Tag: Pezband

The Last Bees and Pezband

powerpopaholic
The Last Bees

The Last Bees “The Last Bees” EP

Milwaukee-based The Last Bees are a project from the mind of singer-songwriter Ian Ash. Playing perfect Beatlesque pop music is comparable to Bushnell’s Law; “easy to learn, but difficult to master.” Very few bands have done it right (The Red Button is one of them) and I’m proud to say The Last Bees deserve to be part of this exclusive club. The Last Bees stick to the Fabs mop-top era (1964-66) for inspiration, and it would’ve been nice to move forward in time, but we can get to that on the next EP.

“I Can’t Wait” is pure infectious joy on par with the Wonders. The Beatles may be the starting template, but Ian makes sure each song has a unique catchy-as-hell chorus that finds the melodic sweet spot. The songs also tap into a kind of youthful vulnerability that has all but vanished from today’s pop music. Care is given to each song so it doesn’t become repetitive and at under three minutes — they never overstay their welcome. A big highlight for me was the mid-tempo ballad “The Final Sting,” with its glossy acoustic strums, recalling The Beatles “I’ll Be Back” in technique. Without a doubt one of the best retro pop EPs you’ll hear in 2019.

Amazon

Pezband

Pezband “Cover To Cover Remixed”

Remember power pop in the ’80s? While Pezband’s original Cover To Cover was released in 1979, it foreshadows the mid-80’s production techniques (big bass, delays, loaded reverbs) that gained popularity at that time. Fans will love this remix; the vocals are more prominent and other sonic details are clearer. I talked with band leader Mimi Bentinis earlier this week about the album.

Pezband’s great melodies are still guitar loaded, but they add some synths on “Stella Blue” and the title track adds a steel drum intro. The vocal work is also passed around a bit more. The band’s songwriting is solid, “Meika” should have been a huge hit. The band puts the “power” in power pop on “Back In The Middle,” and “Don’t Look Back.” In addition, “Unexpected” is another excellent tune that deserves repeat listens.

But you can also hear the band’s frustration with its lack of commercial success. One clue; “Make Me Happy” ironically doesn’t sound too happy. Betinis’ mid-tempo “Didn’t We” makes that frustration clear “why’s it all wrong / tried for so long / didn’t we?” It wasn’t that surprising that the band shut down soon afterward. But this rare LP from the Illinois power pop legends definitely deserves re-discovery. Fans of  The Beat, 20/20, The Plimsouls, and The Flashcubes will love this. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

The Power Popahoplic Interview: Mimi Betinis of Pezband

powerpopaholic

Pezband (Mimi Betinis)

Pezband was an American power pop band formed in 1971 in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Illinois. The original lineup consisted of Mimi Betinis (guitar and lead vocals), Mick Rain (drums and vocals), John Pazdan (guitar, piano and vocals), and Mike Gorman (bass and vocals). A recently remastered and remixed third LP, Cover To Cover is out now, and I talked with Mimi Betinis about this LP and what happened after that album.

Get the new Cover to Cover LP here.

Radio Days and Pezband

powerpopaholic

Radio Days “Back in The Day”

Italy’s Radio Days have paired themselves down to a trio and are going back to their roots on “Back In The Day.” In doing so the band moves away from the strict formulaic approach and decided to rock out, capturing an energy that is more like The Beatles on steroids with the opener “Why Don’t You Love Me Anymore?” The next several tracks are catchy and highly addictive, especially the double-time “You Won’t Fool Me Twice.” The title track follows a template closer to The Raspberries and makes its point, looking to the past for those tasty hooks.

The oddity here “Your Words” is a light pop tune with a reggae beat, but the band is quick to return to those chiming guitar chords and each track after is a solid gem. From the ballad ” You Bring Me Down” to the powerful backbeat of “Subway Station Girl,” Radio Days delivers the goods and never falls into a predicable rut, adding garage elements on “Smash This Party” and ending with another Beatlesque love song “Betta” which echoes a little of the Fab’s “Do You Want To Know A Secret?” My only pet peeve here is the compressed sound quality in the studio mix. Overall a great album that makes my top ten list for 2016. Ciao!

Bandcamp | CD Baby | Amazon


Pezband

Pezband “Women & Politics” EP

Chicago’s Pezband was one of the better known power pop bands in the late ’70s, following the path of their bretheren Cheap Trick and The Raspberries. But by 1980 after three albums and two live EPs, interest from their label vaporized and the group disbanded. The next year guitarist Mimi Betinis and drummer Mick Rain were energized and ready to to give Pezband another shot. Joined by original band member John Pazdan, the trio headed to Los Angeles to record “Women & Politics.” Unfortunately in the era of post-Knack backlash, the EP was shelved. Until now.

“Office Girl” has the angular guitars and beat that’s typical of the pre-new wave era. “Waiting In Line” is closer to a classic Pezband single, with its distinctive vocal interplay and jangling rhythm. “Fab Girlfriends” is another gem, with some excellent guitar shedding between the chorus and ending. “Russian Tanks” is a cold war era tune that compares well with The Clash and Public Image Limited. This is a vinyl release and a highly recommended one.

Frodis Records | Amazon

Concert Review: The Bell House Power Pop Festival

Barry Dreyfus
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One didn’t need Mr. Peabody’s Wayback Machine this past weekend if one yearned to return to the heyday of 70’s power pop. One merely had to purchase a weekend pass to The Bell House’s 1st Power Pop Festival (May 9 & 10). For one glorious weekend, we all were transported back to 1978 watching legendary 70’s power pop stars Dwight Twilley, Shoes, Pezband and Paul Collins. The iconic music mag Trouser Press promoted the shows and brought back to NYC these legendary bands, 3 of which haven’t played in the city for decades.

Friday night opened with the Pezband’s original lineup (Mimi Betinis, Mick Rain & John Pazdan). They mixed classic Pezband (“Stop! Wait A Minute”, ” Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, “Please Be Somewhere Tonight”) with well-chosen covers (“Not Fade Away” and “Hippy Hippy Shake”) all with meaty hooks and well-crafted, punchy songs they proved to be a truly potent musical force still.  Dwight Twilley was next and he still has one of the most recognizable voices of all the 70’s power poppers and aided by 20/20 mainstay Ron Flynt on bass (and harmonies), Twilley had the sell-out crowd galvanized from the start. Pulling tracks primarily off his first 5 albums, Dwight’s set displayed the full range of his influences, melding rockabilly, British harmonies and basic ol’ rock n’ roll.

On Saturday it was time for Paul Collins to haul out a treasure trove of iconic songs from his vast catalog. He played earlier chestnuts like “Rock and Roll Girl,”as well as later gems like “Ribbon Of Gold”. And to cap off an already stunning weekend were power pop pioneers Shoes. From the first notes of opener “Head Vs. Heart” you could hear the excitement and joy from the crowd  soaking it all in like a sponge. After the show the throng staggered out into the rain of a late Saturday night feeling nothing but elation; protected by nothing more than the lingering melodies and memories of a weekend in Brooklyn in May of 2014.

Concert Review by Barry Dreyfus | Photos by Joanna Ente