Friday Singles: The Bobbleheads, Reno Bo, The JAC, and The Co-op

Holidays are coming soon and the artists we follow deliver singles every year during this month. Not everything here is free, but I do make sure to add a few name-your-price singles to the list. I would also encourage you to check out these artists past work.

San Francisco band The Bobbleheads, one of the most underrated of power pop bands, has a sweet holiday single for us. And this song is extra groovy as its also a name-your-price download.

Reno Bo is another amazing talent. He had one of the top albums of the year in 2015. This month he brings us his catchy “Smile Across The Universe” and a mono version is included with this single.

The JAC (aka Joe Algeri and friends) have a slightly somber take on the holiday since it’s clearly been another tough year for music lovers of the classic era of rock n’ roll – Tom Petty, Glen Campbell, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and the Young brothers, George and Malcolm.

A collective of artists: Dw. Dunphy, Jeff Elbel, Randy Kerkman, and Dan Pavelich remind us the holidays can also be a time when “Everything Goes To Hell” Please get this song for a single dollar. Proceeds from the song will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. 

EPs and Singles: Freddy Monday, Ken Sharp and The Vice Rags

The catchy goodness of Freddy Monday is back with a new single “Me Are You Are Me” and I hope it’s the start of a new album since it’s been a long while.  Get it on Amazon

Ken Sharp was also a big fan of the late David Cassidy. So he quickly wrote this song to help support David’s charity, the Alzheimer’s Association. Ken is joined by Fernando Perdomo and Rob Bonfiglio. Get this one today! Also available on Amazon



So the band Readymade Breakup has broken up… and in its place is The Vice Rags. This is a band that’s willing to give you the unwashed truth with three chords and a deadly hook, just the way you like it. Based in Asbury Park, New Jersey its members are: Paul Rosevear (vocals/guitar), Joe Chyb (drums), Jack Roberts (guitar) and Gay Elvis (bass/vocals). Check out this cool debut EP, “Shut Up and Love Me” rocks all out, “Jersey Boy” and “Out On The Street” are great rock anthems. Don’t miss it! Bandcamp only

Saturday Singles: Nezrok, Jared Lekites, Tommy Lorente

Nezrok “Andy Please”
The short story: At a New Jersey Record Show guitarist Chris Korzen found a cassette of what he thought were previously unheard Big Star songs. The music was actually written by a friend of the band – Van Duren. Van had been doing some writing with Jody Stephens, and in 1975, recorded these demos with legendary producer Andrew Loog Oldham. Chris connected with Van and long-time friend Chris Bolger, who suggested recording one of the songs “Andy, Please.” They were joined by keyboardist Dave Amels, guitarist Joe Howell and Smithereen’s drummer Dennis Diken. An amazing lost piece of Big Star history is now available.

Jared Lekites “Freebird” 
Jared Lekites is dropping the last of his solo tracks while he gears up with this band on the next Lunar Laugh album. “Freebird” is another catchy tune with sweet rhythm. This is followed by a trio of not-so-obvious covers, including Paul McCartney’s “Temporary Secretary,” the Beach Boys “I’d Love Just Once To See You”  and Coke Belda‘s “Hold Me Tight.” A great find here.

Tommy Lorente “Sexe Luxe Etc.”
The coolest power pop artist in France, Tommy Lorente is back. As he readies his sophomore album, listen to this new single “Sex Luxe Etc.,” and this is how you do power pop in French – roughly translated as “She loves me no doubt, a little more than you.” Looking forward to the new album, this track is a FREE download.

Singles: Phil Ajjarapu, Radio Days, Bryan Estepa, Bill DeMain and Lannie Flowers

I rarely promote singles on Power Popaholic, but enough of my favorite artists came out with new materials this month, so consider this one of those rare times:

Phil Ajjarapu “I Got a Feeling / Kimberly”
“I Got A Feeling” was cut from the final track listing of Ajjarapu’s album Sing Along Until You Feel Better to make room for the title track, which was written after the sessions with Ken Stringfellow. “Kimberly” was recorded in the same session.

Radio Days “I’m in Love With You, Haruka” is a new song and the B-side is a cover of the classic theme “Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones. The band goes on a European tour this summer.

Bryan Estepa “Rattled and Rolled” is a true collaboration between Aussie musicians Bryan Estepa and Michael Carpenter. Profits from the sales of this single will go to The Heart Foundation.

“Leroy Boy,” a song from Bill DeMain‘s upcoming album Transatlantic Romantic is a loving tribute/sequel to Todd Rundgren’s classic “We Gotta Get You A Woman” from 1970. Lots of fun and I can’t wait for the full-length release.

 

Lannie Flowers is back, and not a moment too soon. “Kiss a Memory” and  “Everything a Man Could Want” have everything power pop fans have come to expect from Lannie; a  strong melody and enviable riffs that encourage air guitar play-along.
Get it at CD Baby | Spyderpop Records

 

Singles and Previews: Spirit Kid, Nicole Atkins, Chris Merritt, Lisa Mychols and more.

Some of my long time favorite artists are coming out with new material, so I figured I’d break protocol and share some singles and videos:

It’s been too long, but Spirit Kid is back with a kick-ass single “To My Romeo,” and hopefully a new album cannot be far behind.

Nicole Atkins has been touring a lot lately and after some notable collaborations, she’s started a funding effort for a new album Goodnight Rhonda Lee.

Chris Merritt is a classically trained pop wunderkind and after a series of innovative albums, he took a career break. But now he’s working on”Be Minor” from the upcoming album Time Is Real. Give a listen.

The lovely and talented Lisa Mychols always seems to have something cooking. Her great vocals are featured on the new single “He’s Got Me Dreaming” and it’s available on CD Baby.

I predicted it and it came true! R. Stevie Moore and Jason Falkner backed by the British indie band Happyness at SxSW 2017