THE BULLETS - THE BULLETS (2001)

Silver Sun last played in 1999 before disappearing until 2003. Around 2000/2001, James Broad put the Bullets' songs together with Richard K. (bass) from Silver Sun and a different drummer, but the result was never released because he thought it wasn't good enough. By any standards, this is above any other best album of any other band...And remember, if you could buy only one CD a year, buy a Silver Sun one...this band is huge...period.

Special note: A few years, ago, I got this album in mp3 format (hence the bitrate, if you have better, let me know) from my mate in North Carolina. I made an "original" artwork with various original sleeves parts. I guess all the Silver Sun fans might already have this, but it really deserves to be given to a larger audience.

Songs
Impenetration / Runaround / Banter #1 / I Can't Wait / Dress Up For Me / High Fivers / Hurt You / Sleep / Banter #2 / Rejection / Dance With Me / Banter #3 / Put Down / Spoil Your Fun

THE MOSQUITOS - LIVE AT THE FIRST AVENUE CLUB

Before they released their mini LP "That Was Then, This Is Now", The Mosquitos had made their name as a burning live act. I know some of you may have read there were rumors of live tapes of the band and here's the "living proof" they were right.

A few years ago, i got from a french mate a CDR of the Mosquitos' stuff with demos and a live concert (actually, i guess some songs are from a different source, but still included). For a while, the CDR got lost in my vaults and i only found it again a few days ago. So, i made an original artwork for the live concert and included the demos with the MLP post.

Songs
Jimmy, Jimmy / Situation / That Was Then, This Is Now / Standing In The Rain / I Apologize / Do You Want To Hurt Me / Turnin' Around / Don't Wait / Put Your Foot Down / I Know A Secret / Some Other Guy / Changed My Mind / Here I Go Again

THE MOSQUITOS - THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW (1985)

As the story goes, this Huntington/Northport, Long Island band formed when a band called Quisp broke up. Leader Vance Brescia had some songs he wanted people to hear, so he got a few friends together to perform them. Those friends included ex-Fabians’ Steve Prisco (guitar) and Iain Morrison (bass), as well as Pat Bishow (drums). Soon Tony Millions would join on organ (and occasional lead vocals) and the lineup was complete. The Mosquitos took off quickly. The band got excellent press and built up quite a local following. Soon, they gained a ton of fans on NYC’s burgeoning garage scene, despite the fact that their roots were more Mersey/60s pop. Sometime early in ‘84, Bishow left and Pete Bross filled in on drums until the band found permanent replacement Mitch Towse. (Bross would come back for the last couple months of the band’s existence a couple years further on.) Sources vance brescia (garage punk)

Songs
Put Your Foot Down / I Know A Secret / If I'm Lucky / Do You Want To Hurt Me / That Was Then, This Is Now

BONUS
I have included nine songs (demos) which were not on the original MLP, they certainly were demos (not sure about the year, quality varies), you'll also find three videos grabbed on youtube in MP4 format, one of which being the video filmed by Ellen Shapiro "You Don't Give A Hang About Me"

Demos
Darn Well / You Don't Give A Hang About Me / I Know A Secret / Shadows / I Apologize / Quit It / I'm So Ashamed / Don't Know Why / Jimmy Jimmy

PAUL COLLINS' BEAT - LIVE AT THE UNIVERSAL (1986)

Recorded in Madrid, Spain (July 11) at the Sala Universal, Paul Collins is backed by his long-time bassist Steve Huff plus two spanish musicians Emilio Huertas (Lead Guitar, Vocal) and Manolo de Palma (Drums). The album was only released in Spain by Twins Records. Paul Collins performs some of his most famous tunes plus one exclusive song "I'm Not Crazy" unavailable elsewhere. Paul Collins released a new album " Ribbon of Gold" a few weeks ago.

Special note: This is different and brand new rip of the one you could have found a hear ago on the excellent PVAc blog of my old mate Blog Kihn. The Universal LP has never been reissued in CD format.

Songs
Rock and Roll Girl / Always Got You On My Mind / Working Too Hard / Don’t Wait Up For Me / Long Time Gone / I'm Not Crazy / On The Highway / Working On A Good Thing / Look But Don’t Touch / All Over The World / U.S.A. / Good Times / You & I

STIV BATORS - THE LORD & THE NEW CREATURES (1983)

After the Dead Boys breakup, Stiv Bators moved to Los Angeles, and with the help of the Blue Ash frontman Frank Secich (credited as Jeff Jones on the Bomp singles) cut "Disconnected", a tremendous album of melodic rock tunes. Playing down his outrageous side, Bators' first solo record maintains an Iggy-like persona while replacing chaotic garage-punk with thoughtful music that owes power pop a sizable debt. With some powerful tunes mostly penned by Frank Secich and the band (David Quinton, Georgie Harrison (aka George Cabaniss) and a couple of covers "It's Cold Outside" (The Choir), "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" (Electric Prunes), sadly the album didn't sell so well. Originally released in 1980 on Bomp Records, the album was expanded by the French label Lolita. It has never been reissued in CD format. The "Disconnected" sessions are now available on various albums ("Disconnected Collectors Edition" and "L.A L.A.").

Stiv Bators and the band performed "It's Cold Outside" and "Not That Way Anymore" on the Uncle Floyd TV Show. Click here for an excerpt of the video.

Frank Secich & The Deadbeat Poets have released in 2007 the excellent "Notes From The Underground", David Quinton released "Bombs And Lullabies 1981-1988" in 2001.

Songs
It's Cold Outside / Make Up Your Mind / Ready Anytime / I'll Be Alright / I Wanna Forget You / Bad Luck Charm / The Last Year (1st Version) / Not That Way Anymore / Evil Boy / I Had Too Much To Dream / Circumstantial Evidence / A Million Miles Away / Swingin' A Go-Go / The Last Year (2nd Version)

LIQUOR GIANTS - SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE KIDS (1998)

After playing mutant swamp-blues-rockabilly guitar with the Gun Club in the early '80s, Ward Dotson embarked on a less contrived musical course as guitarist, main writer and de facto leader of the Pontiac Brothers. Dotson subsequently formed the Liquor Giants. "You're Always Welcome" (1992) (aka "America's #1 Recording Artists" in japan) was a dynamic debut. After "Here" (1994) and "Liquor Giants" (1996), The Giants were an actual band on "Every Other Day at a Time". Mark McGroarty (bass and vocals) and Mark McNally (guitar and vocals) joined Dotson and Simon for the best album released under the Liquor Giants name. Around the same time, (actually two of these covers were featured on "Every Other Day at a Time"), the Giants issued a covers collection, "Something Special for the Kids", with sparkling renditions of classics by Tom Jones, the Move, David Bowie and others. Trouser press

Special note: The most faithful readers of the beloved PPC blog will remember this one had been part of the "Advent Wall Of Sound 2007". He was then available just for one day (day 17th, it was...). This Liquor Giants album is the most tricky one to find (see amazon), all of the other ones can be purchased from any online record store.

Songs (Bands)
Beatles Please Come Back (Gigi Parker & the Lonelies) / Fire Brigade (The Move) / Don't Ever Leave Me (Connie Francis) / Gotta Get A Hold Of Myself (The Zombies) / Days Of Broken Arrows (Idle Race) / What's New Pussycat (Tom Jones) / Stay Awhile (Dusty Springfield) / Led Along (Del Shannon) / Toast And Marmalade (Tin Tin) / Love In The City (The Turtles) / Tallyman (Jeff Beck) / Things I'd Like To Say (New Colony Six) / I Don't Know Why (Sons of Thunder) / Boys Keep Swinging (David Bowie)

TOMMY KEENE - CHESTERFIELD CAFE (1998)

After a few years hiatus and the Geffen releases (1986-1989), Tommy Keene was back in action on Matador in 1996 with "Ten Years After" (an unofficial 1996 concert "Live at The Underground Café" can be heard on PVAc blog). A couple of years later, Tommy Keene had a new album "Isolation Party" of which four songs are featured on this 10 song / 50mn concert video. Apart from the aferomentioned songs, Tommy Keene with a little help from Brad Jones performs some of his greatest tunes plus a solo rendition of the Big Star's classic "Nighttime".

Special note: The concert was taped at The Chesterfield Café, it is an amateur video (no special effects or overdubs therefore), the quality is quite good and of prime interest for the ones who never went to a Tommy Keene concert. I got the VHS tape a few years ago from a french mate. As soon as i received it, I transferred it to the PC in mpeg-2 and then converted to VCD format. (maybe today i would convert it to DivX, but as my VCR is "dead" by now, the only option i had was to post it this way). So, there are 6 parts and you'll need all of them to extract the file.

Set (RS1 + MU2 + SB3 + RS4 + MU5 + SB6)
Never Really Been Gone / Silent Town / When Our Wovs Break / Long Time Missing (cut) / Getting Out From Under You / Night Time / Waiting Without You / Save In The Light / Back To Zero Now / Places That Are Gone

THE WOODS - THE LOST ALBUM (1988)

The Fabulous Knobs were one of the most sought after Comboland bar and party bands of the early 80's. Their 1981 album was the first local hit for regional label, Moonlight Records and heavily promoted by record chain Record Bar. Added to the mix was Dave Adams (Glass Moon) who played keyboards on the recording sessions and occasionally live as well.

Without a major record label behind them, The Fabulous Knobs survived until 1984 when Debra left the band. The group renamed themselves The Woodpeckers and added Dan Baird as lead singer. After a year, Dan left to join The Georgia Satellites and kept a song Terry Anderson wrote for the Knobs called "Battleship Chains". This song would be the second national hit for The Georgia Satellites giving both the Satellites and Terry a well needed pay check and a gold record to hang on their wall. After the demise of The Satellites, Terry gave Dan Baird another national hit, this time as a solo artist with the song "I Love You Period" .

Terry Anderson, David Enloe and and Jack Cornell continued as The Woods and released their sole album "It's Like This". It was originally out on Twin Tone Records, and then the british label Demon (home of Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello) licensed it. Though Twin Tone never released this classic album in CD format, Demon made it available to the digital world. Today, you can order it from Twin Tone (it was remastered in 2003).

David Enloe died of liver disease in 2007 (myspace tribute page), Terry Anderson is now with The Yayhoos (kind of supergroup with Dan Baird, Eric Ambel and Keith Christopher), but he is also playing with his old-mate Jack Cornell in The Olympic Ass-Kickin' Team.

Special note: In 1988, The Woods recorded a follow-up to "It's Like This", it is now referred as "The Lost Album". So, it was changing hands in tape format but has never been officially released. I got a copy of this "Lost Album" a few years ago courtesy of a very smart person who was able to handle it first. Thank you to my old mate, so i'm only guilty of the exclusive ppc artwork included with these 11 songs...and for the ones wondering about the songs, yes, "It's All Too Much" is a cover of the legendary fab four's classic.

Songs
Let's Talk / Loudmouth / Get Drunk / Time High / She Won't Call Back Tonight / Worse For The Wear / I Love You Period / She Looks A Lot Like You / Put Me Back Up On The Shelf / Cry In My Sleep / It's All Too Much

WONDERMINTS - PROTO-PRETTY (1993)

At the beginning of 1993, drummer Mike D'amico becomes Wondermints fourth member, and not long after the group releases their first vinyl-single on Pop Psycle Records. The single was released on a translucent wax. The B side was penned by Brian Kassan. This song was also featured on the first Chewy Marble CD.

Pop Psycle PP 001
Proto-Pretty / Silly Place

WONDERMINTS
OUR MUSIC IS BLUE & GREEN WITH PURPLE FLASHES (1992-1994)

Notes from the Wondermints fanpage:
The first Wondermints songs are recorded in four track in Darian's bedroom and put on a self-distributed cassette, the Blue one, because of the color of its cover. The Blue cassette contains six extraordinary songs that showcase an exuberance of musical talent and writing skills.
Just after the release of their first tape Wondermints becomes a trio when bassist Brian Kassan joins the ranks. At the end of 1992 this trio releases a second tape, the Purple cassette. Again recorded four track in Darian's bedroom. And again it's a winner that puts Wondermints firmly on the pure/power pop map.

At the beginning of 1993 drummer Mike D'amico becomes Wondermints fourth member, and not long after the group releases a vinyl-single on Pop Psycle Records: "Proto-Pretty"/"Silly Place".

In 1994 Wondermints record a third tape, the Green one, which again shows a growth in musical talent, writing, production and playing. The Green cassette contains their best compositions yet: "Time", "Global Village Idiot", "Carnival Of Souls" and especially "Playtex Aviary" become instant power pop classics. Nick Walusko's "Carnival Of Souls" is compiled by Jordan Oakes for his "Yellow Pills, Volume 2" collection.

Special note: I grabbed this collection courtesy of a Japanese friend. There was no artwork, so i made an original one (with an imaginary title) in order to post this compilation on PPC. It also does exist a fourth cassette (called the white one) which collects the epic demos plus six songs recorded live at the Reharsal Room (five of them can be found on Minstmania!). The white one was not included here. You'll need both parts of the rar to extract the files.

Blue
Shine / And Penny Knows / She Opens Heaven’s Door / Libbyland / Wondermints / Tracy Hide / I Should Fall / Gone

Purple
Fleur-de-lis / Proto-Pretty / I Thought Back / Silly Place / Truth Or Consequences / Porpoise Song

Green
Time / Global Village Idiot / Playtex Aviary / In Haze / Carnival Of Souls / Do You Have Any Regrets / I Wanna Pick You Up / I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times / You Need Love / Coors Light Ad

WONDERMINTS - MINTSMANIA! (1998)

Mintsmania is the unofficial Wondermints page. So there was an unofficial release from the mighty Wondermints (all of their four albums are available) compiling some rarities such as some songs included on various collections (cassettes, compilations, tributes, singles, demos) from the 90's but also some live stuff (all covers) recorded at the rehearsal room around 1995.

Songs (2 parts)
Couldn't I Just Tell You / Magic / Telephone Line / I Hope You're Happy Now / Top Of The World / Invisible Paint (demo) / Misery Train (demo) / Galactic Patrol / Runnin' Thru The Night / Reality Check / You Need Love / The Party / Full Moon / Cellophane (Remix) / Invisible Paint / Reality Check / Rejected Beer Ad / Do You Have Any Regrets / I Wanna Pick You Up / And Penny Knows

DWIGHT TWILLEY - WILD DOGS (1986)

Recording commenced on the follow-up to "Jungle", and Dwight Twilley found himself saddled with outside producers he neither wanted nor needed. Pitcock was sometimes ‘replaced’ by the standard L.A. session guys. Then one day Dwight Twilley woke up to discover that ‘his man’ in the record biz had just made network news and front page headlines as part of the record business payola/mafia scam, later detailed in the best-selling book Hit Men. Of all artists signed to this label, Twilley’s album was the farthest along on the road to release -- only two weeks from being released. Instead of being dropped, he found himself shunted off to a different label that neither wanted him nor planned to promote him. The resulting album, "Wild Dogs", was released in 1986 on the CBS Associated label, if you can call it "released". Dwight says it more nearly "escaped". With no promotion, the album more or less appeared in the "T" section in record stores. Many fans never even knew it was out. It has never been reissued in CD format, eve, though a few songs can be heard on the remastered "XXI" collection. Dwight Twilley will soon release his latest collection of covers Titled "Out Of The Box".

"Wild Dogs" features many great Twilley songs, such as "You Don't Care" or "Shooting Stars" (a song specially written for Phil Seymour and also their last ever duet). Dwight Twilley will later re-record the "Baby Girl" song for his comeback album "Tulsa" (1999). Wild Dogs is a long lost gem never reissued on cd, even though two songs (Wild Dogs & Shooting Stars) would later appear on the XXI compilation (1996). A couple of songs (Ticket To the Moon & You Don't Care) were also included on the bootleg CD The Rain, The Park & Twilley.

Special note: This is a brand new rip of the album. Some of you might have grabbed it on this very same blog. Some others may have seen the previous rip or a different rip on other blogs, but this one comes complete with artwork.

Songs
Sexual / Wild Dogs / You Don't Care / Hold On / Shooting Stars / Baby Girl / Ticket to My Dream / Secret Place / Radio / Spider and the Fly

THE QUICK - DEMOS 1976-1977

1976 saw the release of "Mondo Deco", the first and only album of The Quick. In 2003, british label Rev-Ola, with the help of drummer Danny Benair, released "Untold Rock Stories" compiling all the Mercury and Elektra demos recorded between May 1976 and March 1978, plus 2 live songs.

Special note: The songs compiled here are for the most part of them the "Elektra demos". Around 1995, the tape was sent to me by a now famous powerpop record company executive. The versions presented here might be different (i guess) from the ones available on "Untold Rock Stories". So, if you wanna hear the whole Quick story, grab the official demos and the unofficial ones. A special "ppc blog" artwork has been included.

Songs
Poison Polly / Big Chance / You Yeah You / Over The Rainbow / Pretty Please / Take My Life / Touch Control / You Give Me Heat / Jimmy Too Bad / Teacher's Pet / Heaven On Earth

STARS IN THE SKY - BABY HOLD ON (1976)

"Stars In The Sky" were the Kessel Brothers (Dan and David), the sons of Spector's hero, the guitarist Barney Kessel. This is how Dan and David were part of the troupe of musicians Spector invited in 1973 to the Lennon sessions of Rock'n'Roll.

Both in their early twenties, Spector had known them since infancy. They were like family. When Spector was in London, working with Lennon and Harrison, he had sent the boys postcards and souvenirs – Apple wristwatches, notes written on the Beatles' stationery. Both played guitar, Dan also played drums. On the first night of the Lennon session, Spector's drummer Jim Keltner was late arriving. 'So I volunteered to play the drums,' Dan remembers. 'The other musicians were wondering who I was and what was going on. Phil said, "This is Barney Kessel’s son, and if Barney Kessel’s son says he can play the drums, he can play the drums.” At the end of the session Spector invited the brothers back the following evening. ‘He said, “And bring your instruments,” ’ David remembers. ‘We said, “OK.” And then he said. ‘You do play, don’t you?”

Over the next seven years the Kessel brothers would play on all of Spector’s sessions, help him with pre-production, be privy to his business deals and be his most constant companions. Spector dubbed them "The Three Musketeers".

In 1976, the duo released this 7" single proving they had become underground legends.
A few years later in 1980, Bomp licensed the single for the "Waves Anthology of New Music Vol.2", it was the opening cut of the LP and the duo was rechristened "The Martians", whereas Dan K. was Dan Phillips and David K. was David Scott. During the 70's, The Kessler Brothers also managed to work with the Ramones, Blake Xolton (who guests on vocals here), Bob Dylan, Dion, Blondie, Kim Fowley, Bruce Springsteen, the Dickies... source

Stars In The Sky & The Milky Way Band (7" STARS 101)
Baby Hold On / Love (What A Feeling)

PEZBAND - THE DEE HARRIS SONGBOOK

Between 1977 and 1981, Pezband released 3 albums ("Pezband", "Laughing In The Dark" and "Cover To Cover" of classic powerpop. Even though they have been reissued on cd in Japan, it's my pleasure to bring one more Pezband item never officially released: The Dee Harris Songbook. This is an unofficial collection of various ("Father's Place", "Dingwalls" and "Schaumburg") and officiallly released live performances. The aforementioned three cd's can be purchased at Not Lame.

Special note: you'll need both parts of the rar file to extract the collection

Live at My Father's Place 1977 (1-8)
Let's Dance / It Was Alright / She's A Hurricane / Runaway / Please Be Somewhere Tonight / Lovesmith / Stop Wait A Minute / Baby It's Cold Outside

Two Old Two Soon (Live At Dingwalls 1978) (9-12)
Stop Wait A Minute / Lovesmith / Not Fade Away / Hippy Hippy Shake

The "Two Old Two Soon" 12" EP was produced by Jesse Jackson and bears the mentions on the back of the sleeve "Slam It On Ten" and "Sold For Promotional Use".

30 Seconds Over Schaumburg (Live In Cleveland 1978) (13-17)
Blue Wind & Stroll On / I'm Not Talking / I'm Leaving / Crash & Burn / Close Your Eyes

The "Thirty Seconds Over Schaumburg" 12' EP had one side playing at 45RPM, while the other side was playing at 33 RPM

JIM BASNIGHT & THE MOBERLYS

Jim Basnight is selling some of his albums, but also T-shirts. If you already know Jim Basnight & The Moberlys, please visit his website and grab them as soon as possible, stock is limited. If you don't, just listen to the original french pressing of Sexteen here on PPC, and you'll be eager to hear more from Jim Basnight & The Moberlys.