SPARKS - BBC ROCK HOUR #324 & #423 (1982-1983)

"Whomp That Sucker" was released in 1981, with some musicians from the Los Angeles area. Actually David Kendrick, Leslie Bohem, Bob Haag had been famous with a local band called Bates Motel (one song on "Sharp Cuts") soon to be renamed Gleaming Spires (James Goodwin joined them later in 1983). After the subsequent release of "Angst In My Pants" (1982), Sparks were touring across the USA during 1982 and 1983 when the band was officially recorded for the famous BBC Rock Hour London Wavelength Radio Show for two concerts in California: the first one was at the "Whisky A Go-Go" Club, (Los Angeles, June 13, 1982) hosted by Dick Shepard; the final and second one took place in 1983 at the "Magic Mountain" Park (Valencia, June, 5 1983) hosted by Teresa D'Abreu. Some songs from "Outer Space" album (1983) can be heard on the second show (specially their smash hit duet with Jane Wiedlin).

Special note: The shows were released as promo items sent to radio stations and were supposed to be broadcasted one time only (the LP's had to be sent back to London Wavelength in New-York, but some were lost, i guess). Of course, both LP's have never been reissued since, even though some were unofficially transferred from vinyl. As the albums had no artwork, i made a custom artwork (using photo shots from the 1982's SNL performance) for the PPC blog including the cue-sheets joined back then. All the break points (intro, advertisements and outro) have been included.

BBC Rock Hour #324 (1982)
Sextown USA / Funny Face / Eaten By The Monster Of Love / Mickey Mouse / I Predict / Moustache / I Married A Martian / Tips For Teens / Angst In My Pants / Wacky Women / Upstairs

BBC Rock Hour #423 (1983)
I Wished I Look A Little Better / Angst In My Pants / All You Ever Think About Is Sex / Modesty Plays / Mickey Mouse / Eaten By The Monster Of Love / Moustache / I Predict / Cool Places

Bonus Video (1 & 2)
In 1982, Sparks performed live two songs ("Mickey Mouse" & "I Predict") on the SNL TV Show, hosted by Danny DeVito. MPEG2 PAL 166mb + 116mb.

JOE JACKSON - CHORUS TV (1980)

On the strength of the release of the third LP "Beat Crazy", Joe Jackson performed live on the famous french TV show Chorus in 1980. Nine songs pulled out from the first three albums plus a cover of "The Harder They Come" originally released as an EP in 1980. The video was transferred from the master VHS tape to a XviD4 PAL video (Two-pass compression). Running Time 36'58.

Special note: You need all parts to unrar the file (433mb).

Songs (One - Two - Three)
On Your Radio / Kind Kute / Pretty Boys / Friday / Sunday Papers / One More Time / It's Different For Girls / I'm The Man / The Harder They Come

WAVES - AN ANTHOLOGY OF NEW MUSIC VOL 2 (1980)

The second part of the Waves Anthology of New Music was released in 1980 by Bomp Records. The highlights featured The Martians, (their single was issued as Stars In The Sky in 1976), The Singles, Gary Charlson and less well known bands or solo artists.

Bands (Songs)
The Martians (Baby Hold On) / The Singles (You're For Me) / The Toasters (Teenage Tease) / Gary Charlson (Burning In You) / Billy Hancock (I Can't Be Satisfied) / Jeff Stacy & The National Debt (New Orleans) / Pointed Sticks (Apologies) / Psychotic Pineapple (The Devil Has Work For Idle Hands) / The Dadistics (Paranoia Perception) / The Lonely Boys (Where Is The Sun) / The Jumpers (Hello Girl) / Toy Love (Frogs) / Oho (Here Come The Pysters)

THE PINKEES - PINKEES (1982)

Hailing from England, The Pinkees were Paul Egholm (vocals/rhythm guitar), Andy Price (vocals/guitar), Paul Reynolds (drums), Max Reinsch (lead guitar/keyboards) and Nevil Kiddier (bass) and released this 1982 U.K. only LP which married those ever-popular Beatles-influenced vocals with a batch of strong, varied songs written by Paul Egholm and Andy Price. Guitars dominated, but keyboards sneaked their way into the mix, too, making for a pop record that was anything but one dimensional.The band released a bunch of singles and this mush sought-after LP, none of which has ever been reissued on CD.

Songs
Danger Games / I'll Be There / Say What You're Missing / Thinking Of Her / You Don't Love Her Anymore / Girl In A Million / Holding Me Tight / I'm Feeling Lonely / One Step / Gonna Be Lonely Again / I Love You / Mayvbe I'm A Fool / I Want You Here Tonight / Rocking With The Band

WAVES - AN ANTHOLOGY OF NEW MUSIC VOL 1 (1979)

Pressed in blue vinyl, "Waves" was the second compilation from the legendary Bomp label. Greg Shaw and Bomp began as a rock magazine in '70 and became an "alternative music industry" in '74, then spread the word of "Power Pop" to the world with singles by the likes of the Flamin' Groovies, 20/20, Shoes or the Poppees. Highlights include Tommy Rock (later known as Tommy Knight), 20/20, The Flashcubes, The Marshalls, The Romantics and Paul Collins.

Bands (Songs)
Tommy Rock (Dancing The Night Away) / 20-20 (Drive) / The Human Switchboard (You're Much Madder Than Me) / The Flashcubes (Christi Girl) / Permanent Wave (Little Girl) / The Last (We're In Control) / Paul Collins (Walking Out On Love) / The Marshalls (You Don't Care) / JJ 180 (AR-L7) / The Invaders (She's Boss) / The Romantics (Let's Swing) / Blitkrieg Bop (Let's Go)

THE WINDBREAKERS - ANY MONKEY WITH A TYPEWRITER (1984)

Following the group's introductory salvo, "Meet The Windbreakers" their 1982 debut 7-inch on their own label, Mitch Easter produced "Any Monkey With a Typewriter", assisting the trio instrumentally as well. (Richard Barone of the Bongos also appears on the record.). The 6 songs were more widely available later on the "Electric Landlady" CD (1990). Then, three songs of "Any Monkey" were remastered and included on the Windbreakers Anthology "Time Machine" (2002).

Songs
Rerun / Make A Fool Out Of Me / You Never Give Up / I Never Thought / Ya Gotta Go Away / I'll Be There

STRAIGHT EIGHT - SHUFFLE 'N' CUT (1980)

If the 3 LPs by Straight Eight had been by the band they are most similar to they would have gone down in the Annals of the bands' own history as among their finest. Seems strange that the songs made by Straight Eight would maybe have been considered better than those on the final Who albums, as things like "Modern Times","I idolise you","Nicotine Boys" and "Its down to you" are just a sampling. Pete noticed as well,which is why Straight Eight were signed to his own Eel Pie label and he was listed as Executive Producer. Lineup was Rick Cassman, Boot Kingsman, Steve Cherry and Rod Berriedale-Johnson. Shuffle 'n' Cut was the second album of the band bringing up some outstanding catchy tunes ("I'm Sorry", "Tonite" and "Christine").
Lead vocalist and main songwriter Rick Cassman has been busy playing and producing in The Deputies, and has also been involved with starting up a country bluegrass folk blues club in Twickenham called Club Acoustica. He also has plans afoot to record a solo album later this year for his record label ferryroad-records. Working title of the band and album are NEVADA PROVING GROUND...and hopes to release a Best Of CD very soon. Source.

Songs
I'm Sorry / I Can't Stop / Powercut / Tonite / When I'm Alone With You / Tombstone / On The Rebound / Christine / Will You Love Me / Don't Turn Your Back / Satisfied / Only You

WONDERMINTS - LIVE AT THE REHEARSAL ROOM (1995)

Under the guidance of Chris Carter things go much faster for Wondermints. They get more and more known in the underground scene of L.A. and they even get a chance to record a demo for Epic Records in 1995. Unfortunately, the demo leads to no deal. Record-companies are reluctant in signing Wondermints. They don't really know what to do with the band. They agree that Wondermints' music sounds terrific, but they don't know how to pigeon hole it, since the band's music sounds different from all the other music that is being put on the music-market in 1995. Source.

The four-track Epic demo becomes Wondermints fourth cassette (no color this time, but it was called the White one. On the b-side the group had put some live-recordings of cover-songs titled: Live At The Rehearsal Room.

Special note: The versions posted here today are quite different (the new ones include the Badfinger cover) and of much better quality from the ones available on the "Mintsmania" unofficial CD, these ones have been converted from the lossless files i got on a registered website. I wish i had posted the complete "White Tape", but its side one remains incomplete by my side, sorry...anyway, you can enjoy the special PPC artwork included.

Songs
Couldn't I just Tell You / Magic / Telephone Line / I Hope You're Happy Now / Top Of The World / No Matter What

DARIAN - DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS (1997)

At the end of 1997 Darian Sahanaja of Wondermints released a solo single on the French record label Pop The Balloon. He covered two Brian Wilson songs: the previously unreleased "Do You Have Any Regrets" (from the Sweet Insanity sessions) and "I Wanna Pick You Up". The single was also released in Japan (same sleeve) by Wizzard in Vinyl and in the USA on X Records.

MYRACLE BRAH - LAKESIDE LOUNGE (2007)

The latest incarnation of Myracle Brah drove in from Baltimore to play at this tiny club. Although the band is basically Andy Bopp and whomever he decides to play with live, the current version, including Greg Schroeder on Drums and Cliff Hillis on bass, previously made an album called "Lemon Fresh", produced by Andy. You won't easily find that CD by the band Starbelly, it's been out of print for years. Greg has played drums on previous Myracle Brah albums, but Cliff rarely dons the four-string.

Myracle Brah first performed on June 20. The band played several songs from the CD,"Can you Hear The Myracle Brah?" (2007), and also classic tracks from Myracle Brah. The band returned for this encore performance at the Lakeside Lounge on September 5th!

Special note: I got this lossless concert on a registered website in 2008, then i normalized and converted it to mp3 (320) and made a custom artwork for the blog.

Songs
Intro / Does It Even Matter / Love Is / Isn't A Crime / First Kiss / I'm In Love / Run To The Voices / Big Kids Wanna Rock / Hearts On Fire / Walking On Water / Faux American / Albert Hand / Whisper Softly / Encore / Dhe's So Young / Sheila

THE SINCEROS - PET ROCK (1981)

The link has been removed because the CD reissue is now widely available. Check Amazon and other sites.

Hailing from England and fronted by singer/songwriter Mark Kjeldsen, after the highly praised "The Sound Of Sunbathing" (1979), The Sinceros (better known as the backing band of Lene Lovich's Stateless) made an attempt at a follow-up record entitled "2nd Debut" produced by Paul "Bassman" Riley. The album reached the test pressing stage but was recalled by Epic Records and reworked into the lost power pop classic "Pet Rock" (1981) under the guidance of Gus Dudgeon. Huw Gower (The Records) plays guitar solo on "As The World Turns". "Pet Rock" has never been released on CD, but the first album "The Sound of Sunbathing" should get a CD reissue (with bonus tracks) in May 2009.

Special note: This is a brand new rip (320) of an album often posted on various blogs (e.g PVAc to 44.1 Khz), the main difference here being the full color front sleeve made available overseas at the time of its release.

Songs
Disappearing / Memory Lane / Socially / Down, / Barcelona / Falling In And Out Of Love / Sleight Of Hand / Nothing Changes / Girl I Realise / As The World Turns / Midsong

THE SOFT BOYS - LIVE AT THE PORTLAND ARMS (1983)

First released in 1983 on Moonlight Records as a Cassette Only edition, it was reissued a few years later (1988) on Glass Fish Records (with a new artwork) but since then it has never been available on cd even though some memorable moments (2 songs) can be heard on the 2cd anthology "1976-81". An acoustic performance recorded at the Portland Arms, Cambridge in November 1978.

Special Note: This is the original cassette edition, and i made the CD jewel case artwork. I also included the voucher i received at the time of my order explaining the delay for delivering the cassette. A label pin was attached as well (thank you to pyramidiac for reminding this!!!)













Songs
Give It To The Soft Boys / Sandra's Having Her Brain Out / Give Me A Spanner, Ralph / My Evaline / Human Music / I Like Bananas (Because They Have No Bones) / Horns Large Horns / Book Of Love / Wish I Had My Baby / White Shoe Blues / In The Mood / That's When Your Heartaches Begin / Have A Heart, Betty (I'm Not Fireproof) / The Duke Of Squeeze / All Shook Up

BULLWINKEL GANDHI - KUNG POW! (1996)

If I tell you North Carolina, and Fab Four Power Pop, Jamie Hoover and the 'tones might be the first name coming to your mind, but actually there's another power pop genius hailing from North Carolina and his name is Ronald Tucker. Ronald has fronted many live bands as singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He also has 8 CDs under his belt with such bands as Bullwinkel Gandhi ("Swirlygig" 1994 and "Kung Pow" 1996), Poppy Nosh ("In The Garden" 1996, "Sour Apples" 1998 and "We Turn On" 2006), Stratocruiser ("Stratocruiser" 2002) , Clone Farm Carnival ("Clone Farm Carnival" 2002) and Wonderwall ("Delicate Balance" 2007). He has worked with local legends Mitch Easter and Chris Stamey on various projects. He plays guitar, keyboards, and engineers. "Clone Farm Carnival" is presently available at ITUNES, Not Lame and CD Baby. You can visit Ronald Tucker's YouTube page here.

"Kung Pow" was produced by Mitch Easter and is full of sharp, psychedelic Sgt. Pepper spirit, From the first track, you'll be hooked into their encyclopedic display of pop knowledge...chirpy effective songs, combine with prominent and thoughtful arrangements. Very highly recommended" (Bruce Brodeen, NL 1996).

Kung Pow! was voted #71 in a list of the top 100 power pop albums of all time in a Swedish magazine article.

Songs
Outta Place / Stung By Queen Alice / Stop Telling Lies / Boom Bomm Baby / She Loves You (A Little Bit) / Cornflower Blue / Weird Times / Jackert Racket / Let's Go Around The World / Caricaturist / Song For D

THE SECRETS* - ...SECRETS (1983)

Hailing from Kansas City, The Secrets* (Brent Hoad, Steve Davis, Norm Dahlor and Pat Tomek) released a 1979 single on Kansas City's Titan Records. Only 1000 copies of "It's Your Heart Tonight" b/w "Get Your Radio", two Hoad songs, were pressed and were quickly gone. The Secrets* were a good match for the power pop record company, but the one single is all they ever did for Titan. (the anthology "Titan It's All Pop" has been reissued and is now available.)

The band had a song on KY102's "Homegrown 1980" album. A couple of years later, the Secrets* did another single and an album for Canada's Quality label. In the band's six year history, the only personnel change was when Tomek left to join Kansas City's Rainmakers and later the Bombpops. Randy Miller replaced Tomek on drums.

Special note: This is a brand new rip of this classic power pop album never reissued on CD. I've manually cleaned up the few minor clicks i heard on the rip given to me by a "fab" friend. The SOTD blog made an earlier rip of it in January 2008. I slightly revamped the excellent artwork originally made by Max for SOTD with the kind authorization of SOTD main man.

Songs
It's Your Heart Tonight / Photographs Of You / Uniform / Shy Around Girls / Drink A Toast / Radio Heart / I Can Dance Better / I Need A Rock / Big Girl Now / You Got Respect

SCREAMS - SCREAMS (1979)

Hailing from the Peoria/Pekin area and then Champaign, Illinois, The Screams lineup consisted of singer David Adams, bassist Steven Jones, guitarist John Siegle and drummer Brad Steakley. Co-produced by Terry Luttrell and Tom Flyte, the album featured an excellent set of power pop influenced by Cheap Trick (a lot...) and The Who with songs such as "Paper Dolls", "Angeline's Toys", "It's Just a Matter of Time", "Pen Pal" and "Financial Disaster (It's Only Money)".They were featured on an episode of England’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” television show It was during this tour, however, that they received word that Infinity Records was being shut down due to ‘mis-management of funds’. Screams caught the next plane home... tried to make another go of it, adding singer/guitarist Graham Walker, but they never quite got off the ground again.Eventually they split up and went their separate ways.

Since the demise of the band, singer David Adams has achieved considerable success with his web-based business, Adams Custom Slide Shows. John Siegle reappeared as a member of Chicago's The Insiders ("Ghost On The Beach"). Brad Steakley played with The Elvis Brothers (as Brad Elvis), Three Hour Tour, Big Hello and The Handcuffs.

Special note: The rip was given to me by a blog reader from the Chicago area. I tried my best to make the artwork with the elements provided.

Songs
Paper Dolls / Angeline's Toys / I Play For You / It's Just A Matter Of Time / Imagine Me Without You / Your Girl, My Girl / Pen Pal / Financial Disaster (It's Only Money) / Pop Art

SHOES "STILL PRESENT TENSE" LIVE IN TOKYO

APRIL 4 (Sat)
@ SHINJUKU JAM
OPEN[18:30] START[19:00]

APRIL 5 (Sun)
@ SHINJUKU JAM
OPEN[17:30] START[18:00]

TICKETS:ADVANCE/JPY3,500(w/tax) DOOR/JPY4,000(w/tax)

Come to see the gigs and get a
FREE unreleased 3" CD single of SHOES covering the classic Cheap Trick song, "If You Want My Love You Got It"!

More info here