This Perfect Day - s/t

Name: This Perfect Day
Album: s/t
Year: 1995
Style: Power Pop, 
Similar Bands: Journey, Gin Blossoms, Foreigner, OK-Go, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Matthew Sweet, Sloan, Ash, Keane
"One-Word" Review: Overproduced Alt-Pop Radio.
Based Out Of: Skelleftea, Sweden

Label: Orchard Lane Music, Soap Records

Lyrics & Liner Notes

CD Back, CD, Lyrics

Back & Liner Photos

Cover & Liner Photo

This Perfect Day (1995)

1. Teenage Monster 3:11 (single)
2. Can't You See 4:12 (Single)
3. Headache 3:45
4. I'm In Love 4:04 (Single)
5. Revolution 4:33 (Single)
6. Jesus On Your Side 3:19
7. In My Bed 4:18 (Single)
8. December Snow 3:40
9. Sandra 3:33
10. Drinks & Dreams 3:40
11. Everybody Knows 6:03

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5 

Members & Other Bands:

• Mats Erikson - Vox
• Ove Markstrom Guitar, Harmonica, Backing Vox (The Kuikkos, A Brewer)
• Ralph Tjarnlund - Drums
• Johan Nilsson - Keys, Guitar, Percussion, Backing Vox, Mixing (Takida, Marc & Ploids, The Wannadies, Shape Shifter)
• Peter Fahlgren - Bass (Holger Danske)
• Rickard Johansson - Guitar, Backing Vox, Mixing (Two Piece Puzzle)
• Adam Kviman - Recording, Producer, Mixing 
• Bobby Z - Mixing, Exec Producer
• Tom Garneau - Engineer
• Waldemar Kaaling - Recording, Mixing
• Chris Bellman - Mastering
• Sabastian Oberg - Strings (Algarnas Tradgard, Flaskkvartetten, Fleshquartert, Kofia, PITT, Stadion Der Jugend, Tant Strul, Demian D, Obobo Goateatern, Reeperbahn, Johan Lindell, Anne-Lie Ryde, Imperiet, TV-Piraterna, Di Leva, First Cab, Bark, Pushtwangers, Marie & Wildwood Flowers, Riki Sorsa, Ulf Lundell, Underland, Kajsa Grytt, Malena Jonsson, Moondog, Mercury Motors, Martin Rossel, Freddie W, Monica Tornell, Thastrom, Marty Willson-Piper, Fred Asp, Stonecake, LPC, Clawfinger, Nymphet Noodlers, Dicte, Tobias Sjogren, Drain, Landberk, Twice A Man, Eagle Eye Cherry, Monostar, Backyard Babies, Yoga, Christian Walz, Algarnas Tradagard, Pusjkins, Anne Sofie Von Otter, Nils Landgren, Flasket Brinner, Niels Jensen, Sophia Hardig, Beezewax, Kerli, Fatboy, Freddie Wadling, Promise and the Monster, 
• Orjan Hobberg - Strings (Anima, Flaskkvartetten, Fleshquarter, Vasteras Sinfonietta, Kjell Hansson, Stadion, Tant Strul, Pushtwangers, Kajsa Grytt, Malena Jonsson, Moondog, Thomas Lindahl, Imperiet, Thastrom, Mercury Motors, Dicte, Tobias Sjogren, Christer Bothen, Testuo Furudate, Christian Walz, Thomas Rusiak, Anne Sofie Von Otter, Nils Landgren, Robyn, Jeanette Lindsrom, Abba, Beezewax, Promise and the Monster, Kerli, Fatboy, Beatundercontrol, Jessica pilnas, Stupidity, Freddie Wadling, Jay-Jay Johanson, Lars Demian)
• Mattias Hellden - Strings (Bitter Funeral Beer Band, Flaskkcartetten, Fleshquartet, Rattan Frittz, Cyndee Peters, Tore Berger, Bengt Berger, Stadion, Tant Strul, Christer Bothen, Taller Chile, Mariela, Bolon Bata, Pushtwangers, Kajsa Grytt, Malena Jonsson, Moondog, Imperiet, Mercury Motors, Thastrom, Stonecake, Dicte, Tobias Sjogren, Thomas Rusiak, Anne Sofie Von Otter, Nils Landgren, Tomas Mera Gartz, jeanette Lindstrom, Robyn, Kin, Bitter Funeral beer Band, Kerli, Jessica Pilnas, Jukka Rintamaki, Agamon)
• Lars Tengroth - Exec Producer
• Stress Lab - Design
• Maria Linden - Assistant
• Cissi Gronberg - Assistant
• Engso Castle - Archive Photo
• Hacks Backstrom - Accountant

Unknown-ness: I don't think i've heard of them? Maybe i have, as they sounds like a pop punk or emo band, but i may be just thinking of Saves the Day. Either way, a bunch of young white kids with Norwegian sounding names is probably, based on their picture, fast paced pop punk with perhaps a slow song to show their emo soft side. 

Album Review:  The band is not either Blink 182 pop-punk or Sunny Day emo...they are a blender of styles that feels built for radio, with catchy hooks lyrically and musically, harmonies, and an all around non threatening steady beat. "December Snow," the jesus song, and album ender "Everybody Knows" have authentic 80's Journey-like arena-pop base and buzzing Pop-Punk guitars. And "I'm In Love" has a nice Brit Pop / Suede guitar hook that is unfortunately mixed a bit far to the back. "Revolution" sounds a little like the Life Of Agony song "My Mind is Dangerous."

This is the second of five albums from the Swedish band, spanning 1987 - 2006, and the first in the US. Because it was made for the US market, some of the songs were remixed, but not to everyone's liking.

Stand Out Track: I'm In Love

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Facebook

Spotify

Rate Your Music

Tasties (The) - Shy Down Girl

Name: The Tasties
Album: Shy Down Girl
Year: 1999
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Ween, GBV, Redd Kross, Posies, Lemonheads, Ramones, Pixies, Dramarama
"One-Word" Review: Brashy In Your Face Catchy Jams
Based Out Of: Dayton, OH
Label: Rockathon Records

Cover & Back

Lyrics, CD Back, CD

Shy Girl Down (1999)

1. Shy Girl Down 2:38
2. Lotuc House 2:14
3. It's the Love 2:23
4. Face 2:54
5. Over and Over 2:28
6. Mystery of Life 2:05
7. Laura 2:22
8. Bag 1:51
9. Mary Go Round 2:41
10. Porcelain Green 2:08
11. Collision 2:22
12. Just Like a Briar 1:08
13. Tits on Fire 2:08
14. Ooh 1:53
15. Just Call Me Crazy 2:25
16. You Against Me 3:04

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Nate Farley - Producer
• John Shough - Producer, Engineer
• Todd Prenat - Exec Producer
• Bob Pollard - Sequencing (Guided By Voices)
• Tere Lerma - Lyrics, Vox, Bass, Guitar (Lexo & the Leapers)
• Gale Bonham - Guitar, Bass (Lexo & the Leapers, Robert Pollard)
• Luis Lerma - Drums (Rockafellas, Team Void, The Amps, Pleasures Pale, The Dates, The Breeders, Venus Love Circut, New Creatures)
• Brett Owsley - Keys (Robert Pollard)
• Randy Prenat - Photos
• Greg Holsten - Photos
• Bill Mathews - Cover Art
• Nick Kizirnis - Layout

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. When i picked it out of the dollar bin, i was assuming it was a girl-indie pop or edgy punky rock band. Like Softies or Bratmobile. And if it weren't for the pics inside and the name drop of Bob Pollard of GBV, i'd have still thought that. But i think this record is going to be more in the short, drunk rock (only 1 / 16 songs is over 3 min @ 3:04) genre. 

Album Review: The music is basically distortion heavy, fuzzy pub pop that comes off as very catchy. Plenty of influence with, of, and by Robert Pollard, as they are all from the Dayton area. Gale & Tere also back Robert Pollard in an outfit called Lexo & The Leapers. Most of the info about this record is tied to Pollard & the Lexo band, but there are some real good classic late 80's barroom rock grunge.

Stand Out Track: It's the Love (live), Porcelain Green (as used in a commercial)

Links:

Discogs

Facebook

Lexo & the Leapers All Music

Kinda Muzik - Rockathon interview
Spacebar

T's (the) - Capital T

Name: The T's
Album: Capital T
Year: 2008
Style: Garage Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Electric Six, Replacements, X, Soul Asylum, Urge Overkill, Cheap Trick
"One-Word" Review: Raw, unrefined rock
Based Out Of: Raleigh, NC
Label: Doublenaught Records

Cover & Back

CD, Liner Notes & CD tray

Capital T (2008)

1. Buy My Tape 2:50
2. How It's Done 3:46
3. Come My Way 2:43
4. Big Girl Pants 3:31
5. The Code 2:27
6. Get it Right 2:41
7. The Police 4:00
8. Goin' Nowhere 2:40
9. Make Me Pretty 4:03
10. Mr. Rebel 3:21

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Andy Kerr - Guitar (Static Minds) 
• Stephen Gardner - Guitar (Reese McHenry & The Fox, Cartridge Family, Camping)
• Lutie Cain - Bass (Maldora, MSRP, Semantics, Snake & Plisskins, Venus Flies)
• Gary Poole - Drums (Shy FX / T-Power, Candi Station)
• Dave Bartholomew - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
• Brent Lambert - Mastering
• Michael Spence - Photos
• Sarah Blackmon - Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. I think a friend gave it to me as part of his discards. Not much to go on with a simple name and play on that name, album title. I'm guessing it will be moderately energetic "Detroit" garage rock that was popularized in the Aughts, and is also based on the 4 band photos.

Album Review: The style is a grungy rock with the gritty Detroit energy. They do mix it up with some female vocals on How It's Done, which gives the band a bit of Riot Grrl attitude. Due to the unfortunate name, there is not much searchable info out there on them. Even the band members' before or since projects don't deliver many hits.

Stand Out Track: Mr. Rebel, How It's Done

Links:

Allmusic

Spotify

Facebook

Reverb Nation

Rate Your Music

Systems Officer - s/t

Name: Systems Officer
Album: s/t
Year: 2004
Style: Indie, Light Math Rock, 
Similar Bands: Hail Social, Shins, Pixies, Janes Addiction (acoustic), The Walkmen
"One-Word" Review: Wispy Meandering Rainy Day Pop
Based Out Of: Encinitas, California
Label: Ace Fu

Cover & Back

Lyrics, CD, CD Back

Systems Officer (2004)

1. Forever This Cyanide 4:03
2. Systems Officer 4:42
3. Signature Red 5:10
4. Desert / Sea 3:57
5. Hael 4:06

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Armistead Burwell (Zach) Smith IV - Written, Performing, Recording, Layout Design (Pinback, White Lion, Three Mile Pilot, Neighborhood Watch, Zach and Robb Show)
• Tom Zinser - Drum Ideas (Neighborhood Watch, Pinback, Physics, Three Mile Pilot, Tit Wrench United, Liz Janes)
• Ryan Bromley - Live Performer (Pinback)
• Jack Reynolds - Live Performer
• Donny Van Zandt - Live Performer, Layout Design (Pinback)
• Sara Bee - CD Art Design (bettetthansnacks.com)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the artist/band, but i picked it up from a thrift store because liked the artwork pattern, which looked to me like a 70's big collar polyester shirt,. but upon closer inspection, resembles stops along a subway map. Just a nice, simple piece of art with a DIY font. I imagine the music will be pretty stripped down, perhaps bedroom folky pop, just from the liner notes dedicating one person performing the songs.

Album Review: While the songs are simple, almost demo-like, they do present fully realized songs, occasionally reminding me of a lighter, happier Hail Social or less power-poppy Shins. Maybe a little Perry Farrell in the tinny vocals, and a lot like the Walkmen overall.

As this is the solo name for the bass player of Pinback & Three Mile Pilot, it has similarities to his bands. But this is a project he can focus on as 100% his, and he played 100% of the instruments on this.

Stand Out Track: Forever This Cyanide

Links:

Bandcamp
Spotify
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Sandiego Reader
Facebook
Oh My Rockness

Temporary Residence
Daily Aztec 2011 show listing

Gallien-Kruegar

Bottom of the Hill 2015 show listing

Supernova - Ages 3 and Up

Name: Supernova
Album: Ages 3 and Up
Year: 1995
Style: Punk
Similar Bands: Ramones, Dead Milkmen, Devo, Sleater-Kinney, Buzzcocks, The Presidents of the USA, Aquabats, Tom Verlaine, Man or Astro-Man?
"One-Word" Review: Wacky, Silly Punk
Based Out Of: Costa Mesa, CA
Label: Amphetamine Reptile Records, Atlantic

Cover & Back

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

Ages 3 & Up (1995)

1. Vitamins 2:07 (single)
2. Oreo 1:35
3. Harry Gato 2:18
4. Up & Down 2:16
5. Mechanical 3:01
6. Gum Fighter 2:15 (single B-Side)
7. Wabbit 1:58
8. Invasion 2:14
9. Best Coast 2:09
10. Drool 1:14
11. Hippy 0:12
12. Sea Stunt 1:54
13. Daredevil 3:04
14. Math 2:18
15. Mentos 0:31
16. Boo! 2:16
17. Our Way 0:49
18. Electric Man 3:21 (single)
19. Supersong 3:00
20. Close Encounters 1:04

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Art (Mitchell) - Bass (Gum Fighters)
• Dave (Collins) - Drums (Gum Fighters)
• Jo(dey Lawrence) - Guitar
• Tiim Mac - Producer, Recording
• Andrea Collins - Toy Piano
• Tim Connolly - Affirmations, Synth, Backups (Delicious Mind Garden)
• Haze XXL - Design
• Corrigan - Photos

Unknown-ness: Picked this up because it looked wacky. Like Presidents of the US- but in space wacky. Like somewhere between Dead Milkmen and They Might Be Giants wacky. Like so energetic you think it's cocaine, but it's really just too much Tang and Pixy Stix wacky. They are van-traveling-in-space, 20 tracks with 3 under a minute,  and weird haircut in space suits, which is wacky. The promo sticker on the front doesn't promote any "single," but instead, apologizes for language used in a 12 second song called "Hippy." 

Album Review: Right off the bat, the song Vitamins speeds through with some fuzzy, rockabilly punk guitars and sarcastic propaganda. The general sound is speedy punk with some juvenile imagery and silly lyrics. "Harry Gato" oddly sounds like Sleater-Kinney. "Mechanical" sounds like Tom Verlaine on acid. Live, the band tends to employ a sci-fi / space theme, with astronaut suits, like a punk version of surf rock Man or Astro-man? In fact, their original singer/guitarist (Hayden Thais) left Supernova right before this album was made to join Man or Astro-man? Their origin story is also similar: aliens from Cynot 3 who escaped a supernova that engulfed their planet. They landed in So-Cal and ask for folks to come to their shows bearing tin foil...not too far from what Man or Astro-Man or Peelander Z did for that matter.

Their song Up & Down, which sounds like any a solid, jittery/nervous early 80's new wave song, was performed on Yo Gabba Gabba in 2007, and their song from the previous album, Chewbacca (Chewy/What A Wookiee), was on the Clerks Soundtrack. Even though this was their first full length for a major label, they had previous released a bunch of singles (grouped together in the early years comp Pop as a Weapon in 2001). This record helped get them on the initial Vans Warped Tour in 1995. They enacted legal trouble for CBS in 2006, where the network produced a show called Rock Star, where contestants battled to become lead singer of a band, they called Supernova. The show knew of the other band's existence but ignored them and stole the name anyway. In the end, the original Supernova won, and the tv band was renamed Rock Star Supernova.

Stand Out Track: Up & Down

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Punk News

10 Things Zine

Famous Fix

Super Friendz (the) - Mock Up, Scale Down

Name: The Super Friendz
Album: Mock Up, Scale Down
Year: 1995
Style: Jangly Pop
Similar Bands: Sloan, Gin Blossoms, Replacements, Thrush Hermit, Posies, Big Star, Bicycles, Young Guv
"One-Word" Review: Preppy-Rock
Based Out Of: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Label: Murderecords, MCA

Cover & Back

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

Mock Up, Scale Down (1995)

1. 10 Lbs 3:41 (single)
2. Karate Man 3:05 (single)
3. Undertow 3:06
4. Down In Flames 3:20
5. Dear Old Ireland 3:13
6. Restricted 3:18
7. Come Clean 2:39
8. Rescue Us From Boredom 4:09 (single)
9. Fireflies 3:10
10. Kiss the Land 4:21
11. Stone Alone 2:57
12. Better Call 2:33
13. When They Paid Me 3:38
14. One Day 3:22
15. Length of Heart (bonus track) 3:37

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Brenndan McGuire - Producer (Jale, Thrush Hermit, Sloan)
• Drew Yamada - Guitar, Vox (Neuseiland, Mike O'Neill, Rhinoplasty, Yoneda)
• Charles Austin - Bass, Vox (Neuseiland, Buck 65, Matt Mays, Joel Plaskett, Garrett Mason, Rhinoplasty, Al Tuck, Aqua Alta, Fantasy Eye, Iron Egg, Psychic Fair, Savant Garde, Skreech, The Entity, The Lodge, Menotti, Matt Reid, Play Guitar, David R. Elliot, Tanya Davis, Leonard Conan, Mike O'Neill, Jean Schwarz, Graven, Bontempi, General Electrics, Jon Epworth, David Myles, Norma MacDonald,  Jenny MacDonald, Ruth Minnikin, Jenn Grant, Jim Cameron, Isador, Walrus, Dennis Ellsworth, Matthew Grimson)
• Matt Murphy - Guitar, Vox (The Flashing Lights, City Field, Cookie Duster, TUNS, Deluxe Boys. Ink Stains, Blackpool, Al Tuck, All Good Children, City Field, Leonard Conan, Certain Someones, The Forum, To The Power of Three, Snob Shop, Neko Case & Her Boyfriends, Mike O'Neill, The Heat, Matt Murphy, Dave Marsh, Matthew Grimson, Skreech, Inbreds, The Vees, The American Flag, Hershel Savage, Jonathan Andrews, David Myles)
• Dave Marsh - Drums (No Damn Fears, Blackpool, Joel Plaskett, True love Rules, Cheticamp, The Flashing Lights, Matt Mays, Matt Murphy, Erin Costelo, Graven, Yoneda, Mo Kenney, Dennis Ellsworth, Leanne Hoffman)
• Catherine Stockhausen - Artwork, Photos
• Chris Mueller - Artwork
• Colin Mackenzie - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Not sure why i picked up this CD from the discount bin back in the late 90s...don't specifically remember the name or any of the songs. But it looks like something i'd be into... it has a poppy rock, DIY feel to it, including the band photo. So i'm going to guess it's along the lines of The Rentals or Fountains of Wayne.

Album Review: The music is on the lighter, jangly pop side, like the Posies, but it is catchy with clean hooks. Most of the songs bound forth with a happy bouncy demeanor, with a tinge of slacker delivery. "Rescue Us From Boredom" has a little of a Dismemberment Plan feel to its driving progression. "Stone Alone" has some slide guitar, giving it a little of an alt-country rock sound. "One Day" has a twee, jangly power pop sound, with a little psych.

This record was nominated for Juno's Alt record of the year up in Canada in 96, and was released on Sloan's murderecords label. The album was apparently re-released in the US as "Sticktoitiveness," so i'm guessing this is the original Canadian version. They did not remain a band for very long, only recording from 1994 - 1997, releasing a couple other EPs and a follow-up full length in that time. The band reformed a bunch of times in 2002, 2006, 2009, 2012, and made a third record in 2003. 

Stand Out Track: Karate Man

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Spotify

Rate My Music

Bandcamp

Kreative Kontrol
Soundcloud