Tag: Willie Dowling

Joy Buzzer and Willie Dowling

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“Joy

Joy Buzzer “Pleased to Meet You”

The band was founded in 2021 and features Kevin Lydon on lead vocals, with Jed Becker on guitar and writing the tunes; KG Noble on guitar and vocals;  Nick DeMatteo on bass and vocals, and Mark Brotter on drums. The opener is the band’s first single “Judy Judy Judy,” with its catchy chorus and Jed Becker’s layered guitars recall 80s classic hooks, and the solo break even touched on prog/psyche rock. Kevin Lydon’s vocal perfectly fits and help give the band its signature sound.

It amps the energy up even more on “You’d Be Surprised,” a Beatlesque gem akin to The Weeklings. “Jeanette” brings us back down to earth, as a mid tempo tune with unexpected key shifts and stellar harmonies. There is something here for every power pop fan, from heavier rockers like “The Secret Word” and “You Don’t Even Know My Name” (which was voted coolest song by Stevie Van Zandt’s Underground Garage) to lighter pop gems like “Mamaroneck” and “All These Yesterdays.” The quirky and catchy come together on “Try Not To Be An Asshole,” a personal favorite of mine. While a few songs seemed formulaic, I couldn’t find a bad song here. When its all killer and no filler, it’s definitely on my top ten list for 2024. Super highly recommended!

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“Willie

Willie Dowling “The Simpleton”

Willie Dowling (Dowling Poole, Jackdaw4) goes solo here and displays his formidable melodic talents. The songs are almost prog-pop with dramatic builds on “Let Us Begin” including an operatic piano solo loaded with violins, about a slowly unfolding armageddon. The story continues “Long Drop Down” a compelling tale of a poisonous world “where the liars and the cheats prevail.” Dowling’s influences remain Roy Wood, XTC, 10cc, and a sprinkling of Sparks theatricality. Unlike his other works, most of these songs are piano led, and it sounds similar to a stage show soundtrack.

The concept album follows modern political nihilism, the title track “the Simpleton” is a bio of a TV pundit with a solid cascading melody followed by the dramatic chorus of “Sadie Goldman,” a lost soul that follows a road to illusion. “Down the Slide” continues the story of the evil corporate media; “don’t you let the truth get in your way.” It ends with the beautiful ballad “In The Ocean,” and while Willie’s musicianship is stellar, the distinctly bleak worldview might put off some. But if you are a fan of the band Skeleton Staff, you will definitely love this. Highly Reccomended.

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March singles: Luke of Ulysses, Willie Dowling, The Amplifier Heads, Chaft, Softjaw

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New month, and new singles! ‘Car Trouble’ is the debut solo single from Luke of Ulysses (UK Psych-Glam revival pioneers Ulysses). Luke played all the instruments and sang, except for a guest spot from his wife, Lily, as a hot French alien in the video. See the Bandcamp below for more! Willie Dowling has another single (“The Cure”) from his upcoming album to share (as a freebie), and The Amplifier Heads turn up the guitars and sax as it’s more rockin’ aliens. I had never heard of Chaft before, but I will be looking into this smart pop rocker from Norfolk, Massachusetts. Each of these 3 songs hit the mark, beautifully written and mixed. Finally, a solid single from California band Softjaw. “Waiting at the End” is a meat-and-potatoes power pop song along with a second single, “Pleased With Me” completed this month. Both deserve to be heard, and I hope a full-length LP is in the works.





February singles are here: Flying Underground, Late Cambrian, Extra Arms, Real Estate, Willie Dowling, François Premiers

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I am still finding lots of great music that shouldn’t be swept under the rug because it’s a new year. Flying Underground is a terrific Cincinnati, Ohio band that deserves your attention with its debut album. The video above has really good sound and showcases Kelly McCracken’s great lead vocal. My friends, Late Cambrian have modified their sound on “Late Bloomer” to have a more melodic vibe, and I love it. Extra Arms is back with a bunch of strong riffs on its new single, “Gates of Steel.” The band Real Estate has a new album coming out, and what I hear so far is excellent songwriting. We still have a freebie for you with Willie Dowling‘s “The Simpleton,” a cool narrative of a protagonist, and dig that piano solo midway through! French band François Premiers has a glammy gem with the “Salamander Shuffle,” and that riff just sticks in your head. Great music continues!



Spooky Singles and a bagful of treats: Descartes a Kant, Willie Dowling, Wesley Fuller, Cold Expectation, Linda Lindas, and many more!

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(Spoken in your best Crypt Keeper voice) It is that time of year again when little boys and ghouls are knocking on doors for a trick or treat. Good thing all we have is treats! Let’s start with Mexico’s Descartes a Kant which is like an old video game mixed with your favorite indie post-punk band. A creative disturbing retro-futuristic concept album that really sticks with you! Willie Dowling (Dowling Poole) reheats an oldie in the production oven and it will make you “Happy?” cause it’s a freebie! In another vintage-inspired gem, we get “Alamein Line” from Wesley Fuller, dig that retro-drum-beat, new album coming soon. A little more in the spirit of things is Cold Expectation‘s “(I Live With) Ghosts” with some nice guitar work in that break between the chorus. Girl punk pop band Linda Lindas takes an old chestnut “Little Bit ‘O Soul” and makes it their own. Finally, we get to the big bag of candy, The Big Stir Records Halloween Collection! For a mere $5 you get a 20-track assortment of treats from Plasticsoul, The Armoires, Steve Stoeckel, and more. Hope these satisfy your sweet tooth (and ear)! Hee hee hee (thundercrack sound effect!)