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:

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Lexo & the Leapers All Music

Kinda Muzik - Rockathon interview
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Sparklers - Fall Apart Heart

Name: Sparklers
Album: Fall Apart Heart
Year: 2001
Style: Pub Rock, Americana Rock, 
Similar Bands: Replacements, Superchunk, GBV, Gin Blossoms, Cracker, Soul Asylum
"One-Word" Review: Smoky Dive Bar Rock
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA
Label: Radioball Records

Cover - sealed

Back - sealed

Fall Apart Heart (2001)

1. Forever and a Day 2:11
2. Midnight All the Time 2:45
3. Goodmorning, Etc. 4:02
4. Heart in Advance 2:51
5. Highball 2:37
6. Home Away from Away 3:13

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Brian McCracken - Vox, Guitar (454)
• Joel Breen - Bass (Labia)
• Frank - Drums
• Chris DiPinto - Mandolin, Violin (Creem Circus, O Mighty Isis, Jim & Jennie & the Pine Barons, The Three 4 Tens)
• Andy Shahan - Backing Vox (Hogan's Goat)
• Paul Smith - Recording, Production, Engineer
• John Douglas Smith - Cover Design, Layout

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, outside of somehow, at sometime, getting this CD, BUT, never listening to it. I'm just guessing it's going to be some good old early aughts garage/indie rock, maybe leaning away from gritty to the lighter power pop side, just based on the artwork. The band name adds energy, while the album, or EP title adds a depth of darkness, sadness and emo.

Album Review: Raspy vocals and driving, blue collar pub rock categorize this album as Punk Americana. Power pop leanings and jangley guitar support driving tempos. But there are a couple softer, calculate mellow tracks showing their full array,

Proudly based out of South Philly, the trio has evolved as a band, with McCracken at the helm the whole time, away from their blue collar rock, adding more elements of Alt-Country and twang into their later albums (3 total). Their band website is still active (2021) so i assume they are still together putting material together, still out of South Philly.

Stand Out Track: Forever and a Day

Links:

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Bandcamp

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Reverb Nation
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Adobe & Teardrops review
Nine Bullets

Phoids (The) - Marianne Doesn't Know Yet

Name: The Phoids
Album: Marianne Doesn't Know Yet
Year: 1997
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Smithereens, Track Star, Let's Active, Jayhawks, Uncle Tupelo, Replacements, The Forty Fives
"One-Word" Review: Urban Cowboy Rock Variants.
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Ng Records, BMG, 

Cover & Back photo

Liner Notes, CD, CD Tray Back

Marianne Doesn't Know Yet (1997)

1. The Great American Farmer 3:01
2. Baby Menthol 2:47
3. I'll Smash Anyone 3:39
4. M 3:25
5. You Know 3:58
6. Godel 4:48
7. Cop Out 4:13
8. Walk Away 2:37 (single)
9. Can't Go Back 4:04
10. Merkle's Boner 2:46
11. No Good 2:56
12. Driveway 3:40
13. Johnny's On Time 1:45
14. I Never liked you Much 6:12

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Greg Bass - Bass, Vox (Erica Wylie, Jason Spiewak)
• Matt Chaiaravalle - Guitar, Vox (Forty Fives, Jill Cunniff, Ernie Halter)
• Jac Calabro - Vox, Guitar
• Michael Chambers - Drums, Percussion (Cantinero), 
• Tammy Lynn - Backing Vox (Battershell, Lenny McDaniel, Sevendust, Total Praise)
• Andy Kingston - Piano, Organ (Alex Dolan)
• Roger Lian - Mastering
• Jeff Gattens - Recording, Mixing
• Tom Doxanas - Art Direction (DOC Designs)
• John H Moore - Cover Photo
• Mick Rock - Liner Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them, but from the photos, they look like they were on the tail end of alt-grunge, just as the tide was turning to a clean cut, smooth rock persona. I'm going to guess they are of their era, and will be similar to New Radicals or Fastball.

Album Review: The Phoids reignite the 80'sAmericana pub rock sound of the 80's with straight forward rock songs that try to keep one toe in a working class country pool. Sometimes they play gruff, driving tracks like the juvenile "Merkle's Boner" that steals a cue out of the Nirvana playbook at the end, as does "I'll Smash Anyone." "Cop Out" is a solid pop song with some shoegazing guitar, and a quick shuffling beat. Overall, this is a immensely palatable album of songs with slight variances on rock extending to the outer tiers of niche genres.

With a total of 3 albums that increased in quality along they way, the NYC based band gained minimal recognition as an opener and CMJ festival performer. But even with an accomplished producer on their 3rd record, they ended up disappearing from the spot light altogether.

Stand Out Track: Cop Out, Merkle's Boner

Links:
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Discogs

Allmusic
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Sterling Sound

Werner, David - s/t

Name: David Werner
Album: s/t
Year: 1979
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop, Glam

Similar Bands: Steppenwolf, Bad Company, Mott the Hoople
"One-Word" Review: Classically Rocked Glam
Based Out Of: Pittsburgh, PA
Label: Record Logic, Epic, CBS

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

S/T (1979)

1. Can't Imagine 3:38
2. What's Right 3:42 (single, #104)
3. What Do You Need to Love 4:01
4. Melanie Cries 4:50
5. Eye to Eye 4:52 /
6. Hold on Tight 4:13
7. Every New Romance 5:35
8. Too Late to Try 2:39
9. High Class Blues 4:07
10. She Sent Me Away 4:31

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• David Werner - Writer, Publisher, Vox, Guitar, Piano, Percussion, Mixing (Granati Bros)
• Mark Doyle - Guitar, Piano/Keys, Bass, Vox, Percussion (Jukin' Bone, Dokken, Steppenwolf, Free Will, Penetrators, Andy Pratt, Cindy Bullens, Meat Loaf, Bryan Adams, The Doyle, Backbone Slip, Judy Collins, Leo Sayer, Far Cry, Joe Whiting & the Bandit Band, Kingsnakes, NKOBT, The Richards, Built for Comfort  Blues Band, Rich Mendelson, Mary Fahl, Frank Briggs, Flashcubes)
• Thom Mooney - Drums (Nazz, Curtis Bros, Tattoo, Paris, Cindy Bullens, Danny O'Keefe, John Hiatt, James Lee Stanley, Noel & the Red Wedge, Jimmy Buffett, Rita Coolidge, Tom Peterson & Another Language, Domino, Scott Richardson, Ray Manzarek, Lightnin' Willie & the Poorboys)
• Albritton McClain - Bass (Bridge of Souls, Donnie Iris, The Innocent, Beechwood Farm, Pete Emmett, Kym Ryder, Roy Buchanan)
• Ken Bishell - Synth (Gerson Kingsley's First Moog Quartet, Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes, Side Show, Jobriath, Exuma, Ian Lloyd & Stories, Bette Midler, Jackie DeShannon, Kahli Gibran, Arif Mardin, Aretha Franklin, Felix Cavaliere, Margie Joseph, Average White Band, Zulema, David Ruffin, Van McCoy, Nikki Giovanni, Black Heart, Judy Collins, Phoebe Snow, Miroslav Vitous, Brigati, Andy Pratt, Roy Buchanan, Carman Moore, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart, Philippe Wynne, Elliott Randall, Ringo Starr, Wilbur Bascomb, Mark & Clark Band, Joe FFarrell, Jaroslav, The Persuaders, Sylvia Syms, Cindy Billens, Vicki Sue Robinson, Herbie Mann, Carly Simon, Kate Taylor, Chaka Khan, Peter Paul & Mary, Liner, Noel Paul Stookey, Liner, Keith Barrow, Richard Peaslee, George Benson, Fame (musical), Larry Elgart, Shlomo Haviv, Stories, Ted Rosenthal, Mandy Patinkin, Jazz Timpanist Jonathan Haas, Rachel Portman, Charlie Gross, Carter Burwell, Marcelo Zarvos, Ashford & Simpson, James Galway)
• Richard Hunter - Hamonica (Space Negros, Magic Mose & his Royal Rockers, Erik Lindgren, Willie Loco Alexander, Chris Cacavas, Edward Abbiati, Lowlands & Friends)
• Tim Cappelo - Sax (Galdston & Thom, Labamba's Big Band, Garland Jeffreys, Tina Turner, Ringo Starr, Peter Gabriel, Robert Kraft & Ivory Coast, Far Cry, Randy Goodrum, The Flirts, Dimas, Chris Thompson, Tony LeMans, John Sebastian, Nu Colours, Karen Carpenter, Beckley, Izzy James, Emilie Surtees, Gunship)
• Ian Hunter - Vox, Mixing (Mott the Hoople, Mick Ronson, Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral, Genya Ravan, Iron City Houserockers, Scott Folsom, Mick Jones, Brian May, Corky Laing, Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Dennis Dunaway, Aleandro Escovedo, Rebelles, Cloud District, Bronco, Ellen Foley, David Johanson, Payola$, Mountain, Michael Monroe, Ringo Starr  many)
• Maxine Dixon - Vox (Looking Glass, Elliot Lurie, DC LaRue, Tom Scott, Kiss, Murray McLaughlan, Little Feat, Lowell George)
• Bob Clearmountain - Recording, Mixing (Chic, Silencers, Bruce Springsteen)
• Jeff Hendrickson - Recording, Additional, Asst. Engineer 
• Roy Willard - Asst. Engineer
• Ed Evans - Tech. Ingenuity
• Janet Perr - Design
• Paula Scher - Design
• Benno Friedman - Photos

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of David Werner. It looks like he is a New Wave Singer Songwriter, based on his attire on the full body spread artwork, plus all the technical and musical credits he lists.

Album Review: There is more power chords in these classic rock / pub rock tracks than typical nervous, fast paced jittery new wave, but the vocals do fall back on a nasally tone. "Hold On Tight" has a hook that sounds like Michael Jackson's "Black or White." Single "What's Right" follows a bluesy southern rock hook [Glam] that sounds like T-Rex "Get it On [Bang a Gong].

Biggest claim to fame? Writing Billy Idol's 90's hit "Cradle of Love." when he was a house writer for EMI. He recorded 2 albums for RCA in 1974 & 1975 before signing with Epic for 2 albums in 1979 (this one & a promotional one-sided album: Live). In his first life (label) he was touted as a Glam artist and Bowie rival, even through they shared the same label (and those albums sound much better than this one).

Stand Out Track: Can't Imagine

Links:
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Wiki

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Allmusic

Classic Bands Interview
Pitts Music History
Five Guns West
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Dubious Quality
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Popnarcotic

Werner's Whizz Kid via Vinyl Treasures

Thrills - First Thrills

Name: Thrills
Album: First Thrills
Year: 1981
Style: Power Pop, Pub Rock
Similar Bands: Shoes, Hawks, Flyer, Producers, The Who, Styx, REO Speedwagon
"One-Word" Review: Smooth Harmonized AOR Hook Rock
Based Out Of: Long Island, Pittsburgh (Penn Hills)
Label: G&P (Good Product & Great People) Records

Cover, Record

Back, Record

First Thrills (1981)

1. Breaking My Heart 3:13 (single)
2. Changing My Ways 3:04
3. Blinded By Love 3:33
4. Good Friends 3:32
5. Won't Be a Fool 3:15 /
6. Lie For Your Love 3:42
7. Dream Away 3:28 (single b-side)
8. Not Gonna Run 3:00 (single)
9. Carrie 3:10
10. Going Out 3:49

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Tony Monaco - Keys, Synth, Vox (Stormfront, Turnstiles, Menagerie, Bad Company (not the famous one), The Treez)
• Dave Fullerton - Guitar Vox (Turnstiles, Menagerie, Bad Company (not the famous one))
• Rob Owens - Drums, Vox (Bad Company (not the famous one))
• Bill Gilbert - Bass, Vox (Stonehenge)
• Mike Frenchik - Producer, Mixing, Mgmt
• Tom Ingegno - Producer, Mixing, Mgmt
• Don Casale - Mixing, Engineer, Recording
• Doug Parry - Engineer
• Tom Coyne - Mastering
• Nicholas Cosmas - Art Direction
• George Hornfeck - Art Direction
• Marianne M Sachs - Cover Illustration

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. The cover makes a case for youthful, raw instinct and discovery, tied to that "thrill" of seeing something you're not supposed to see as a child. Draw your own conclusions, but there is a nod toward sexual discovery. So what's behind the fence in the drawing? Probably a mediocre band playing some mix of powerpop or pub rock. Odd thing is that the cover says 1980, but the record is dated 1981.

Album Review: The album is full of harmonies, keys and swinging synth for some straightforward power pop. The lyrics are also typically focused on love and women, particularly Carrie, which takes the number off the wall, and extrapolates what it would be like to be with a girl met from a bathroom wall call. It is full of catchy feel good hooks and bouncy upbeat melodies. A solid album of the genre.

originally from the Pittsburgh area, they relocated to Long Island in 1977, and became one of the top bar/party bands of the area, recording songs over the next couple years, compiled on this their first record. Like so many bands of the era, their second album was not as hot as the first and by the time they recorded a 3rd record, the label was gone, and so was their career...until 2000, when the band reformed and released Thrills 3, 17 years after recording. Frontman Monaco also currently (2020) leads a Billy Joel cover act called Turnstiles based in Florida. Bassist Gilbert passed away in 2004.

Stand Out Track: Carrie

Links:
Spotify Full Album
Discogs
Allmusic
Interview
Facebook
Official Page
Rate Your Music
Tribune Democrat
Billboard 7/4/81
Turnstiles - Monaco's Billy Joel Cover Band
Heavy Harmonies
Old Mon Music

Steve Swindells - Fresh Blood

Name: Steve Swindells
Album: Fresh Blood
Year: 1980
Style: Pub rock, Power Pop, New Wave
Similar Bands: Dire Straits, A's, Graham Parker, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, 
"One-Word" Review: Unpolished Americana Wave
Based Out Of: London, England
Label: Atco, Warner Communications Company, Atlantic

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Fresh Blood (1980)

1. Turn It On, Turn It Off 3:12
2. Fresh Blood 3:36
3. I Feel Alive 3:47
4. Low Life Joe 4:16
5. Bitter and Twisted 3:50 /
6. Don't Wait on the Stairs 3:22
7. Is It Over Now? 4:08
8. Down on Love Street 5:37
9. Figures of Authority 5:12
10. Show Down in the Night 5:12

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Swindells - Producer, Writer, Vox, Keys (Squidd, Pilot, Hawkwind, Hawklords, Danmingo, The Plastic Surgeons, Sacrosanct, Spirits Burning, Bridget Wishart, Dave Evans, Capdevielle, Robert Calvert, 
• Huw Lloyd-Langton - Guitars (Hawklords, Widowmaker, 2001 A Space Rock odyssey, Broken Bits band, Cosmograf, Hawkestrel, Hawkwind, Robert Calvert, Nic Potter, Dr Brown, The Meads of Asphodel, Sacred Geometry Band)
• Nic Potter - Bass (Van der Graaf Generator, Pool Sharks, The K Group, The Misunderstoods, The Noise, The Tigers, Unkestra, Henry Schifter, Colin Scot, Peter Hammill, Rare Bird, Chuck Berry, Guy Evans, Magna Carta, Steve Hyams, VDGG, Huw Lloyd-Langton, )
• Simon King - Drums (Hawklords, Hawkwind, Captain Lockheed & Starfighters, Michael Moorcock's Deep Fix, Opal Butterfly, Brian Eno, Robert Calvert, The Bunch,  )
• Simon Fraser - Engineer
• Bill Price - Mixing
• Jerry Green - Asst. Engineer
• Bob Carlos Clarke - Photos
• Richard Evans - Graphics
• Bill Curbishley - Mgmt & Direction
• Pete Fountain - Mgmt & Direction

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this dude. From the cover and back, it looks like he's trying to be a scummy version of Billy Joel...a harder edge and if the back has any say, it looks like the model for the film They Live. 

Album Review: The album starts out strong, the first two tracks are fun and bouncy, with calm focused vocals similar to Mark Knopfler, but the rest takes a dive into darker territory mixed with blue collar Americana. Don't Wait on the Stairs has a little Elvis Costello / Graham Parker sound in his voice. A couple songs, like Bitter and Twisted embrace electronic synth effects, which were en vogue at the time. Figures of Authority brings in an extra layer of Goth, sounding a little like Sisters Of Mercy, or one of the early record reviews Bay of Pigs. 

So apparently, he's English, from Ipswich, Suffolk. And after music didn't pan out (to which he considers being "out-gay" might have been a contributing reason in 1981), he shifted it to a hobby and worked as a party/concert promotor and later a journalist. He then returned to music, and is still active self-releasing old and new material. A couple of his songs were recorded by Roger Daltrey.

Stand Out Track: Turn It On, Turn It Off

Links:
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Allmusic
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music gateway 
Soundcloud
Steve's Wordpress
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Record Collectors Mag

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - The Jukes

Name: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Album: The Jukes
Year: 1979
Style: Pub Rock, Blue Eyed Soul
Similar Bands: Little Steven & Disciples, Steven Van Zandt, E-Street Band, Graham Parker, Springsteen, Tom Petty, J Geils Band, 
"One-Word" Review: Solid Pub Houseband
Based Out Of: Jersey Shore, NJ
Label: Mercury, Phonogram, Polygram

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

The Jukes (1979)

1. All I Want is Everything 3:04 (Single)
2. I'm So Anxious 3:02 (Single)
3. Paris 4:20
4. Security 3:13
5. Living in the Real World 3:58 (single)/
6. Your Reply 3:53 (Single B-Side)
7. The Time 3:38
8. I Remember Last Night 3:56
9. Wait in Vain 4:16
10. Vertigo 3:47

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Southside Johnny (Lyon) - Lead Vox (Poor Fools, Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, Sonny and the Starfires, Sundance Blues Band, Steel Mill, Studio B, Blackberry Booze Band, Dr Zoom and the Sonic Boom, Jersey Artists for Mankind, Chris Spedding, David Hayes, Gary US Bonds, Lisa Bouchelle, Keith Reid Project, Allman Brothers, Glen Burtnick, Cats on a Smooth Surface, John Williams, Killer Joe, Bob Bandiera, JAC Redford, Bob Delevante)
• Billy Rush - Guirtar, Vox (Gainsbourg, Taka Boom, Charlotte & Serge Gainsborug, Bambou)
• Allan Berger - Bass 
• Kevin Kavanaugh - Keys, Vox (Jersey Artists for Mankind, Ken Viola, Kog Nito & the Geeksm, Fabulous Perms, Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul, Bobby Bandiera, James Deely & the Valiants)
• Ed Manion - Baritone Sax (Miami Horns, Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul, Jersey Artists for Mankind, Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, La Bamba & the Hubcaps, Fabulous Perms, Sessions Band, Bruce Springsteen, Gary US Bonds, Shannon, Paula Abdul, Graham Parker, Debbie Davies, Robert Cray Band, Bon Jovi, Culture Club, Joey Ramone, Misfits, BB King, World Party, Darlene Love, Jessie Wagner)
• Steve Becker - Drums, Vox, Percussion (Kog Nito & the Geeks, Mtume)
• Richard "La Bomba" Rosenberg - Trombones (Jersey Artists for Mankind, La Bamba & the Hubcaps, Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul, Late Night Horns, Miami Horns, Bruce Springsteen, Monroes, 8000C, Arrow, Rick Derringer, NY Voices, Ricky Martin, Livingston Taylor, BB King, Allman Brothers, Los Straitjackets, John Mayall, Richard & the Young Lions, Sugarray Rayford, Conan O'Brien)
• Joel Gramolini - Guitar, Vox (Laurie Sargent)
• Rick Gazda - Trumpet (Brian Pastor Big Band, Miami Horns, Gary US Bonds, Bruce Springsteen, Robin S)
• Bob Muckin - Trumpet, Flugel Horn (Miami Horns, Bruce Springsteen)
• Stan Harrison - Tenor Sax, Flute (Hook Horns, La Bamba & the Hubcaps, Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul, Mud Music Ensemble, Borneo Horns, Miami Horns, Radiohead, David Bowie, Kester, Jody Harris, Caroline Loeb, Michael Gregory, Ron Rogers, Mtume, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Double Trouble, Serge Gainsbourg, Shannon, Taka Boom, John Waite, Nona Hendryx, Sheena Easton, power Station, Robin Clarke, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Bowie+Jagger, Casiopea, Bruce Springsteen, Grace Jones, Bambou, Duran Duran, Belouis Some, Norman Nardini, Kenia, Judy Mowatt, Lenny pickett, Hue & Cry, Talking Heads, Robert Palmer, Vaughan Bros, Ric Ocasek, Tyler Collins, David Sanborn, Vivienne Williams, The Party, Chic, Jan Hammer, Chieli Minucci, Jim Beard, Mercedes Hall, Lulu, They Might Be Giants, Dennis Chambers, Ernest Kohl, Paul Brill, David Byrne & St Vincent, Coheed & Cambria, Darlene Love, Steve Elson, Weird Al Yankovic)
• Barry Beckett - Producer
• Gregg Hamm - Engineer
• Amundo Enterprizes - Mgmt
• Aram Gesar - Photos
• Stephanie Zuras - Design
• Bob Heimall - Art Direction

Unknown-ness: Vaguely heard their name in passing, but don't really know much about them. From the name, they sound like a rough and tumble 50's throw back party band. The artwork gives a late night, after hours, ready for a classy hangover vibe.

Album Review: Mixing brass and blue eyed soul, The Jukes plays energetic bar room music that begs the listener to move. They have a gritty, loose feel to them like they were called up on stage from a musically trained audience to add in sections on the fly. Although, "I Remembered Last Night" has a Blues Traveler "Runaround" feel to it. Southside Johnny is is considered to be the Grandfather of the NJ / Jersey Shore Sound, influencing the likes of Jon Bon Jovi. He was born in a bar and grew up with parents who were into & played music. A contemporary of Springsteen, their mutual friend Steven Van Zandt was part of this band's early years. Solo and as a band,  (and advisors on fictional bands), Johnny and the Jukes performed in and wrote music for a couple of movies and tv shows. They had a documentary made in 1980 while playing in their home town of Asbury Park. On 7/11 of this year, they headlined a drive-in concert, the first major music performance since the pandemic began, at Monmouth Racetrack with horn honking in place of applause.

Stand Out Track: I'm So Anxious

Links:

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NY Times about live drive in show during covid

w/Springsteen @ Asbury Park

Philly Inquirer

Rainmakers (the) - s/t

Name: The Rainmakers
Album: s/t
Year: 1986
Style: College Radio, Jangle-Pop, Cow Punk, Roots Rock
Similar Bands: Bongos, Alarm, Barenaked Ladies, Men They Couldn't Hang, X, BoDeans
"One-Word" Review: Cringy-Embarrassing Americana Jangle Pop
Based Out Of: Kansas City, MO
Label: Mercury, PolyGram

Cover, Lyrics, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

The Rainmakers (1986)

1. Rockin' At the T-Dance 3:23
2. Downstream 3:28 (single)
3. Let My People Go-Go 3:37 (single, top 20 UK)
4. Doomsville 4:27
5. Big Fat Blonde 2:55 /
6. Long Gone Long 4:08
7. The One That Got Away 2:53
8. Government Cheese 2:53
9. Drinkin' On The Job 3:45
10. Nobody Knows 3:33
11. Information 4:46

Album Rating (1-10): 4.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Terry Manning - Producer, Engineer, Keys (Rock City, Wild Ones, Molly Hatcher, Fastway, Joe Walsh, Michael Anderson, Johnny Winter, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Disel, Al Green, Eddie Hinton, Alex Chilton, Big Star, Chris bell, Booker T & the MGs, more)
• Thomas Hart Benton - Paintings
• Bob Walkerhorst - Words & Music, Lead Vox, Acoustic Guitar (Steve Bob & Rich, Phantasia, Trizo 50, Lakeview Men, Walkenhorst & Porter, )
• Steve Phillips - Words & Music Electric Guitar, Vox, (Steve Bob & Rich, Fields, Elders, Sterling Witt)
• Alan Clutter - Words & Music 
• Rich Ruth - Bass, Vox (Steve Bob & Rich, KC Blues Band, Webb Wilder, Lakeview Men)
• Pat Tomek - Drums (Deco Auto, Hidden Pictures, Howard Iceberg & the Titanics, Bombpops, The Secrets, Lakeview Men, The Stringers, Jonathan Rundman) 
• Wayne Jackson - Memphis Horns Stax artists backing band + more
• Andrew Love - Memphis Horns Stax artists backing band + more
• Jack Hale - Memphis Horns Stax artists backing band + more
• Gary Topper - Memphis Horns (Royal Horns, Christeen, Gary Chapman, BA Robertson, Al Green, Little Jazz Rock Machine, Keith Richards, Toots Hibbert, Four Freshmen, Axelle Red, Dave Lisik Orch, Barbara Blue, Jay Gaunt, Wu-Tang Clan, Paul Rodgers, Michael Lington, Zeshan B)
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Bill Levy - Art Direction
• Bruce Allen - Design
• Laurie Allen - Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the cover is a painting, which could mean really anything, but it errs to the side of educated, and the back photo looks like the Men they Couldn't Hang or Dexy's Midnight Runners...hoping for the Dexys style, rather than the bland soundscape

Album Review: Holy cow are most of these songs terrible! "Big Fat Blonde" and "Government Cheese" are incredibly embarrassing. The style is almost a Celtic jangle pop meets light cow punk with, to me, a very off-putting quivering main vocal that reminds me of the little i know of Barenaked Ladies. The vocal acrobatics are so cringworthy, they make Weird Al at his worst sound like Sinatra. The only restrained and listenable song is Long Gone Long...its actually a quite catchy song (the final track, Information is not bad, but the lyrics just feel rushed and specifically unrelatable, and it is about 2 min too long). Lots of themes of drinking and being suppressed permeate the album. Somehow, they were more popular in Europe, specifically Norway than the US. After breaking up the band after three albums and a hiatus, they reformed under pressure from their Norwegian popularity, and recorded a new album that went gold there in 1994. They are still together and active (2019) Their last album was in 2015. Stephen King liked them so much that he's included their lyrics in two of his books. 

Stand Out Track: Long Gone Long

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Q-Tips - s/t

Name: Q-Tips
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: Big Band, Jazzy New Wave, Blue Eyed Soul
Similar Bands: Joe Jackson, Rod Stewart, Jackson Browne, Creedence Clearwater Revival, J Geils Band, Sha-Na-Na
"One-Word" Review: Big Band Oldie Pop Party
Based Out Of: England
Label: Chrysalis, EMI, Warner Bros

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Q-Tips (1980)

1. Some Kinda Wonderful 3:42 (John Ellison cover)
2. Tracks of My Tears 3:25 (Smokey Robinson cover) (Single)
3. Please Don't Stay Home 3:20
4. You Are the Life Inside Me 4:33
5. The In Crowd 3:20 (Dobie Gray / Ramsey Lewis cover)
6. (Now I'm Left With A) Beautiful Memory 3:07 /
7. SYSLJFM (The Letter Song) 2:41 (Joe Tex cover) (Single)
8. A Man Can't Lose (What He Don't Have) 6:07 (Single)
9. Uncle Willy 3:14 (single)
10. Different World 3:36
11. Keep Your Shoes On 3:35

Album Rating (1-10):7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob Sargeant - Producer
• Norman (Dingo Blue) Mighell - Engineer
• Mark Dearnley - Engineer
• Nigel Mills - Assist Engineer
• Nick Rogers - Assist Engineer
• John Gifford - Guitar (Streetband, Dmascus Road, Undermind, Street & Rock, Mary Tomaselli)
• Ged Doherty - Mgmt
• Roz Fleetwood - Q-Tips Info
• Paul Young - Vox (Streetbandm, Kat Kool and the Kool Kats, Band Aid, Los Pacaminos, Squeeze, Johnny Logan, Barbara Dickson, Bobby Womack, Il Novecento, Clannad, Vangelis, Zucchero, SAS Band, Robbie McIntosh Band, Small Faces All Star Charity Band, Chicane, Steve Fowler, Cherokee, Music Relief 94, Sharkweek, Sulo)
• Barry Watts - Drums (Adam Ant, John Foxx)
• Mick Pearl - Bass (Streetband, Faraway Stars, Argus, The Monos!)
• Garth Watt-Roy - Guitar, Backing Vox (The Greatest Show on Earth, East of Eden, Marmalade, Adam Ant, Fuzzy Duck, Ossie Laine, Steamhammer, Living Daylights, Limey, David McWilliams, London Symphony Orch, BA Robertson, Bonnie Tyler, Navah)
• Ian (The Rev) Kew (Kewley)- Keys (Samson, Limey. Strider, Royal Family, Wishbone Ash, Jack Lee, The Alarm, Jacqui Brookes, David Gilmour, Squeeze, Stan Webb's Chicken Shack, Mango, Manic Street Preachers, Johnny Hallyday, Gerry McAvoy, National Flag )
• Tony Hughes - Trumpet (Adam Ant, Stiff Little Fingers, Angelic Upstarts)
• Steve (Fix-It) Farr - Baritone Sax, Backing Vox (Adam Ant, Status Quo, Stiff Little Fingers)
• (Oscar) Stewart Blandamer - Alto Sax, Backing Vox (Adam Ant, Status Quo, Stiff Little Fingers)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them, but with the bright primary colors, matching outfits, they reminded me of Squeeze or Joe Jackson (not Madness with the similar poses, however) to me when i bought it at an Oxfam charity shop in London, so I'm guessing this will be Catchy New Wave.

Album Review: They have big band character, but often settle for power pop tunes, often reminding me of the little i know of Jackson Brown and sometimes sounding like John Fogerty / CCR. Not much new wave here, except their songs are short swinging pop songs that have a lot of brass, and could be swept into a Joe Jackson camp. I was not aware this is a Paul Young band after his former Streetband. I only know Young was a singer because of his solo album i reviewed a while ago, but he does add a little Blue Eye Soul to the tracks here and there. They were a reportedly very fun and popular live act in the early 80s. At the very least, Paul Young is still actively playing out live (2020). This record was reissued in 2013 with live & bonus tracks. 

Stand Out Track: Please Don't Stay At Home (live version)

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Phantom, Rocker & Slick - s/t

Name: Phantom, Rocker & Slick
Album: s/t
Year: 1985
Style: Rockabilly, Arena Rock, Pub Rock
Similar Bands: Love & Rockets, Primal Scream, INXS, Wolfgang Press, Cramps, Blasters, Gin Blossoms
"One-Word" Review: Dirty Grimy Small-Time Arena Rock.
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: EMI, Capitol

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1985)

1. What You Want 4:28 (single)
2. My Mistake 3:20 (single)
3. Hollywood Distractions 4:18
4. No Regrets 4:01
5. Well Kept Secret 4:17 /
6. Men Without Shame 6:20 (single)
7. Runnin' From the Hounds 3:50
8. Time Is On My Hands 3:27
9. Sing For Your Supper 4:10
10. Lonely Actions 3:37

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Thompson - Producer
• Michael Barbiero - Producer, Engineer
• Peter Doell - Asst Engineer
• Alex Haas - Asst Engineer
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Slim Jim Phantom (James McDonnell) - Drums, Vox (Stray Cats, Drain Bramaged, Dead Men Walking, The Head Cat, 13cats, Bill Wyman, Carl Perkins, Steve Salas, Peter Golding, Brian Setzer, Conny, Gilby Clarke, Ramones, Levi Dexter, Micke Finell, Katmen, Glen Matlock, Swing Cats)
• Lee Rocker - Vox, Bass (Stray Cats, Los Rebeldes, Mystery Train, Michael Ubaldini, Carl Perkins, Dave Edmunds, Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Ringo Starr, Swing Cats, Wanda Jackson, Micke Finell, Rich Shapiro)
• Earl Slick - Guitars, Vox (David Bowie, John Lennon, Silver Condor, Dirty White Boy, Little Caesar, New York Dolls, Yardbirds, Sleepy People, Tracks, Leo Sayer, Ian Hunter, Tonio K, Carmen Maki, Danny Spanos, Peter Mclan, Yoko Ono, Tim Curry, Graham Brazier, Jimmy Destri, Lisa Bade, Billy Thorpe, John Waite, Strange Advance, Belouis Some, Jim Diamond, Randy Bishop, Bill Bergman, Jacques Dutronc, James Freud, Junkyard, Joe Cocker, Henry Lee Summer, Tomohisa Kawazoe, Doro, David Coverdale, Joey McIntyre, Box of Frogs, Mick Jagger, Chris Catena, Janice Grace, Billie Rainbird, Anik Jean, Sarah Fimm, Dean Batstone, Game Theory, Jerry Gaskill, Lisa Ronson, Glen Matlock, Whitesnake, Rooftop Screamers, Carmine Appice)
• Keith Richards - Guitar (Rolling Stones, Blues Incorporated, X-Pensive Winos, Little Boy Blue & Blue Boys, Nanker Phelge, Dirty Mac, First Barbarians, Glimmer Twins, lots of credits )
• Nicky Hopkins - Piano (Rolling Stones, Kinks, The Who, Cliff Bennett & Rebel Rousers, Climax Blues Band, Cyril Davies, Jeff Beck, Lord Sutch & Heavy Friends, Neil Christian & Crusaders, Night, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Soul Survivor, Sweet Thursday, Terry & the Pirates, Immediate All-Stars, Jerry Garcia Band, The Sessions credits)
• Carlos Alomar - Vox (Bowie, Listen My Brother, The Band, Harlem Experiment, Iggy Pop, Patti Labelle, Yoko Ono, John Lennon, Simple Minds, Belouis Some, Soda Stereo, Cousin Ice, hen-Gee & Evil E, Raphael, Kenny Barron, ben E King, Luther, Jimmy Owens, Imperials, Jimmi Destri, Innocence in Danger, Ayuo Takahashi, Debbie Harry, Arcadia, Robin Clark, Pretenders, Yukihior Takahashi, Paul King, Julia Fordham, Fabio Concato, Julien Cierc, Debbie Gibson, Jellybean, Yukiko Ito, Cyndi Lauper, Bee Gees, FUN, Kurtis Mantronik, Tin Machine, Prefab Sprout, David Morales, Raphael, Scissor Sisters, Scott Chasolen, Alicia Keys, Brandon Flowers, Mark Ronson, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Carly Simon, Jennifer Rush)
• Diva Gray - Vox (Change, Chic, Lemon, Harlettes, Roy Buchanan, Love Symphony Orch, Teresa Wiater, T.Life, David Spinozza, Major Harris, Phyllis Hyman, Joe Thomas, Meco, James Montgomery, Ray Barretto, Atlantic Family, Jimmy Ponder, Garland Jeffreys, Sambu Soul, Gregg Diamond, Norma Jean, Richard T. Bear, Kiss, Ramona brooks, Duke Jupiter, Euclid Beach Band, Felix Cavaliere, Samantha Sand, Kikio, Roundtree, NYC band, Spyro Gyrsa, B.Baker Chocolate Co, Gotham, Markena Shaw, Toru Oki Blues Band, Herbie Mann, Paul Evans, Bette Midler, Wilbert Longmire, Sister Sledge, John Tropea, Ray Gomez, Cousin Ice, Rhetta Hughes, Wilbert Longmire, George Benson, Marshall Tucker Band, Steely Dan, Leon Bryant, David Sanborn, Silence, High Fashion, Roberta Flack, Weather Girls, Junior, Marcus Miller, Damaris, Peabo Bryson, Talking Heads, Paul Habara, Brian Setzer, David Bowie, Steps Ahead, Ann Anello, Ronnie Spector, Cindy Valentine, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Scritti Politti, Myleka, Jorn Hoel, Linda Eder, Andreas Vollenweider, Charlie Sexton, Grace Jones, Natasha's Brother, Julien Clerc, Maggie's Dream, Hen-Gee & Evil-E, Debbie Gibson, Judy Collins, Marc Cohn, Tony Verderosa, Dr, John, John Tropea, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Spin Doctors, BB King, Patricia Kiss, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Horii Katsumi, Elton John, Jewel, Natalie Cole, Herbie Mann, Janis Siegel, Marilyn, R,. Kelly, Elaine Elias, Kiss, Joe Lynn Turner, Surtek Collective, Jennifer Rush)
• Robin Clark - Vox (Chic, Don Cooper, Danny Cox, Robin Kenyatta, Esther Phillips, Gary Glitter, Linda Lewis, David Bowie, Roger Moon, Peabo Bryson, Roy Buchanan, Brecker Bros band, Average White Band, Ringo Starr, Atlantic Family, Bette Midler, Tommy James, Leon Bryant, Firefly, Melba Moore, Change, Garland Jeffreys, Silence, High Fashion, Irene Cara, France Joli, Fonzi Thornton, Weather Girls, Luther Vandross, Melissa Manchester, George Benson, Innocence in Danger, Teddy Pendergrass, Marcus Miller, Belouis Some, Simple Minds, Masayoshi Takanaka, Ben E King, Aztec Camera, Julia Fordham, Sheena Easton, Charlie Sexton, Linda Eder, D'Atra Kicks, Lou Gramm, James Freud, Michael Bolton, India, Debbie Gibson, Hen-Gee & Evil E, Jellybean, Toshinobu Kubota, Grayson Hugh, Billy Squire, Jon Lucien, Al Green, Foreigner, David Lee Roth, Repercussions, Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, BeBe Winans, Veronica, Earl Slick, New Rising Sons, Natalie Cole, Kathy Troccoli, Full Moon, Laura Nyro, David Morales, Scissor Sisters, Frankie Valli, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Rush)
• Dave LeBolt - Strings (Spy, Billy Joel, David Bowie, Itamar, Richie Havens, Steve Hackett, Citi, Bonnie Tyler, Martin Briley, Julian Lennon, Foreigner, Stevie Nicks, Aldo Nova, Carly Simon, Belouis Some, Power Station, Aretha Franklin, Cutting Crew, Chris Spedding, Alphaville, Chaka Khan, Karen Kamon, David Van Tieghem, Eddie Rabbit, Sheena Easton, D'Atra Hicks, Laurie Anderson, Tom Kimmel, Beggars &Thieves, Dionne Warwick, Donny Osmond, Roberta Flack, Sinead O'Connor, Peter Noone, Expose, Turtle Island String, Paul McCartney, Braids, Steve Hackett, Jennifer Rush)
• Jim Maelen - Percussion Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, The Jacksons, Talking Heads, The Velons, Ambergirls, Doobie Brothers, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension more)
• Glenn Palmer - Wardrobe
• Rich Modica - Guitar Tech
• The Block - Band Assistant
• Eric Gardner - Mgmt
• Henry Marquez - Art Direction
• Gavin Cochrane - Photography
• Tom Nikosey - Logo Art

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, or these three artists based on their names. They are an interesting looking bunch, spanning the artistic look from Rockabilly to Punk to Glam to Goth to Powerpop. Looking at them, i expect the music to be something like Poison, to be honest. They look older, so this may be a supergroup of seasoned musicians I just don't know about. But i do know one thing, the fonts chosen for their name on the sleeve and back look awful, like horrendous clip art..although 1985 did not have computer clip art, so maybe they paved they way for what is terrible-looking now.

Album Review: The music is part sleazy arena rock and part hard country rock, but not necessarily rockabilly. maybe a good comparison would be if the Rolling Stones and INXS cross-bred and left the baby to a rich family in the American mid-west. The band was a result of The Stray Cats breaking up, as Phantom & Rocker were both Cats. Slick had been a guitarist for both Bowie and Lennon. On top of that pedigree, Keith Richards plays guitar on the track "My Mistake" and Nicky Hopkins (Who, Kinks, Stones) plays piano on 2 tracks. They only had 2 albums, this one doing well, but the second, Cover Girl, failing.

Stand Out Track: Hollywood Distractions 

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Pet Clams (the) - s/t

Name: Pet Clams
Album: Pet Clams
Year: 1981
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, Kurt Vile, Tom Robinson Band, A's, Laughing Dogs, Daddy Licks, Cars
"One-Word" Review: Americana Pub Rock
Based Out Of: Asbury Park, NJ
Label: Handshake Records and Tapes

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Pet Clams (1981)

1. Riding in My Car 3:09 (single)
2. Revisions of Johanna 3:36
3. Don't Get So Upset 3:03 (single)
4. Something Happened Late Last Night 2:58
5. Jerusalem 3:58
6. Suicide Note 3:28 /
7. Count your Saturday Nights 3:40
8. Things Keep on Changing 4:12
9. Ain't No Worryin 5:16
10. Generations 4:50
11. Gonna get Fooled Again 3:42 (single b-side)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Hilly Kristal - Producer, Direction, Personal Mgmt
• Glenn Kolotikin - Producer, Engineer
• Scott Powers - Asst. Engineer
• Rich Gelbstien - Writer, Vox, Keys (The Deacons, The Pets)
• Garry Applegate - Writer, Bass (Notorious Grit Bros., Alright Brothers Band, Sons of Alexander, Wildfire, Rockaday Johnny and the Blue Suede Shows, Magpie, The Pets)
• Dave Anderson - Writer, Guitar (Alright Brothers Band, Sons of Alexander, Blues Arc, Crabtree, Magpie, The Pets)
• Al Spero - Drums (Alright Brothers Band, The Pets)
• Peter Corriston - Art Direction & Design
• Hubert Kretzchmar - Illustration

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Pet Clams, but i bet it's gonna be wacky, juvenile humor intensive. The sexual innuendo and metaphor presented by their name and imagery is heavy handed, and they double down by censoring the lady licking a clam on the back cover with a black box..whether they were forced to do that or emphasized the nature of her action by choice is another matter completely. 

Album Review: So although the cover says THE Pet Clams, and the record just as them listed as Pet Clams, it turns out their full name is "The Big Fat Pet Clams From Outer Space." Still a wacky name, even if the sexual nature is not as apparent. But the music is not obviously wacky or juvenile. It is basic pub rock in a genuine and straightforward style. "Gonna Get Fooled Again" has a catchy hook with a little Cars vibe. "Suicide Note" has an Elvis Costello "Radio Radio" or "No Action" feel. "Don't Get So Upset" & "Jerusalem" have a reggae / twin tone style putting them between the Police and Specials.Their clunky website tells the story of the Clams in true light, and they follow in the tragic steps of A&R men, wrong place at the wrong time, record label unkept promises, internal turmoil leading to stardom fame collapse. They did have some popularity in NYC's CBGBs, more than their home town club Stone Pony. Variations of the band have been kicking around for years since this album's release (up to 2017), and their website has scattered unreleased demos and live takes all over the site. 

Stand Out Track: Suicide Note

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Nite City - s/t

Name: Nite City
Album: s/t
Year:1977
Style: Garage Psych, Synthy Prog, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Doors, Tubes, Sniff N The Tears, Supertramp
"One-Word" Review: Psych Tinged Garage Power Pop
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: 20th Century Fox Records

Cover, Photo Insert, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Nite City (1977)

1. Summer Eyes 4:26
2. Nite City 4:55
3. Love Will Make You Mellow 4:50
4. Angel W/No Freedom 6:39 /
5. Midnight Queen 3:55 (single)
6. Bitter Sky Blue 3:12
7. Caught In A Panic 4:41
8. In the Pyramid 3:48
9. Game of Skill 4:40

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Ray Manzarek - Producer, Keys, Vox (Doors, Rick & the Ravens, Skrillex, Mamas & Papas, X, Robby Krieger, Annabel Lamb, Bruce Joyner & the Plantations, Echo & the Bunnymen, Michael C Ford, Darryl Reed, Bill Walton, The Knack, Jurassic 5, Earthling, Pauyl & Georgia, D21C, Santana, Sly Stone, Weird Al Yankovic,  )
• Jay Senter - Producer
• Noah James - Vox (Nova Casanova)
• Paul Warren - Guitar, Vox (Rod Stewart, Rare Earth, Pacific Gas & Electric, Explorer, Jack Wagner, Robin Trower, Neil Norman, Bobby Sexton, Richard Marx, Ventures, Temptations, Undisputed Truth, Funkadelic, Elkie Brooks, Prism, Tina Turner, USA for Africa, Richard Marx, Tamara Champlin, Eros Ramazzotti, Alessandro Mara, Joe Cocker, Her Name is Death, ABC, Actual Russian Brides)
• Nigel Harrison - Bass (Blondie, BP Fallon & the Bandits, Chequered Past, Silverhead, The Grabs, Tamdrin, The Runaways, Michael Des Barres, Syar, Iggy Pop )
• Jimmy Hunter - Drums Vox (Paul Warren & Explorer, Hilary Laddin, Nick Gilder, David London, Gabriele Morgan, Fortune, Bobby Barth)
• Roger Dollarhide - Recording Engineer
• Leonard Kovner - Mixing Engineer
• Zox - Art & Illustration
• Todd Gray - Photos
• Clyde Terry - Lettering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Nite City, but they look like a bunch of long haired power pop hippies. I'm guessing this is straight ahead pub rock. But the dudes in the band look a little old for a new band or a one off album.

Album Review: The main draw of this band is the presence of ex-Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. His Doors-like keys can be heard throughout the album, but perhaps never as much as the opening track. He also historcially "discovered & Produced the LA cow punk band X. Bass player Nigel Harrison would move on to join Blondie. This is a collection of 70's harmonic power pop tracks with a slight edge that puts them basically as pub rock. It was theorized that Iggy Pop was a potential singer for this outfit, but he decided to join Bowie in Berlin at the time (place, not band). Influence and member history aside, this is a decent set of power/pub rock songs that don't do anything unique, but are not bad tracks. They were probably a huge let down for Doors fans looking for closure or a rebirth. Perhaps most notable are the lyrics on Angel W/ No Freedom, an obvious tribute to Morrison, featuring lyrics like "Wild Child Dreaming Wild" and "Bury all your sadness deep within you arm." And if that was not obvious enough, there's the final line "Heroin...killed my friend"

Stand Out Track: Bitter Sky Blue

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Max Webster - Universal Juveniles

Name: Max Webster
Album: Universal Juveniles
Year: 1980
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop, Prog
Similar Bands: Foreigner, Rush, Trooper, April Wine, Triumph
"One-Word" Review: Bland Power Prog
Based Out Of: Toronto / Sarnia, Ontario Canada
Label: Mercury, Phonogram INC, Polygram

Cover, Lyrics & Liner Notes, Record

Back, Lyrics and Liner Notes, Record

Universal Juveniles (1980)

1. In the World Of Giants 4:18
2. Check 2:37 (single)
3. April in Toledo 3:40
4. Juveniles Don't Stop 3:32
5. Battle Scar 5:48 /
6. Chalkers 3:45
7. Drive and Desire 3:53
8. Blue River Liquor Shine 4:15 (single)
9. What Do You Do With the Urge 3:20
10. Cry Out Your Life 5:33

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Jack Richardson - Producer
• Kim Mitchell - Guitar, Vox (Grass Co., The Quotations, Big Al's Band, ZOOOM,Northern Lights, Toronto Together, USA for Africa, Voices With Heart, Shelton Kirby III, Coney Hatch, Steve Blimkie, Garnett Ford, Hagood Hardy, The Hunt, Gowan, Ian Thomas, Tom Cochrane, Helix, Flutie Bros Band, Tiles, Barenaked Ladies)
• Gary McCracken - Drums (Zing Dingo, Wrabit, Klaatu, Tony Ray, Lisa Price, Gary O, Triumph, Ronnie Flay & Panama Bandits)
• Dave Myles - Bass (Grass Co., ZOOOM, Zing Dingo, Rastus, Tony Ray)
• Pye Dubois (Paul Woods) - Lyrics, Overseeing (Grass Co., The Quotations, Big Al's Band, ZOOOM)
• Doug Riley - Piano, Clavinet, Synth (Brian Russell, Prototype, White Wolf, Pat Hervey, King Biscuit Boy, Guido Basso, House of Commons, Everyday People, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Moe Koffman, Rob McConnell & Boss Brass, Milan Kymlicka, Bruno Gerussi, Edward Bear, Kenny Rogers, A Foot in Coldwater, Patsy Gallant, Dr. Music, Joe Probst, Billy Mysner, more)
• Neil Pert - Drums (Rush)
• Terry Watkinson - Keys (Grass Co., The Quotations, Big Al's Band, ZOOOM, Antlers, Rock Show of the Yeomen, Klaatu, Teratology, Sonny Brite & The Sequins)
• Alex Lifeson - Guitar (Rush, Bubbles & Shit Rockers, Jakalope, Rock Aid Armenia, Bid Girty Band, Victor, more )
• Dave Stone - Synth (AraPacis, Rainbow, Symphonic Slam, Oak, Vision, Paul Odette, Quincy Jones, Dio)
• Geddy Lee - Vox (Rush, Bubbles & Shit Rockers, Northern Lights, Big Dirty Band, USA For Africa more)
• Meloshe - Bass
• Dave Greene - Engineer
• Lenny DeRose - Asst Engineer
• Ringo Hrycyna - Asst. Engineer
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Rodney Bowes - Cover Design, Photos
• Greg Elliott - Illustrations, Lettering
• Peter George - Special Effects
• Jon Erikson - Sound
• John Coulson - 
• L.Stephen M. - 
• Mike McCarty - 
• Rascal Houndi -

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this artist, but he looks rather old for jumping around with a guitar in one hand, a flame in the other, all while clad in a bright yellow bam-bam one shoulder strap spandexy leotard. Kinda like a post-prime David Lee Roth. The back pics of him basically running don't help out. All that said, I can't see this being cut and dry metal or rock, but i'm going to have to guess it is hard rock trying to have an much heavier edge than it does.

Album Review: This is the fifth and final album from this band which has never featured one member named Max Webster (they were going for a Jethro Tull type name). Although popular in Canada, thanks in part to a energetic stage presence and wild antics, they never reached success elsewhere. This album features the song Battle Scar, which was recorded along side the Rush trio of Lee, Pert & Lifeson. Honestly, the album is not very good: the vocals sound rushed and the music feels like it is trying to cover too many genres, and because of that, failing to stand on it's own feet.

Stand Out Track: Battle Scar

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Murray McLaughlin and the Silver Tractors - Hard Rock Town

Name: Murray McLaughlin and the Silver Tractors
Album: Hard Rock Town
Year: 1977
Style: Bluesy Pub Rock, Country
Similar Bands: Neil Young, Poco, Pure Prairie League
"One-Word" Review: Sleepy Country Pubs
Based Out Of: Toronto, Canada
Label: True North, Island Records

Cover & Back, Record

Gatefold & Record

Hard Rock Town (1977)

1. Love Comes and Goes 4:20 (single)
2. Poor Boys 3:46
3. The Man Who Can Sing the Blues 3:05
4. Love Can Make Ya 4:23
5. Well, Well, Well 4:14 (single B-side) /
6. Hard Rock Town 4:10
7. Immigrant 3:00
8. Sweet Song of Asia 3:10
9. When The Taxman Comes 3:12
10. Straight Outa Midnight 3:41 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Murray McLaughlin - Guitar, Piano, Harmonica, Vox, Writing, Producer (Lunch at Allen's, Northern Lights)
• Jorn Andersen - Drums, Percussion, Vox (Brian Plummer & the Suspects, First Fire, Fludd, Rough Trade, The Lincolns, Totonto Rhythm Section, Ian Thomas, Rob Piltch, Allanah Myles, Patricia Dahlquist, Joe Mendelson, Jackson Hawke, Crack of Dawn, Dan Hill, Bruce Cockburn, Tom Middleton, Bryan Way, Ronney Abramson, John Mills, Brent Titcomb, McLuskey, Sylvia Tyson, Jack Tobi, Anne Murray, Eddie Schwartz, Vezi, Joe Wood, Keith McKie, Garnett Ford, Harlow, Extras, Tim Ryan, Dr. Music, Doug Casmeron, Veronique Beliveau, Hugh Marsh, Tom Cochrane, Christopher Wand, Harlequin, John James, Terry Kelly, David Gogo, Virginia Storey, Philip Sayce, Aidan Mason, David Wilcox, Jack Semple, Michael Kaeshammer, Kevin Breit, Henrys, Don Rookie, Kevin Breit, Andrea Koziol, Carlos del Junco, Folkalarm, Justin Hines, Anjulie, Harry Manx, Fefe Dobson, Russell DeCarle)
• Dennis Pendrith - Bass, Vox (Bruce Cockburn, Dan Hill, 3s A Crowd, Rise and Shine Band, Bachelor Farmers, Raffi, Fred Penner, Simone Caine, Pierre Lalonde, Dee Higgins, Luke Gibson, Aarons & Ackley, Fraser & deBolt, Dave Essig, David Wiffen, Peter Donato, Willie P Bennett, Bryan Way, Len udow, Time Twins, Rosenshontz, Jerry Brodey, Dwayne Ford, Available Space, Mose Scarlett, Gordon Lightfoot, Leroy Sibbles, Brent Titcomb, Fred Penner, Ken Whiteley, Sylvia Tyson, Vance Gilbert, Tim harrison, Fred Eaglesmith, April Verch, Jim Layeux, Dan Whiteley, Ken Whiteley, Lunch at Allens, Kathy Reid Naiman, Lenore, Danny Michael, John P Allen, Cris Cuddy, Matt Andersen, Men Without Hairs)
• Ben Mink - Fiddle, Mandolin, Backing Vox, String Arrangement (Cano, FM, Stringband, k.d. lang, Geddy Lee, Rush, Heart, American Flyer, more) 
• Gene Martynec - Guitar, String Arrangement (Bobby Kris & The Imperials, Kensington Market, London Improvisers Orch, Bruce Cockburn, Luke Gibson, Edward Bear, Lou Reed, Gordon Lightfoot, Ray Materick, Paul Stoddart, Jeff White, Len Udow, John Mills-Cockell, BB Gator, Eric Robertson, Brian Plummer, Rob Clutton)
• Ronney Abramson - Vox (Bruce Cockburn)
• Kathryn Moses - Flute (Ted Moses Quintet, Syncona, Bruce Cockburn, Ann Mortifee, Ken Whiteley, Tommy Graham, Tom Rush, Joe Probst, Chuck Mangione, Hagood Hardy, Jose Munoz Coca, Leroy Sibbles, Raffi, Hugh Marsh, Ann Reed, Tony Guerrero, Ann Mortifee, Grit Laskin, Ricky Gianco, Fred Stone)
• Ken Friesen - Engineer
• Doug Neil - Asst Engineer
• Bart Schoales - Art Direction, Design, Photos
• Ray Simpson - Retouching & Special Photography
• Bernie Finkelstein - Producer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but it looks and the name / album title sounds like a blue-collar Bruce Cougar Springsteen Mellencamp sorta act.

Album Review: Althogh this album is mostly southern bluesy pub rock, it definitely leans toward country, although  the song "Straight Outa Midnight" sounds a little like The Who. McLaughlin has won numerous Juno awards and is in the Canadian Country Music HoF. He has a commercial pilots license as well, and has been flying personal and commercial aircrafts for many years. And he is still performing as of 2020.

Stand Out Track: Straight Outa Midnight

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Jules and the Polar Bears - Got No Breeding

Name: Jules and the Polar Bears
Album: Got No Breeding
Year: 1978
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Journey, ELO, Kinks, Badfinger, Police, Steve Forbert, Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, Rockpile
"One-Word" Review: Melodic Powerpop
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Columbia, CBS

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Got No Breeding (1978)

1. You Just Don't Wanna Know 4:09 (single)
2. Black Fever Sleep 4:09
3. Lovers By Rote 3:46
4. Shadows Break 4:46
5. Convict 3:28 / 
6. Got No Breeding 2:45
7. The Soul of Many Places 3:26
8. Love It Again 3:09
9. Home Somewhere 2:58
10. Following Every Finger 4:08
11. Driftwood From Disaster 2:02

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Jules Shear - Vox, Guitar, Design (Funky Kings, Reckless Sleepers, Raisins in the Sun, Cyndi Lauper, Bangles, Iain Matthews, Aimee Mann, Matthew Sweet, Shear Shazar, Polar Pair more)
• Richard Bredice - Guitar (Mercy Ray, Kathy Troccoli, Michael English, Pressure, Scott Sechman)
• Stephen Hague - Keys, Engineer (La Seine, Polar Pair, Walter Egan, Gordan Lightfoot, Gleaming Spires, Ric Ocasek, OMD, Pere Ubu, Blur, James, Pretenders, Peter Gabriel, A-Ha,   many)
• David Beebe - Drums, Percussion (Banana Blender Surprise, El Orbits, Bob Beland, Slow Children, Mercy Ray, Roches, Randy Vanwarmer, Pal Shazar, Jimmy Somerville, Jesse Dayton, Nina Katchadourian)
• Larry Hirsch - Engineer, Percussion (Guthrie Thomas, Seventy Sevens, Maria Muldaur, SDteven Soles, Sand Rubies, Peter Case)
• Alex Rosenthal - Asst Engineer
• Dennis Moody - Asst Engineer
• John Golden - Mastering
• Elizabeth Lennard - Cover Art
• Max Hellweg - Sleeve Photo
• Alyson - Cover Lettering
• Tony - Design
• Eddie Reeves - Personal Mgmt
• Kenny Altman - Bass and Gone (Fifth Ave band, Strangers, White Horse, Bread & Butter, John Sebastian, Peter Gallway, Seanor & Koss, Melvin Van peebles, Reggie Knighton, David Batteau)
• Jim Gordon - Baritone Sax (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Jesse Davis, Shelley manne, Shotgun LTD, Duane Allman, Elvin Bishop, Hap Palmer, Alex Richman, Thomas & Richard Frost, Ben Sidran, Maria Muldaur, Stephen Cohn, Delaney Bramlett, Linda Ronstadt, Jesse Ed Davis, Becky Hobbs, Freddie King, Bonnie Raitt, Jessi Colter, Jackson Browne, Bert Jansch, Waylon Jennings, Gary Hill, Rick Danko, Tompall Glaser, the Band, Alpha Band, CY Walkin Band, Rick Cunha, Rod Stewart, Kayak, Ken Lauber, Ringio Starr, Rita Coolidge, Mike Bloomfield, Keb Mo, John kay & Co, Andrew belling, Leon Russell)
• Jerry Petersen - Tenor Sax (Billy Vera & The Beaters, Creation, HUB, Golden Avatar, Michael Cassidy, Olivia Newton-John, Cindy Bullens, Tonio K. Alpha Band, Ronnie Hawkins, Evie Sands, Foxy. Matthew Moore, Joe Dassin, Mouse, Edwin Starr, Norman Connors, Robbie Dupree, Chuck Francour, Ollie Mitchell's Sunday Band Kim Carnes, Nils Lofgren, peter Alsop, Danny Deardorf, Larry John McNally, Martha Bishop, Leslie Smith, Linda Ronstady, Motels, Kuniko Fukushima, APB, Bob Welch, Matthew Wilder, Marty Balin, DFX2, Carl Wilson, New Edition, Lynn Carey, Jack Wagner, ODA, Off Course, barbara, Dennis Edwards, Black Tie, Steve Narahara, Phyllis Nelson, 38 Special, Dwight willey, Amanda McBroom, Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Cris Williamson, Cruzados, Heidi, Dramarama, Michael Bolton, Gashouse Dave, Greg Cooper, John Miles, Teresa James, Rick Danko JJ Cale, Johnny Rivers)
• Jerry Jumonville - Tenor Sax (Delaney&Bonnie&Friends, Les Getrex & Creole Cooking, Dr. John, Ry Cooder, Duane Allman, Doobie Brothers, Maria Muldaur, Mike Bloomfield, Dave Mason, Bonnie Raitt, Iron Butterfly, Rod Stewart, Gap Band, Van Morrison, Johnny Rivers, Dusty Springfield, David Soul, Little Feat, Leo Sayer, Brooklyn Dreams, Albert Lee, Bette Midler, Harry Nilsson, Doobie Brothers, Ringo Starr, States, Eikichi Yazawa, Tommy Tutone, Michael Bolton, Smokey Robinson, Captain Beefheart,   some more)
• Mike Henderson - Tenor Sax (Eddie Cochran, Kelly Four, Allan Breed, Gary Paxton, Your Gang, Ben Benay. Pete Candoli, Firar Tuck, Tommy Roe, Marketts, Tony Conn, Johnny Legend & Skullcaps, Ray Campi, Jimmie Lee Maslon, The Ballroom, Lee Mallory,  )
• Mark Underwood - Trumpet (Darlene Zschech, West Australian Symphonic Orch, Serfs, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Becky Hobbs Andrae Crouch & the Disciples, Cate Bros., Van Morrison, Bette Midler, David Soul, Alvino Rey, Michael Vlatkovich, Vinny Golla, Hank Marvin, Rhibosome, Flow Dynamics)
• Lee Thornberg - Trumpet (Richard Cheese, Lounge Agaisnt the Machine, Supertramp, Bob Florence Ltd Ed. Bruce Eckovitz, Heart Attack Horns, Soul Lips, Steve Huffsteter, Tower of Power, Little Feat, Doobie Bros, Rod Stewart, more)
• Jay Pruitt - Trumpet
• Darrell Leonard - Trumpet, Horn Arrangement (Delaney&Bonnie&Friends, Phantom Blues Band, Texacali Horns, more)
• Skip Wiesner - Trombone
• Bill Edwards - Trombone
• Linda Small - Trombone (Gary Urwin Jazz Orch, Cate Bros, Tompall Glaser, Tavares, Pete Christlieb 11 piece band)

Unknown-ness: never heard of this band, but from the band name, lowercase font, color choice, and grittiness of the photo makes me think this is a good new wave band, maybe electronic & synth based, or maybe minimal and no wave. Perhaps like Martha & Muffins.

Album Review: So this is pretty straightforward power pop and a little pub rock. "Love It Again" has a little Police feel, but most has an ELO harmonic and Kinks pop feel: nothing too memorable or remarkable. Singer Shear was in a relationship with Aimee Mann at one point. Shear also created and hosted the first 13 episodes of MTV's Unplugged.

Stand Out Track: You Just Don't Wanna Know

Links:
spotify album
wiki - Jules Shear
allmusic
discogs
latimes
starling
musicmap
madnest
rateyourmusic
robert christgau
Jules Shear site

Jambalaya - High Rollers and Other Fine Ladies

Name: Jambalya
Album: High Rollers and Other Fine Ladies
Year: 1973
Style: Southern Blues, Country
Similar Bands: Ace, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd
"One-Word" Review: Swamp Root Country
Based Out Of: Libertyville, IL
Label: A&M

Cover, Lyrics, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

High Rollers and Other Fine Ladies (1973)

1. High Roller 3:30
2. Lady Lightning 3:52
3. Lovin' You 3:19 (single)
4. Sweet Marie 3:22
5. She's A Driver 3:47 /
6. Sheriff Johnson 4:05
7. Backwater Children 4:35
8. Never the Wind 4:45
9. Angry Tiger 4:48

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Peter Mac Ian - Lead Vox, Piano, Organ, Clavinet (Frane Golde, Doug Parkinson, The City)
• Charles Ray - Vox, Drums, Percussion
• Erik Scott - Vox, Bass (Alice Cooper, Flo & Eddie) 
• Billy Steele - Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar, Dobro (Mo McGuire, Franne Golde, Tonio K, Alice Cooper, the Honeys, Steve Perry)
• James Egan - Rhythm & 6-12 String Guitar
• Thomas Jefferson Kaye - Producer
• Roger "The Immortal" Nichols - Engineer
• Carl E Huston - Equipment Man
• Roy Shaffer - Equipment Man
• Jeff "Skunk" Baxter - Pedal Steel Guitar (Four on the Floor, Steely Dan, The Best, Doobie Brothers, Louisiana Gator Boys, Texas Toad Lickers, Tupelo Bone, Ultimate Spinach, more)
• Joe Giuliani - Engineer
• Roland Young - Art Direction
• Mick Haggerty - Design
• Rod Dyer - Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but it reminds me of the other recently reviewed record, the Joey "King" Carrasco record, just with a rockabilly twist with the pin-up girls, dice, chips and leopard prink background. My guess for this record is swing, rockabilly tracks that probably step too far into country.

Album Review: The record is much more in line with southern country/blues rock, and does not really touch rockabilly at all. The stand out track i selected was because it sounds a lot like the FlashMan theme from Mega Man 2...so it literally stood out from the first time i heard it. Looks like this is the only release from this band, and there is not much info out there about them.

Stand Out Track: Blackwater Children

Links:
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a&m corner
john katsmc5
RU Rock 70's
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