French CD Edtion (with Bonus Tracks)

EVERYDAY IS A HOLLY DAY February 3rd 1959-1989 (1989)

 

While the 2x10" vinyl edition of "Everyday Is a Holly Day" featured 22 tracks compiled by French record executive Patrick Mathé to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the passing of Buddy Holly, this french CD edition added 7 bonus tracks (Dogs, Bruce Joyner, Chris Spedding, Roky Erickson...) expanding its tremendous success with just about every act delivering the goods. A six-page photo booklet featuring the credits accompanies the CD with heartfelt liner notes from producer Mathé. All the further reissues (CD or digital) omit the 7 bonus tracks. A must have.

WU CD EDITION (462 mb)

Great Lost Band of the mid- to late-'70s CBGB's scene

MUMPS - HOW I SAVED THE WORLD (2005)

 

"How I Saved the World" was a souped-up version of the out-of-print 1994 collection Fatal Charm (eggBERT Records) which preserved the lion's share of the Mumps' repertoire through single sides, unreleased demos and rehearsal tapes. This edition was enriched with two unreleased songs and a bonus DVD that demonstrates the Mumps (fronted by Lance Loud & Kristian Hoffman) were an impressive live act, and Loud was a genius frontman. A real labor of love, How I Saved the World saves the Mumps from an oblivion they certainly didn't deserve, and this material sounds as gloriously off kilter today as it did when it was recorded, which, assuredly, is a compliment.

WU WORLD (2.27 gb)

Top Notch Power Pop From New York (Scarce LP Anthology)

MARBLES - MARBLES (2006)

The Marbles were taken under the wing of Alan Betrock, editor of Punk's local rival, New York Rocker, and thrown into a studio or two. You can snag one side of their debut, "Red Lights", on the essential ROIR compilation The Great New York Singles Scene. It is a stunning intro to what woulda-coulda-shoulda been a hit-bound future for the Marbles: ebullient, bright, catchy as all hell, with a characteristic and gorgeous four-part harmony bridge. The single even got them noticed by their punk brethren in London, eliciting a thumbs-up in one British magazine from that most commercially-minded member of the Clash, Mick Jones. The second and remaining Marbles release, "Forgive and Forget / Computer Cards", ups the Powerpop ante, both songs being as tuneful as the debut, yet more sophisticatedly arranged, thus more challenging. "Computer Cards" in particular, is a vocal tour-de-force, all four Marbles taking the listener from robotic unison to wondrous, enveloping rushes of Bowery-barbershop bliss.

There were even more Marbles tunes - now relegated to the occasional, hard-to-find bootleg tape - that ideally would have propelled them into the charts and hearts of American music fans, songs like the Left Banke - stately "She's In Movies", and the near-flawless melodic splendor of "Closing Me Down" (the band's contribution to A. Poe and I. Kral's flawed but definitive cinematic document of the period, The Blank Generation).

Needless to say, though, it didn't turn out that way, though they did manage to tour as far South as Washington D.C., playing at the turbulently ruled Atlantis (now 930) Club. In fact, therein lies a killer anecdote: the band was sightseeing earlier on their day in the Nation's Capitol, at one point finding themselves waiting on line for the tour of the Washington Monument. A fellow tourist clocked them, all Beatle hair and pre-Knack skinny ties, and asked who they were. When told that they were an honest-to-God rock band, they were then asked in so many words to prove it. The four Marbles then proceeded to present to all and sundry in proximity a spot-on, four-part accapella version of "Computer Cards". The reaction of the tourists is yet to be documented.

WU MARBLES (258 mb)

J. Casady / N. Buck / B. Marnell / P. Zahl (Bay Area Power) (Never Reissued)

SVT - EXTENDED PLAY (1980)

 

San Francisco based outfit fronted by ex- Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna bassist Jack Casady. Casady brought with him Nick Buck from Hot Tuna and added Brian Marnell and Bill Gibson from Airplay (ex Sound Hole). The band was formed early in 1978 as Jack Casady Band but evolved rapidly into SVT.

Bill Gibson, who had been a founding member of SVT, did not play on any of SVT's albums - only on the singles. Although, he is playing drums and singing backing vocals on two tracks that were added to the expanded CD reissue of "No Regrets". Bill left SVT in 1979 to form what was to become Huey Lewis and the News. He was replaced by local drummer Paul Zahl (Yanks (posted on PPA) & Flamin' Groovies).

Brian Marnell's death on August 19, 1983 would also end any reunion ideas - if they ever existed.

So what does SVT stand for? Long time fans thought it to be Supra Ventricular Tachycardia - excessive heart beat and pulse rate. That's a cool idea because SVT's music could cause that. In reality the name SVT was maybe taken from Jack's bass amp rig, but no one really knows.

WU SVT EP (142 mb)

Kristian Hoffman after the Mumps and before going solo (Never Reissued)

THE SWINGING MADISONS - THE SWINGING MADISONS (1981)

 

Originally from Santa Barbara, California, singer keyboardist songwriter Kristian Hoffman began his musical career in New York's Mumps (with high school friend Lance Loud of original sin reality TV show An American Family infamy), a group which never issued an album until its recorded oeuvre was collected many years later in "Fatal Charm". and in 2005 with the anthology "How I Saved The..". Hoffman also did time in James White's band and then formed and led the Swinging Madisons to play humorous rock for hipsters. The five songs on that group's 12-inch showcase his penchant for sardonic social commentary, à la Tom Lehrer, and unlikely rearrangements of such familiar tunes as "Volare" and a rockabilly rendition of Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man." The disc also includes three originals, the best of which is the rueful "My Mediocre Dream".

 

Kristian Hoffman subsequently relocated to Los Angeles, where he joined Congo Norvell and then launched a solo career which has encompassed solo folk-pop (I Don't Love My Guru Anymore) and charming, effervescent rock-pop (Earthquake Weather, produced and played on by frequent studio compadre Earle Mankey). Hoffman's magnum opus, however, is & (some of the guests are Ron & Russell Mael, Darian Sahanaja, Michael Quercio, Van Dyke Parks, Steve McDonald and more....

WU MADISONS(110 mb)

Dramarama as The Bent Backed Tulips (1st CD Edition)

THE BENT BACKED TULIPS - LOOKING THROUGH (1990)

 

Dramarama had basically recorded more material than anyone was going to release at the time, so while the cream of the tunes became "Stuck in Wonderamaland", the rest surfaced as this collection first released in France. "Looking Through" is at once a rough-and-ready tribute to many different things garage, from '60s forebears to early-'80s punk/wave, and a chance for Dramarama's own special blend to surface. At its best, "Looking Through" offers up tracks that could have easily made a full-blown Dramarama album - the melancholy emotional confusion of "Come (To Meet Me)" is especially fine, the most consistent treat throughout comes thanks to the two covers, starting with the ripping version of Stevie Wonder's "I Don't Know Why",.The Faces' "Ooh La La" gets a sweet, uplifting acoustic take with some great Easdale singing. The album was later augmented by a further nine tunes from those sessions for its mid-'90s American re-release on Eggbert Records.

  

WU TULIPS (194 mb)

One More Power Pop From Perth (Ltd Edition EP)

DM3 - GLOVE BOX EP (1993)

 

This limited edition EP contained three tracks from the first DM3 album "One Time, Two Times, Three Red Light". None of the extra tracks were out-takes. They were alternative mixes of tracks from the album. The lead track "Far From Here" was also edited for this release.

  

WU GLOVE (174 mb)

More Power Pop From Perth (Spanish Edition)

DM3 - RIPPLED SOUL (Spain Edition) (1998)

 

Released in Australia on Citadel Records; the third and final DM3 studio album got a special edition in Spain with a different artwork and track listing. Two tracks "Dial 04 Josephine" and "Rippled Soul" from the Citadel release are not present on this spanish edition but were replaced by "Give It Up" and "Find Out", it also included 4 bonus tracks.

  

WU DIAL (429 mb)

More Overlooked Power Pop From Perth

THE ROSEBUDS - ...PLAY THE PASSION REVUE (1992)

 

Richard Lane (1966-2020) was a founding member of Perth garage/ power pop act The Stems. Richard Lane founded The Stems in the mid-1980s, alongside bassist John Shuttleworth, drummer Gary Chambers and guitarist Dom Mariani, with whom Lane shared vocal duties. Richard spent time living in Perth and Sydney. He formed a small record label,  Idaho Records, in Perth in the 1990s and played in a number of other important bands including The Chevelles, The Rosebuds, The Rosebud Generation and The On and Ons. They also were featured on the 1996 BOMP! anthology: "Pop on Top! The Cream of Australia's Power Pop Crop)

  

WU PASSION (124 mb)

Overlooked Power Pop from Perth

ROLLERCOASTER - ROLLERCOASTER (1999)

 

Hailing from Perth, Rollercoaster was a short lived power pop band. The songs are strongly reminiscent of the Chevelles more rocking moments, which comes as no surprise seeing Rollercoaster was a one-time side project for the Chevelles' Duane Smith. Grant Ferstat (Month of Sundays), Dave Shaw (The Stems, Boom Babies) and friend Craig MacLean joined the Rollercoaster. The album was released in Spain only by Snap Records. They also were featured on the 1996 BOMP! anthology: "Pop on Top! The Cream of Australia's Power Pop Crop)

  

WU ROLLERCOASTER (288 mb)

eggBERT Records Presents A Tribute: Step 2

TRIBUTE TO THE HOLLIES - SING HOLLIES IN REVERSE (1995)

 

The 21-track lineup represents the then current cream of power pop. It features such sublime contributions as Mitch Easter's "Pay You Back with Interest," Bill Lloyd's "Step Inside," and the Wondermints' "You Need Love" the cream rises to the Hollies' challenge.

  

WU REVERSE (530 mb)

eggBERT Records Presents A Tribute: Step 1

TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES - MELODY FAIR (1994)

 

Highlighted by treasures from Material Issue, Phil Seymour, The Jigsaw Seen and Baby Lemonade, "Melody Fair" is definitely a tribute album worth buying. The compilation was produced By Dennis Davison & Jonathan Lea of the Jigsaw Seen.

  

WU MELODY FAIR (474 mb)

Shindig's New Pop Explosion Playlist (Issue #175)

THE NEW POP EXPLOSION (2024-2026)

SHINDIG ISSUE #175 (2026)

 

Chiming guitars, three-part harmonies, denim jackets adorned with iron-on patches, an open love of '60s British Invasion and '70s powerpop, communal indie labels, a loosely connected world of young bands celebrating the sheer joy of "The Song" and appreciating each other's efforts. Jon 'Mojo' Mills and Andy Morten compiles a 34-track playlist featuring such gems as The Lemon Twigs, Sharp Pins, Mod lang, Uni Boys, The Gnomes and numerous recent songs from new artists that fit the bill. Using some parts of the magazine, i've made a custom artwork and included the five pages about some of the bands on the playlist.

  

WU POP EXPLOSION (789 mb)

Wreckless Eric's Lost Super Group (Never Reissued)

CAPTAINS OF INSDUSTRY - A ROOMFUL OF MONKEYS (1985)

 

Dropping the "Wreckless" and reverting to his given name, Eric Goulden returned in 1985 as leader of Captains of Industry, a trio including Blockheads' Norman Watt-Roy. and Piranhas' Dick Adland. The group's sole release, "A Roomful of Monkeys" with guests Mickey Gallagher and Attractions' Steve Nieve,  makes it clear that his five-year absence did nothing to dull Eric's spirit or his talent. Considering that Goulden produced himself, it's a surprisingly disciplined effort, mixing the craftsmanship of Big Smash with the spontaneity of earlier efforts. With songs that are as pungent as ever (including the uncharacteristically serious reggae-tinged "Food Factory"), Eric sings them confidently (and in tune!). A resounding comeback by an estimable talent; why it wasn't greeted as such by the British public remains a mystery.

 

Forty years later he decided to record again nine of these ten songs, written in the Medway Towns between 1982 and 84, as the basis for his new album: England Screaming (released in 2025)

 

WU ERIC (298 mb)

The Dodgers' Lost Album (UK Edition) (Never Reissued)

THE DODGERS - LOVE ON THE REBOUND (1978)

 

Bob Jackson was hired by Badfinger in August 1974, the first time he had joined an established rock act. Although originally secured as a replacement for one of its members, Pete Ham, Jackson was retained as an additional member when Ham withdrew his resignation. Badfinger recorded the album Head First for Warner Brothers in December. Due to legal entanglements and mismanagement, Head First was unreleased at the time. Jackson was finally able to release the recordings on CD in 2000. Badfinger disbanded following Ham's suicide in 1975. Jackson remained in contact with Badfinger's bassist Tom Evans, and the two joined The Dodgers in 1975. The group started to record their debut album and a first single of this line-up was released in early 1977. In April the group's management decided that Tom Evans did not fit to the group's image and therefore he was asked to leave. Roger Lomas was hired to be the new member of the Dodgers. With the new group member on board all bass parts and vocals that had been recorded by Tom Evans were erased and newly recorded.

 

In 1978 two more singles and the debut album of the group were released., The same year Jackson was released by the band due to management disagreements. Jackson was hired by The Searchers in 1979, contributing to the group's tours and two subsequent album releases, The Searchers (1979) and Play For Today (1980). Jackson and Tom Evans reteamed in 1982 and formed a new version of Badfinger, but after Tom Evans committed suicide in 1983, it was the end of Jackson's Badfinger. He later teamed with Molland and Mike Gibbins for a Badfinger outing in 1984. 

 

Special thanx to Mark who gave me this vinyl transfer, on my side i worked on the artwork.

You can read more about this album in the Shindig Issue of May 2026, page 98

PAGE 98

 

  

WU UK Edition (254 mb)

Nick Rudd & Turning Curious (Never Reissued)

TURNING CURIOUS - SOUL LIGHT SEASON (1986)

 

Mitch Easter produced Metro-America labelmates Turning Curious from Champaign, who started off as the B-Lovers before changing their name in the van on the way to Mitch's Drive-In. Their vocalist Nick Rudd went on to Big Maybe, the Arms of Someone New and Blown (with Turning Curious' Steve Scariano). Their most famous song, the anthemic "Three Sisters" was included on the Bam Balam Explosion Vol 3.

 

WU TURNING (156 mb)

Nick Rudd Solo (7")

NICK RUDD - GOLD (1992)

 

Hailing from Decatur; Illinois, Nick Rudd performed under his name, as well as Blown, B-Lovers (renamed Turning Curious), Weird Summer, The Big Maybe, Water Between Continents, and The Jans Project. He contributed to numerous musical projects collaborating with: Velvet Crush, The Arms of Someone New, the Moon Seven Times, and Angie Heaton and the Gentle Tamers. He died in 2020.

 

WU GOLD (43 mb)

A Todd Tribute

TRIBUTE TO TODD RUNDGREN - FOR THE LOVE OF TODD (1991)

 

A really obscure tribute to Todd. It was put together by Mitch Cooper (Fetchin' Bones' drummer) featuring some great names (Mitch Easter, Jamie Hoover, Parthenon Huxley, The Woods, Bill Lloyd or Don Dixon) but also some totally unknown artists. A second volume was released in 1995 (Part 2 - Still There Is More) - probably more obscure than this one...

 

WU TODD (463 mb)

1 Posies + 1 White Flag + 1 Zeros / True Believers + 1 Posies / FOW = Chariot

CHARIOT - I AM BEN HUR (1998)

 

A Power Pop supergroup for a side project originally released in Spain only. The four members create some great styled pop with the melodic punkier sides of The Zeros. 10 original songs plus 6 well-chosen covers and a hidden track (after 10 minutes of silence) at the end of the album.

 

WU CHARIOT (362 mb)

Loud Power Pop from Orlando, FL

NUTRAJET - FOR YOUR PROTECTION + Bonus EP (2003)

 

Hailing from Florida, Nutrajet was a power pop duo fronted by Greg Reinel (ex-Screaming Iguanas of Love). But he was more famous for being the ex-leader of The Nicoteens who had released the excellent "Amplitude Modulation EP" in 1994, they also were featured on Yellow Pills Vol 2 and some tribute albums. After that 7" EP Greg Reinell formed Nutrajet, and released two albums of loud pop mixing glam, punk and bombastic chord changes. With "For Your Protection", they decided to top this power rocking album with a bonus CD of covers (The Saints, Cheap Trick, Rich Kids, MC5, Small Faces, The Creation and even Roxy Music)

 

WU NUTRAJET (524 mb)

Sydney Rocks (Little known Australian Power Pop)

SLATERS - THE BIG BLACK BUG BLED BLACK BLOOD (1993)

Hailing from Sydney's southern suburbs, John Vittorio, Darren McNamara and Matt Allison were the Slaters. They played a mixture of energetic garage power pop with melody and fun. Matt Allison later joined Mickster (of Pyramidiacs fame), who was the drummer on some of the Slaters tracks, in the Finkers (with Michael Carpenter). Also noteworthy is the song "Stuff 'n' Junk" (produced by Rob Younger) which would be the title of The Pyramidiacs' anthology "Stuff 'n' Junk", some kind of a tribute to this underrated band the Slaters.

 

WU SLATERS (320 mb)