The Hypnotic Eye are a South London-based five
piece Flower-Punk band, who play abrupt, slightlydelic garage, haunted
by Brill-Building pop & Musique Concrète. The Hypnotic Eye take
their name from George Blair's cult classic horror film. Known for their
prismatic dress and engaging performance, the group are fronted by 19
year old, Grace Lightman.
A fully independent limited pressing 7" of The Hypnotic Eye's debut
single "Marianne" featuring a cover of The Omens' "Searching" is out
now..........and I have to say it really is rather splendid indeed! Kicking into play with a kind of early Stones type guitar riff (Chuck Berry really then!) and driven along with the feel of The Small Faces, "Watcha Gonna Do About it" this song could only be a winner from the off, and then, it gets even better when Grace Lightmans powerful vocals come into the equation, think Lulu with real attitude and you have "Marianne" a top notch single from the bands forthcoming album which should be available sometime later this year, and I for one, am really looking forward to hearing it!
Contact, befriend, like and love The Hypnotic Eye: FACEBOOK
The eagerly awaited "Summer Holiday" has arrived unlike this years actual summer which seems to be taking a holiday of its own, still, not to worry, this album will brighten up the cloudy days and put a smile back on your face.
Marty Graveyard was the drummer with Power Pop beat combo The Madd, he also wrote the excellent songs "I Know" and "Into The Sun" recorded by the band, so it comes as no surprise that he has released his own solo album and plays virtually everything on the album himself with a few guest vocalists, including ex band mate Dave Von Raven, who also features in Martys video for the catchy song "Do You Really Wanna Dance?"
'Summer Holiday' can be described as a
feelgood guitar pop album. Catchy choruses and ditto Guitar Lines make
you feel like it's summer forever. Marty has developed a unique style
and sound with influences from a.o. the Californian popsound. If you
think of The Beach Boys you're a step in the right direction .. Sprinkle
a glimmer of punk rock on top of that and you get 'Summer Holiday'!
This is a 12 track album that makes you move involuntarily, you can't help but tap your feet, beautifully arranged and with some fantastic guests, notably, Julia Reinhold who lends her beautiul voice to the track "Why."
It is hard to pick a favourite track on this album as they are all such great songs, which answers that question, How many drummers does it take to make a great album? Just one, Marty Graveyard!
Suited, booted and suave!
Marty is currently rehearsing with a band and getting ready to take this album out on a tour which promises to be something special, the sunshine could be coming to a town near you soon!
Contact, befriend, like and love Marty Graveyard here: FACEBOOK
Here is some lovely sunny and bright music, perfect for the summer....if only the sun would make a show here in Sweden that is! This will definately be gracing the "Ice Cream Man" record player, more than likely on constant repeat, and if the sun doesn't shine, we are going to play it anyway!!!!!
Paul Starling writes & records original songs. He plays: guitar,
bass, drums, piano, banjo, ukulele, & anything else he can
get his hands on. Known for his 60′s vibe with a
modern twist, Paul Starling creates what he calls ‘nautical pop’. It is
music to sail, float, skip and even dance to.
Contact, befriend, Like and Love Paul here: Facebook
Reissue Available May 29th via Trashy Creatures Records
Formed in 1972 at North Central High School in Indianapolis, The Late
Show’s original line-up included drummer Mark Cutsinger and guitarist
Kevin Kimberlin, along with Don Main and Mark Moran.
With a move to New York City in 1974 the Late Show caught the attention
of producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Artful
Dodger, New York Dolls, The Knack). After a series of recordings with
Douglas at the Record Plant, and major label offers from CBS, Epic,
Windfall, and Don Kirshner’s record label, all of which the band turned
down expecting a bigger deal to be around the corner, Kimberlin left the
band.
The band continued as a three piece from 1975 until 1979, when Steve Lester was added on guitar and keyboards.
By late 1979, guitarist Rick Clayton had replaced Steve Lester and Chris Pyle joined replacing Mark Cutsinger on drums.
The band entered Soundsmith Studios in Indianapolis with producer Greg
Riker and engineer producer Mike Petrucci to record their first record, Portable Pop.
The band had trouble getting the sound they wanted in the studio. Main
recalled, “Don’t get me wrong, it was a nice studio, it was just too
sterile sounding. So we literally set up in the loading dock area of the
studio with monitors and recorded the entire album live.” Portable Pop,
released in 1980 on Rave Records was the only official release by The
Late Show, and was only available at the time on vinyl. The record has
been out of print since the early 80′s. This power pop classic will be
reissued May 29, 2012 by Trashy Creatures Records.
The band recorded their second record in Memphis, TN with producer John
Hampton (The Raconteurs, White Strips, Alex Chilton, The Cramps, The
Replacements, Gin Blossoms) in 1983. The record entitled, Recordio in Stereo,
was shelved just weeks before it’s independent release by the band's
lawyer, who assured them a contract with Atlantic Records was a done
deal. As it it turned out, the deal fell through and the record has
remained unreleased since 1983. It will finally see the light of day
with bonus tracks later this year on Trashy Creatures Records. Between
1986 and 1988, the band recorded demos in Los Angeles and their hometown
of Indianapolis with producer Ian Ritchie (Roger Waters, Godley &
Creme, Gary Numan, The Beach Boys, Dead Or Alive, Howard Jones, Laurie
Anderson). Atlantic Records was responsible for paring producer Ritchie
with the band, but once again a deal with the label failed to
materialize. The band are currently working on a album of new material
to be released through Trashy Creatures Records and Burger Records in
2013.
In the summer of 2012 The Late Show will be featured in a new book
called “Power Pop 360” and the song “Take a Chance” will be featured on
the CD Compilation that will accompany the book. The book covers 360 of
the most essential power pop records in history.
I have recently featured several bands from Spain that have a real flair for the execution of great sixties garage punk sounds, well, it would appear that Italy have some flair in that field too, they are The Kaams and they are on the verge of releasing their debut album "Uwaga!" which promises to be a rather exceptional debut, one that we are really looking forward to hearing and reviewing on the blog.
The Kaams come out screaming from Bergamo (Italy) in fall 2009, started as a duo piece by Andrea Carminati (vocals/guitar) and Marcello Giannelli (drums), the band released its first Ep “She’s a Killer” in march 2010 on Bedo Records/Dirty Water Digit Records.
At the end of the same year a new 7'' split titled "Chose Your Coffin - The Kaams vs The Monolithics" was released on Boss Hoss Records and distributed by Area Pirata.
After several line-up changes Andrea has finally met the right mates: Marco Facheris (guitar), Alberto Mafessoni (bass) and Tiziano Carozzi (drums).
2012 is a busy and exciting year, a lot of gigs all around Italy, a German tour completed in May and most of all the long-awaited 12 tracks full length album that will be out in June, once again on Area Pirata/Boss Hoss Records.
"UWAGA! is a perfect mix of r’n’b, garage, punk, blues nuances and melodies,
a time bomb ready to explode" (cit.)
Remember during the good ol' days of late '70s and early '80s guitar-based new wave and power pop? Remember when the Boys
had a new release, and how the raw energy almost ripped holes in your
speakers? Prepare to relive those days, cuz here come two CDs of raw,
unpretentious energy, dressed up in the catchiest hooks this side of the Boys. Recorded between 1977 and 1981, the Kiddas
never got the break they deserved, due to circumstances beyond their
control. They certainly had the talent and the songs, but it just didn't
work out for them. With 29 tracks, there's something for every guitar
pop fan. All the tracks are raw and primitive, but not sloppy. And each
song, written by leader Alan Hammonds, has so much snap, crackle, and
pop, you'll be stuffed silly by the time Disc Two ends. "Can I Take the
Car Tonight" sounds like it could've been at least a regional hit way
back then! "While the 1979-1981 material is in stereo, the earlier 1977
recordings are in mono, enhancing the experience for the fan, while
irritating the audiophiles at the same time! "Fighting My Way Back"
musically resembles a mix 'tween power pop favorites Bram Tchaikovsky and the Records
"If Looks Could Kill," "Big Boys Don't Cry," and "Get Off the
Telephone" are such nice, hooky little songs, that you have to wonder
why no major label snapped them up. Though the sound quality is
debatable in a few places, the songs speak for themselves. AMG
Take Three is the debut album from Kingston/ Worcester Park Mod/Power Pop band The Past Tense.
If I had a box of nails, this album would hit every single one of them on the head! I grew up loving bands like The Jam, The Chords, Prisoners, Milkshakes etc, and so to, quite clearly, did Andy, Ken and Nuts.
Opening track "Feeling Bad" wouldn't be out of place on The Jam's All Mod Cons album. The song is about a bad relationship and the sigh of relief when it is over, delivered with all the energy and passion you would expect from Mr Weller himself.
One of the standout tracks, and there are many of these, on the album is "Jimmy's Love Song" which as you may guess is a tribute to Quadrophenia and The Who. This song and tribute is is executed with real flair and Ken's bass work is excellent, you could almost imagine that Mr Entwistle had stepped in for the session.....which obviously we knew he couldn't have!!
The Past Tense don't just revel in the late 70's and early 80's Mod revival Power Pop sound, there is clearly a love of 60's garage which you can hear on tracks like The Wolfman for which this excellent video was made.
Not by any means a young band,THE PAST TENSE offer a very welcome alternative to
the dour state of current musical fads by offering an enthusiastic, energetic and exciting take
on the Power pop/mod revival sound of the 80"s and a lively and fun nod
to the Garage greats, Past and Present.
All in all this is a really great debut album from the band, they clearly wear their influences openly and proudly on their sleeves....and rightly so!
"Take Three" is a limited pressing of just 200 albums and from the interest I have seen on this album, they will be sold out very quickly, so if you like what you see, hear and read, order yourself a copy without delay!
The
Past Tense are playing live Friday 8th of June at the "12 Bar" Denmark Street in London. The band
are on at 11.00pm. It is an ace venue, the smallest stage in London and the place is a sweat box when full, so if you are in the area then get down there and enjoy the party!
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