Here's a band that I couldn't find any info on. I'm guessing they were from NY, and this appears to have been self released.If anyone would like to shed some light on these guys, please feel free to comment. All That I've Got, is a great Powerpop tune, enjoy!
The Monitors, were a four piece from Cleveland; that formed in 1980. This single was their only official release. In 1982 they relocated to San Francisco, and disbanded. If you would like to read more about The Monitors, here’s a page interviewing front man Nelson Yandura.
The Nubs were a three piece from San Francisco. As far as I know this was their only single. I found this page from a couple of years ago. At the time, they had reformed, been playing out, and released a CD, with this single, as well as a bunch of tracks that I think were recorded later. I've never heard the disc, and I'm not sure if it's still available, or even if The Nubs are still around or not. I know this one can be found other places on the net, but someday when it's time to put this blog to rest; It wouldn't be right to have not included this classic.
If I didn't know better, I would guess this record was from the 90’s. It has many of the attributes that became popular with many of the PopPunk bands from that era, ( driving guitars, nasally vocals), especially the B side (not that that’s a bad thing mind you). As it turns out, The Protagonists were a four piece from Naperville, Illinois; a city about 30 miles west of Chicago. They formed sometime in the early 80’s, and I think this may have been their only record. According to their Facebook Page; they were 16 year old High School kids, at the time. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything else about the band. (Link Updated 5/5/12)
White Boy were a father son duo from Washington DC, that were around from 1977 to 1983. Mr. Ott, and Jake Whipp, were the only constants; the rest of the line up was somewhat of a revolving door throughout the existence of the band. Their first single, “Sagittarius Bumpersticker” was released in 77, and is credited as being one of the earliest punk records to come from DC area. White Boy’s recorded output, (as far as I know?) was four singles, (this being the third) and a 12” ep all on their own Doodley Squat Record Label.
Kentucky doesn't necessarily have the warmest place in my heart, but I do like this record; Remains Of The Beat kind of reminds me of The Dicks a little bit. Anyway, In short I lived in a small town called Morehead, KY for a summer when I was a young man. Things didn't work out, I didn't fit in, and as a result; I found myself hitchhiking on Route 64 with a twenty dollar bill in my pocket across the state. I remember walking through Louisville at 3 o'clock in the mourning, looking at a sign that said "Welcome to Louisville Home Of The Kentucky Derby", on my way over a bridge that spanned into Indiana. I fell asleep under a tree in a small industrial park, and woke up in the mourning with a snake on me. I turned around, and hitchhiked all the way back to Pennsylvania. Maybe if I could have hooked up with the right people things could have been different. Babylon Dance Band were one of Louisville, KY’s earliest punk bands; they were around from 1978 – 1983.The band was formed by childhood friends, Chip Nold, and Tim Harris. Tara Key was recruited from the band “No Fun”, and after multiple drummers, Sean Mulhall, joined the group through a newspaper ad. Their recorded output was a cut on a four way split titled “New Accounts”, two singles, and a reunion LP in 1994 called “Four On One”. If you want to read more on the band, check out this site.
The Daughters were a short lived three piece from Boston, who formed in the early eighties. They sporadically, opened for, and backed former New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders. Joe Mazzari, has a website that’s defiantly worth checking out. I believe this single was their only release. There were a series of recording sessions for an LP, but it remains unreleased.
Ambush were a four piece, that appear to have been from Indiana. This was recorded at Home Grown Studios, in Bloomington; so who knows. I found zilch in the way of info; except a couple of LPs that I don't believe are the same band. The winner here (for my money) is the flip side, "Tell Me"; it's a great slice of fuzzed out Powerpop, but the A side is descent as well . If anyone would like to shed some light on this mystery band, don't be shy.
The Disconnects are a Neptune City, NJ four piece that have a great retro seventies edge with allot of New York Rock–n-Roll Attitude. Musically they make no secret of who their influences are, think: Heartbreakers, Dead Boys, Ramones. I got to see them live at their record release show for this EP last week, and I really enjoyed them. Front man Ryan Switzer, has a great stage presence, and is a really nice guy. Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to talk to the rest of the band, but they were tight, and really seemed to enjoy themselves. I think there were only 30 people there, but they blasted through their set as if they were playing for a thousand; to me, that’s the sign of a good band. I believe this EP was first released as a cassette, and even the vinyl is in a very limited supply. In all I think the pressing is limited to 300 copies; 200 on black, and 100 on glow in the dark vinyl; that’s the one I bought. I included the first two tracks for you to check out, if you want to pick up a copy you can get one Here. I’m looking forward to hearing more from these guys in the future.
The Blases were a New Jersey four piece that formed in 1979.They became a very popular live band; playing many of the NJ bars and clubs, as well as receiving allot of college radio airplay during the ‘80s through the ‘90s. Videos for the songs "You Don't Know Me", and "Time Walks Away", both were aired on MTV. A video for All Night Long appeared in a film titled "Rockin' Brunswick"; a movie that focused on the thriving ‘80s music scene. Sadly Bassist Paul "Rock" Verdon, who played on this, the bands first single died in a train accident, in 1985. An LP Titled "The Blases" was released in 1989, on the Permanent Rave Record Label. I included a few tracks from it with the post. I'm not sure if The Blases released anything else or not. I found This webpage, that links up to their videos.
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