BEATFOR 99 - September Singles Weekender III

Elvis Costello has become a legend throughout his career that spans over three decades as one of the most innovative, influential, and best songwriters since Bob Dylan. He has never lost his youthful enthusiasm for making albums of extraordinary ambition, complexity and expression. Elvis had a influence on the modern music scene, groups like Any Trouble, The Jags, Sussman Lawrence at the new wave explosion, and artists like John Wesley Harding, Ron Sexsmith, Jay Bennett, Eugene Edwards or John O’brien, show their true forefather.

e.g. :

Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons is the group which started one of Australia's most talented musicians, Joe Camilleri, making music of his own since 1975. Elvis Costello thought so much of Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons' 'So Young' single, so he ended up recording a version himself (Out Of Our Idiot LP 1987 – VVAA , EC in various guises ), a great complement in retrospect considering Elvis' own songwriting. This All I Wanna Do pay homage to Oliver’s Army from Armed Forces album, with the same restless piano and passionate cutting voice.


The Belgian Elvis was Rick Tubbax, another angry young man. A few singles and an album in 1983. Fluid vocals, catchy choruses with farfisa brushstrokes around the song. But it’s not a fake, it’s real new wave.

Brian Copsey was a cross between Buddy Holly and Elvis himself. He was one of the unsung post punk heroes. Only two singles with no success, but four terrific songs. Twangy guitars, Everly’s singalong, great pop tunes. He should be a great Rockpile support band .

Songs :

Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons - All I Wanna I Do [7' Mushroom Records 1979]
Rick Tubbax and the Taxi's - Breaking Up [7' Roland Kluger Music 1980]
Rick Tubbax & Taxi's - Tonight [7' RKM 1981]
Brian Copsey & The Commotions - Boys In Love [7' Chrysalis 1981]

BEATFOR98 - September Singles Weekender II

Following the footprints traced by The Hoodoo Gurus and many other jangle rock australian bands, Ups & Downs were a Brisbane group who grew from being another paisley shirts band. The name was derived from a track on the Flamin' Groovies 1978 album, Now. So you can expect which sound housed this second single, guitars, guitars and guitars...

Ups And Downs - The Perfect Crime [7' Waterfront Records. Aus 1985]







All I’ve ever wanted from pop music is here, a gentle, beguiling rhythm leads you, sucks you under its carefree beat, and just as you're being lulled into tranquility, a fuzzed guitar spark furiously. Great song. Hellfire Sermons were formed in Liverpool, England in 1987 largely from the ashes of another Liverpool band, The Decemberists.


Hellfire Sermons - H.O.N.E.Y.M.O.O.N. [7' Esurient Communications. Uk 1989]



Sailing aboard the ‘Quaker City’ steamship in 1867, Mark Twain wrote ‘Innocents Abroad’ during his trip through Europe and the Holy Land. These Innocents Abroad were a late 80’s Liverpool band strongly influenced by the best pre-Warners REM. Released this five songs ep and album in 1990.

Innocents Abroad - If I Try [12' Quaker City ep. Stormfield Records Uk 1986]




Robin Wills (cult name The Barracudas) made a pair of albums with a group called the Fortunate Sons (originally a trio, but later a quartet with Chris Wilson), with no success in Uk and a great acknowledgement in some european countries. Plenty of 12 strings guitars and rock ‘n’ roll. From the ‘Rising’ album, a slice of pop-groovie with Sometimes You Win, and the b side (only here) a delicious good-time country-rocker with a slightly dark edge cover of the Papas’ John Phillips ‘Me And My Uncle’.
Check his amazing freak blog.

Fortunate Sons - Sometimes You Win / Me And My Uncle [7' Bam Caruso 1986].

BEATFOR97 - September Singles Weekender I

Another favourite vintage power pop, from California The Shake Shakes released two singles , ‘You Can Run’ in 1979 and this ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout The Night’. Features Mario Rojas, Richard "Midnight Hatsize" Snyder before joining Captain Beefheart's band (1981-1982) on bass, as well as Pierre "Bamboo" Dupuy on drums (later of The Ringling Sisters, The Mystery Band and Wreck 'n' Sow).

The Shake Shakes - Don't Worry 'Bout The Night [7' Notown Records USA 1981].

Band from Rochester NY, formed in fall ’76. Kevin Patrick, Gary Trainer and Dale Smeadly were founding members. The band managed to record ‘Die Trying’ (pure powerpop punk) and ‘Angela’ (a tribute to the girl groups of the 1960’s) in a 5 hour session at Chritsmas 1978. With no money to press it, Reliable Records in London loved it and put the thing out. The resulting press and radio play in the UK garned attention from majors, and the band finally signed with CBS; the record was re-released. Several singles and a great song ‘Hot Sounds’ which appeared on a local radio station LP in Rochester ‘WCMF 96 Rochester's HOME Grown Bands-11 Choice Local Cuts’ ended the band, became the cowpunk combo The Jet Black Berries. Some of the band are still active in the female front glam pastiche The Atomic Swindlers.

New Math - Die Trying [7' Reliable Records UK 1979]



Excellent powerful pop punk from Boston in the wake of British neo-mods, good rock'n'roll drive and feel, leadered by David Minehan. Their first single, the rest forget it : the trio toned down the bright melodies and added more energy to become, well, a common arena rock & roll band. But this is a killer storm of guitars.

The Neighborhoods -No Place Like Home [7' Ace Of Hearts Records USA 1979].