Tag: Tommy Sistak

Kurt Baker and Tommy Sistak

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Kurt Baker

Kurt Baker Combo “In Orbit”

Baker’s back with a new band; the Kurt Baker Combo (who Kurt formed during a tour in Spain) is Juancho Lopez on bass guitar, Jorge Colldan on guitar and backing vocals, and Sam Malakiam on drums. They signed up with Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records and we’ve got liftoff.

In many ways it the same Kurt we know and love, the combo of power pop and pub rock on “Upside Down” and “Baby’s Gone Bad” are gems on par with past work. The energy level is still high, on the ’50s rhythm of “Rusty Nail” and bar room blues rock of “Count On Me.” A Cheap Trick-like riff sets up ”All For You,” and the refreshing Rickenbacker chords on “Ugly Way To Be” make both tunes a highlight. A cover of Devo’s ”Jerkin Back ‘N’ Forth” is also a nice change of pace. As with most of Kurt’s music it is highly recommended.

Amazon  | Kool Kat Musik


The Nines

Tommy Sistak “A Good Hat Indeed”

A Good Hat Indeed is the follow up to the first album from Tommy Sistak, Short Songs. The same tradition of early Beatlesque melodies continues with the opener “Not About You,” with a driving riff opening up the multi-tracked harmonies. While its faithful to the source, the chorus of “Its There For You” is a catchy gem that would’ve hit big on AM radio playlists back in the mid ’60s.

The fab “You Can Have Your Way With Me” and “A Better Time” will appeal to Beatle fans, but I’m glad Tommy does vary the style slightly through the album. “If I Only Knew” is a charmer in the skiffle-beat tradition with ukulele and the washboard as primary instruments. “Sure Like Your Love” is a mid tempo ballad that keeps the mood upbeat, and overall while not every melody here hooks you there are enough gems to keep you satisfied.

Amazon | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

The Statuettes and Tommy Sistak

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The Statuettes

The Statuettes “Great Western” EP

The Statuettes (formerly Michael Gross and the Statuettes) are a pop/rock band based in Salt Lake City, UT that play as a tight unit, mixing influences from past into present. “Into The Dark” is a great angular intro which combines the dark bass lines of Blue Oyster Cult with its brooding chorus. “Not Crying” is a modern expansive arena single, lead by the booming drum and deliberate guitar-piano accents.

The faster paced “It’s A The Same” and “Life’s A Dream” echo Coldplay with lead singer Michael Gross sounding a dead ringer for Chris Martin. In a nice change of pace “Oh Please” let’s the guitars take the chorus. No filler and overall, a solid pop rock EP worth checking out.
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Tommy Sistak “Short Songs”

Tommy Sistak grew up playing in garage bands in suburban Chicago. His band Bagshot Row, is a classic oldies outfit that has opened for Davy Jones of the Monkees, Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits, and Eric Burdon and the Animals. Sistak’s syle is most decidedly early Beatles, with its rich Rickenbacker jangle and three-part vocal harmonies. Staring with “Think About Me” its all about the short, punchy pop, when mid 60’s pop ruled the radio.

This is guilt free goodness, and Sistak keeps them coming, “Ordinary Words” and “Whisper In the Night” are fast paced gems, but what puts them above the fray of other Beatlesque bands are the excellent chord progressions and the occasional deeper bass fuzz. Even switching to a softer multi-tracked acoustic on “Be Good” like The Cyrkle makes a nice change of pace. A happy guilty pleasure here; scratch that Fab itch with Tommy.
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