The Reigning Sound - Time Bomb High School - 2002

Time Bomb High School is much more than another garage tribute to soulful '60s Brit-rock. But the sophomore effort from the Reigning Sound is something less than the band's minimal, country-folk debut. During knockouts like the Rolling Stones-flavored "Straight Shooter" and "I'd Much Rather Be With the Boys," Greg Cartwright and his Memphis combo's sound is as pure, and as well-grounded, as anything since Exile on Main Street. With 14 tracks, however, the material and arrangements are spread just a little too thin, and too many average tunes are allowed in the mix. A bit of a stylistic return for former Oblivians member Cartwright, Time Bomb High School crackles with raucous garage energy. While nothing like the punk/soul primal scream of the musician/songwriter's earlier days, this disc surpasses any reasonable swagger quota. The Reigning Sound's moody, countrified debut had a relative wealth of riveting numbers, and more conceptual clarity, but this 2002 In The Red title will definitely satisfy Cartwright fans as well as listeners wary of the inevitable post-White Stripes garage posers. -AMG



The Reigning Sound - Time Bomb High School - 2002/rs
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The Reigning Sound - Time Bomb High School - 2002/sb

Power Pop in the Twenty-First Century

Here is some video from John Wicks and Paul Collins's first ever appearance together in May 2009.


Rock N Roll Girl, John Wicks & Paul Collins


Hearts in Her Eyes, John Wicks & Paul Collins

This summer has brought with it a lot of changes on the Wicks / Collins front including a new website, www.johnwicksandpaulcollins.com. All the important information is there!

And just so you know, John and Paul will kick-off a west coast tour at McCabe’s in Santa Monica CA on August 23rd. Tickets are available by calling 310 828 4497 or at the McCabe’s website . Following the McCabe's show, John will be joining Paul onstage for a few of the Beat west coast shows and then they will cap things off with a short tour of Spain....

And finally, regarding the house tour that went so very well this summer, so well in fact that the guys would like to continue doing more. If YOU would like any information on having John and Paul perform at your home please contact Rich Rossi .


Video is courtesy of Tom Weber Video Services, Pittsburgh, PA

Headin' West!!

I have been kind of mailing it in lately and need some time off. Gonna hit ol' Route 66 with the family and see this great country of mine!

Curty Ray

The Injured Parties - Fun With A Purpose - Now Avialable

I've got a soft spot for noisy power-pop, and 'Fun With A Purpose' pulled me right in away. 'American Comfort' starts the album incredibly well, you can't help but tap your toes, nod your head and wave your arms around and it doesn't let up either. Essentially no filler on this album and every song is better than the previous song. For those that like their Power Pop crunchy with just the right amount of jangle, this is for you!! This is "Highly" recommended 5 Stars - Curty Ray, Power Pop Overdose

Find out more about The Injured Parties at http://theinjuredparties.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/injuredparties

American Comfort - The Injured...

Available Now At
as well as other retailers!!

Kenny Howes - The Right Idea - 2000

Kenny Howes' first three albums -- Nothing Wrong With That, Kenny Howes' Second Album, and Back to You Today! -- were some of the most talked-about releases of the mid-'90s power pop underground, but because they were pressed in small editions, they disappeared quickly. So when Howes signed to the Atlanta-based indie Second Heaven in early 2000, the first order of business was to release The Right Idea, a remixed compilation of tracks from those three albums, plus some outtakes and rarities, like the stomping garage rock title track from the soundtrack of a little-seen indie film. The 14 tracks are a good solid overview of Howes' career, hitting most of the high points, like the Beatlesque "Thought You'd Never Go," which mixes sweet harmonies with sour lyrics in a manner not unlike fellow Georgian Stephen Fievet of LMNOP. The celebratory "Girls With Glasses" is another highlight. While Howes occasionally strays a little too far into simple revivalism, his skewed lyrical sense and fondness for brash, rough-edged production keep things on the right track. -AMG



Kenny Howes - The Right Idea - 2000/rs
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Kenny Howes - The Right Idea - 2000/sb

Michael Gross & The Statuettes - Dust and Daylight - Avialable now!

Salt Lake City based Michael Gross & The Statuettes formed in the summer of 2008. Michael Gross was previously the guitarist and one of the singer/songwriters in the band “The Brobecks” from 2003-2007. The band toured regularly and caught the attention of many music industry folk and media in their time together. As time went on, ideas and business decisions differed, and 3 of the 4 members eventually left the band and went their own way. Michael included.
After a short stint in a band called “Lets Become Actors”, Michael recorded a solo CD in the spring of 2008 titled "Tales From a Country Home". A short time later, Michael formed a real life band. The Statuettes were born. Living never felt so good.
The Statuettes (Michael Gross – vocals/guitar, James Kelley - guitar, Benjamin Johnson – bass/keys and Matt Glass – drums/keys) have been described by the Salt Lake City Weekly to play “twangy pop that has a slightly uneasy tone beneath the jingle jangle flow” and have released their debut E.P. titled "Dust and Daylight" in May 2009. With a keen mind and a positive self body image, the band is looking forward to touring the U.S., recording more music, and other lovely things in the coming months.




Michael Gross & The Statuettes - I've Been Wrong Before

Dust and Daylight now available for purchase here!

The Californias - Bright - 2007

I like to think that another world exists out there somewhere. It’s the exact mirror image of our world, only in this world, "pop" isn’t a dirty word. It hasn’t been co-opted by cookie-cutter boy bands or manufactured mannequins masquerading as the modern Madonna. In this world, "pop" is taken back to its roots -- to clean, hooky guitars; tight, snappy bass lines; and a solid foundation of four beats, all of which are on the floor. In this world, The Californias would be king.
Comparisons to the Beach Boys and the Beatles are easy (but appropriate -- guitarist/vocalist Mike June played Paul McCartney in a Beatles tribute band for five years), but The California’s slick, well-produced (but thankfully not overproduced) garage-pop is also reminiscent of The Zombies and The Cars. And while the music might evoke images of sun, surf and smiles, this is no period piece. What separates The Californias from their cheerful competitors is the sense that The Californias aren’t acting -- they believe in their posi-pop 100 percent. Listeners will get that feeling as well, and that feeling will lift them out of their seats and on to the dance floor, where, come twist or come twerk, you’ll be moving. - Patrick Wall/FreeTimes, Columbia, SC



The Californias - Bright - 2007/rs
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The Californias - Bright - 2007/sb