I have received a few T-shirts from some of the featured bands on the blog and this got me to thinking about how T-Shirts figure in music and for bands to spread their name and music, so I have started a sister blog to "Ice Cream Man" featuring a gallery of T-shirts, mostly ones I own, you can view it here: http://powerpoptshirt.blogspot.se/
If you would like to submit any pictures of your own to help build the gallery up, please drop me an e mail to icecreammanpowerpop@hotmail.com
I have been fortunate enough to see "Leaders Off" perform tracks from their first album "Giant Guitar" and also tracks from "Yr Band Suck." This band live is second to none, offering great music coupled with an exciting and energetic performance, with singer Simon Gustafsson often leaving the stage to dance and mingle with the crowd much to the delight of the audience, who leave the venue at the end of the evening with beaming smiles, satisfied in the knowledge that they have just witnessed one of Swedens best, up and coming bands.
Hailing from Vänersborg in the west of Sweden "Leaders Off" formed in 2003 having become inspired by the likes of Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth. The young five piece set about creating their very own mix of chaotic melodies and wrote literally hundereds of songs, which they eventually whittled down to 12 tracks to form their exciting debut album "Giant Guitar." The album was recorded at Welfare Studios in Gothenburg by Per Stålberg of Division Of Laura Lee , Peter Bader and Olle Björk.
Photo: Kristoffer Hedberg
"Giant Guitar" received positive reviews across the whole of Europe and beyond and expectations were high with the release of "Yr Band Suck" which was released this summer, "The album is more of everything you liked with Giant Guitar" says front man Simon Gustafsson.
I think that we can safely say that our expectations have been met........and exceeded, with this release!
Leaders Off are: Simon Järpvik, Fredrik Aghem, Mattias Fransson, Kristoffer Björkman, Simon Gustafsson
Contact, befriend, like and love "Leaders off" here: Facebook
Stream and share tracks from "Yr Band Suck" here: Bandcamp
(Also listen to the bands debut "Giant Guitar" and other releases at Bandcamp too)
Quite how Lannie Flowers managed to fly under the "Ice Cream Man" radar is beyond me, but in my defence, I only started the blog last September and the prequel to this album, "Same Old Story" was released back in 2008. "Same Old Story" was an album of 30 or so song snippets from which Lannie's fans then chose what they wanted to hear full length versions of, and so, via one more full length release, "Circles" we now come to the latest release containing 7 songs as voted for by fans of the man globally and 2 extra's from that era.
I have to say that this is a remarkable album full of really great power pop, the only downside is that it is only a 9 track album, but then you know what they say, "Keep them wanting more!" Well, this listener wants more and thankfully Lannie sent me a copy of "Circles" which not only rectified my previous heinous oversight of Lannie, but gave me more of this very talented individuals music for my listening pleasure. Happy days indeed!
I can see this album making many top ten lists at the end of the year, it will certainly be in mine!
Lannie Flowers is from Kennedale, a small working class Texas town full of wrecking yards, garbage dumps, and an abundance of churches for an interesting blend of rough characters and church-going folk.
When Lannie was twelve years old, a friend living up the street got an electric guitar. After seeing all the girls oohing and ahhing at show and tell, Lannie immediately told him that they needed to start a band. Three months later they had their first gig, and suddenly, high-school girls were talking to him. From that moment on, other distractions weren't a priority to Lannie anymore.
Working in a warehouse for a couple of years while attending Tarrant County Junior College, Lannie knew he didn't want a regular job. He dropped out of college and became a full-time musician, going on the road off and on for the next thirteen years. It was the only thing he could see himself doing.
Contact, befriend, like and love Lannie Flowers here: Facebook
Check out everthing, buy the album, stream the album buy a fantastic Lannie flowers underground T shirt at Lannie Flowers official site here: http://www.lannieflowers.com/index.html
"Introducing Ruby Free" is a lush arrangement of songs that evoke feelings of nostalgia of music and times gone by, with echoes of "ELO" and "Wings" even some of "The Who's" later offerings, (check out the intro to "Three Cheers For The Sun God") playing on the radio, but better, so much better!
This collection of sun drenched songs really hit the spot, sweet harmonies, well crafted lyrics and songs, this isn't a grower and there isn't a filler track in sight, this album is purely and simply, beautifully immediate.
Somewhere, deep in the valley, just northwest of Los Angeles, lives a family. Together they grow tomatoes, grapes, and very large lemons. They have visitors from time to time like raccoons, snakes, coyotes, and possums. They also have a little husband and wife band called Ruby Free.
The players are Rick Hromadka and Lisa Cavaliere. Rick hails from veteran LA power pop bands Double Naught Spies and
Maple Mars.
Lisa is an ex-choir girl, whose unique vocal stylings bring to mind Suzanna Hoffs. Their debut album "Introducing Ruby Free" is a delicious
blend of Paul and Linda McCartney melodies and sunny "Laurel Cyn" harmonies, producing a familiar yet new distinctive sound. The upbeat
theme of the album captures a band not taking itself too seriously, and living in the moment.
A three time Emmy Award winning sound editor and mixer, singer/songwriter/producer Rick Hromadka took a lo-fi approach to the production, and the songs echo tones of 1970's radio. Pulling back on "the gloss" was key! Lisa, who comes from a family of singers, adds a delicate female perspective to songs like Bongos And Beards, Deep In Valley, and Three Cheers For The Sun God. Her lead vocal on the infectious "Tiny Stars" hallmarks her range.
Rick Hromadka's last album "Galaxyland" (Maple Mars) drew quotes like, "Album of the year" - Bill Kopp (Musosribe), "A psychedelic masterpiece" - Mike Lidskin (Twirl Radio), "Somewhere between Brian Wilson's Smile and Big Star" - Robert Kinsler (Orange County Times). Critics are already anticipating the July 31st release of "Introducing Ruby Free", and the warm fuzzy sound will have everyone singing along soon!
Some of the best recommendations come from like minded friends with a mutual love of music and that is where The Hardtops came to me from (Thanks Isabel!) and hopefully you will also enjoy this upbeat, energetic, rocking band from Madrid in Spain. I have said it before and I will say it again, what are they putting in the water down there?
The Hardtops are a band from Madrid, Spain that blends Power Pop, Rock'n'Roll and Punk-Rock. The band consists of five guys who share a passion for melody and distortion. They all knew each other from other local bands, so when the project started it took shape in almost no time. In august they recorded their first ep, with four songs that define their sound.
A Fragile Tomorrow release "Kernersville" today as a FREE DOWNLOAD and features their friends in The Bangles and The Cowsills, as well as Mitch Easter himself on guitar, if this single is a reflection of things to come, then we are certainly in for a treat come the release of the long player in January, jangly guitar, hook laden melodies and harmonies galore, fantastic!
Charleston, SC powerpop band A Fragile Tomorrow returns with their long awaited 4th studio album, 'Be Nice Be Careful', on January 8th, 2013 via Piewillie Records. Produced by the legendary Mitch Easter (R.E.M.) and Ted Comerford, the 14-song set highlights the band's energetic brand of harmony driven, hook-laden pop.
"We really wanted to make a record that was spontaneous and fun; something that sounded like a jangly pop band playing in a room together" says principal songwriter and singer Sean Kelly. "Working with Mitch and Ted allowed us to open ourselves up creatively and do these songs the way we originally envisioned. It was the best experience we've ever had making a record".
After three full-length albums and numerous high profile tours with the likes of the Indigo Girls, The Bangles, Matthew Sweet, and Antigone Rising, the band is ready to release what they feel is their best work to date. Full of classic powerpop jangle reminiscent of Teenage Fanclub, Big Star, and Jellyfish, 'Be Nice Be Careful' represents a band with a clear love of pop music.
Kelly says that with the January 8th release of 'Be Nice Be Careful', he hopes to "show people that we're finally the kind of band we've always wanted to be, and we made the record to back that up." With guest appearances from Bangles Vicki and Debbi Peterson, Susan Cowsill, Don Dixon, and Indigo Girl Amy Ray, 'Be Nice Be Careful' is an album that pop and rock fans alike will undoubtedly put on repeat for days. For more information on A Fragile Tomorrow, the new album, and tour dates, please visit http://afragiletomorrow.com.
The Newds are currently finishing of their latest offering of a new EP which will hopefully be with us here in about 6 weeks for review and then the band will be working on their next full length LP for release sometime next year.
For now, please enjoy the video for the single "Go Getter" which I think you will agree is very good and the video is very amusing too!
Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Newds here: Facebook
Find The Newds first album The First Strike here: itunes
