THE ROOKS The Rooks 1993

 

Discogs 

 

The Rooks Biography by Steve Huey

The Rooks gained a cult following among power pop fans in the 1990s with a style drawing its main inspirations from the Beatles, Big Star, and the Replacements. Leader and co-founder Mike Mazzarella (vocals, rhythm guitar) formed the group in New York with drummer Patrick Yourell in 1990 after their previous outfit, a Connecticut band called the Broken Hearts, dissolved. An early incarnation of the Rooks featured Mazzarella's friend and fellow power-popper Richard X. Heyman, as well as Heyman's wife Nancy on bass and guitarist Michael Fernbach. However, this lineup was short-lived, and several demos were recorded with guitarist Kristin Pinell (also of the Gripweeds); Mazzarella had intended to record one album only, but Pinell convinced him to make the unit a full-time operation. Yourell left the group in 1992 and was replaced by Jim Riley, while the bass slot was filled by Annmarie Gatti. This lineup completed the Rooks, which was released in 1993. Yourell rejoined the band in 1994 for an Eastern European tour, and the Rooks signed with Not Lame Recordings that fall, also adding Anne Benkovitz on bass. The band split an LP with Twenty Cent Crush, contributing nine songs to the release titled A Double Dose of Pop! in 1995, and that year also released the more melancholy EP Chimes. The Rooks returned in early 2000 with Wishing Well on Not Lame Recordings.

 

Tracklist

1		Love Said To Me
2		Reasons
3		Apology
4		Steeplechase
5		Night Writer
6		Down
7		Look
8		Circle Of Fools
9		Always You And Me
10		Better Start Right Now
11		Monday Morning

THE WORLD'S BEST POWER POP COMPILATION...REALLY! Various Artists 1997

 

Discogs 

 

Volume One of power pop compilation released by Not Lame Recordings

 

Tracklist

1	The Mop Tops (2)–	Plastic Moon Rain
2	dt's–	Exit To Stay
3	This Perfect Day–	It's A Shame
4	Twenty Cent Crush–	Just Another Day
5	Walter Clevenger–	Love You Like A King
6	Martin Luther Lennon–	Brenda Revisited
7	The Rooks (3)–	Colors (Remix)
8	Micah Gilbert–	Waking From A Dream
9	Brad Jones (2)–	Miss July
10	Kenny Howes–	Easy On The Eye
11	Barely Pink–	What Goes Around
12	Willie Wisely–	Go
13	Wunderband–	Yes, Yes, Hey, Hey
14	Big Hello–	Today Will Be Yesterday
15	Heavy Into Jeff–	Waterfall
16	The Beatifics–	Almost Something There
17	Living Daylights*–	Wave To Ride
18	Cool Blue Halo–	Throw Me Down
19	D.G.S. Younger–	Try Not To Care
20	Stellaluna (2)–	Nervous Man
21	Dead Flowers (2)–	So Low
22	Time Bomb Symphony–	Take Me Or Leave Me

CLOSET POP FOLK Various Artists 1997

 

Discogs 

 

More pop from Pop Psycle Records label

 

Tracklist

1	The Shambles–	In Your Arms
2	The Shambles–	Chelsea Smiles
4	The Shambles–	I Believe
3	The Shambles–	Her Back Dress
5	The Shambles–	Clouds All Day
6	The Negro Problem–	She's Flying Naked Through The Air
7	The Negro Problem–	Amsterdam (Listen When The Rhine Sings)
8	The Negro Problem–	Smudges
9	Randell Kirsch & The 1 Question*–	I Walk
10	Randell Kirsch & The 1 Question*–	Kiss Me Or Don't Hang Around
11	Randell Kirsch & The 1 Question*–	Something On The Order Of Love
12	Baby Lemonade (2)–	Please Consider Us
13	Baby Lemonade (2)–	Long Train Rides
14	Baby Lemonade (2)–	Shake The Shelter
15	7 Deadly 5–	Liberty Walking
16	7 Deadly 5–	Fredric March's Pinecone
17	Dreamworld (5)–	This Time
18	Dreamworld (5)–	Cactus Boy
19	Martin Luther Lennon–	Joan Of Mark
20	Martin Luther Lennon–	Aquarium
21	Wondermints–	Runnin' Thru The Night
22	Wondermints–	Reality Check

CLOSET POP FREAK Various Artists 1996

 

Discogs 

 

Lots of power pop on this comp from the Pop Psycle Records label

 

Tracklist

1	The Andersons–	Retro Girl
2	The Sugarplastic–	All Way Down
3	The Negro Problem–	Between People's Heads
4	Experience Leland–	Cuss You
5	Velouria (2)–	Daffodil
6	The Jigsaw Seen–	Celebrity Interview
7	Lucky (77)–	Mirror
8	The Shakes (7)–	Gone
9	Walter Clevenger–	Angels
10	Salamander (24)–	Cherry Llama
11	The Boardwalkers–	Hip Code
12	Wondermints–	Invisible Paint
13	Twenty Cent Crush–	For You
14	Dreamworld (5)–	That's Not Love
15	Cockeyed Ghost–	Disappear
16	Spanish Kitchen–	Flowers Of Theory
17	Squish (2)–	Kryptonite
18	Carolyn Edwards–	Secret Monster
19	Grovers Mill (2)–	Previous Life
20	3 Hole Punch–	Genghis Khan
21	Baby Lemonade (2)–	Postman's Son

POPKIDS ARE GO! (A COLLECTION OF SO. CAL POP) Various Artists cassette 1995

 

Discogs

 

Cassette only release of Southern California bands doing power pop, jangle pop and garage rock

 

Tracklist

Side One: 32:30
1	The Melanies–	Merry Go Round
2	Cartoon Boyfriend (2)–	Once Upon A Time
3	The Shakes (7)–	Got A Date
4	Nickel (2)–	Stupid Thing
5	Fuzz Bubble*–	Dragonfly
6	Nine Iron (2)–	Theoretical Mind
7	Baby Lemonade (2)–	Never Mind The Type
8	The Bunnyrabbits–	Just Destroyed
9	PG-13 (3)–	Na Na 99 Cent Store
10	Cockeyed Ghost–	Using You
11	Velouria (2)–	Wondergirl
		Side Two: 30:37
12	3 Day Wheelie–	Something About A Ceiling
13	The 7 Deadly 5–	Filtered Head
14	Darryl Jensen–	The Bells
15	Single Bullet Theory–	Forever And A Day
16	Blister (11)–	Beam Me Up
17	The Shambles–	She Said It's Late
18	The Haskells–	Media Whore
19	P. Hux–	Playing Her Guitar
20	Smart Brown Handbag–	Silverlake
21	Martin Luther Lennon–	Emily

OPSCENE 50 Various Artists 1996

 

Discogs

 

 

Tracklist

1	Chrome Cranks–	Hit The Sand	4:42
2	Cornershop–	Western Oriental (Wet Mix)	3:14
3	The Wedding Present–	Sucker	1:30
4	Built To Spill–	Built To Spill	6:07
5	Butterglory–	Penelope Is Drowning	3:24
6	The Ex–	Danse Maudit	1:42
7	Donkey–	Rag 'N' Role	4:14
8	Laika–	Lower Than Stars	4:57
9	Long Fin Killie–	Rhino	3:41
10	Sloy–	Many Things (To Wear)
3:37
11	Down By Law (2)–	Haircut	2:32
12	18 Wheeler–	Creepy Crawl	3:57
13	Beatnik Filmstars–	These Is Rotten Days	2:42
14	Boyracer–	Consulting The Dentist	3:44
15	Tocotronic–	Meine Freundin Und Ihr Freund	2:24
16	Dinner Is Ruined*–	Call Me A Taxi	3:45
17	Moviola–	Catastrophe	4:40
18	Mouse On Mars–	Saturday Night World-Cup Fieber (DJ Crack Mix)	6:35
19	Power Steppers–	Discipline	8:08
20	Brainiac–	Indian Poker Pt. 1	0:52

 

THE SHIVERS Buried Life 1996

 

Discogs

 

Alt-country/Americana band fronted by husband-and-wife duo of Carey Kemper and Kelly Bell. Originally formed in Austin, Texas in 1989, the band moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and then Portland, Oregon. 

Alternative country that alludes to The Schramms, Blue Mountain and Vigilantes of Love - Blogatrix

 

Tracklist

1		Shade The Light
2		House Of The Spirits
3		Stranger
4		Make A Wish
5		Cannonball
6		Follow The Rain
7		Tumbledown Girl
8		No Love Lost
9		Cult 45
10		Cry Of Love
11		The Wind In Abilene
12		Dark Of The Moon
13		Cool To Be A Loser
14		Close Your Eyes

THE RILEYS The World And His Wife 1993

 

Discogs

 

Formed 1989 in Reading, Berkshire
Also know briefly as Are You Mr. Riley?
Some overlap of membership with Feverfew, Blueboy

Tracklist

1		Keep Smiling	3:40
2		Skies To Blue	3:04
3		Crimson And Blue	4:32
4		Finders Keepers	3:36
5		Rings In Your Mind	3:50
6		Time Will Pass	3:13
7		Stupid	2:35
8		You Can't Be Loved Forever	2:28

 

THE CANCEROUS REAGANS Interupted Doughnut Break 7 inch 1995

 

Discogs

 

LastFM

Hardcore punk band best known for their track "Fight the Right" which was used on the Punk Uprisings 2 comp put out by Go Kart Records.

 

Tracklist

A1		Big Business
A2		Trendy
A3		Arty Farty
B1		Greed$tock
B2		Rock The Boat

PUNK UPRISINGS Various Artists 1996

 

Discogs 

 

Compilation on Lookout! Records

 

 Tracklist

  1. Assorted Jellybeans - Braindead
  2. Black Train Jack - 700 Club
  3. Bouncing Souls - Here We Go
  4. Funeral Oration - World Needs Changing
  5. The Hi-Fives - Transistor Sister
  6. Hi-Standards - Lonely
  7. The Humpers - Migraine Shack
  8. Kankersores - Ernie
  9. Mr. T. Experience - New Girlfriend
10. MxPx - Punk Rawk Show
11. The Queers - From Your Boy
12. Reset - Concerns
13. Satanic Surfers -  Your Perfect World
14. Sicko - Cover Up
15. The Smears - Big 44
16. Spent Idols - Oh No (Here We Go Again)
17. Squirtgun - Frederick's Frost
18. The Suspects - My Lie
19. Ten Foot Pole - Walkin'
20. Trigger Happy - Softly
21. The Vandals - Take It Back
22. Weston - No Kind of Superstar
23. Wizo - Gemein (Mean)
24. Wynona Riders - Deep End
25. Zoinks! - Uma 13 Times

ITCH Dyin' To Be Jesus 1992

 

Discogs

And a not so flattering review.... - Blogatrix

Dyin' to Be Jesus Review by Bradley Torreano

Despite a pretty great rock opera right in the middle of the album, Itch's Dyin' to Be Jesus is a very average project. The idea behind it is great, mixing punk rock with Elton John-style piano rock. And for the most part, the music is the strongest part of the album. But it is Mark Critchley's voice that does the most damage to the quality of the project. "More Gimmicks" and "No Life" are both good anti-establishment anthems that are tanked by his tight-throated vocals. He doesn't quite sing, he just talks in tune to the music. Only on a few songs, like the beautiful "Photosynthesis" and the aforementioned rock opera "Open Letter to Dr. Strange," do the music and the vocals really come together. The album is a noble effort, but should probably be avoided by anyone who isn't really dedicated to the idea that piano and punk should meet.

Tracklist

1		Energy Vampire	2:05
2		Freedom 55	3:16
3		More Gimmicks	4:22
4		No Death	3:46
5		Open Letter To Dr. Strange	7:29
6		Photosynthesis	2:57
7		No Life	2:11
8		The Club	2:17
9		Body And Head	3:47
10		Dyin' To Be Jesus	5:10
11		Supermodel Reflections	4:40
12		Untitled	0:27

BUGOUT SOCIETY Yo! Baby, 'Sup? 1992

 

Discogs

 

Punk from New York featuring bassist Bill Florio who used to write for MaximumRocknRoll back in the 1990's.

 

Tracklist

1		Queens Cugine
2		Bum Rush At Gray's Papaya
3		Party Line
4		Just Plain Rude
5		Source Of The Devil
6		White Trash Date
7		Lees And Pumas
8		Chocolate Cow
9		New Wave Girls' Revenge
10		Don't Piss On My Barbecue
11		Integratin' Satan

 

THE MOST SECRET METHOD Get Lovely 1998

 

 Discogs

 

Most Secret Method Biography by Chris True

Formed in the middle of the 1990s -- their first gig was at the semi-legendary Black Cat Club in Washington, D.C. in 1996 -- the Most Secret Method represented part of the vanguard that was to represent the new direction that the D.C. scene was moving in as the 21st century approached. First initiated by musical musings by former Fine Day member Marc Nelson and Lincoln bassist Johanna Claasen, they would eventually rope in Marc's brother Ryan (formerly of Jury Rig) to round out the three-piece, and in Ryan they would find the graphically oriented presentation that the band would become well known for. Their first two recordings, a self-released 7", and a split 10" with the Capitol City Dusters (featuring former Severin frontman Alec Bourgeois) on Superbad and Dischord, were enough -- coupled with amazing gigs and Ryan Nelson's unforgettable poster/flyer drawings that were both intriguing and (sometimes) disturbing -- to secure the band a few tours and a full-length release, Get Lovely, in 1998 on Slowdime. After a period of silence from the band in which Claasen focused on standup bass, Ryan Nelson spent time with his new musical mates in Beauty Pill, and Marc Nelson devoted time to acting, Our Success was released as a full-length split release on Bourgeois' SuperBad label and Dischord. The band played a farewell show in August of 2002 right where they started, at the Black Cat in D.C.

 

Tracklist

1		Suitland High School Theme Song
2		The Real Sex
3		Bronze
4		Saints
5		Old Times
6		Guess The Route
7		Baggage
8		Poor Maryland
9		Hesitation
10		Pulse

THE 1985 Nerve Eighty 1999

 

Discogs

 

The 1985 formed in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in 1996. This noisy punk math rock band sounds nothing like 1985. But damn, they're good. - Blogatrix

 

Tracklist

1		Warning Shot
2		She Works Weekends
3		Strings Attached
4		Cosmo With Children
5		Matching Rings
6		1981
7		Punchers
8		It's My Antennae
9		Ex
10		Anonymous Gay Sex
11		1982

STEREOPHONIC SPACE SOUND UNLIMITED Phantom Rider 7 inch 1998

Discogs
 

Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited is a Swiss instrumental duo which toys with influences of surf, electronics, library, and space age/exotica. Owners of 'Spooky Sound', a record store in Zürich, Switzerland.

Tracklist

A		Phantom Rider
B		Spooky Shore

SHOWBUSINESS GIANTS Let's Have A Talk With The Dead 1995

 

Discogs

 

Features drummer John Wright of Nomeansno.

Show Business Giants Biography by Laurie Mercer

Show Business Giants are a quirky, humor-laden independent Western Canadian rock band with a rotating lineup centered around guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter Tom Holliston, with most frequent collaborators Scott Henderson (Hissanol) and Ford Pier (D.O.A., Jr. Gone Wild). Contributions have also come from such other well-known Western Canadian musicians as Craig Vishek (Pigment Vehicle), Keith Rose (Hard Rock Miners, Royal Grand Prix), Carolyn Mark, and brothers John and Rob Wright (the Hanson Brothers, Nomeansno).

Show Business Giants recordings typically display energetic top-notch musicianship, bursting with musical in-jokes and obscure pop culture references, covering a wide range of genres, from doo wop and faux folk to heavy metal and punk. Press information, biographies, and photos are always wildly inaccurate and humorous, reflecting Holliston's songwriting bent toward the silly, surreal, and trivial. While of a novelty nature, many of the songs have such intellectual depth and high-quality playing that a minor cult following has been created around his recordings.

Holliston released the debut Show Business Giants recordings Gold Love in 1989 and The Benevolent Horn in 1990 as cassette-only releases. His 1991 release I Thought It Was a Fig included contributor Andy Kerr, then guitarist for Nomeansno, bringing his work to the attention of that band, who subsequently released Maybe It's Just Me on their independent Wrong Records label. When Kerr left Nomeansno in 1993, Holliston was recruited to join that band, which he has remained with since (Holliston is also "Tommy Hanson" in the Nomeansno side project the Hanson Brothers).

In 1995 Essential Noise Records, a short-lived Virgin Records subsidiary, released the album Let's Have a Talk with the Dead and promoted "I've Got a Crush on Wendy Mesley," a humorous ballad about an iconic female CBC television newscaster, for Canadian radio airplay. Subsequent releases Will There Be Corn (1997) and Self-Aggrandizement Keeps Us Going... (2000) were released independently in Canada and Europe. The band has sporadically toured when members can coordinate their schedules, playing in Europe in 1997 and 2000, the U.S.A. at intervals between 1989 and 2001, and Canada on a semi-regular basis. In recent years Holliston has released several solo albums, while leaving the possibility open for future recordings by Show Business Giants.

Tracklist

1. The First Pygmy In Space
2. Mothra Has Taken Tokyo
3. Sugartown
4. Vampire Hookers
5. Ace & Joan
6. Soundcheck
7. Anything But Love
8. I've Got A Crush On Wendy Mesley
9. Good-Bye Luftwaffe Girl
10. She Called Me Pete
11. Primate Boogie
12. I've Got Gingivitis
13. I Can't Get Russell Johnson Off My Mind
14. I Am The Lickspittle Of The Animal Kingdom
15. Big In Real Estate
16. The Other Side Of Mr. Sulu
17. Fireball X-L5
18. Wake Up & Roar, Bachelor God

KING KONK: A ROYAL COMPILATION Various Artists 1994

 

Discogs 

 

Dutch (The Netherlands) compilation featuring some U.S. and Canadian bands

 

Tracklist

1	Victims Family–	Product
2	Showbusiness Giants–	Fun Working With Chuck
3	De Kift–	Der Mond
4	Dog Faced Hermans–	Viva
5	Jam Jar–	Mama
6	Betty Ford Clinic–	Calling All Trucks
7	Shovlhed–	The Hostage Dreams Of Home
8	Schwartzeneggar–	Art XX Craft
9	Scram C Baby–	Jaye
10	Rhythm Pigs–	Spun And Exploded
11	LUL–	Dead Sea Scrolls
12	Swell Prod.–	Bullshit Keeps Us Happy
13	Megakronkel–	Yo Revisited
14	Seein' Red–	Waste
15	BEP–	Blue Peter
16	Do Or Die (4)–	This Misery
17	The Ex & Tom Cora–	War OD
18	Nomeansno–	The Day Everything Became Nothing