TENPOLE TUDOR/Made It This Far CD Review

For over three decades, I've been a fan of this British gent who goes by the names Ed Tudor Pole and Ed Tenpole. Most people know him as the frontman for Tenpole Tudor, one of the most entertaining and under-appreciated 'Rock' bands of the early '80s.

From the time I heard his wildly eccentric debut recordings on Sex Pistols' The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle soundtrack ("Who Killed Bambi?" and 'Rock Around The Clock") to the two albums the band released on Stiff Records in 1980 and '81 (Eddie, Old Bob, Dick & Garry and Let The Four Winds Blow), there was nothing 'average' about Tenpole Tudor. Like Marc Bolan (T.Rex) before him, Eddie took average Rock 'n' Roll chord changes and turned them upside down, adding elements that other musicians were either too stupid or too studied to add to their three-chord rockers. Of course, Tenpole Tudor sounded NOTHING like T. Rex, but both bands took simplicty and created something special out of it.

I was devasted when Tenpole Tudor broke up after their sophomore album. But then I was pleasently surprised when Eddie released his single, "The Hayrick Song", at the same time as his former bandmates, now renamed The Tudors, released their single "Tied Up With Lou Cool"! I was overjoyed that out of one band, we'd be getting two great acts! But alas, that's the last we heard of either of them....

Eddie has continued to be involved with music, although very little info has drifted over to the U.S. He's even been an emcee at Punk shows, festivals and such, which has managed to help remind people of his musical legacy. But before anyone labels Eddie a Punk, think again. Eddie has a DIY/Punk ethic, but his true inspiration lies in Rock 'n' Roll. Tenpole Tudor, the band, were only punks in spirit. Go back and give 'em another listen and you'll hear a great, loud Rock 'n' Roll band with heart.

So, 28 years after their last album, Tenpole Tudor has returned with the excellent 'new' album Made It This Far. The tracks on the album were recorded over a 20+ year period at different studios, with different budgets but the outcome is a treat for fans of the band and the man.

While Eddie remains the only 'original' member of the line-up that created the first two albums, it is very apparent that he was, and will always be, the true heart and soul of the band. The songwriting, dynamics, harmonies and unbriddled energy is still intact, although the huge, sometimes overbearing, wall of guitars from the old days have been stripped away, allowing the songs to breathe a little easier. And the songs are really what matters in the end...

Made It This Far is not a Rockabilly album, nor is it an acoustic album, a Punk album or a straight Rock 'n' Roll album: it is all of these and more! With his energy, attitude, songwriting skills and voice intact, Eddie and his new (and revolving) cast of merry men have created a 16 track album that may the most consistent Tenpole Tudor album to date! Now, don't get me wrong, I still love and stand by the two original albums but almost every track here is more than worthy of the Tenpole legacy and the album has a comfortable flow that allows the listener to drift along with it.

While it may not have the BIG production of the early albums, Eddie has taken his original vision and continued with it regardless of the ever-changing musical landscape. These songs could have been created by no one else but Eddie Tenpole. Or Eddie Tudor Pole. Whatever you wanna call him.

Eddie is at the forefront of every song, although he is ably assisted by guitars, fiddles, bass, accordians, drums and any other instrument they could bring into the studio.

"Yippee Yi Yay", a re-recording of the non-album "Real Fun", "Mohican" and the title track are just a few of the standouts. Eddie's vocal on "Such Desire" is certainly one of his best, proving that he has still got 'it' in spades!

Made It This Far? Yes, you have, Eddie! GO TENPOLE!

There are no clips of tracks from the album available on youtube, but here's a track that represents what Eddie is all about:

Wunderbar,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

Where have all the record stores gone? MUSIC MARKET on myspace!

MUSIC MARKET, the late, great record store that was located in Costa Mesa (on Harbor & Adams) has a myspace page! Well, one of the former employees has a Music Market myspace page, actually, but it's way cool. Features some pics from inside the store, which brings back fond memories!

Back in the late '70s and early '80s, Music Market was my Disneyland!


MySpace - Music Market - 21 - Female - COSTA MESA, California - myspace.com/musicmarket92626

P.S. This pic is from the site and features former employees of this grand establishment. I am not one of them!

LET THEM KNOW: THE STORY OF YOUTH BRIGADE AND BYO RECORDS box sets! Coming 9/22/2009

Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records

DVD/CD/Coffee Table Book DVD/2LP/Coffee Table Book

A lasting tribute and testament to over 25 years of BYO, Youth Brigade and the DIY spirit that has inspired and continues to inspire so many to change the world... Told through interviews and rare footage of the explosive LA punk rock scene from the 80's until now, Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records is a full length documentary feature film that looks at the last 25 years of the influential L.A. Punk band Youth Brigade and BYO Records. This movie documents the early L.A. punk and D.I.Y. scene. Riots, harassment from the law, amazing bands, crazy stories, and best of all, The Sterns Family's earnest desire to change the world through punk rock are captured in this moving documentary.

Founded by brothers, Shawn and Mark Stern from the band Youth Brigade, the BYO was part political movement, part business venture that began as a way to organize punks to take positive action to help sustain their scene and their way of life. The ideals upon which BYO was founded helped countless bands put on shows, release records, and otherwise get their music out to the world. It allowed for the making of the landmark punk documentary Another State of Mind and it spawned BYO Records, which stands today as one of the oldest surviving independent punk rock labels in the world.

BYO, Youth Brigade, and the Stern family are three intertwined entities that comprise one of the too-often-overlooked chapters in the history of punk.

Interviews with Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat, founder of Dischord Records), Fat Mike (NOFX, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, founder of Fat Wreck Chords), Steve Soto (Adolescents, Manic Hispanic), Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), Gary Tovar (founder of Goldenvoice Promotions), Brendan Mullen (founder of The Masque Club, author of Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and The Germs), members of The Bouncing Souls, Swingin' Utters, 7 Seconds, and many others involved in the So Cal Punk Scene.

Let Them Know... comes in two different configurations. Both feature the documentary DVD (with bonus material) and a beautiful coffee table book containing photos, quotes and more. One box is available with a 31 track CD while the other contains two colored vinyl LPs with those 31 tracks spread over four sides!

GREAT BUILDINGS/Apart From The Crowd CD review

Back in '79, PUNK ROCK had seemingly run it's course but certainly had made a huge impact on the charts. There were still plenty of worthy Punk bands from all over the world (and still are) but, although the Punk scene had kick-started the indie label scene, the major labels tended to avoid all but the most melodic of the Punk breed (The Clash, The Jam, 999, Buzzccocks, The Stranglers, etc.).

Slowly but surely, the musicians that were energized by the whole movement began creating a new sound that retained the energy of Punk but added melodic hooks and a clean, commercial polish. This sound was called NEW WAVE and it became one of the biggest musical movements since... well, Punk! The New Wave sound was a lot easier to promote and had a better chance of chart action, so the major labels began snapping up any band capable of writing a catchy hook.

One of New Wave's most respected 'sub-categories' was Power Pop. Power Pop was certainly not new, since early '70s bands like Raspberries and Badfinger had achieved great success years earlier but the scene was re-energized when The Knack became the first Power Pop superstars of the New Wave generation. In 1979, their single "My Sharona" and the album Get The Knack became major hits and practically every label started searching the underground New Wave nightclubs for 'the next Knack'.

Thankfully, there were plenty of worthy bands to sign including 20/20, The Plimsouls, The Beat (AKA Paul Collins' Beat) and many many others. Even quirky outfits like Jules & The Polar Bears (fronted by Jules Shear) became part of this burgeoning scene. In no time, L.A. became THE place to find the perfect Power Pop band.

Great Buildings were a quartet with roots stretching back to the mid-'70s. Vocalist Danny Wilde and bassist Ian Ainsworth had been members of the Sparks-inspired band The Quick, who had released their Mondo Deco album in 1976. The Quick actually ended up spawning some of L.A.'s finest: drummer Danny Benair, went on to help form The Three O'clock while guitarist Steven Hufsteter played in bands like The Dickies before forming The Cruzados.

But anyway, back to Great Buildings...

A while after The Quick split, Wilde and Ainsworth joined forces with guitarist Phil Solem and drummer Richard Sandford in a quartet they christened Great Buildings. Though they weren't immediately caught up in the Power Pop scene in '79, within a year, the labels came sniffing around and the band were eventually signed, releasing their debut album, Apart From The Crowd, in 1981.

And thanks to Wounded Bird, we get to experience this fab platter in all it's glory... ON CD!

Apart From The Crowd is about as perfect as a Power Pop album gets. Hell, it's a perfect Rock album and a perfect New Wave album, too! The melodies are infectious, the production is timeless and the harmonies are heavenly. The album's lead track (and single) "Hold On To Something", should have made these guys stars. It's catchy as sin and the arrangement is flawless. The energy and joy that leaps from the speakers during the song's 3 minutes and 47 seconds makes you want to go back and hear it again. And again. And again!

Thankfully, "Hold On To Something" is just the beginning of an exceptional album that definitely has stood the test of time (has it really been 28 years since this gem was released?). "One Way Out", "...And The Light Goes On", "Combat Zone" and "Love Goes Blind" are filled with all the same ingredients and also beg for repeated listenings. In fact, before you know it, 40 minutes after you push play, the album is over and you'll find yourself leaping up to start it all over again!

Robert Palmer must have felt this way since he ended up covering the track "Maybe It's You" on his Maybe It's Live release!

If you're hip to what Power Pop is all about, then this is essential listening. If you want to know what Power Pop is all about, then this is essential listening. If you just want to hear some great songs to cruise along to, then this is essential listening. If you're not picking up what I'm laying down, then let me spell it out: E-S-S-E-N-T-I-A-L!

Sadly, this is the band's sole release. They recorded a second album but it was never released and it languishes in the vaults.

Solem and Ainsworth eventually left the band, leaving Wilde and Sandford to carry on. They continued using the Great Buildings name for a few years, but the momentum was gone and they quietly split. Sadly, Sandford died a few years later.

Danny Wilde later signed a solo deal with Island, recruited Solem into his band and recorded the Great Buildings-like album The Boyfriend. Solem split again and Wilde continued as a solo artist. In 1990, Wilde and Solem reappeared on the music scene as The Rembrandts, scoring a hit with "That's Just The Way It Is Baby" and then, in 1995, hit paydirt with "I'll Be There For You", the theme song from the hit TV show, Friends!

Thus ends our lesson for today! There will be a quiz at the end of the week, so don't forget to study!

Hold on to something,

Stephen SPAZ Schnee

NEIL FINN and friends return with 7 WORLDS COLLIDE project

The first 7 Worlds Collide album, a collection of amazing musical talents from across the globe in aid of Médecins Sans Frontières, was a unique live performance experience, fusing the varied talents of a stellar cast across a range of cover versions to create a series of shows that culminated in the live album of the same name.

Seven years after that project, instigator Neil Finn has upped the ante with the new 7 Worlds Collide project, The Sun Came Out, a double album of original songs created and recorded by many of the original cast alongside notable new additions in an intense three weeks in his native New Zealand. This time the beneficiaries of this album will be Oxfam, as well as music lovers worldwide.

Familiar faces from the original album abound, Johnny Marr, Ed O’Brien and Phil Selway of Radiohead but this album, first and foremost presents the listener with new songs rather than interpretations of old favourites. The Sun Came Out also features a whole host of new guest talents such as KT Tunstall and Wilco and heart stopping firsts, including Phil Selway's songwriting and vocal debut as well as dream collaborations such as those between Johnny Marr and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy; and KT Tunstall and Neil Finn .

At the heart of the record is Neil Finn. His enthusiasm and drive persuaded the likes of celebrated producer Jim Scott, Lisa Germano, Johnny Marr and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Pat Sansone, John Stirratt and Glenn Kotche (amongst others) to spend their Christmas holiday in New Zealand and even interrupted KT Tunstall’s honeymoon in the process.

With families welcome, the studio became a constant whirl of creativity and energy throughout the three weeks allocated to create the record. Johnny Marr returned from a run on the beach with the basis of ‘Too Blue’, where Jeff Tweedy was waiting to add his talents; KT Tunstall stopped Neil retiring to his bed to complete ‘Hazel Black’; a wandering Johnny Marr added a chorus melody to Liam Finn’s ‘Red Wine Bottle’; Ed O’Brien fashioned ‘Bodhisattva Blues’ from a Tibetan chant. In this atmosphere, anything was possible and Neil’s wife Sharon found herself laying down her debut vocal on ‘Little By Little’ whilst Phil Selway also took his vocal bow and unveiled a hitherto unknown songwriting talent with his solo turn ‘The Ties That Bind Us’ in one take.

From Neil’s original doubts over the idea, “I thought, what is this? Is it just an ego thing,” came a double album of astounding collaborations for the listener and amazing memories for all those concerned in the recording. At the center of it all stands Neil Finn, too humble to take the glory himself, it is left to KT Tunstall to give the credit due to the man who made this happen: “It’s Neil. It all comes from him. There’s something about him that made everyone open up creatively.”

Jeremy Hobbs, Director of Oxfam International said: "7 Worlds Collide is a great project. I hope The Sun Came Out is a huge success. Not just because it's a unique musical experience but because each CD sold will make a difference -- raising money to fund Oxfam's work to fight poverty."

The complete tracklisting and credits for the 2-CD set is below:

Disc 1

1. Too Blue – (Johnny Marr/Jeff Tweedy) – Johnny Marr and Neil Finn vocals Elroy Finn & Glenn Kotche (drums), Phil Selway (percussion), John Stirratt (stand-up bass), Johnny Marr & Ed O’Brien (guitars), Pat Sansone (piano), Nile Marr & Neil Finn (acoustic guitars), and Lisa Germano (violins)

2. You Never Know – (Jeff Tweedy) – Jeff vocals Jeff Tweedy (acoustic & electric guitars), Glenn Kotche (drums), Pat Sansone (acoustic 12 string guitar & piano), John Stirratt (bass), Neil Finn (Wurlitzer piano, fuzz guitar), Liam Finn (additional fuzz guitar), Nels Cline (electric/slide guitar), and Mikael Jorgensen (organ/synth)

3. Little By Little – (Sharon Finn/Neil Finn) – Neil and Sharon vocals
Glenn Kotche (drums & percussion), Liam Finn (additional drums), Sharon Finn (bass), and Neil Finn (guitars, Chamberlin, Jupiter 8, marimba)

4. Learn To Crawl – (Ed O’Brien/Johnny Marr/Liam Finn/Neil Finn) – Neil and Liam vocals Glenn Kotche (drums), Ed O’Brien, Johnny Marr, Pat Sansone (acoustic guitar arpeggio), Neil Finn (bass), Pat Sansone (background harmonies), Jeff Tweedy (disembodied voice), and Lisa Germano (violin)

5. Black Silk Ribbon – (KT Tunstall/Bic Runga) – KT and Bic vocals Luke Bullen (drums, thigh slap), KT Tunstall & Bic Runga (acoustic guitars), Sebastian Steinberg (stand up & bowed bass), and Lisa Germano (violin)

6. Girl, Make Your Own Mind Up – (Don McGlashan) - Don vocals Don McGlashan (guitar), Glenn Kotche (drums), Ed O’Brien (electric guitar atmosphere), John Stirratt (bass), Ivy Rossiter (backing vocal), and Jeff Tweedy (electric guitar solo)

7. Run In The Dust – (Johnny Marr) - Johnny vocals Phil Selway (drums), Sebastian Steinberg (bass), Johnny Marr (guitar), Ed O’Brien (electric guitar), Pat Sansone (Hammond organ), Jeff Tweedy (harmonica), Neil Finn, Lisa Germano, and Pat Sansone (harmonies)

8. Red Wine Bottle – (Liam Finn/Chris Garland/Johnny Marr) - Liam vocals Glenn Kotche (drums), John Stirratt (bass), Liam Finn (acoustic guitars, guitar loops and solo, Hammond mash), Neil Finn (Hammond flourish), Johnny Marr (electric guitar), Eliza Jane Barnes & Cecilia Herbert (harmonies)

9. The Ties That Bind Us – (Phil Selway) - Phil vocals Phil Selway (acoustic guitar), Glenn Kotche (drums, percussion), Pat Sansone (acoustic guitar, celeste), Sebastian Steinberg (standup & bowed bass), Lisa Germano (violin & whisper), Don McGlashan (euphium, flugelhorn), and Jeff Tweedy (additional arrangement)

10. Reptile – (Lisa Germano) - Lisa vocals Lisa Germano (electric guitar, Theremin), Sebastian Steinberg (bass), Spencer Tweedy (drums), Glenn Kotche (toys and robots drumming), Pat Sansone (12 string guitar), Neil Finn (xylophone), Sonny Marr, Nile Marr, Sam Tweedy, Jeff Tweedy, Louise Callaghan, Emma Scott, Pearl McGlashan, mae Moreno, Sharon Finn, Julia Connolly, Sebastian Steinberg, and Milla (humans & dogs singing background vocals)

11. Bodhisattva Blues – (Ed O’Brien/Liam Finn) – Ed and Neil Finn vocals Ed O’Brien (electric guitar), Elroy Finn (drums), Liam Finn (guitar), Neil Finn (Wurlizer piano, bass), Jeff Tweedy (guitar solo, vocal response & scream), and Johnny Marr (guitar solo)

12. What Could Have Been – (Jeff Tweedy) - Jeff vocals
Glenn Kotche (drums, percussion), Jeff Tweedy (acoustic guitar), John Stirratt (bass), Neil Finn (vibes, electric guitar, harmony), and Pat Sansone (piano, Wurlitzer organ)

Disc 2

1. All Comedians Suffer – (Neil Finn) - Neil vocals Glenn Kotche (drums), Neil Finn (electric guitar), Pat Sansone (acoustic guitar), Liam Finn (bass, electric guitar, harmonies), and Jeff Tweedy (chorus fuzz, electric guitar solo)

2. Duxton Blues – (Glenn Richards) - Glenn vocals Glenn Richards (guitar), Liam Finn (drums, guitar & vocal loops), Johnny Marr (electric guitar), Sebastian Steinberg (bass), Bic Runga & Neil Finn (background vocals)

3. Hazel Black – (KT Tunstall/Neil Finn) – KT and Neil vocals KT Tunstall (acoustic guitar, handclaps, background vocals), Luke Bullen (drums, handclaps), John Stirratt (bass), Johnny Marr & Pat Sansone (electric guitars), Neil Finn (piano, harmony), Glenn Kotche (handclaps), Sonny Marr & Bic Runga (back-ground vocals)

4. Riding The Wave – (Tim Finn) – Tim vocals Tim Finn (piano), Elroy Finn (drums), Neil Finn (acoustic guitar, slide guitar, harmony), Liam Finn (harmonies), Sebastian Steinberg (bass), Johnny Marr (electric guitar), and Pat Sansone (Hammond organ)

5. The Witching Hour – (Phil Selway) - Phil vocals Phil Selway (acoustic guitar), Bic Runga & KT Tunstall (background vocals), Lisa Germano (violin), and Jeff Tweedy (Optigan organ, piano)

6. Over And Done – (John Stirratt) - John vocals John Stirratt (guitar), Glenn Kotche (drums), Pat Sansone (bass, piano), Don McGlashan (Euphonium, Flugelhorn), and Neil Finn & Pat Sansone (harmonies)

7. A Change Of Heart – (Bic Runga/Dan Wilson) – Bic vocals Bic Runga (acoustic guitar), Glenn Kotche (drums), John Stirratt (bass), Neil Finn (piano), Pat Sansone (Hammond organ), and Don McGlashan (humming)

8. Don’t Forget Me – (Pat Sansone) – Pat vocals Pat Sansone (guitar), Glenn Kotche (drums), John Stirratt (bass), and Johnny Marr (electric guitar)

9. Long Time Gone – (Don McGlashan) - Don vocals Don McGlashan (guitar), Phil Selway (drums), Pat Sansone (bass), Ed O’Brien (electric guitar), and Johnny Marr (12 string & 6 string acoustic guitars, backing vocals)

10. The Cobbler – (Elroy Finn) - Elroy vocals Elroy Finn (guitar), Lisa Germano (violin), and Sebastian Steinberg (bowed bass)

11. 3 Worlds Collide – (Glenn Kotche/Phil Selway/Neil Baldock) Glenn Kotche & Phil Selway (drums, percussion)

12. The Water – (Sebastian Steinberg) - Sebastian vocals Sebastian Steinberg (guitars, bass), Neil Finn (piano), Glenn Kotche (drums), and Johnny Marr (ghost guitar)

Produced by Jim Scott and Neil Finn, additional production Neil Baldock

About Oxfam America

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in more than 100 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. We are an affiliate of Oxfam International.

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/

THE LAUGHING DOGS/The Laughing Dogs & ...Meet Their Makers CD review!

Yes, folks, the first two albums by THE LAUGHING DOGS have been officially released on one CD, courtesy of the American Beat label.

I've been a fan of this relatively unknown band for three decades and can still remember the first time I heard each of these fab albums. In fact, I even reviewed the individual albums (then only on out of print vinyl) for All Music Guide.

Now that they've been made available on CD, I get another go round to heap my praises on these two albums... and I'll share my All Music Guide reviews with you right here on this blog!



First off, here's the review I did for the first album (The Laughing Dogs):

"Born out of the New York underground music scene of the late '70s, the Laughing Dogs were a band looking for a good time. With a cache of snappy pop songs chiefly written by main men Ronnie Carle (vocals/bass) and James Leonard (vocals/guitar), the band's sound was elegantly arranged with the help of keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Carter Catchcart, and fueled by the powerhouse drumming of Moe Potts. None of the members were new to the music scene, so each brought plenty of creative ideas and strong musicianship. By borrowing from the past, the Dogs created a timeless sound that was as exciting as the explosive punk scene, but was also completely different. This was power pop with a raw edge, yet very commercial. If Billy Joel's Glass Houses album was recorded by a band with 'street cred', then that band would have been the Laughing Dogs. "Get 'Im Outta Town" and "Reason For Love" should have been huge radio hits worldwide, both filled with catchy hooks, bubbly harmonies, and real joyous energy. "No Lies" and "It's Alright, It's OK" could have been unpretentious Steely Dan if they had been formed during the new wave era. "Round And Round" mixes classic rock clichés with a White Album flair. That's not Badfinger's Tom Evans and Joey Molland singing the chorus to "It's Just The Truth," but if you close your eyes and pretend....Even the rock and roll basics of "Johnny Contender" and "I Need A Million" are fun. A gem of an album just waiting for you to discover it." (Stephen SPAZ Schnee-All Music Guide)

And here's the review I did for the second album (The Laughing Dogs Meet Their Makers):

First off, the Laughing Dogs are funny guys. The album cover has all four band members being scolded and punished by their real-life mothers (get it?). Based on that cover alone, you've got to love these guys. But you can't read an album by its cover, can you? Fortunately, the music contained within is just as fun, even when it's more commercial than their debut. Dynamic musical arrangements, fabulous harmonies, and great songs seem to be the Dogs' forte, and they use all three very wisely. Though the rawness of the debut is missing here, the sympathetic and warm production allows the songs to breathe, and the songs can be stunning. Pop meets a funky groove with the album opener, "Zombies," with great musical interplay. With originals like "Formal Letter," "Take My Chances," and "Reach Out For Me," who needs covers like "Don't Bring Me Down" (the record company, obviously)? Carter Cathcart's "Not What I Used To Be" sounds like a power pop band doing Motown with Walter Becker producing. When the band slows everything down for a ballad ("Stand Up" and "Two Who Are Willing To Share"), you can't help but reach for the hankies! Like other 'Two Album Deal' bands of this era (ie: Four Out Of Five Doctors, Scooters, Hawks, Sorrows, Electrics, etc), fans are torn between the raw feel of the first album, and the 'label pressure' vibe of the second. Whichever way you choose, you can't lose." (Stephen SPAZ Schnee-All Music Guide)

And finally, here's the CD review (which does contain a few elements from the above... but not much):

"When I first reviewed the first two Laughing Dogs albums years ago, they were only available on black wax… and long out of print. Heck, I was certain that no label would ever be brave or smart enough to actually put these albums out on CD! But, lo and behold, American Beat has risen to the occasion and now you can own these two great Power Pop albums on one CD. Though they never made much of a dent in the charts, the Dogs’ reputation as skilled musicians is legendary. The fact that they would masquerade as The Kojaks (complete with bald caps) and be their own opening act is STILL talked about! But none of this holds a candle to their knack for serving up melodic hooks galore on these two albums.
The quartet’s 1979 self-titled debut was energetic and laced with musical nods to their ‘60s influences, right down to the production. Still, the band were able to maintain their own identity and forge a ‘Laughing Dogs’ sound, especially with album opener “Get ‘im Outta Town” (a sound which they fully explored on their second album). Apart from that lead-off track, album highlights include the Pop-errific “Reason For Love”, “No Lies” and the Beatles-esque “Low Life”.
Their sophomore album, …Meet Their Makers, was released in 1980 and showed a maturity in the band’s songwriting and arrangements. Though the rawness of the debut is missing here, the sympathetic and warm production allows the songs to breathe, and they are often stunning. With originals like "Formal Letter," "Take My Chances," “Zombies” and "Reach Out For Me," who needs covers like "Don't Bring Me Down" (the only lukewarm tune here). When the band slows everything down for a ballad ("Stand Up" and "Two Who Are Willing To Share"), you can't help but reach for the Bic lighter!
This Laughing Dogs two-fer is an essential purchase for any Power Pop and Rock music fan. Although they may have been lumped in with the other New York-based Punk and New Wave bands from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, the Laughing Dogs were a Rock ‘n’ Roll band at heart and this excellent release proves it." (Stephen SPAZ Schnee-All Music Guide)

And, finally, here's a clip of the band performing the fabulous "Get 'im Outta Town":

So, do you own this CD already? What are you waiting for?

Get Spaz Outta Town,

Stephen SPAZ Schnee

BANANARAMA/Love Comes: the NEW video!

Yep, BANANARAMA are back with a new album (Viva) due later in September. Here's the video for "Love Comes", the first single lifted from the album!