Power pop
Interview: Jonah Falco (Jade Hairpins)
When I call Fucked Up drummer Jonah Falco to discuss his latest band Jade Hairpins, he is in a good mood. Having spent nearly half a decade in London as a transplant from his native Toronto, he has finally gotten a record player for the first time as a resident of the UK capital. He …
ALBUM REVIEW: ULTIMATE FAKEBOOK – THE PRESERVING MACHINE
I’ve discussed in the past the swathe of newer emo bands that have appropriated certain melancholia from bands of yesteryear – that bittersweet mixture of power-pop and “traditional” emo (not post-hardcore, not screamo) that seems to still be all the rage with the Slam Dunk crowd. For lack of a better all-encompassing term for fans …
Track: Jade Hairpins – J Terrapin
Jade Hairpins is the new power pop band from Fucked Up drummer Jonah Falco and lead guitarist Mike Haliechuk. Falco switches to rhythm guitar and lead vocals for the project and Haliechuk to bass, and they’ve enlisted Jack Goldstein and Tamsin M Leach, two London musicians, on lead guitar and drums respectively. They’ve just released …
Album Review: Disq – Collector
There is definitely something in the water in Madison, Wisconsin. Personal anecdote: I have a good friend from the area who has introduced me to a few bands in that scene. The Hussy, Dharma Dogs, Coordinated Suicides. He didn’t mention to me, however, Disq and yet, I seem already familiar with the acerbic power-pop the …
Track: Archers of Loaf – Raleigh Days
90s indie rock legends Archers of Loaf have returned with their first new music since 1998. ‘Raleigh Days’ is an infectious, power pop-infused song that pays tribute to the capital of North Carolina, the quartet’s home state. The infectious lead guitar line from Eric Johnson and the song’s summery, shiny production values were a tonic …
Album Review: Shonen Knife – Sweet Candy Power.
I’m always incredibly happy when I hear that Shonen Knife are releasing a new album. What’s not to be happy about? Since their formation in Osaka back in 1991, the trio – continually led by guitarist/vocalist Naoko Yamano – the trio have exuberant energy that fails to make me smile. A lot of other people feel …
Track: The Needs – Summerbore
It’s raining outside. I could happily lay my face on the table in front of me and go to sleep. And the reason I’m not is that is that playing in the background, pretty much on repeat, is Summerbore – the debut single from Norwegian power-pop punks The Needs. Formed by Kvelertak’s guitarist Maciek Ofstad and …
Not Forgotten: Fountains of Wayne – Utopia Parkway
In the years before the tuneful “Stacy’s Mom” seared them into the subconscious of music fans as one hit wonders, Fountains of Wayne were a band enjoying medium-sized success, with a string of modestly charting power pop singles. A self titled debut album charted in the UK in 1996, albeit way outside a top 40 …
Album Review: Various – Harmony In My Head: Power Pop And New Wave Compilation
Cherry Red seem to be in the habit these days of releasing quality Box Sets and this new compilation see`s a natural follow up to the very successful Action Time Vision and Outside of Everything releases. Unlike the Action Time Vision 1976-79 and Outside Of Everything 1977-81 previous sets in this series HIMH gives us …
EP/Track: The Nature Strip – Past Pacific
Pure power pop harmonies leavened by a self deprecating sense of humour encapsulates the many layered charms of Sydney’s The Nature Strip. Their new EP, Past Pacific maintains an impeccable standard they have set since forming in 2013 and over four previous releases (Stars Turn Inside Out, 2013, EP Plainclothes, 2014, Presents, 2016, and Beetle …