Friday Freebies: The Well Wishers, Vegas With Randolph, The Skullers and I Prefer Guitars

Long-time power pop favorite The Well Wishers (aka Jeff Shelton) give us an album of covers. Many are album tracks and not the big popular hits, which makes this collection even more compelling. Shelton covers Tom Petty, Sloan, ABBA, Bowie and more. Also it’s a totally FREE download.


Vegas With Randolph flies the friendly skies with this eminently catchy boarding pass of a song that happily charts a sweet flight path for these Washington, D.C. popsters. While it isn’t free, it’s only a buck and this is a quality single that deserves to be heard!

The Skullers are a new band from New Jersey that are looking for a little exposure. The debut single “Can We Do That Again” is a sharp bit of guitar pop that certainly is worthy of a FREE download. Learn more about these guys at The Skullers.com

The band I Prefer Guitars is a bit of a mystery. I can’t find any bio information except that this band may be from Hamburg, Stockholm or Warsaw. The music is pretty straight forward modern guitar pop. And it’s also a FREE download, so why not check it out?

Exclusive: Lost power pop release from The Tomboys

The Tomboys

The Tomboys “Sessions One”

The Tomboys were young teens when they formed and quickly took to performing and songwriting. Their local popularity spread quickly due to their catchy, melodic songs as the trio performed hundreds of local shows and concerts. They could’ve been considered South Florida’s biggest power-pop band of the ’80s. Now this “lost” band can be heard again with newly remixed and remastered recordings from their first sessions. Best of all, power popaholics the Sessions One EP is absolutely FREE. Get it here: www.thetomboysmusic.com or download through the soundcloud player below.

The Tomboys promo photo


So who were The Tomboys?

Tommy Anthony – Vocals/Guitars

Tommy took a break from music following the band’s breakup, later forming Tommy Anthony & Goza (1991) and the Four O’Clock Balloon (1997). He enjoyed varying degrees of success locally and nationally with both projects. During this time, he had begun doing studio/session work in 1993 as a vocalist and guitarist, which lead to extensive touring. After stints with Jon Secada, Steve Winwood, Gloria Estefan, Carol King and many others, he formally joined Santana in 2005, with whom he still works and tours. He lives in Miami.

Raul Malo – Vocals/Bass

Raul formed the Mavericks in 1990 after the band split up, signing a record deal with MCA and relocating to Nashville, where he still lives today. The Mavericks received various industry awards, strong press, and has been credited with creating a sound often described as equal parts Country, Zydeco, Americana and Tex-Mex. As of this writing, they are currently back together and on tour, after having taken some time off several years ago, while Raul pursued a solo career.

Joe Alonso – Drums

Joe replaced performing for a stab in the music “business”, enjoying an 18-year run following his departure from the band. He ran his own independent labels (one, fostered an Epic/CBS distribution deal and a Billboard Dance Chart hit in 1990). He later owned/operated a very successful CD/music distribution business, with vendors such as CBS/Sony, Universal, EMI-Capitol and BMG Music. Ever ambitious, he inaugurated the first School of Rock franchise in South Florida, enjoying national recognition. Presently, Joe is a direct lender in the residential and commercial sector, and also lives in Miami.

Saturday Freebies: The Kickstand Band, Space Engineer, Action Jets, Neil Nathan

The Kickstand Band makes news again with this cover of The Chiffons tune for Valentine’s Day. Wonderfully produced it would’ve fit nicely on Dana Countryman’s Girlville.

Space Engineer is the work of Sydney based songwriter Terry Lyndon. He’s got a nice mellow jangle pop sound and uses it over these mostly melancholy songs. Check it out, as its a FREE download.

Okay, it’s not a freebie, but this Phoenix, AZ trio called Action Jets has the right attitude and some decent musical chops. With a more polished production, these guys would really shine.


Neil Nathan‘s latest “Diamond in the Sky & Song of the Firefly” is a FREE preview of his newest LP. Its mellow introspective music that signals Nathan’s next creative direction.

Freebie Friday: Bertling, Gay Elvis, Grouphug and The Co-Op Communique

Bertling Noise Labs is at it again with a series of faithful covers. Enjoy the Simon & Garfunkle classic “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” with full harmonies re-created. And I don’t care how many times I hear Big Star’s “Thirteen” it always brings a tear to my eye. Enjoy this freebie.

Gay Elvis was the guitarist for The Jersey band Readymade Breakup. Here he reminisces on his past with an earlier band.


Grouphug is a compilation from a Denver label with some good alt. pop sprinkled all around. Really like the albums start with Tambourines, Down Time and Marti & The Dads. Plus check out the ’70s guitar stylings of Wazonek.

The Co-Op Communique distributes music from independent artists seeking to share their artistic output with an enthusiastic audience. Some power pop mixed in like Lisa Mychols, The Bradburys and The Click Beetles. Thanks to Dw Dunphy for helping distribute this comp.

Freebies: The White Oranges, Surf Cassette, The John Sally Ride

The White Oranges

Indie-Rock trio from Saginaw, Michigan produced by Andy Reed, so you know it will sound great. The opener “Everybody” is a catchy longer rocker, those 5 minutes rush right by. These tunes are long but good. Fans of Weezer will love this too. Get it now!

Surf Cassette

Nice throwback to the grungey-pop of ’90s with this band from Milan Italy. Unfortunately “Lust For Life” can’t compare to the Iggy Pop classic. Skip to “Mess In My Head” and “Maybe I’m Not Sober” for fuzz guitar bliss.

The John Sally Ride

The brilliant pairing of John Dunbar and Sal Maida (Milk & Cookies) with drummer Sal Nunziato. I love this amazingly tight single and B-side that is a preview of the upcoming LP “A New Set Of Downs” Get it now!