Groovy Uncle featuring Suzi Chunk - One Vowel Away From The Truth. OUT NOW.

Every now and then a record comes along that seems to transport me back in time and this is one such record.

 After playing the first few tracks, I started reminiscing about sitting in a coffee shop somewhere around the end of the sixties or the very early seventies and I distinctly remembering the radio playing in the shop and it was playing songs, that I now know to be, Lovin' Spoonful, The Beatles (who I was already aware of even then), Dusty Springfield and a whole load of other great songs.

 I have no idea where we were going that day or why but I remember hearing that radio and the songs that were played really struck a chord and that music of that era has stayed with me ever since.

 So why did this record take me back to that magical moment?  Well, probably because it has, firstly great songs and secondly they give a very healthy nod to that era of great music that I love every bit as much as Groovy Uncle obviously does, the music is timeless really though, like jeans and T-shirts are to fashion.

Suzi Chunk has a voice that is very powerful and not dis-similar to Dusty Springfield, I reviewed her album "Girl From The Neck Down" on the blog and absolutely fell in love with it and I think I am right in saying that her band on that album was Groovy Uncle and they really are a fantastic pairing.

"One Vowel Away From The Truth" was recorded at the Sandgate Sound studio in Kent using vintage anologue equipment which gives the album a real warmth that you simply can't capture with digital equipment and the production is fantastic.  The album is driven along from start to finish with horns, harpsichord and a whole array of instruments that you may not be expecting but fits in beautifully with the concept of making an album with a retro sixties sound.

In summary, this is one of the best albums out there that wasn't recorded in the sixties, in my humble opinion, of course, the only thing that gives it away as not being from that era is some of the terminology used in the lyrics, but that sits just fine with me, we can say that we have a great record from our time too.

I would definately recommend this album to any of my friends looking to discover something new, this is, without a doubt, one of my favourite records of the year and I am sure it will continue to be so for many years to come.

You can check out a few of the songs from the album over on the Groovy Uncle facebook page, give them a like and share the love: HERE

Buy the album here: Ebay or here Official Website

The Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More Show - Radio Andra #2

The Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More Show - Radio Andra #2

Featuring an interview with Ian Person of Union Carbide Productions and The Soundtrrack Of Our Lives talking about his new solo project The Ian Person band and more.

The Undertones - Teenage Kicks

Grimm Generation - Earthquake Hurricane flood and you

The Lambrettas - Cortina MkII

The Specials - A Message To You Rudy

Reigning Monarchs - Black Sweater Massacre

The Royal Flares - Bad Part Of Town

Hector and The Leaves - Problems

Groovy Uncle Feat. Suzy Chunk - The Money Shot

Mark Crozer and The Rels - Tell Me You Want Me

Ian Person Interview featuring songs by:

George Harrison - Isn't it a pity

Ian Person Band - Get Up and rule Your World

Ian Person Band - Let's Get Lost

Ian Person Band - A Heartache Coming On.

Candy Strypers - Neon Strange

The Flamin' Groovies - Yes It's True

Stephen Lawrenson - Sun Is On Its Way

Dot Dash - Here's to the ghosts of the past

Gallileo 7 - Ella

Cotton Mather - Password (Work Demo)

Small Faces - Almost Grown

The Turnback - What She Said

Len Price 3 - Sailors Sweetheart

Fallen Leaves - Passing by

The Wellingtons - Freak Out

The Lolas - Ballerina Breakout

The Sensibles - A Bunch Of Animals - OUT OCTOBER 12th!

They say the best things in life come to those who wait and after hearing this bands debut EP, I waited and waited, spoke to members of the band trying to find out when the next musical installment was coming, and then I waited some more and then all of a sudden the band contacted me with the news that a new album was coming out on the 12th of October this year, a year and a month after I reviewed the bands debut EP and oh boy, was it worth the wait.

The band very kindly sent me an advance copy of the album to listen to and it took my breath away and not in a T-Pau sort of way either.  This record starts off at a 100 miles per hour and stays there, not one track goes over the 3 minute mark, the only track that comes close, clocks in at 2 minutes at 58 seconds which in my mind makes this a perfect Rock 'n' Roll record and a party of an album, in fact the first track would have you believe that this is exactly what they had in mind.

The album powers along with each track leaving you breathless and before you even get your breath back, the next track kicks in and towards the end of the album you are exhausted, at which point you go straight back to track one and start it all over again 

 This is infectious, catchy, uptempo full on power pop punk sometimes reminding me of The Rezillos or Shonen Knife but it is very much The Sensibles, even though it is as mad as any hatter you are likely to meet, do I like it?  I f*cking love it!  

This is not re-inventing the wheel, you are not going to hear any new fandangled concept, just well oiled cogs playing straight up Rock 'n' Roll, the wheel doesn't need reinventing, it just needs to be rolled and rolled fast and The Senisbles do just that, and now, now I start waiting for the next installment from this Italian four piece, whilst meanwhile pogoing the night away with the album on repeat.

The album will be released on Rijapov Records and can be pre-ordered here: rijapov@gmail.com

In the meantime, you can follow, contact, like, love and possibly hear a few more of the tracks prior to the release here: Facebook

All links for the band:

http://thesensibles666.bandcamp.com/
http://twitter.com/thesensibles
http://www.reverbnation.com/thesensibles
http://www.myspace.com/thesensibles
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/106166572439282675591/

The Sensibles......no, really!

The Reigning Monarchs - Black Sweater Massacre OUT NOW!

The Reigning Monarchs latest album was released on the 24th of September and once again this band ticks all the boxes for the perfect album which plays like a film soundtrack to your day, your life, your anything!

The band are packing venues wherever they play right now and it is no surprise, the music is fast, exciting, stimulating and catchy.

The album was funded by fans of the band and to hi-light how dedicated their fans are, they raised 30k dollars, the goal was to raise 10k.  

The guys are now going to make a feature length documentary and take the album out on the road and wear black sweaters for the duration of both projects.

While their music and live shows stand on their own the band has made a habit of to featuring guest vocalists at shows.  The Monarchs' versatility and musicality has seen them backing the likes of Norah Jones, Aimee Mann, alternative country heartthrob Rhett Miller as well as comedians and actors like Ben Stiller, Marc Maron, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jason Segel.  

As Greg and Mike release the new album, their story of two dads in their 40s attempting to juggle families, careers, and the perhaps foolish dream of being the world's greatest (and best dressed) instrumental rock band is being documented for an upcoming film tentatively titled, Eat Pray Ska!

The Reigning Monarchs shall conquer all!

I am absolutely sure that this album will become a firm favourite for Surf Punk lovers everywhere, this is an instant instrumental classic with horns, I mean the instruments, of course!

Stream and buy the album here: Bandcamp

Official Site: thereigningmonarchs.com

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Reigning Monarchs here: Facebook

Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More debut show on Swedens Radio Andra.

The Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More show on Swedens Radio Andra.

Double click on the title in the player to go to the Podomatic page to get track details.

Win a "Death Valley Rally" EP.

Our friends over at Planting Seeds Records have given us 3 copies of "Death Valley Rally's" debut EP for a competition, simple to enter, simply like "Death Valley Rally's" facebook page (lnks below) and send me an e-mail address with your full name.  Planting Seeds Records will be passed the names and will draw three lucky winners at random next Thursday.  Good luck.

Like Death Valley Rally's facebook page here to enter: Facebook

Send your name and valid e-mail address to me here: icecreammanpowerpop@hotmail.com

Keep up with all the Planting Seeds Records releases here: Facebook

Keep up with the Ice Cream Man blog activity here: Facebook

The Grimm Generation - The Big Fame. OUT NOW!

"The Big Fame" is the second full length release from this Connecticut outfit and this release finds the band shifting up to top gear and pressing the accelerator firmly to the floor.

Carmen Champagne and Jason P Krug started the band as an outlet for suburban tales of menace that they came to recognize. Love lust and longing, addiction, poverty and lives lived online all became fuel for the duo's form or carnal rock.

With the new album the band continue to identify the oddities of modern life in society, Carmen's distinctive vocals add a somewhat haunting touch to the proceedings, which is lifted by Jason's driving acoustic guitar to a less scary place.....until you listen to the lyrics of course.

I have been a fan of The Grimm Generation since my first listen, immediately hooked onto the concept of the "Grimm Twins" (as Carmen and Jason refer to themselves) song writing and of course, with their chosen subject matter for their music, we are assured a longevity for the band and for that I am actually grateful that society is a little bit odd, well, very odd, but "Rock 'N' Roll" all the same.

I asked Carmen and Jason to pick a song off the album and tell us something exclusively about it, they chose the albums second track "The Next Indie Boy," but before we hear what they have to say, let's take a listen to the song.

 

The Grimm Twins on 'The Next Indie Boy'

(Jason) What we tend to write about is what we know. So were light on GeoPolitics (as we aren't especially bright) and tend to have faith in the The Sex and The Drugs and The Rock And Roll versus The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. And, on occasion, we will write about each other.

(Carmen) Hmm, right...on occasion.

(Jason) 'The Next Indie Boy' was a song Carmen wrote while observing a long online break up between me and an ex. The idea was a song for the ex stating 'don't worry about it. Another singer will come along...'. Which I did not appreciate. But...it was so good. The lyrics so perfectly capture that morning/mourning after effect of a break up, when all the memories are fresh and the ex's things still fill your bedroom. More specific, the line about 'your work shirt lying around...' which I thought nailed that feeling in real time.

(Carmen) Indeed, Jason's break up was the inspiration, but it could have been me or any number of women who find they want to move on from a relationship but they just can't let go of what could have been. The gamut of emotions, from despair to indignation to flat out frustration of not being able to move on that you feel during that time runs alongside the chorus (I just can't shake it) quite nicely, I think.

(Jason) Bringing the band in to the studio for 'The Next Indie Boy', we amped it up, faster, more driving, more Rock and Roll...and came up with a sound that can't be compared to any bands I know, but purely pop music. (Carmen) The overlay of words that Jason came up with in the bridge, the 'he says" version of the story, is just two sentences. That, to me, was delicious as it fit the dynamic of an unrequited love so wonderfully: growing the object of affection into a myth. Meanwhile, the myth already has his hands up another skirt.

(Jason) Regarding the video, its a tribute / obvious rip off of The Replacements 'Left Of The Dial' video.

(Carmen) Always go for the cheap thrill.

Contact, befriend, follow, like, love, become a part of The Grimm Generation here: Facebook

Buy and download The Big Fame here: cdbaby and itunes

Official Website: www.thegrimmgeneration.com