am looking for a way to do it so I don't have to keep refreshing the links, any suggestions are more than welcome, shoot me an e-mail at azlocal AT gmail. com, I will start checking it again!

New Posts

2009-11-23T08:50:00.001-07:00

After a lengthy hiatus, I will begin refreshing many of the links and hopefully have some new posts over the course of the next 30-60 days, time permitting!

The Zarkons - Riders In The Long Black Parade (1985)

2008-06-21T08:27:00.005-07:00

Formerly the Alleycats, this is their first LP under the moniker of The Zarkons. A fuzzy sound that is sometimes similar to X, they even cover White Rabbit from Jefferson Airplane. They released one more LP in 1988 after replacing drummer John McCarthy before disbanding.
Oddly, theis LP is titled Riders In The Long Black Parade on the cover yet the LP itself replaces Black with Dark. From Timecoast Communications and Marketed by Enigma Records.
Produced by Randy Stodola

The Band:
John McCarthy - Drums
Randy Stodola - Guitar, Vocals
Dianne Chai - Bass Guitar, Vocals

Download Zarkons

The Strand - The Strand (1987)

2008-06-18T22:49:00.005-07:00

This 1987 Cassette from Arizona's The Strand, featured local legends Bruce Connole, Damon Doiron and Alan Ross Willey. Connolle and Doiron were also part of legendary Arizona bands featured here previously (Billy Clone & The Same and The Jetzons) as well as many others. This 4 song Power Pop cassette repeated on both sides. It took two source tapes to get a decent digital transfer, thanks to Brent for loaning the cassette to me to digitize.

Videos thanks to Joel Samuel

The Strand Live

Interview with Bruce Connole of The Strand

Postscript:
Local music notes: Suicide Kings’ singer moving to Nashville
By Chris Hansen Orf, Get Out
June 11, 2008

Valley singer/songwriter moving to Nashville
Singer and songwriter Bruce Connole is leaving the Valley for Nashville, Tenn., where Oh Boy Records, the label representing Connole’s band, the Suicide Kings, is based. “I’m making the leap,” says Connole, who — save for a few years when he lived in L.A. in the ’80s — has been a permanent fixture on the Valley music scene since the mid-’70s; he has led such legendary Valley bands as Billy Clone and The Same, The Jetzons and The Strand. “After visiting out there and really getting a feel for the place, I pretty much fell in love with it. There are actually clubs that have live music that aren’t called Applebees and Fat Tuesdays.” Connole, who was once quoted as saying the only way he’d ever leave the Valley again is “in a pine box,” is a gifted country singer and songwriter, and the Valley’s loss will be Nashville’s gain. “It’ll either work out or it won’t,” says Connole. “Either way, I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Download The Strand

Ten O'Clock Scholars Video

2008-06-10T10:51:00.003-07:00

A bit of a departure for me, but sometimes things fall into your lap and this is one of them. Worthy of a post nonetheless, an extremely rare video has surfaced on youtube, featuring The Ten O'Clock Scholars, which featured founding Gin Blossoms members and Arizona music legend Doug Hopkins as well as Bill Leen.

From Lost Horizons, the definitive Doug Hopkins site:

Ten O'Clock Scholars
Members:
Doug Hopkins (Guitar), Bill Leen (Bass), David McKay (Vocals), Randy Sanders (Drums), Jim Swafford (Guitar & Vocals)
Dates:
1986
Recordings:
Unavailable Demo
The Ten O'Clock Scholars, were the next band to be formed by Hopkins, who started out in Phoenix, for fun. This time with old Psalms members Bill Leen and Jim Swafford back in the fold. However, Hopkin's suddenly said he was going to LA for a recording contract, and simply left. After weeks of partying in LA, without doing what he set out to, Doug returned to Tempe, to find the Ten O'Clock Scholars gone, with David McKay and Randy Sanders having moved to Portland. Not being able to match the line up they had back home, or Doug's song writing ability, David called home, and it wasn't long before Jim, Bill and Doug had moved up to Portland to get the band rolling again.
The newly formed Ten O'Clock Scholars held onto the Hopkins' penned tunes Angels Tonight and Dream With You from Algebra Ranch. Both songs were performed on the TV show Night Zoo in which Doug did a short interview between the songs. A local pizza store owner also put up cash for the band to go into the studio and record both Angels Tonight and Dream With You, although the demo recording was never released.
The Ten O'Clock Scholars saw the basis of what was to become the Gin Blossoms grow further from Algebra Ranch. In addition to Angels Tonight and Dream With You, they performed the same covers that the early Gin Blossoms did, as well as Hopkin's originals "And" and "Blue Eyes Bleeding". ("Blue Eyes Bleeding" was later demoed by the Gin Blossoms). Apparently it was around this time that Doug began working on "Hey Jealousy", and "Found Out About You".
The band dissolved when Doug decided to move back to Tempe.

Crown Of Thorns - Pictures 12'' and Kingdom Come 12" (1983)

2008-05-27T22:09:00.008-07:00

These two 12" were both released in 1983. According to the IRS band site: Crown Of Thorns was one of the forerunners of the "disco/synth" influenced techno sound, albeit with a "punky" edge, that would become all the rage a decade later. They made their first album appearance on the Illegal Records collection The Defiant Pose in 1983 with "Gone Are The Days." Their debut EP followed in the US later that year. In 1984, five more songs appeared in the UK only, in various 12" and 7" combinations: "Kingdom Come", "Guns In The Name Of God", "World Radio", "Diamond Jim" and "No Man's Land". The band's output seems, abruptly, to have ended there. An anticipated debut album never materialized and the band soon faded from memory, reduced to nothing more than an entry on William Orbit's resumé...
IRS Band Page here with more info

Cactus Mouth Informer posted the Kingdom Come 2 song single here

and a different Pictures Ep here

Crown Of Thorns:
Keith Finch (keyboards)
Ty Holden (bass)
Malcolm Mehyer (guitars, vocals)
Phil Snow (drums, percussion)
Steve Soer (vocals, trumpet)

My rips:
Download Kingdom Come

Download Pictures

Nova Boys - Death In A Dress (1984)

2008-05-24T14:00:00.009-07:00

Arizona's Nova Boys combined Cowpunk and Rockabilly, on this fine 4 song disc. This is the only vinyl release I know of from them. Three originals and a cover of Tobacco Road.Produced by Robin Johnson (Gentlemen After Dark, The Pills). Recorded at Chaton Studios in Scottsdale and released on Positive Change Records.

The Nova Boys:

Tim C - Singer

Chris Kenan - Guitar

Danny Bones - Bass
Al Penzone - Drums

Download Nova Boys

Baxter Robertson - Panorama View Ep (1983)

2008-05-24T10:41:00.006-07:00

Baxter Robertson had a minor hit in Silver Strand (People In Motion) from this 1983 RCA release. He went on to release two full LP's (Vanishing Point II and Mere Mortals) but this solid 5 song ep was by far my favorite. He also had a song on the original Karate Kid Soundtrack (Feel The Night), which was co-written by Bill Conti.

Robertson later went on to be in Family Pets and Sofa Lords (among others).

Robertson's daughter plays guitar in The Donna's.

Produced by Tony Peluso

The Band:
Alan Maggini - Lead Guitar
Jay Bodean - Vocals, Bass
David Adelstein - Synthesizers
Gary Durrett - Drums
Baxter Robertson - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards

Download Baxter Robertson

Baxter Robertson's Silver Strand received light airplay on MTV.

Spooner - Every Corner Dance (1982)

2008-05-21T14:50:00.004-07:00

This power pop record by Spooner is notable for Doug "Duke" Erikson and Butch Vig who went on to fame in Garbage, and obviously Vig's Producing career.

Comprehensive band page here

This was released on CD in the late 80's as a twofer but has long been out-of print.

Spooner:
Dave Benton - Guitar, Vocals
Doug Erikson - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano on "Cruel School"
Joel Tappero - Bass
Butch Vig - Drums, Vocals
Jeff Walker - Keyboards

Produced by Gary Kiebe and Spooner

Download Spooner

Bootbeast - Carnival 7" and Bootbeast 12" (1990)

2008-05-18T09:30:00.007-07:00

By request, Bootbeast (Bootbeast Carnival as they were know on the More Coffee compilation)

Two reviews sum up their sound nicely, which is a gloomy blend of punk, metal and pre-grunge.

From fuzzlogic.com
Bootbeast
carnival 7"
noiseville. 8 / 2 tracks / 1989

feat. ex-Drunks with Guns / Mighty Sphincter members. 500 made, some on gold vinyl. + label flyer.

Experimental (post-)hardcore remotely resembling Die Kreuzen's sound. Strange guitar riffs, vocals are rather sung than screamed. Despite the experimental approach the music is powerful & compact.

The following year, after they released a self-titled cassette tape which New Times writer David Koen (April 1990) accurately describes their sound:

If Anne Rice invited Rush, Vincent Price, and Led Zeppelin over for drinks and rolled this tape to provide some instant atmosphere, no one would complain. Bootbeast is a postmodern, haunted-house cruise through the inner sanctums of art-metal.

Sometimes the Tempe band chokes on the songs' own atmosphere. But then sometimes Bootbeast emerges from the fogginess. It's this kind of well-balanced horror movie/rock 'n' roll hybrid that appeals to the doomster in us all.

they released this 4 song self titled 12".

Bootbeast:
Jim Andreas - Vocals
Mike Doskocil - Drums
Jeff O'Rourke - Guitars
Lloyd Whittaker - Bass

Lyrics- Andreas Music Andreas/Doskocil,O'Rourke, Whittaker

Produced by Greg Horn
Engineered by Andy Kern

Recorded at Cereus Recording

Download Bootbeast - Carnival 7"

Download Bootbeast 12"

The Penetrators - Discography (San Diego's The Penetrators (1979-1982)

2008-05-07T22:19:00.014-07:00

1982's A Sweet Kiss From Mommy

"We come from San Diego, California for a good time" was a lyric (Cassanova)and a great explanation of The Penetrators. Nothing Town brings back some awesome memories for me and my days listening to 91X.
I have included their first 7" Sensitive Boy and their ep Walk The Beat and their LP A Sweet Kiss From Mommy. There are a couple of songs from some comps I will get to in the future.

This article from the the San Diego Troubadour (Penetrators)sums up their story better than I could ever do:

It’s easy enough to take much of what the local scene has to offer today for granted. Local airplay is a given, at least on the local shows, and the pop machinery is such that there are now literally dozens of local nightspots where a group can perform original music. But in the late seventies, it was a different time indeed. No cable television, no MTV, and VCRs were rare. People now crank out landfill CDs in their bedrooms while once having something immortalized on vinyl was a big deal. Original music, especially anything that wasn’t from the cookie cutter radio mold, was considered radical. The police frowned (heavily) on it at the time, but then so did some of the public. So it was against enormous odds that the Penetrators took hold of the public consciousness.

True enough, when the Penetrators first exploded on the San Diego scene in the late seventies, they were considered by many to be a punk band. Time has shown them to be much more than that. They were precursors to what eventually became known as roots rock, but their sound was actually a unique mix of many different styles. Elements of surf, new wave, sixties garage, R&B, even nascent electronica, all filtered through their music. Just as important, the band were pioneers of the do-it-yourself ethic, inspiring legions of musicians, this one included. They found locations in which to play — from small but essential stages such as those at Abbey Road and the Skeleton Club to the local Lions Club and the Glorietta Bay Recreation Center. A personal highlight was a show at La Jolla Country Day School. If they could set up a P.A. and play, they were there. And they built a huge following, becoming arguably the first stars of the modern day scene.

The core of the band originally centered around the vocals of Gary Heffern, Chris Sullivan’s bass and most important, secret weapon Dan McClain on drums. Original guitarist Scott Harrington departed just prior to the release of their first EP, Untamed Youth, in 1978. He was quickly replaced by Chris Davies, whose staccato surf-inspired guitar attack was the perfect foil for Gary’s over-the-top vocals.

Their first big break was a gig opening for the Ramones at SDSU circa 1978, but it was with their 1979 single “Sensitive Boy”/”Stimulation” that the band truly hit their stride. Adding Jim Call to the band on drone keyboards and sax gave the band a broader palette from which to create. And they were up to the challenge, although in actual time the time between their first and second 7-inch vinyls was mere months, the difference in music was light years — much more confident and driven, pointing toward today’s eclectic modern rock scene.

By the release of 1980’s certifiably classic Walk the Beat EP, the band was on the verge of big time success, even selling out Golden Hall and crucially gaining airplay on influential Los Angeles radio station KROQ. In today’s context, that’s the equivalent of RFTC selling out Qualcomm Stadium, with no radio airplay. Pieces in the local press, as well as the L.A. Times and an infamous cover story in the Reader only added to the legend. The band did receive major label attention, with Capitol among their suitors at one time. The band also shot a series of five videos at A&M studios in Los Angeles for tunes that include “Walk The Beat” and “I’m With the Guys.” The videos remain unreleased, but there is, in fact, a sizeable amount of footage available from both live shows and TV appearances, such as their 1982 two-song set on the Cox Cable TV local music show in 1982.

1982 also saw the release of the groups only full-length album, A Sweet Kiss From Mommy, which would prove to be their final release. Notably the album added the vocal charms of Joyce Rooks (ex-Dinettes and Trowsers) to the mix. Unfortunately A Sweet Kiss From Mommy didn’t receive the attention it was due, sabotaged by an album sleeve featuring 30 of their friends’ rear ends. Today maybe, but in those days the cover ensured that many people wouldn’t pay attention to the great music inside and, in the end (pun intended), the album couldn’t even be displayed in most shops. And that’s a great shame, as the disc included a wealth of should-have-been classics, from the opening “Standing in Line” to the closing “Jimmy Don’t Do It,” effectively if unintentionally closing their recording career with a song that harkened back to their early days with Scott Harrington.

Sadly, except for a few compilation album appearances and a wealth of unreleased studio material (be sure to look for the classic “5th & Bop” on the 1983 edition of KGB’s Homegrown), that was it for releases and the band dissipated.

What’s interesting to note is that the Penetrators were the eye of a storm, with all sorts of projects emanating from within. Dan McClain published incredible fanzines such as New Hippie and Hobogue as well as running one of the first independent music stores in San Diego, Monty’s Rockers. He also played with R&B legends the Crawdaddys.

Chris Davies performed with the T-Birds at teen dances, recording an unreleased single that made it to the test-pressing stages. And lots more, of course.

McClain, sadly, is no longer with us, but if there was ever a candidate for San Diego Artist of the Century, he is the obvious choice. Everybody knows that he went on to greater fame with the Beat Farmers via many side bands, including Country Dick and the Snuggle Bunnies, and eventually released records on Rhino, Curb, MCA, and Demon. Chris Sullivan formed a few bands, including the Front Four who released a fun single, “Charger Rock,” but it was his work with the Jacks that brought him back to the big stages again, eventually signing to Rounder.

Gary Heffern, currently resides in Portland, continues to write poetry, and has released a number of albums under his own name, one of which also included another local ex-patriate, Eddie Veddar. Chris Davies still gigs around town and has performed alongside Cindy Lee Berryhill and others. Jim Call still deejays around town. Of the two short-time members, Joyce Rooks went on to work for Capitol Records and has added her cello to many projects, including a stint with top L.A. powerpoppers Wednesday Week and David J, most recently seen with Bauhaus. Scott Harrington meanwhile produced the first Manual Scan EP, before brief stints in the Upbeats and a legion of short-lived bands. Even all this is just the tip of the iceberg for the world of the Penetrators.

Hopefully someone will reissue the great music of the Penetrators someday. Other than a pair of compilations, not a note has appeared on CD. Keep an eye out for Shake Some Action Vol. 4 or the 2001 San Diego Music Awards Sampler, which is the only way to find their music other than a visit to the used record store.

Fans of the Penetrators got a huge surprise last year on November 10 when the band reunited for a five-song set at the Casbah as part of a tribute show for the late Dan McCLain. With Joel Kmak ably filling in for McCLain, the band received a hero’s welcome from the sold-out house, so much that the group has decided to do one more performance at the Casbah this month on January 29. The band will do a full set this time out and anticipation is high, but perhaps in the long run even better news is the fact that the group is in the middle of an archive dig with an eye on releasing an anthology.

The San Diego music scene owes a major debt to the Penetrators. It’s safe to say that today things wouldn’t be the same without their music and pioneering shows, as well as for the help they gave to local bands throughout their career: always available with a kind word, a bit of advice, or even an opening spot on one of their shows. January 29 will be a rare opportunity for San Diego music fans. Longtime scenesters will have a chance to relive their glory days one more time while newer music fans will get a chance to see what the fuss was all about, up close and personal. It all adds up to a show that shouldn’t be missed and some terrific music that’s ripe for rediscovery.

1980's Walk The Beat Ep

1979's Stimulation/Sensitive Boy 7"

Sensitive Boy 7"

Walk The Beat Ep

Sweet Kiss From Mommy LP

Cook The Books - Piggie In The Middle Eight/ Gone To Black 12" (1982)

2008-05-04T09:12:00.007-07:00

By request, Cook The Book's debut 12" single, recorded , according to wikipedia, in response to the widespread British Riots in 1981.
Hailing from Liverpool, England, they later changed their name to Cook Da Books and released an LP in 1983.
The B-side is an instrumental with many songs combined including the theme from Hawaii Five-O, Batman and Piggie In The Middle Of Eight.

More Info

Band Members:

Owen Moran - Vocals, Bass
Peter Deary - Vocals, Guitar
Tony Prescott - Keyboards
John Legget - Drums, Percussion

Download Cook The Books

March - All Arizona CD's

2008-03-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

March will feature some of my favorite out-of-print, mostly independent releases, of local Arizona artists. Most of these are from the 90's.
Enjoy!
PJ

The Stumbles - Best Of The Greatest Hits (Volume Seven) (1998)

2008-03-20T23:54:00.010-07:00

Unfortunately, the second and final CD released by The Stumbles, which picked up where their debut left off. Larger crowds, courting by record labels and ultimately, too much nightlife led to the demise of one of Arizona's finest near miss bands.
Adding Dusty Denham on drums for the CD but utilizing Scott Hessel live, the Stumbles were all over the musical map and their album artwork, a nod to the K-Tel records of the 70's, was a perfect fit. Boy In The Bubble is as fine a pop song as there was and San Francisco was a live crowd favorite. Moffatt and Sadler continued on minus Walker and later became Big Moxie.

The Stumbles:
Mark Moffatt - Guitar and Lead and Back-Up Vocals
Ron Walker - Guitar and Lead and Back-Up Vocals
Matt Sadler - Bass
Dusty Denham - Drums

Download The Stumbles - Best Of...

The Stumbles - The Stumbles (1995)

2008-03-19T23:29:00.009-07:00

Previously featured here, Ron Walker's band after Middletown and a solo effort was poised to make it big. This 1995 debut release was sweet and pure guitar pop and quite possibly one of my all-time favorite CD's. Walker teamed with Mark Moffatt, trading vocals and both playing guitar. Matt Sadler played bass. Walker also took drumming credits on this disc. Produced by Mark Matson & the Stumbles at Salt Mine Studios.

From New Times:

Published: November 30, 1995

The Stumbles
The Stumbles
(self-released)

After Jefferson Airplane, but before Styx, "eclectic" became a dirty word in rock. An "eclectic" young band is one that hasn't figured out what it wants to be when it grows up, while an "eclectic" older group means even the drummer thinks he can sing (and, worse, write). The Stumbles fall somewhere in between. The band boasts two strong front men/guitarists, Ron Walker and Mark Moffatt--and Walker plays all the drums on this CD.

Any group that runs as wide a spectrum of styles in a 40-minute live set as the Stumbles can is eclectic in the best sense of the word. This band can harness the power of Sugar or Live and tack on highly polished block harmonies worthy of the Plimsouls or the Rembrandts, as demonstrated here on "SSS Man" and "Undertow."

"And She" is a whisper-to-scream pop gem that starts out with chiming acoustic 12strings like The La's "There She Goes," before launching into a nasally Bob Mouldish chorus. When he sings this song live, the large-framed Moffatt resembles Ed Wood's beloved wrestler/actor, Tor Johnson, at his eye-bulging best. In the recorded version of "And She," Moffatt states that his beloved "gets on my face." Live, however, I could swear he sings "sits." In any case, "And She" is a killer song, and the band has more where that came from: The number of new tunes the Stumbles are currently playing out indicates the band didn't succumb to debut fever and shoot their wad on one album. Good thing. A recording this good deserves a quality follow-up. --Serene Dominic

The Stumbles:

Ron Walker - Guitar, Vocals, Drums
Mark Moffatt - Guitar, Vocals
Matt Sadler - Bass, Black & Decker

Download The Stumbles

The Refreshments - Wheelie (1994)

2008-03-06T22:49:00.005-07:00

Regularly fetching over $100 on eBay, this rare debut CD was passed out at shows, I believe only 500 exist. The songs here were later reworked for the classic (and one of my all-time faves) Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy. Psychosis does not appear on that CD and B.O.B.A. was renamed Mexico for the Mercury release in 1996.
Formed in Tempe, Arizona, their first show was in January 1994 at Long Wongs in Tempe, opening for Flathead.
The Refreshments toured with the Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop and became hugely popular on the local scene as well as Nationally. They released their final CD on Mercury as well in 1997 (The Bottle And Fresh Horses). They gained fame for recording the theme to King Of The Hill.

Lead Singer Roger Clyne later formed Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers and tours regularly to this day, with a devote following. They have put out some excellent CD's and I recommend you check them out, especially if you get a chance to check them out live.

This CD was recorded at Salt Mine Studios in Mesa, Az and engineered by Mark Matson.

Lyrics

The Refreshments:

Roger Meade Clyne - Lead Vocals, Rhthmn (sp) Guitar
Brian David Blush - Lead Guitar
Dustin Coleman Denham - Drums, Backing Vocals
Arthur Eugene Edwards III - Bass

(P.H. Naffah actually received drumming credits on Fizzy Fuzzy in place of Denham)

Download The Refreshments - Wheelie

The Chimeras - Mistaken For Granted (1995)

2008-03-02T22:47:00.005-07:00

Sadly, this is the only release that saw the light of day to my knowledge and is extremely difficult to find, often fetching from $50 to $150.

Excerpts From New Times (Laurie Notaro)January 4th 1996:

The band was born early in 1993. The Zubia brothers (Mark and Lawrence)--fresh from dismantling their former band, Live Nudes--teamed up with bassist Scott Andrews, drummer Mark Riggs and original Gin Blossoms guitarist Doug Hopkins, and quickly became known for a style that combined Hopkins' three-minute-pop brilliance with the Zubias' soulful, blues-influenced rock. According to Mark Zubia, they took the name "Chimeras" from a Greek word that described a "she-woman fire-breathing beast, with the head of a lion, body of a goat and tail of a serpent."

The Chimeras rocketed onto the music scene. Just a few weeks after the band materialized, it became one of the most-booked and best-recognized ensembles in Tempe. The band's first gig was before a capacity crowd at the now-defunct Edcel's Attic. In record time, rumors were bouncing off the barroom walls that the Chimeras would be the next band signed out of Tempe.

But the Chimeras seemed to fall apart as quickly as they came together. Hopkins abruptly left the band after a discouraging performance at a music festival in April 1993. Riggs quit because of personal problems. Bookings plummeted and dragged the band's morale down with them.

"We went through five months without another guitarist," remembers Mark Zubia. "We were very depressed. Pete [Milner] has told me how depressed we looked when we played."

For four months, we paid for our rehearsal shed out of our own pockets," adds Andrews. "And then we'd all just go there and sit looking at each other."

After six months of limbo, Milner filled the hole that Hopkins left. The band members collectively cajoled Gary Smith--who was playing with Swamp Cooler--into sliding behind the drums.

The reconstituted Chimeras quickly started writing new material, and within weeks the band once again was a staple ofclub listings. New Times named the Chimeras Best Alternative Band of 1993.

In December of that year, however, the bad times returned with a vengeance. After suffering through several years of alcohol abuse and severe depression, Doug Hopkins killed himself. Hopkins had remained friends with the band, even after leaving. It was Lawrence Zubia who discovered Hopkins' body in the guitarist's apartment early one Sunday afternoon.

Performing was no escape from grief. Hopkins had written a large portion of the Chimeras' material, and every set the band played brought poignant reminders of his suicide.

Then, after years of his own excessive drug and alcohol use, Lawrence finally arrived at what he terms "the crossroads." He found himself fighting the same problems that caused Hopkins to shoot himself.

"I could not go any further," Lawrence says. "It came to a decision of whether I was going to continue my life like this or not continue my life at all.

"Now I look back and think, 'How did I do all of the mathematics?' Like, it would be a Thursday; I'd think, 'I gotta play tomorrow. It's midnight. Okay, I can take 14 of these pills, and then by six o'clock tomorrow evening, I'll start feeling somewhat okay. I'll drink four beers. I can play.'"

Fortunately, Lawrence checked in rather than out. He enrolled in a 28-day program at a west Phoenix rehab center for chronic relapsers, the kind of place that requires residents to wake up at six in the morning to do laundry and other daily chores.

"It was like boot camp," Lawrence says.
Although Lawrence's bandmates were supportive of his decision to take a monthlong hiatus and get clean, his peers in rehab were not so supportive of his determination to continue as a rock musician.

Mark made it clear to his brother that he would still be part of the band.
"And this is what I was telling the people in rehab," Lawrence continues. "But they're telling me, 'You can't go back to the band. That's the worst place for you to be!'

Lawrence successfully completed the program and immediately rejoined the band, which experienced a creative catharsis on his return. And Lawrence stayed sober.
"I think the real inspiration for me to stay sober is what happened to Doug," Lawrence continues. "I felt sorry for myself for a long time because of drugs and alcohol. I really pitied myself. Now it's like: How fucking hard is it to play music with a purpose?"

But if Hopkins has remained an inspiration for the Chimeras, his pop influence has faded from the band's music. All but three of the songs Hopkins wrote for the band have been excised from the Chimeras' repertoire, and none of the late songwriter's work appears on Mistaken for Granted.
Obviously, Doug Hopkins and the Chimeras wrote a lot of good songs, and his influence is still with us," stresses Milner. "He was a great guitar player and a great musician. But if anyone thinks we're up there trying to ride on Doug's songs, they should understand that we're a new band since then."

The Zubias' songwriting style has started to accommodate more of a blues/rock format and even a twist of the traditional Mexican folk music they heard as children.

"My brother and I have been blues-based writers," says Mark. "Doug was more pop, and we went to that pop thing. Now I think we're back to somewhere in the middle. We can take what we learned from Doug and apply it to what we do now."

So far, so good. Mistaken caught the attention of Morty Wiggins, vicepresident of Bill Graham Management, the promotional entity behind the Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop. Wiggins and the band's lawyer, Fred Davis (son of Arista CEO Clive Davis), plan to shop the Chimeras around, confident they can get the band a record deal.

And so the Chimeras recently returned to the studio to record a demo tape produced by Gin Blossoms guitarist and longtime friend Jesse Valenzuela. The demo was cut at the Vintage recording studio in Phoenix, a small, white building that looks more like a VD clinic than the studio where the Gin Blossoms recorded their latest single, "Till I Hear It From You."

Despite the potential that is crackling in the air, the Chimeras have come to realize that there's more to staying together as a band than cutting record deals.

The Chimeras:
Lawrence Zubia - Vocals
Mark Zubia - Guitars & Vocals
Peter Milner - Guitars
Scott Andrews - Bass
Gary Smith - Drums

Produced by The Chimeras and Mark Mattson

Recorded at The Salt Mine Studios

Download The Chimeras

Porno Sponges - Going Places, Eating Things 12" (1986)

2008-02-25T22:31:00.007-07:00

Rhode Islands' Porno Sponges released this two song 12" single in 1986 on Mutha Records. Like an amped up Fleshtones, I found this garage rocker at Tracks in Wax in Phoenix, complete with a note from manager Sketch McCain to an unnamed magazine.

Porno Sponges:
Jonathan Hall
Bernard Kelley
Dave Adae
Bruce Moravec

Manager - Sketch McCain
Roadie - Chris Pierik
Photos - Cynthia Mendes

Download Porno Sponges

The Individuals - Aquamarine E.P. (1981)

2008-02-07T23:19:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia.com:
The Individuals were a Hoboken, New Jersey-based band led by Glenn Morrow (guitar, vocals, sax, keyboards) and featuring Janet Wygal (bass, vocals, guitar, keyboards), Janet's brother Doug Wygal (drums, percussion), and Jon Light Klages (lead guitar, keyboards, vocals). The band played regularly at Maxwell's and were a central part of the early 1980s Hoboken music scene. Village Voice critic Robert Christgau called them "easily the best of En Why's Pop Three on stage [the other two being the Bongos and the dB's], scruffy and forceful and lithe".

Their debut EP, Aquamarine, was produced by the dB's Gene Holder. It was voted one of the best EPs of 1981 in the Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll. The band's one album, Fields, was also produced by Holder and engineered by Mitch Easter. While Christgau criticized their lyrics as "lack[ing] that universal touch" , critic Robert Palmer, writing in the New York Times in May 1982, called Fields "remarkably mature" and "the most impressive rock debut so far this year."
The Individuals broke up in 1983. Morrow went on to help found Bar/None Records.

From their myspace website:
The Individuals formed in 1979 in the New York City metro area through a Village Voice ad that brought guitarist Glenn Morrow and drummer John Klett together with bassist Janet Wygal and lead guitarist Jon Klages. When John Klett left the band in 1980, he was replaced by Janet’s brother Doug Wygal. With Gene Holder of the dB’s producing, this lineup recorded the EP Aquamarine, the album Fields, and one single, “Dancing with My Eighty Wives.” Fields was the first full-length album recorded at Mitch Easter’s Drive- In Studio in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (At the same time, R.E.M. were working on their first EP at Mitch’s.)

Inspired by the late-seventies CBGB bands and the early-eighties No Wave groups on the club scene (along with classic sixties rock and soul music), the Individuals made melodic pop music with an art school edge. They became associated with the music venue Maxwell’s, in Hoboken, New Jersey, where Morrow had already been performing with the band “a.” Sometimes referred to as the “a band,” the combo included all three original members of the Bongos and were the first group to play the club. Drawn by Hoboken’s cheap rents and Maxwell’s as a hub of musical activity, a number of bands gravitated to the town and became loosely indentified with what the press dubbed the “Hoboken Sound.” These groups included Human Switchboard, the Bongos, the Feelies, the dB’s, the Cucumbers, the Cyclones, Red Buckets, the Phosphenes and an early incarnation of Yo La Tengo called Georgia and Those Guys. Many more would follow.

The Individual’s first EP, Aquamarine, was released on Charles Ball’s Lust/Unlust Infidelity Records in 1980. It was named one of the ten best EPs of the year by Robert Palmer of The New York Times. The next year Fields, on Plexus Records, was similarly named one of the year’s ten best by The New York Times. Fields garnered great critical success; “Dancing with My Eighty Wives” was a much played song on WLIR on Long Island; and “Walk by Your House” was a hit at WHFS in Washington, D.C.

The Individuals melded dance beats to interlocking guitar parts, layering call-and- response vocals on top, constantly messing with the possibilities of what a pop song could be. Their lyrics often told enigmatic, fractured stories that attempted to tease out listeners’ emotions while keeping everybody dancing.
Their myspace page

Glenn Morrow was also in Rage To Live and playted with Chris DeBurgh and The Far Corporation. He has producer credits with The Embarrassment, Chris Mars and Lou Reed.
Janet Wygal played in The Wygals and worked with Chris Stamey and Tim Lee and most recently in Takka Takka. Her brother Doug has an extensive list of production credits and has played with Amy Rigby and Tim Lee.
Jon Klages went on to play with Russ Tolman.

The Individuals:

Glenn Morrow- Lead Vocals, Guitar, Amp Noise
Janet Wygal - Bass, Voice, Keyboards, Synth on "OK Chorale"
Doug Wygal - Drums, Assorted Percussion, Trumpet
Jon Klages - Lead Guitar, Voice, Keyboards, Bells

Produced By Gene Holder

Download The Individuals

Nonnie And The Onnies - I'm In Love With A Rent Boy 12" (1985)

2008-02-06T23:49:00.001-07:00

Nonnie Thompson's Dance record form the mid-80's with Gary Pozner, Ariel Powers and Paul Sanchez. Described by CD Baby: "If you took 25% of Madonna mixed with 25% of Marilyn Monroe and added 50% Annie Lennox you would have Nonnie". Buy their other release Here.
Pozner went on to be an award winning composer in both TV and Movies after working with Tom Tom Club and Ziggy Marley. Sanchez released a solo CD and was in the 90's band Cowboy Mouth (Not the 80's group who released Cowboys and Indians). Thompson released the single "I Hate Simon Cowell" in 2006.

Released on Select Records.

Nonnie And The Onnies:
Nonnie Thompson - Lead Vocals, Background Vocals
Gary Pozner - Synthesizers, Drum Programs, Background Vocals
Ariel Powers - Bass Guitar, Background Vocals
with
Paul Sanchez - Guitar

Produced and Recorded by Gary Pozner

Download Nonnie & The Onnies

Phil 'N' The Blanks - Head Screwed On (1983)

2008-01-24T23:24:00.001-07:00

From the blancheblacke website:

Phil ‘n’ the Blanks formed in Chicago in early 1980. Best described as the thinking person’s dance band, they recorded two singles and three albums for Pink Records. Their songs received wide acceptance on college and progressive radio shows, including WXRT in Chicago and KROQ in Los Angeles and reached top forty on several national new music charts. MTV aired three of their dramatic videos in rotation. Phil ‘n’ the Blanks toured the Midwest and East Coast. Chicago shows often sold-out with lines circling the block. Anxious fans didn’t mind waiting for their chance to dance to ‘Autosex’.

Here is their third record, Head Screwed On, a 6 song ep produced by Craig Williams, Phil 'N' The Blanks and Kane Engler.

Phil 'N' The Blanks:

Blanche (LeBlanc)- Lead Vocals
Phil Bimstein - Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Bill Hyland - Bass
Roman Zabicki - Drums
Eric Kister - Guitars

Download Phil & The Blanks

Head Screwed On

Vi-Sectomy (from the LP Choice)

From PM Magazine 1983

Lou Miami - Lou Miami and the Kozmetix (1982) & Rituals (1985)

2008-01-20T22:24:00.001-07:00

Two ep's from Boston's Lou Miami. 1982's Self-tiled ep was produced by Ann Prim and Kearney Kirby from November Group. Lou sadly passed in 1995 at age 39.
Read More Here

Lou Miami & the Kozmetix:
Lou Miami - Vocals
Jack Rootoo - Guitar
H.P. - Bass
Laurel Blanchard - Drums

Executive Producer: Michael Dreese

Modern Method Records

Rituals:

Lou Miami - Vocals
Jack Rootoo - Lead Guitar
Helen Privett - Bass Guitar
Laurel Blanchard - Drums
Toby Ingalls - Rhythm Guitars

Additional Musicians:
Chris Spedding - Guitars
Kristi Rose - Vocals

Produced By Garry Velletri

Throbbing Lobster

Download Lou Miami & The Kozmetix

Download Rituals

1981's Blonde In A White Car

Dancing Hoods - Dancing Hoods ep (1984) & 12 Jealous Roses (1985)

2008-01-16T23:34:00.001-07:00

The killer 1984 debut ep from New York's Dancing Hoods as well as their follow-up LP 12 Jealous Roses released in 1985. Graveyard Shift is one of those cool, simple songs , that still stands up today. The following is the review from Allmusic, which mistakenly lists the bass player as Mike Garacino (he didn't join until their third and final recording, Hallelujah Anyway. Eric Williams handled bass duties on both of these recordings.

From Trouser Press:

Formed on Long Island, birthplace of the Stray Cats and Billy Joel, Dancing Hoods (following a self-released eponymous EP) debuted with familiar-sounding heartland rock on 12 Jealous Roses, a confident and likable collection of tuneful originals. Singer-guitarist (and future A&R executive) Bob Bortnick, guitarist-singer (and future Sparklehorse leader) (Freddy) Mark Linkous and bassist-singer Eric Williams (who actually has the most writing credits here) pen simple rockers about the usual topics and deliver them in a melodic cut-to-the-chase style that isn't all that dissimilar to, say, the Del-Lords. A flatfooted cover of the Left Banke's pure-pop harmony classic "She May Call You Up Tonight" only serves to demarcate the quartet's vocal limitations.
Leaving Williams behind (replaced by one Mike Garacino), the Hoods relocated to Los Angeles and took a shot at heavy rotation with Hallelujah Anyway, an unambitious mainstream rock record produced by a John Mellencamp associate, Greg Edward. Although the songs aren't nearly as fresh or memorable as those on the first LP (well, there is a Leonard Cohen cover), the arrangements (colored by guest keyboards and pedal steel) make better use of them. Enjoy the Hoods' rudimentary debut and leave this one to radio programmers in satin jackets.[Ira Robbins]

From Allmusic.com:

The Dancing Hoods featured one member, Mark Linkous, who found wider acclaim with Sparklehorse. Because of Sparklehorse, the Dancing Hoods were spared from vanishing into the abyss of forgotten alternative artists. Formed in New York by Linkous (guitars, vocals), Bob Bortnick (vocals, guitar), Don Short (drums), and Mike Garacino (bass), the Dancing Hoods recorded their first LP, 12 Jealous Roses, for Relativity Records in 1985. 12 Jealous Roses amassed a number of flattering reviews, and the band's no-frills rock & roll sound attracted fans of the Replacements and the Del Fuegos. In 1988, the Dancing Hoods released their second album, Hallelujah Anyway. "Baby's Got Rockets" was somewhat successful on college radio, and the video for the track was even added to MTV's 120 Minutes. The group then moved to Los Angeles to look for a major-label deal. However, they were unable to find one and the band split up afterward. Linkous returned to Virginia and joined the Johnson Family (eventually called Salt Chunk Mary). In 1995, Linkous started recording as Sparklehorse. Far more quirky and edgy than the Dancing Hoods, Sparklehorse released Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot in 1995. "Someday I Will Treat You Good" was spun frequently on alternative radio stations, and Sparklehorse developed a cult following that renewed interest in the Dancing Hoods. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide

Dancing Hoods:

Bob Bortnick - Vocals, Guitar

Freddy Mark Linkous - Guitar, Vocals

Don Short - Drums, Percussion
Eric Williams - Vocals, Bass

on the ep:

Glen Morrow - Background Vocals, Producer

Ed Tomney - Piano, Guitar Treatments

on 12 Jealous Roses:

Frankie Marino - Keyboards

Produced by Dancing Hoods

Download The Ep

Download 12 Jealous Roses

Whirling Dervishes - History Kicks You (1985) & Affordable World (1986)

2008-01-13T23:31:00.002-07:00

This Westfield New Jersey act lasted through the 90's, with their moody guitar based new wave rock. History Kicks You is a 6 song ep and 1986's Affordable World ep features the classic title track. They released a CD in 1992 (Strange & Wonderful), released the Grinch ep in 1995 and eventually morphed into Everlounge. Both ep's were released on WM Records.

Whirling Dervishes:

Will Siegel - Keyboards
Dan Paola - Lead Guitar
Don D. Dazzo - Vocals
Jerry Heer - Bass
Robert Ardrey - Rhythym Guitar
John Joseph Bryan - Percussion

History Kicks You

Affordable World

Two Videos from their 1990's releases

Suburbs - Suburbs (1986)

2008-01-03T17:01:00.001-07:00

One of those records that makes no sense why it has never been released on CD, #9 was one of my favorite songs for some time when this came out, don't know why the label pushed Life Is Like (although not very hard if I recall).

From — Steve Huey, All Music Guide:
Minneapolis new wavers the Suburbs began recording for local label Twin/Tone in 1978 with a lineup comprised of vocalist Blaine John "Beej" Chaney, guitarist B.C. Allen, keyboardist Chan Poling, bassist Michael Halliday, and drummer Hugo Klaers. Their first full-length album, In Combo, was released in 1980, featuring tense, energetic playing and offbeat lyrics. The 1981 double album Credit in Heaven consolidated the band's approach, incorporating elements of funk, disco, jazz, and Roxy Music. The 12" single "Waiting" got the band substantial play in dance clubs and attracted the attention of Mercury, which signed them in 1983 and re-released their Dream Hog EP. Their major-label debut, Love Is the Law, was a harder-rocking effort which emphasized Chaney and Poling's novel lyrics and featured a horn section. 1986 found the band on A&M working with producer Robert Brent, who played drums in Prince's Revolution under the name Bobby Z; the resulting self-titled album strikes a balance between their traditional sound and, unsurprisingly, that of the Revolution. The band broke up in 1987; Twin/Tone released a best-of collection, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Suburbs Have Left the Building, in 1992. Poling contributed piano work to the Replacements' 1984 masterpiece Let It Be.

Suburbs:
Bruce C. Allen - Lead Guitar
Beej Chaney - Vocals, Beejtar
Michael Halliday - Bass Guitar
Hugo Klaers - Drums
Chan Poling - Vocals, Keyboards

Additional musicians:
Tom Burnevik - Saxophones
Kevin Nord - Trumpet, Voice Tracker
Dusty Cox - Sax Solo on "Heart of Gold"

Download The Suburbs

Bugs Tomorrow - Bugs Tomorrow (1980)

2007-12-09T09:43:00.001-07:00

This is a pretty accurate review from Allmusic.com:
Casablanca's contribution to the early wave of new wave, Bugs Tomorrow skitters off the turntable, combining left-field originality with the usual references: Graham Parker, XTC, and Elvis Costello. Each ditty is a diverse entity, and even with printed lyrics, some of these wild ideas fly in one ear and out the other. Luckily, tunes this tasty make the songs stick in the cerebrum cortex. "Bitter Rice" collides xenophobia with weddings. The slammin' "Summer Camp" is a single for any season. "Chimpanzees" catches an early Phish feel. The lullaby "She Walks" simply transcends, before that potent power pop perennial "tonight" puts a wrap on the work in "Everything Tonight." Bugs Tomorrow runs where most would never dare (or care) to even walk. Sententious critics called Bugs' sole slab a calculated blender, but like Devo, that's the point. (Where London Calling mentions Montgomery Cliff, this record mentions Montgomery Ward.) Just kick back and enjoy this kooky capsule from one of rock's most erratic and entertaining eras. ~ Whitney Z. Gomes, All Music Guide

Morley Bartnof was in Arizona's own Cosmo Topper. David Vaught played bass or engineered numerous groups including Primitive Radio Gods, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Lone Justice.

Bugs Tomorrow are:
Bugs - Guitars and Vocals
Morley Bartnof - Keyboars and Vocals
Andrew Campbell-Hare - Drums, Percussion and Vocals
David Vaught - Bass
Barry Carson - Bass on "Experience"

Executive Producer Bruce Bird

Download Bugs Tomorrow

Modest Proposal - Nobody Says No / I've Seen Your Face ...7" (1985)

2007-12-04T22:57:00.000-07:00

Nobody Says No is a long-time favorite of mine from this Washington, DC band. Released on One Dimension Records in 1985. I don't believe they had any other records.

Modest Proposal:
Neal Augenstein - Vocals
Bill Crandall - Guitar: Backing Vocals
Perry Flint - Electric Bass
Bob Minard - Drums

Produced by: Wick

Recorded at Hit & Run studio in Rockville, MD

Download Modest Proposal

Illustrated Man - Mini LP (1984)

2007-12-04T22:29:00.001-07:00

From Wikipedia: Illustrated Man (circa 1984) were a funk-rock band featuring Hugo Burnham (ex-Gang of Four), Roger Mason (The Models)(keyboards), Rob Dean (ex-Japan guitarist) and Australian singer/bassist Philip Foxman(Supernaut).

They had hits with songs such as ‘Head over Heels’ ‘Just Enough’ and ‘Fall from Grace’ and their sound was likened to UK bands such as Japan, Simple Minds and Duran Duran - they are also believed to have influenced Inxs.

Consisting of some excellent musicians with a successful track record, the band was initially hailed as a supergroup - Roger Mason had recorded and toured internationally with artists such as Gary Numan, Rob Dean had been an integral part of Japan and Hugo Burnham had been part of the highly influential Gang of Four (Jon King, Dave Allen, Hugo Burnham and Andy Gill).

Regarded as an excellent live band they were thought to be the next big thing but their success was relatively short-lived.

Foxman is still making music: Buy his CD!

Robert Dean - Guitar And Noises
Roger Mason - Keyboards And Computers
Hugo Burnham - Premier Drums And Percussion
Phillip Foxman - Bass Guitars And Lead Vocals

Produced By John Punter

Both Head Over Heels Mixes by Steve Thompson
Just Enough remixed by John Luongo

Download Illustrated Man

The Nightmares - Baseball Altamont 7" (1985)

2007-11-28T23:10:00.001-07:00

The Nightmares released this Garage Rock 7" record on Coyote Records (Twin/Tone- distibutor) and it rocks! According to a band member: " They had a record release party at Shea Stadium in the luxury boxes complete with catering and booze. This VP at Columbia Records, Steve Rabalski was there and a few months later Springsteen had that Glory Days song and John Fogerty's whole album was about baseball. To add insult to injury, the Springsteen video was shot at Maxwell's (our label owner Steve Fallon's club). Ira and Georgia from Yo La Tengo were there rolling around on the floor tripping. There was a little feature about it in Spin with a picture of the Shea Stadium scoreboard which read: The Mets welcome The Nightmares Baseball Altamont record release party. True Story -".

Philip Shelley - Vocals, Guitar (also was in Student Teachers and Pianosaurus)
Ned Hayden - Vocals, Guitar (Action Swingers)
Tex Lyon - Guitar
Ed Shanahan - Bass
Stephen Dansiger - Drums (Artless, GG Allin)

Download The Nightmares

Destiny - Destiny ep (1980)

2007-11-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Standard rock radio fare from Tucson's Destiny, which featured Brian Page on vocals (later a Star Search winner with Brian Page & The Next!)and managed by Jay Zucker, founder of Telemundo and owner of the Tucson Sidewinders AAA Baseball team. In addition to the 4 song ep, I have also included a song from Brian Page & The Next from an Arizona Sounds compilation.

Destiny:

Brian Page - Vocals, Electric Guitars
Brian Yingling - Vocals, 12 String Guitar
Brad Patrick - Drums
Garry Stafford - Bass,Vocals
Alan Adler - Saxophone, Flute
Dave Cook - Keyboards

Ron Pick - Sound Technician
Jay Zucker - Manager

Download Destiny

Steve Almaas - Beat Rodeo (1982)

2007-11-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Leader of Beat Rodeo, this is the ep that Steve Almaas (Suicide Commandos) put out with the help of Mitch Easter (Let's Active) and Richard Barone (The Bongos) that led to the formation of Beat Rodeo. Released on Coyote Records, these 4 songs were recorded at Easter's Drive In Studio and definitely have his touch on them. Beat Rodeo went on to release a couple of albums (without Barone and Easter). Almmaas is still pyutting out quality work - check out his latest: - http://www.stevealmaas.com/

Steve Almaas - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Mitch Easter - Drums, Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Richard Barone - Guitar, Vocals

Produced by Richard Barone
Recorded by Mitch Easter

Download Steve Almaas Beat Rodeo

Luke Skood - It's All Pink (1986)

2007-11-14T12:17:00.003-07:00

Transferred from cassette, Luke Skood was a fixture on the Arizona scene and received airplay with the title track, which along with Japan and Life Is A Bitch are the outstanding tracks here. Style varies wildly from New Wave to Calypso!
Produced by Andy Barrett and released on Gibbon Head Records.

Guitars by: Danny Dean, Kerry Jackson, Michael Fisher and Tom Connell
Violins on Believe: Kerry Jackson
Percussion by: Stephen Banks and Plato T. Jones
Background Vocals by: Kerry Jackson, Michael Kellogg, Linda Cushma, Francine Reed and April Dawn
Sensual Spoken Voices by April Dawn
Childrens vocals by: Brian C. Mulloney, Emily Garanes, Jason Herd, Melissa Ginn, Azar Hassan, Amy Shem,Albert DeAnda of the Aguilar Elementary School Honor Choir
Drum Over-dubs by Michael Barton

Video thanks to Joel Samuel

Download Luke Skood

Suzie Caruze - We Can Laugh 7" (1984)

2007-11-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

Susan Mouch led this Bay Area band (Oakland), I believe this single was their only release, a Motels influenced sound, it was recorded in San Francisco. Produced by T.J. Tindall (MFSB,Sal Soul Orchestra, Trammps). I picked this up by chance one day at Zia Records in Chandler, AZ.

Suzie Caruze:
Susan Mouch - vocals, acoustic guitar
Keith Evans - guitar, vocals
David Wegner - bass
Steve Harris - synthesizer, piano
Peter Carland - drums

Download Suzie Caruze

Giant Sandworms - Will Wallow And Roam After the Ruin ep (1980)

2007-11-12T22:17:00.001-07:00

Arizona Legend Howe Gelb's debut recording, on white vinyl, was released on Boneless Records 5 years before changing the name to Giant Sand.

From Lost In the Grooves:
taking his cues from the new wave/ power pop sounds of the day, Gelb assumes a variety of personas for the EP's five tracks, ranging from Bryan Ferry to Mark Mothersbaugh. certainly fast, if not furious, 'Electro-gospel' sets the rapid chord-changing trend with chugging riffs, a tight rhythm section and deft organ fills. standout 'Me and My Rocket', plays down the frantic, new wavey guitars in favour of some wonderfully rich organ textures, and sees Gelb give a perfectly respectable turn as David Byrne(!). and whilst the horribly straight-laced 'Lipstick Criminals' lets things down somewhat, 'Steadfast' closes things in style by slowly building up to a grinding climax, helped by well-placed piano throughout and some subtle electronics.

From musicianguide.com: Howe Gelb was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, around 1956. In 1972, ...his father moved to Arizona, so Gelb began to go visit him and relocated to Tucson in 1975. There, he met German-born guitar virtuoso Rainer Ptacek, who was playing at a small local cafe. Soon after, Gelb returned to Wilkes-Barr and worked in a soda factory in order to earn enough money to make a permanent move to Arizona. Meanwhile, he started writing songs and remained in contact with Ptacek, talking to him often on the phone about starting up a band. Shortly before Gelb moved back to Tucson, Ptacek assembled a group with drummer Billy Sedlmayer and bass player David Seger to form the Giant Sandworms. They put out the EP Will Wallow and Roam after the Ruin on the local Boneless label in 1980. Two decades later, Gelb confessed in Magnet, "I'm totally embarrassed by this sort of David Byrne-style of singing I was latching onto." After this debut, the Giant Sandworms moved to New York City, but Sedlmayer's drug abuse forced them back to Arizona in 1981.

Soon, Ptacek quit the group as well, and Seger left to join Naked Prey. Gelb replaced Seger with bassist Scott Gerber, and changed the band's name to Giant Sand.

Giant Sandworms:
Howe Gelb (guitar, keyboards, electronics, bass, vocals)
Dave Seger (bass, guitars, vocals)
Billy Sedlmayer (drum kit, vocals)
Rainer Ptacek (guitars, wammy bar, background vocals)

Download Giant Sandworms

Johnny Analog - Agent Provocateur (1988)

2007-11-11T15:00:00.001-07:00

From North of the border, Toronto electronic pioneer Johnny Analog released this 6 song ep in 1988. A former member of Digital Nation, Analog teamed with Nathan Berman to produce this digital Electro dance piece.
Cookie from Canada was kind enough to send this cool vinyl my way so I could share it, thanks!

Produced by Johnny Analog and Nathan Berman
Recorded at PVO Studios Toronto

Johnny Analog- vocals, voltage, sequencers
Nathan Berman- sequencers, guitar, b-vocals
Cathy Septembre- b-vocals

Download Johnny Analog

Paul Murphy - Montgomery Clift 7" (1985)

2007-11-11T14:19:00.002-07:00

A real gem I picked up a while back, a mid 80's 7" single from Paul Murphy and Doug Dinadell recorded right here in my hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona at Cereus Studios.
I'm sure these guys were in other bands but I haven't been able to track down any more information on either of them.

Paul Murphy - Vocals, Drums
Doug Dinadell - All Guitars, Bass

Produced By Paul Murphy

Download Paul Murphy

Punk Rocktober

2007-10-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

This month I plan on focusing on obscure punk groups from the 80's. Hope you enjoy it!

Plain Wrap - Original Music For A Generic World (1985)

2007-10-29T23:14:00.002-07:00

Released in 1985 on Enigma Records, these Huntington Beach, California punkers (which formed in 1983) released this LP, an "upbeat, poppish mix of punk, metal and funk". They also appeared on several Flipside Comps and a 7" single or two if I recall.
The standouts here include "Myron", their cover of "For What It's Worth", the metallized punk of "Black Luck Man" and the Red Hot Chili Peppers feel of "Plain Wrap".

Band Members:
Don Wrap - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Harmonica, Percussion
Bob Gnarly - Bass, Vocals, Percussion
Greg Keen - Drums, Vocals, Percussion
Mike Rosso - All Drum Tracks

All Songs written by Don Wrap (except For What It's Worth)
Produced by Plain Wrap and Chaz
Recorded at Casbah Studios - Fullerton, CA

Download Plain Wrap!

Various Artists - More Coffee For The Politicians (Phoenix Underground Compilation #3) (1985)

2007-10-29T23:04:00.001-07:00

Placebo Records released this hit and miss compilation in 1985 that featured many legendary Arizona Bands (JFA, Sun City Girls, Mighty Sphincter, Hellfire) along with ONS (Our Neighbors Suck), Zany Guys, Joke Flower (listed as Joke Flowers here), Maybe Mental, Dirt Clods, Bootbeast Carnival, Harvest and lesser known acts (Kill Everyone, Keening, Domino Theory, Racer X), lumped into the punk rock category but actually punk, art and experimental bands. #3 in a series from Placebo in their series spotlighting the Phoenix Scene (This Is Phoenix, Not The Circle Jerks and Amuck).

Cover Photos - Jim Peot
Political Posterization - Art Jackson

Download More Coffee

Snake-Out - Gollywobblers From Hell! (1985) & Live Pizza (1986)

2007-10-16T23:11:00.002-07:00

2 LP's from these wacked out, zany, punk surfabilly rockers that are both loaded with politically incorrect lyrics, awesome tunes and fun! Live Pizza even came in a miniature pizza box in lieu of an album jacket. It was recorded live (obviously) and they also offered a Video Cassette of the show. If I'd only ordered one! Both records are on Wanghead (with Lips) Records.

Snake-Out:
Len Puch - Guitar, Vocals
Tim Reagan - Drums, Yelps
Greg Mitchell - Bass

Background Vocals:
John Davids, Tim Rounsifer (Lead Vocals on Fat Lisa), Greg Haener, Jim Auge, Warren Defever, Rick Mills, Tom McHenry, Buzz Chevillot, Elvis Hitler, Beata McHenry, Lydon Way, Kirk Olmstead, Bryan Fox, Jim Edwards, Deano Kovas

Vegas Raz - Lead Vocals on Love Comes In Chunks
Creepy Rick - Lead Vocals on Good Goobley Goo

Download Live Pizza

Download Gollywobblers

Jeff Dahl - The Powertrip ep (1982)

2007-10-15T16:43:00.002-07:00

This 7" from legendary Punk Rocker Jeff Dahl is a real treat. I got it directly from Jeff a few months back when I met him at a record show and you won't find too many people as nice as him. With just an unbelievable number of releases in his prolific career, this is an especially cool 7".
As he explains on the back cover - It was recorded after I quit The Angry Samoans in 1982. For years now, Mystic Records has been releasing this and the quality of the pressings I've heard have left something to be desired. I can only imagine that Mystic was using a poor tape copy or an old record for the source of the reissues. These are completely different recordings than those on the Powertrip album. While rummaging through my archives (read: closet) I came across a couple boxes of this single which I had forgotten about. This is the original pressing and it sounds the way it was meant to.

Jeff has also been in a number of bands in addition to Angry Samoans, Vox Pop and DC 3 to name a few.

Don Bolles (Germs, 45 Grave, Nervous Gender) played drums and Todd Homer (Angry Samoans) played bass.

The Band:
Jeff Dahl - Guitar/Bass/Vocals
Todd Homer - Bass
Don Bolles - Drums
Cat & Kathleen - Backing Vocals

Produced by Jeff Dahl and Steve Brenner

Download Jeff Dahl

Channel Three - Last Time I Drank... (1985)

2007-10-10T23:50:00.001-07:00

Enigma Records released this LP, an attempt by the group to gain a wider audience.
It's probably my favorite record of theirs. These guys are still together making great music!
From the Channel 3 website www.chthree.com CH3 then delivered Last Time I Drank in 1985, a record that many hardcore punk fans found not only a shocking display of musicianship, but also a blatant display of disrespect of all things bald, broke, and smelling of clove cigarettes. This one even had a saxophone on it for God's sake! Never fond of the strict conformity of Punk Rock's non-conformist manifesto, the band continued to explore musically.

From Trouser Press (Ira Robbins): The even-better Last Time I Drank finds the Magrann/Lansford writing/singing partnership firing on all rockets. Putting a mature post-punk sensibility to melodic hard-rock with an occasional Southwestern twist, CH3 comes through with an exciting record that packs a punch yet keeps both feet on the ground. Making memorable music this energetic without collapsing into raucousness or resorting to metallic precision isn't easy, but every song on the album finds a way to do it. Perhaps the Aerosmith cover ("Lord of the Thighs") is a clue. Of all the early punk bands, CH3 is one of the few that outgrew the genre without sacrificing its credibility.
[Ira Robbins]

The Band:
Michael Magrann, Jay Lansford and Dusty Watson(Stepmothers, Agent Orange, Concrete Blonde among many others)
Produced By Ron Goudie

Download Channel 3

Zany Guys - Party Hits Vol. II (1983)

2007-10-07T22:13:00.001-07:00

Phoenix punkers The Zany Guys released this 4 song 7" in 1983 on Placebo Records.
They also had a few songs on the compilation record "This Is Phoenix, Not The Circle Jerks". Part of The Mad Gardens scene along with J.F.A., The Sun City Girls, Meat Puppets, Junior Achievement, Nova Boys, Hellfire and Conflict among others.

Zany Guys:

Mark - Bass
Carter - Vocals
Brian - Guitar
Andhi - Drums

Download Zany Guys

Cellophane Ceiling - The Beauty Of It All (1986)

2007-10-02T22:17:00.002-07:00

Released at the end of 1986 on the band's own label, Main Vein Records, The Beauty Of It All by Cellophane Ceiling, sometimes referred to as the loudest band in Omaha, Nebraska, is a classic. This young 3 piece (the members were 19,22 and 25) had been together almost a year by the time they recorded this. They opened for Husker Du, The Replacements, Dead Milkmen and Soul Asylum. This is their 2nd release, their first being a four song cassette. This LP was produced by Anthony Marchant.

From the World Herald Newspaper by James Healy (January 11th, 1987):
Omaha's Cellophane Ceiling raises the roof with "The Beauty Of It All," a raucous, nine song album that is a triumph of garage-band intensity and studio precision.
Providing a change of pace in local music, the "thrashabilly" band pulls no punches on vinyl and never sounds self-concious.
What really pushes this album into the realm of excellence, however, is the trio's consistently gutsy, ever surprising musicianship. John C. Wolf's incisive guitar and vocals, Chris Sterba's punchy bass loops and Steve Coleman's wrecking-crew drums make for a remarkably tight weave.

Here's a handwritten letter that was inside my copy of the LP from John Wolf, the band leader, to a distributor.

Cellophane Ceiling was:

John Wolf - Lead Guitar, Vocals, Chief Writer
Steve Coleman - Drums
Chris Sterba - Bass, Keyboards

Download Cellophane Ceiling

T.P.U. - 7" Noise (1988)

2007-10-02T21:46:00.001-07:00

This 5 song 7" was on my turntable for a long, long time after I ordered it from an ad in MRR many years ago. Only 100 copies were made (mine is #46)and it was released on Chapter III Records in Phoenix, Arizona. The band was from Las Vegas I believe. Anarchy At The Gig is the highlight but all 5 cuts are true punk rock! They also released a 4 song demo cassette that has three additional songs. Unfortunately, no band information is listed on either release.

(EDIT - added a copy of the 4-song cassette as well)

Download T.P.U.

Download T.P.U. Demo Cassette

Shor Patrol - Loverboy ep (1983)

2007-09-28T22:59:00.002-07:00

Baltimore band Shor Patrol, featuring Alana Shor on vocals was a huge local success and had some national attention with their song "Loverboy". Morphing from Club favorites Paper Cup, they changed their name to Shor Patrol and released this 4 song ep in 1983 on Arista Records. Produced by Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd's The Wall).

The Band:
Alana Shor - Lead Vocals
Don Wimbrough - Keyboards
Franco Theodore - Guitar
Darryl Matarozza - Bass
John Loren Dotson - Drums

Download Shor Patrol

X-Streams - K-15 Presents...7" (1980) & Friends/Lights 12" (1985?) & In The Night (1987)

2007-09-27T23:58:00.002-07:00

Kurt Mayberry's Mod/Ska/Reggae/New Wave band from Arizona during the 80's, these are the 3 releases I know they had.
The 7" K-15 Presents from 1980, the 12" I am guessing is from around 1985 and the 6 song ep In The Night from 1987.

Excerpts from the Pete Gilstrap New Times article June 29, 1995, a few weeks after singer Kurt Mayberry's death:
...The X-Streams, one of the bigger Valley bands to come out of the New Wave/ska scene in the early Eighties. Mayberry, along with his wife, Debbie, purchased the Sun Club in 1989, a legendary Tempe rock dive now immortalized forever on the cover of Dead Hot Workshop's new 1001 album.

Bob Steinhilber co-founded the X-Streams with Peter Tessensohn, Steve Kriol and Lorraine Springer. Steinhilber played drums in the band until 1985. He says that Mayberry was the final ingredient that made things take off. "We had Kurt come along, and from the git-go, it was just great. I've played in a lot of bands, and for some reason, this just clicked right away. . .

...the X-Streams were a big draw in Phoenix and Los Angeles.

The Band K-15 Presents:
Stephen Kriol - Rythm (sic) Guitar and Vocals
Kurt Mayberry - Lead Guitar and Vocals
I-Raine Springer - Lead Vocals
I-Bob I-Rono - Drums and Vocals
Peter Tessensohn - Bass and Vocals

The Band Friends/Lights 12":
Kurt Mayberry - Vocals
Peter Tessensohn - Bass, Vocals
Bob Steinhilber - Drums
Mike Tempo - Percussion
Philip Marlow - Saxophone

Produced by Mayberry/Tessensohn
Co-Produced by Debi Mayberry

The Band In The Night:
Kurt Mayberry - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Peter Tessensohn - Bass, Vocals
Pat Sweeney -Drums, Vocals
Philip "Bunky" Marlow - Sax

Produced by Mayberry/Tessensohn/Sweeney
Co-Produced by Debi Mayberry

Download K-15 presents...

Download In The Night

Download Lights

Video (Joel Samuel Presents) from Youtube

Blind Dates - Don't/Hold On 7" (1983)

2007-09-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

A reccomendation by a friend, I picked up this 7" on eBay.
From The Providence Eagle (June 30th, 1983 Providence, RI by Bob Tannenbaum):
The debut single from Providence's Blind Dates reminds me of Seven Up; It's clean, crisp and refreshing. Producer Josh Gutfreund deserves special credit for succesfully capturing the band's rhythmic complexities on vinyl without obscuring the catchiness of the songs' hooks.
Side one, "Don't" is a brisk pop tune which showcases Sean Altman's multi-tracked, innocent tenor, but the flip side, "Hold On" is a more impressive cut. David Ward's thick, reggae-ish bass line is the pulse of the song, simultaneously melodic and rhythmic, while drummer Jason Springers puncuates the arrangements with sharp syncopation and guitarist Josh Deutsch chimes in with bright harmonics. The lyrics will never be quoted as especially profound, but that's nitpicking - with crystalline production, fine melodies, and one of the best rhythm sections around, this is an impressive single.

The Blind Dates toured in support of Cyndi Lauper, Greg Khin,'Til Tuesday, Men Without Hats, Romeo Void and Fishbone before breaking up. More Info

Blind Dates:
Sean Altman - Vocals
Josh Deutsch - Guitars
Jason Spingarn - Drums
David Ward - Bass

Produced by Josh Gutfreund
All songs written by Josh Deutsch

Savage Records

Download Blind Dates

The Distant - Secrets Of Desire (1986)

2007-09-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

This Tucson band featured Brad Brooks, who went on to play in Pollo Elastico and Greg Minter played with Comfy Chair. A moody blend of guitars and dark, intriguing lyrics, this 8 song LP was recorded at The Sound Factory Studio. Produced by The Distant and Tucson legend Steve English.

The Band:
Bradford Brooks - Vocals
Michael Edwards - Guitar
Roc Dotson - Drums
Greg Minter - Bass Guitar

Download The Distant

Brian Beverly - Eleven It Ends (1981)

2007-09-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

1981 LP from Brian Beverly, who sings and plays guitar (and even piano) on this poppy effort. Beverly takes solo writing credits for all the songs but one, which he shares with drummer Gary Ferguson. Member Marty Walsh went on to be in Inspiral Carpets. Produced by Beverly and L.A. legend Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, Blasters, Beat Farmers and Translator among many others). Released on Takoma Records and distributed by Chrysalis Records.

Musicians on various tracks:
Brian Beverly - Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Marty Walsh - Guitar, Piano
Kenny Lewis - Bass
Gary Ferguson - Drums
Steve Berlin - Saxophone
Pat Murray - Guitar
Pat Noland - Bass

Produced by Brian Beverly and Steve Berlin
Executive Producer - Michael Hoffman & Neville Johnson

Download Brian Beverly

Burning Bush - Tales From The Bush (1988?) and Revolution Without Guns 7"

2007-09-18T23:50:00.002-07:00

Burning Bush was a local Arizona female trio that always reminded me of a cross between minutemen and Red Hot Chili Peppers. They formed in the mid 80's but hit their stride towards the end of the 80's when their lineup solidified. I'm pretty sure I picked up the Cassette - Tales from The Bush (9 Songs) at a party in the parking lot of Stinkweeds Records. It was the first time I'd heard them and they absolutely blew me away! I'm guessing it was around 1988 but that is a complete guess. And maybe I'm dreaming about the party.
The 7" came out in 1991 on Vinyl Communications and features 3 songs and is a heavier sound than the cassette.

Burning Bush was:
Denise Tanguay - Bass, Vocals
Audrey Creed - Drums
Thomascyne Buckley - Guitar, Vocal

Download Burning Bush Cassette

Download Burning Bush 7"

Design For Living - For A Moment ep (1984)

2007-09-18T23:34:00.001-07:00

A cool find from St. Marx Music in New York City about a year ago, I finally got around to taking a listen and really have enjoyed this 3 song ep with an upbeat Synth sound from (I'm guessing) New York band Design For Living on Red Fence Records. Recorded at Tiki Studio - Glen Cove, NY. I know they put out one other 6 song ep called Slowly Shouting.

Band Members:
Stephen Bennett - Vocals, Bass, Guitar
Stevie Reno - Guitars, Korg Poly Six, Huh!
Jimmy Ross - Drums And Percussion

All songs written and produced by Design For Living

Download Design For Living

The Nervous - K15 Presents... 7" (1980)

2007-08-26T23:48:00.002-07:00

1980 release from Bil Bored's(Yanok) The Nervous. Punky garage madness from a stalwart of the Phoenix scene released by Radio Station K15. Bored played in a later version of Mighty Sphincter. Brian Damage (Ford) would later play drums for Red Wedding.

The Nervous:

Bil Bored - Guitar, Vocals
Kim O. Therapy - Keys, Vocals
Mike Modern - Bass, Vocals
Brian Damage - Just Loud Drums

Download The Nervous

Metro All Stars - A Night At The Prom (1984) / The Metros - The Metros (1986)

2007-08-25T11:15:00.004-07:00

Minneapolis/St. Paul band The Metro All Stars (later changing their name to The Metros) were featured on Star Search, winning once before losing the following week. A Night At The Prom's side one was recorded Live at The Prom Center. Side Two was recorded at Cookhouse Studios in Minneapolis.Released on Waterhouse Records and produced by Paul J. Moe.
I was turned on to them when they were called The Metros, After The Passion's Gone from 1986's self-titled disc is a classic New Wave cut. This record has garnered the most positive response with the people I shared it with. Produced by Tommy West and Warren Peterson it was recorded in Tennessee and released on MTM Records, distributed by Capitol Records.

Metro All Stars:
Andy Bailey - Keyboards/Vocals
Dusty Cox - Saxophone/ Keyboards
Andy Gauthier - Drums
Jody Hanks - Vocals
Danny Mangold - Guitar
Larry Stock - Bass/Vocal

The Metros:
Jody Hanks - Lead Vocals
Andy Bailey - Keyboards, Vocals
Dusty Cox - Saxophones, Keyboards
Danny Mangold - Electric And Acoustic Guitars
Larry Stock - Bass, Vocals
Andy Gauthier - Drums

Also Performing:
Keyboards: Shane Keister & Tommy West
Drums & Percussion - Larrie Londin
Background Vocals - Nick Distefano, Thom Flora & Tommy West
Background Vocals - "Up the Ladder To The Roof"- The Voltage Brothers
Guest Vocalist "Promises" - Pat Lawless
Fairlight Programming - Shane Keister
Synclavier Programming - Steve Schaffer

Download The Metros

Download The Metro All-Stars - A Night At The Prom

All new 2008 Recordings courtesy of Danny Mangold
Ten Miles Out Of Texas 10:1
Tonight
John The revelator 10:16

All New 2008 Recordings

New Metro All Stars Recording Courtesy Of Danny Mangold
"This came from a really bad board tape that I remastered with a kinda funny intro. It's pretty cool...I think..." - Danny

Download Metro All Stars new recording

Al Perry's Clambake KXCI

2007-08-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

Legendary musician and all-around Great Guy, Al Perry hosts a Tucson radio show on Monday nights (kxci.org) from 10-Midnight and recently featured music from the blog for a good portion of the first hour of his show. He gave this blog and my companion site azlocal.googlepages.com a nice plug and played many of the vinyl rips I have done for the site (with a few cassette rips thrown in as well). I have re-created the playlist here, download and enjoy, and most important of all, support Al and if he strolls into your town, make sure you go see him. His new CD is great and his catalog is extensive. I posted an old 7" recently, drop him a line and pick up some cool tunes! alperry003@hotmail.com

Download Al Perry's Clambake

The Playground Slap Ep ((1986)

2007-08-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Recently re-formed, this outstanding funky New Wave Ep is from San Diego area (Jamul, CA.) band The Playground Slap.

The Playground Slap:
David Ybarra - Bass/Bass Synthesizer
Ray Dezonia - Synthesizer/Vocals
Marcelo Radulovich - Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer
Michael Addis - Drums

All songs written by Marcelo Radulovich

Produced by The Playground Slap

Download The Playground Slap

Al Perry And The Cattle - Good N' Bitter 7" (1989)

2007-08-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

This 3 song 7" from Al Perry And The Cattle may not be their best or most famous work but it is one of my personal favorites. Cattle Crossing (1985) and Losin' Hand (1997) are absolute masterpieces. Often described as Cowpunk, make sure you contact Al and order some Cd's. His latest effort is outstanding. (alperry003@hotmail.com)

From Allmusic.com:
You may upset Al Perry by referring to him, as so many do, as "legendary," since this implies a less-than-contemporary stance among pioneer hardcore rock innovators. Far from retired, the venerated guitarist and songwriter has been a fixture on the Tucson-based roots-rock and alt/country scene for decades, widely credited as one of the first musicians to successfully perform "punked-out country" to timelessly adoring audiences worldwide. His ensemble band (The Cattle features interchangeable members, including longtime bassist Dave Roads, drummer Tommy Larkins (who tours with Jonathan Richman), and the Resonars' Matt Rendon. Al and a 1997 version of the Cattle produced Losin' Hand, which is universally hailed, particularly by imitative musicians, as a hallmark of severely cool, intelligent country punk. Musicians dotting the map since the early 1980's mention Losin' Hand as a landmark reocrd of country/punk alchemy, influencing the musical careers of desert rock bands Flathead, Gila Bend, Giant Sand, Calexico, the Lazy Cowgirls, and many others. An occasional actor who pops up in independent and studio films and a celebrated Tucson deejay, Al has been described as "tremendously versatile," "the best musician to happen to another musician" and "a lifetime of influence" (Greg Swanholm, Flathead). Al's discography includes recordings with Marshmallow Overcoat, Rich Hardesty and the Del-Reys, Dan Stuart, Giant Sand, Fish Karma, and The Richies, as well as nearly a dozen compilation albums, including a tribute album to CCR's John Fogerty.

Further Info: Tucson Weekly Article
Tucson Music Scene Article

His myspace page (Make sure you check out his Blood Spasm cover of We Got cactus from his new record, an absolute classic!)Al's MySpace page

Download Al Perry And The Cattle Good N' Bitter 7"

Ellison Chase - Welcome To Tomorrow 12" (1983)

2007-08-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

A Synth filled classic, produced by the Legendary Gary Chertoff and mixed by Francois Kevorkian. Chase also performed a song with terry Silverlight from the Mark Wahlberg film "Invincible" and still performs.

From Discogs.com:
Label: Columbia
Catalog#: 44 03989
Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single

Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Electro, Disco
Credits: Arranged By - Art Jacobson
Co-producer, Engineer - William Wittman
Mastered By - Herb Powers Jr.
Mixed By - Frank Filipetti , François Kevorkian
Producer - Rick Chertoff

Download Ellison Chase Welcome To Tomorrow 12"

The Phones - Something I Said 7" (1981?)

2007-08-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

I'm making my best guess on the year for this rocker from Arizona's The Phones. My copy is pretty worn of this solid single and I did my best on the transfer.
The A side is Something I Said and the B side is No Way. Word has it they put on a pretty wild show back in the day!

The Phones:
Dan Bliss - Bass Guitar, Harp
Michael Keefer - Six and Twelve String Guitars
Jon Norwood - Drums, Sleeve Design

Produced By The Phones
Recorded at Topanga

Michael Keefer wrote both songs

Download The Phones

Jef Left - 5 Song Ep (1981)

2007-08-03T11:32:00.001-07:00

Jef Left delivered this 5 song ep in 1981, his only release, on A&M Records. All songs were written and arranged by Jef Left. Produced by Ron Moss.

The Band:
Jef Left - Guitar, Vocals
Robert Williams - Drums, Percussion
Pewee Hill - Bass

Download Jef Left

Jagged Rocks On The Perimeter - The Soldier And The Painter (1986)

2007-08-03T08:18:00.001-07:00

Arizona based Jagged Rocks On The Perimeter released this outstanding disc in 1986, garnering lots of local support and airplay on KEYX (The Key). The LP is solid, reminding me at times of Let's Active or Three O'Clock. Neil Hounchell was the drummer in the early days, being replaced by Richard Contadino by the time they recorded this LP.

The Band:

Jimmy Booth - Lead Vocals, Guitar

Richard Contadino - Drums,Backing Vocals

Timothy Ferguson - Bass, Backing Vocals

Scott Wilkinson - Lead Guitar, Keyboards

Produced by Jagged Rocks On the Perimeter and Alan Moore

Julie Phillips - Female Voice On The Soldier And The Painter

Download Jagged Rocks On The Perimeter

Gleaming Spires - Party Ep (1984) & Welcoming A New Ice Age (1985)

2007-07-29T14:34:00.001-07:00

The Final two releases from Gleaming Spires, the Party Ep from 1984 on The Vodka Label (Posh Boy's attempt at separating their punk releases) and the final LP Welcoming A New Ice Age from 1985 on Tabb Records.

From Allmusic (Michael Sutton):

The Gleaming Spires didn't want it released as a single or even included on an album, but "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls?" turned out to be the new wave band's only hit. Originally meant as a modest B-side, "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls?" had novelty appeal; the track was eventually used on the Revenge of the Nerds soundtrack in 1984 and in strip clubs. The Gleaming Spires formed in Los Angeles, CA, in 1981 by Bob Haag (vocals, guitar), Leslie Bohem (bass), and David Kendrick (drums). Members shifted back and forth between the Gleaming Spires and Bates Motel. The Gleaming Spires released their first album, Songs of the Spires, in 1981. The Spires developed a cult following in L.A.; however, other than "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls?," the group didn't find much airplay. Haag, Bohem, and Kendrick also became Sparks' new rhythm section that year, playing on the LP Whomp That Sucker, a record that revitalized Sparks' rock & roll edge. The Spires continued to record albums such as Life Out on the Lawn in 1982 and Walk on Well Lighted Streets in 1983. In 1986, Kendrick joined Devo. Bohem became a screenwriter and director. The nearly forgotten "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls?" was dusted off for Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the 80's, Vol. 3 in 1994. Haag joined Speed Limit in the '90s, releasing Going Nowhere...fast in 1999.

The Band:

Party EP-

Les "Misery Is My Middle Name" Bohem

David "Chronic Party Lad" Kendrick

Bob "Happy Boy" Haag

Jimbo "Gumbo" Goodwin

Welcoming A New Ice Age-

Les Bohem - Lead Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizers

David Kendrick - Drums, Percussion

Bob Haag - Guitars, Background Vocals

Jimbo Goodwin - Keyboards

Greg Penny - Synthesizers, Guitars, Background Vocals

with "The Horns Of Desire"

Bobby Moore - Sax

Dana Wylie - Trumpets

and "The Passionettes"-

Background Vocals- Katia Empkowicz Penny

Patty Foley

Beau Wesley

The Happy Boy

The Party God

Fanny Penny

Plus-

Jonathan Gold - Cello

Campbell Naismith - Bagpipes

Produced By Greg Penny

Download Party ep

Download Welcoming...

Cryptics - Darker Side Of You 7" (1992)

2007-07-28T08:05:00.002-07:00

Fronted by long-time Arizona legend Bruce Connole (Billy Clone & The Same, Jetzons, Strand, Suicide Kings, Revenants), this is the first record to come from the Epiphany label, late record store owner (Zia Records) and Arizona music scene God - Brad Singer. Veering into the hard rock/metal arena, the record and a full length cassette came out just as the band was breaking up.

From The New Times June 10th 1992 by Dave McElfresh and Robert Baird:

THE CRYPTICS
Kill Me(Spot Records)
"Darker Side of You"(45 single, Epiphany)
The debate over whether Bruce Connole's new direction--more Sabbath, less strumming--was worth it has become moot. Connole's band, the Cryptics, has broken up and Connole has left the Valley again for L.A. Just as the band was splintering, a full-length cassette and a brand-new single were seeing the light of day. The single is also the first disc to come from Epiphany, the new local label launched by Zia Record Exchange owner Brad Singer. Given time, Epiphany has the potential to become a major force in taking local music to a national level. There is no doubting Connole's talent. The guy can play guitar. Beyond that, he isn't a bad singer or songwriter, either. And he's got the necessary attitude and poise to lead a band.
But it's equally true that focus was never Bruce Connole's strong suit. Were the Cryptics a juiced-up alternative band in metallic clothing, or a metal band aware of how trendy and bankable alternative is these days?
If these posthumous vinyl products are any indication, the answer lies somewhere in between. The band had lots of muscle--power rather than finesse was its object. When the group played this stuff live, volume was the main concern. On these recordings, Connole's dominating guitar is heavy throughout, and the voice-of-doom vocals by Jason Huff and Connole are straight outta the Ozzie handbook of advanced scream-talking. This bludgeon-you-to-death theory is also applied to the band's lyrics. The song titles say it all--"Kill Me," "Blood on the Floor" and "I Don't Care."
Many fans of the Strand and other past Connole projects felt since the beginning that the Cryptics were a waste of Connole's talent--just something he had to get out of his system. He's been in a lot of different bands, playing a lot of different kinds of music over the years. However, most of his projects, like the Cryptics, went down when he lost interest. Many remain convinced that the Cryptics' proto-metal sound was a bizarre detour into what Connole describes in "Darker Side of You," the "A" side of the Epiphany single. On the other side of the coin, genuine metal fans and players felt he was merely aping that genre's moves and that, because of his name, the band was able to unfairly overshadow real dues-paying metal-hard rock groups.
Either way, Connole was at the center of yet another storm. And for inciting that much controversy in this music scene, he deserves respect. Musically, the Cryptics were a proficient hard rock-metal band at best. Knowing Connole's restless talents, though, who knows what the group would have become had he hung in longer? Judging from this tape and single, the Cryptics might have been a contender.

The Band:

Bruce Connole - Vocals, Guitar

Jason Huff - Vocals, Guitar

Mark Cady - Bass

Rick Trobman - Drums

Produced by Steve McDonald

Executive Producer - Brad Singer

Recorded by Dave Nichols

Living Head Studio

both songs written by Connole/Huff

Download The Cryptics

Los Illegals - Internal Exile (1983)

2007-07-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

3 classic cuts on this Mick Ronson produced disc by "Latino Punk" band Los Illegals, which blend political guitar punk with Devo-esque synths. "El Lay", "Secret Society" and "Maybe" stand the test of time. Label squabbles kept their follow up from being released and with the exception of a collaboration with Concrete Blonde, the band never escaped obscurity. Released on A&M Records.

The Band:

Willie Herron - Lead Vocal, Synthesizer, Piano and Saxophones
Jesus Velo - Bass Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Background Vocals
Bill Reyes - Drum Kit, Timbales, Congas, Percussion, Casts and Background Vocals
Antonio Valdez - Rhythm and Melody Guitars and Background Vocals
Manuel Valdez - Lead and Acoustic Guitars, Background Vocals

Mick Ronson also provided guitars, synthesizer and vocals

Download Los Illegals - Internal Exile

Ron Walker - Blue Diamond Man (1990) [Cassette]

2007-07-22T08:28:00.001-07:00

Ron Walker, a high school classmate and friend, put out this self-released cassette to rave reviews in 1990. Walker, an extremely talented and charismatic musician, handles most of the instruments on the 6 songs. Quality isn't perfect as it's a cassette transfer but it's well worth a listen.
Walker later went on to form The Stumbles, an extremely popular Arizona act.

Here is a review from the local New Times (Serene Dominic):

HOME BREW

Published: February 19, 1992

RON WALKER Blue Diamond Man
(local tape)

"Solid" and "shiny" are the words here.
Glendale rocker Ron Walker likes to do things his way. On Blue Diamond Man, he sings everything and takes all the writing credits-save for the tape's single ballad, the sad but pleasant "Echoes of Laughter." Walker also takes the lion's share of the string and keyboard work here and lets no one sit behind the drum kit but himself. His one-man-band approach is rock-sturdy. From the Beatlesque, shake-it-up-baby "Stay Out of the Rain," to the Romantics-flavored, drum-heavy fun of "U Don't Know," Walker has permitted these musical influences to be no more than just that.

On the funkified-and most lyrically polished-song "Don't Take My Advice," Walker's fine, rangy voice shows its brightness and versatility. Overall, Blue Diamond Man is a steady-at times downright flashy-howdy-do by a musician who should be around for a spell.

The "Band"
Ron Walker - Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, Guitars,Bass, Keys and Drums
Kerry Jackson - Background Vocals,Guitars,Bass, Keys
Darryl Walker - Background Vocals

All songs written by Ron Walker except Echoes Of Laughter by Ron and Darryl Walker
Produced by Kerry Jackson and Ron Walker

Download Ron Walker

Horizontal Brian - Vertical (1983)

2007-07-19T23:12:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite LP's that most people missed. I re-discovered this in the past year and find it's upbeat songs as fresh today as they were back then.

From Trouser Press:

This nifty British quartet plays lyrically observant melodic rock, much in the same vein as Stackridge did in oldentide. Bassist Tony Phillips sings his own songs in an engaging, unprepossessing voice, humorously satirizing the shortcomings of parenthood ("Playing with the Babies"), colonial obsession ("Everybody Wants to Be American"), death ("Buried in Your Best Suit") and more. Although not as sharp as the words, the music is dandy.

[Ira Robbins]

Released on Gold Mountain Records in 1983, Graham Gouldman of 10cc mixed the record.

The Band:
John Butters - Drums, Vocals
Tony Phillips - Bass, Lead Vocals
Brian Rudd - Keyboards, Vocals
Ian Peppercorn - Guitar, Vocals

Download Horizontal Brian

Practicing First Aid Video:

Fanatiks - Here There Be Tigers (1985)

2007-07-04T23:24:00.000-07:00

Tucson, Arizona based Fanatiks released this 6 song ep in 1985, the title a nod to Ray Bradbury. Rob Paulus, now an award winning architect, was the driving force behind this New Wave outfit. Merle Harmon of Arizona based Street Pajama provided some background vocals.

The Band:

Rob Paulus - Vocals, Guitar, Violin
Steve Merski - Keyboards
Dave Nahan - Vocals, Bass
Miguel Monroy - Drums

Engineered by Roger H. King
Mixed and Produced by Roger and Karl
Executive Producer R. Karl Mehl
Rhythm Program Homero Ceron
Voice on European Summer - Sarah Newby
Background vocals - Merle Harmon

Download Fanatiks - Here There Be Tigers

Noel & The Red Wedge - Peer Pressure (1982)

2007-07-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

New Wave/Dance-Pop featuring Noel (who put out a quasi-disco record in 1979 "Dancing Is Dangerous" written and produced by The Mael Brothers (Sparks)) and legendary keyboardist/producer Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Elvis Costello, The Bangles, Los lobos and many more), Thom Mooney who was also in Nazz, Veyler Hildebrand who played with John Hiatt and Ricky Phillips who was in The Babys, Styx, Bad English and Coverdale-Page. Released in 1982 on Scotti Brothers Records.

The Band:
Noel - Vocals, Background vocals
John Aseley Otten - Guitar, Background Vocals
Thom Mooney - Drums
Veyler Hildebrand - Bass
Kurt Kearnes - Guitar
Ricky Phillips - Bass, Background Vocals
Frankie Bonali - Drums
Mitchell Froom - Keyboards

Produced by Ron Kramer and Mitchell Froom

Download Noel & The Red Wedge - Peer Pressure

Teds - The Eighties Are Over... (1981) 7"

2007-06-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

A Placebo Records release from one of the co-founders of the label (Greg Hynes), only 500 were produced of this record, picked it up online for next to nothing.
Hynes moved on to Mighty Sphincter after this and is still a member of that band. Quirky Post-Punk and highly enjoyable. Not the highest quality recording and the back sleeve has the songs in the wrong order, but well worth the listen!

Band Members:
Bob Peterson - Guitar, Percussion, Vocals
Greg Hynes - Drums, Marimba, Vocals
Mark Bycroft - Bass, Percussion, Vocals

Produced by the Teds, Ed & Tony Beram
Executive Producers: Mersey Productions

Download The Teds 7"

The Quake FM99 Presents... The Rock Of 1984

2007-06-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

Part of the Miller High Life Rock To Riches contest, this LP highlights the Bay Area New Wave and Power Pop artists. Some outstanding cuts from Robert Seidler, Fade To Black, Flying Tigers, Voice Farm and Perfect Strangers,as well as Population R and the Uptones.

Download The Rock Of 1984 LP

The Jetzons - Jetzons (Made In America) 1982

2007-06-14T14:52:00.002-07:00

The Jetzons 6 song ep from 1982, the interpretation of the Japanese is "Made In America".

From the New Times Article by Bob Mehr:
In the mind's eye, they are inextricably linked. Bruce Connole, literate and lithe, a wasted poet whose talent was eclipsed only by a penchant for self-destruction. Then there was his foil, the diminutive Damon Doiron, who served as both collaborator and conscience. The two began their unlikely partnership backing another troubled talent, Mike Corte, as part of Valley New Wave avatars Billy Clone and the Same. When Corte died of a heroin-related overdose in 1980, Connole and Doiron recruited keyboardist Brad Buxer and drummer Steve Golladay and mutated into the Jetzons. During a rocky, on-again, off-again eight-year run, they would go on to become one of the most popular and significant groups in local music history. Whether drawing 700 people on a Sunday night at the Devil House or playing Merlin's -- four sets a night, four nights a week for months on end -- people intuitively gravitated to the band's music, a danceable mélange of sprite New Wave and rock. Their influence as the first true local "stars" cannot be understated; they almost single-handedly launched what was then a nonexistent Tempe music "scene" and went on to inspire countless scores of aspiring rock 'n' rollers. Though they were never able to parlay their local celebrity into national prominence, the group had its chances for success. But the lure of industry centers like Los Angeles (where the group relocated in 1982) held as much danger as promise for the band's leader. Little, save for some enduring feelings of regret over wasted chances, resulted from their forays into the big city.

After the eventual demise of the Jetzons, Connole (along with Doiron and drummer Alan Wiley) formed the popular Strand. Connole would later go on to front a pair of other successful, if short-lived, combos before disappearing into the abyss of full-time drug addiction. When he emerged again in the mid-'90s, it was sober, and with a surprising new twist. Gone were the musical pretensions and rock 'n' roll sensibilities; in its place a dark, raw country muse. Forming the Suicide Kings (who later changed their name to the Revenants) with guitarist Richard Taylor, Connole finally found his true voice as neo-traditional twanger, part Nick Cave, part Johnny Cash. Doiron, the consummate sideman who spent his life playing counterpoint to a succession of gifted yet difficult artists (Corte, Connole and Doug Hopkins -- whom Doiron sang for in 1985's Algebra Ranch), continues to play music, most recently with an unassuming pop combo called the Jennys. The Jetzons did re-form, briefly, on New Year's Eve 1991 for a one-off reunion gig. But as if a perfect metaphor for its career, a mile-wide power outage forced the group to cancel the show, leaving a packed house to wonder what might have been. -- BM

Some outstanding scans are included courtesy of FritzB and also some scans of an autographed inner sleeve I have that I picked up at Eastside Records in Tempe.

Band Members:
Brad Buxer - Keyboards
Bruce Connole - Guitar, Vocals
Damon Doiron - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Steve Golloday - Drums

Laird Davis - Management
John Scott - Lighting Director

Produced By Mike Condello

Download The Jetzons

Randyandy - Randyandy (1983)

2007-06-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

Randy Badazz (Alpert) and Andy Armer combined for this Synth Pop New Wave LP in 1983 on A&M Records. Badazz, whose family created A & M is the nephew of Herb Alpert, and Armer wrote Herb's biggest hit "Rise". Prior to writing that song, Randy released a record under the moniker "Badazz". He also co-wrote Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize" and runs an extremely successful recording studio that has recorded some of the biggest records in the last 20 years. He is highly regarded in the music industry to this day.

All Songs Produced and Arranged by Randy Badazz and Andy Armer
Randy Badazz and Andy Armer - All Vocals,Instruments and Artillery

Additional Musicians:
Jeff Lee - Guitar
Paul Jackson Jr. - Guitar
Tony Morales - Drums
Tommy Johnson - Tuba
Mike Turre - Saxes, Bass Clarinet and Flute
Bob Findley - Trumpet
Dennis Karmazyn - Cello
Pete Jolly - Accordian
Abraham Laboriel - Bass

Download Randyandy LP

The People In The U.S.A. Video

Billy Clone And The Same - X and Y (1979)

2007-06-06T23:33:00.000-07:00

Billy Clone and the Same, along with The Consumers, led Arizona into the punk/new wave era in the late 70's. Bruce Connole, Damon Doiron and Mike Corte (whose untimely death from heroin ended the band) were the driving force behind the band. Connole and Doiron went on to fame in many other local Arizona bands throughout the years including The Jetzons, The Strand and The Revenants to name but a few. This 4 song ep is considered by some to be one of the best records ever released by an Arizona artist. X and Y was produced by the legendary Mike Condello. Mike Corte wrote all the songs. Released on Moon Dog Records. Instead of the customary side A and side B, the LP was labeled side X and side Y.

As an added bonus, I have included an extra song, from the 1979 LP "Arizona Sounds Volume 3 entitled "Don't Look Back". Much slower than the material on X and Y, it is still an outstanding track.

B2 -Bass Guitar, Singer
B3 -Guitar Player, Singer
B4 -Guitar Player, Singer
B5 -Drums

Download Billy Clone and the Same

Cylinders - Too Much Fun (1982)

2007-06-03T09:36:00.001-07:00

The only release from The Cylinders was this one sided EP entitled Too Much Fun released in 1982 on Prophet Records. From Huntington Beach, their sound is Surf Rock, Garage, power pop. I have a gig flier showing them opening for The Plimsouls.

Members:
Mike Sharp - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Organ
Steve Linberg - Guitar, Vocals
John Rogers - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Chuck Cummings - Drums, Percussion, Vocals

Download The Cylinders

Rabid Rabbit - Technicolor Yawn (1987)

2007-06-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

Some bands are style over substance. Some bands have both. Rabid Rabbit had both.
Comparisons don't come easy as they are numerous. A touch of this a touch of that. This Arizona band released their one and only album the same time Jane's Addiction did (maybe even months before) and that is who they are often compared to. Musicianship is top notch, they even play a few instrumentals, and this LP is rock solid. Much sought after in the Phoenix area, I was finally able to find this LP at PDQ Records in Tucson after searching for a couple of years. Tony Karaba also played with Arizona band Mighty Sphincter and Mike Sversvold with skate punk legends JFA.

Members:
Vince Bocchini - Vocals, Twelve String, Harp
Tony Karaba - Guitar, Vocals, Car Jack
Alan Anderson - Bass, Vocals and Glass Breakage
Michael Sversvold - Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals

Download Rabid Rabbit Technicolor Yawn

Fade To Black - Corridors Of Gender (1984)

2007-05-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Goth Rock from this San Francisco band, in addition to appearing on The Rock To Riches LP from 1984 sponsored by The Quake FM 99, they also released this 5 song Ep in 1984 on C.D. Presents.

Download Fade To Black - Corridors Of Gender

Gentlemen Afterdark - Gentlemen Afterdark Ep (1983)

2007-05-28T22:51:00.001-07:00

Produced by legendary Phoenix rocker Alice Cooper and Dick Wagner, this 4 song Ep released in 1983 by Gentlemen Afterdark (former members of the Pills - Brian Smith, Robin Johnson and Fred Cross and Winston Watson)who were wildly popular on the local scene. Drummer Winston Watson went on to play with Bob Dylan.

Members:
Robin Johnson - Guitars, Extra Voices
Barry Smith - Violin, Keyboards
Fred Cross - Bass
Winston A. Watson Jr. -Drums
Brian Smith - Words, Voices

Mike Bolton - Executive Producer

Download Gentlemen Afterdark Ep

Innocence In Danger - Innocence In Danger Ep (1984)

2007-05-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

Angela Bond and Steve Parry were the two main principals of this New Wave group and this 5 song self-titled Ep from 1984 featured Carlos "Guitarlos" Alomar, who has played with everyone from Bowie to The Scissor Sisters!

Members:
Angela Bond
Steve Parry
Carlos Alomar - Guitars
Jimmy Rip - Guitars
Robin Clark & Laura Williams - Vocals

Download Innocence In Danger

Jonny Sevin - Self-Titled LP (1982)

2007-05-21T23:34:00.000-07:00

This Power Pop gem is from Tucson, Arizona band Jonny Sevin. Described as punky/New Wave during their run, members went on to be in many bands, most notably Yard Trauma and Weather Jacket.
Produced by Bill Cashman and released on Art Attack Records, I have copies of the Lp in both Red and Black Vinyl.

Members include:
Mark Smythe - Lead Vocals, Lead guitar
Joe Dodge - Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
Lee Joseph - Bass, Vocals, Keyboards
Pen Pendleton - Drum Kits

Download Jonny Sevin LP

Tweed Sneakers - Out On The Prowl (1980) Ep

2007-05-21T23:20:00.000-07:00

Described as New Wave at the time, this San Diego band really is more in the Rockabilly category.This 4 song Ep was produced by Tweed Sneakers and was released on Bongorama Records. Fred Lahmann wrote all the songs.

Members:
Freddie Lahmann - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
John Poehner - Bass, Vocals
Skippy - Drums, Vocals
with
Paul Martin - Guitar work

Download Tweed Sneakers Ep

The Pills - 4 Song Mini LP (1980)

2007-05-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

This Tucson, Arizona band ruled the club scene from 1979-1983 before moving to Phoenix and changing their name to Gentlemen Afterdark.

Guitarist Robin Johnson later went on to play in the Sidewinders, Sand Rubies, and Maryanne, and currently plays guitar with desert rockers Greyhound Soul. The Pills were led by Brian Smith who would later form the The Beat Angels in the mid-90's, which combined punk, glam, and pop in their raucous performances and released two CD's.

For a live recording of the Pills:

Live Pills

Members on this recording:

Fred Cross - Bass

Rex Estell - Drums

Brian Smith - Lead Vocals

Robin Johnson - Guitar, Back-up Vocals

Mark Smythe - Guitar, Back-up Vocals

Randy Valentine - Piano (on Hollywood Doll & Pills)

"Juke Joint Johnnie", Randy La Boo - Tenor & Alto Sax (on Pills)

Download Pills

New Presidents - Stand For Change (1983)

2007-05-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

San Diego band The New Presidents released this 1983 Ep Stand For Change.

It features (Robert Vaughn)- Main Vocals and "Backwards" Guitar and Dane Conover (from The Puppies & Trees) -Producer, Synthesizer & Background Vocals.

They had one song that appeared on the 1983 - 91X Rock To Riches LP (We All Fall Down) and there is heavy Psychedelic Furs influences.

Members:
Robert Vaughn- Main Vocals, "Backwards" Guitar
Anthony Deluz - Guitars, Acoustics
Steve Kocherhans - Sax, Flute
Greg Larocco - The Beat
Doug Boone - Bass
Leo Correia - Rhythms
Dane Conover - Synthesizer, Background Vocals
Rick Norris - Background Vocals

1983 Lost Kingdom Records

Download The New Presidents

Radio Architecture - To Have Or To Be (1988)

2007-05-19T15:10:00.001-07:00

Scottsdale, Arizona Synth-based group Radio Architecture had this local release in 1988 on their own label. Picked up a sealed copy recently at PDQ Records in Tucson.
Spandau Ballet, Ultravox and Heaven 17 all come to mind when listening.

Members:
Todd Carrie - Vocals, Bass
Brett Curtin - Vocals, Keyboards, Congas
Kevin Crosslin - Guitar, Synthesizer
Todd Jewell - Drums, Percussion
Adam Burke - Sitar
Kelly Ehret - Saxaphone

Written And Produced by Radio Architecture
All Songs copyright 1988 Radio Architecture

Download Radio Architecture

The Bank - 10" Record (1980)

2007-05-19T09:37:00.002-07:00

Power Pop from 1980 Hollywood, California band The Bank on Vault Records.

Members:
Larry Neil Henderson - Bass, Vocals
Macho Rockafeller - Drums
Dino Ferrari - Guitar, Vocals

Download The Bank

The Spiffs- Don't Waste Your Money On This Garbage (1980)

2007-05-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

This 1980 five song 7" from Scottsdale, Arizona band The Spiffs led by Glenn De Jongh (who later went on to play in many Arizona bands as well as playing guitar for Bob Welch) is standard guitar pop.

Members:
Glenn De Jongh - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Bill Webb - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Walt Boone - Vocals, Drums

Download The Spiffs 7"

Young Snakes- Bark Along With The Young Snakes (1982)

2007-05-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

A pre-'til Tuesday Aimee Mann leads this Boston band, with this EP being their only output besides the single "Brains And Eggs" that appeared on the compilation LP "A Wicked Good Time!".

Members:
Aimee Mann - Vocals, Bass
Doug Vargas - Guitar
Mike Evans - Drums
Michael Hausman - Additional Percussion (He later went on to be the drummer in 'til Tuesday and also became Aimee's manager)

Download The Young Snakes Ep

Blue Shoes - Put On Blue Shoes (1980)------- Better 7" (1980)----- Disco Bucks 7" (1980)

2007-05-19T08:51:00.002-07:00

Blue Shoes - Put On Blue Shoes (1980)

This popular Arizona band was huge on the club scene and they released two 7" singles, One LP and had a song released on Arizona Sounds Volume IV

Members:
Peggy "Murph" Murphy - Vocals, Keyboards
D.R. Wilke - Guitar
Jim Allen - Drums
Richard Dye - Bass

Put On Blue Shoes LP:

Download Put On Blue Shoes

Better 7":

Download Better 7"

Disco Bucks 7"

Download Disco Bucks 7"

*Bonus* - Do you Realize from Arizona Sounds Volume IV:
Download Do You Realize mp3

Better Video:

New Marines -I Like Baseball 7"

2007-05-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

Probably my all-time favorite band, New Marines, from Pasadena, California, released their debut single in 1980. I Like Baseball b/w From These Parts. Although I didn't pick it up until 1982 at Off The Record in San Diego, this awesome slab of vinyl with it's keyboard driven style was an instant classic. Neither song was included on any of their future releases.

Band members:
Martin Kelley - Keyboards, Vocals
J. Scott Riker - Drums
Pierre Smith - Guitars, Vocals
Brad Thiel - Bass, Vocals
James Thiel - Guitar, Vocals (later releases Jazbo Thiel)

Download New Marines I Like Baseball 7"