What is Mod? Mr. Suave's Mod, Mod World is one of the web's original modcasts celebrating mod music, and mod-influenced music from past eras including soul, ska, garage, sixties R&B power pop, punk, britpop, acid jazz, lounge, easy listening and more.
Well, it is Christmas time even if it doesn't really seem like it around Suave HQ. Usually I'm fully into the Christmas spirit by this time of the season, but this year just hasn't done it for me. As will be evidenced by the somewhat ho-ho-humbug attitude of this year's annual Christmas modcast extravaganza. Back to share his despair is Ken from The Shingles. I issued a challenge for him to find better Christmas tracks than I could in several categories including power pop, soul, exotica, jazz and so on. The resulting picks make for a very eclectic show. Hopefully that will be enjoyable for an after dinner moment of relaxation.
While you're relaxing you might want to enjoy one of our Christmas cocktails. Mine is the Christmas cooler whille Ken favored a hotter drink.
Christmas Cooler 2 parts gin (Hendricks works nicely adding a bit of cool sweetness)
1 part peppermint schnapps
Add to ice in a hi-ball glass, top it off with 7-Up.
Volcano House Hot Buttered Rum (the recipe for which comes courtesy of Rumdood.com)
1.5 oz Rum
.75 oz Sugar
.75 oz Lemon Juice
.25 oz Maraschino
Hot Black Tea
Butter
Place juice, sugar, maraschino, and rum into a pre-heated mug. Add hot tea. Stir and then float the butter. Garnish with lemon peel and cloves.
Enjoy the drinks. Enjoy the show. I'll be back next year with a look back at the best albums of 2011.
Osaka Popstar - The Christmas That Almost Wasn't
Farrah - Santa Don't Go
Solomon Burke - Presents For Christmas
James Brown - Go Power At Christmas Time
Trade Winds - New York's A Lonely Town
Claudine Longet - I Don't Intend To Spend Christmas Without You
Combustible Edison - Christmastime Is Here
Arthur Lyman - Mary's Boy Child
Chet Baker - Winter Wonderland
Kenny Burrell - My Favorite Things
Jamie Cullum - Next Year, Baby
Mel Torme - It Happened In Sun Valley
Darlene Love - Christmas Time For The Jews
Rigby - #Christmas Time
The Jetz - Father Christmas
The Risk - There Ain't No Sanity Clause
Christmas is just around the corner, soon to be followed by New Years. I can hardly wait to get out of 2011 and into 2012. Anyhow, here are a couple of mod rockin' Christmas shows from years bygone.
Modcast #184: Mr. Suave's Mod Rockin' Christmas (2010)
Merry Christmas from Suave HQ. Five days and counting until Christmas, and Mr. Suave's 3rd Annual Swingin' Christmas Extravaganza coming up on Christmas Eve.
In the meantime you'll just have to content yourself with this little show right here. These are not your grandfather's Christmas songs, from Jimmy Severe and His Blue Christmas Boys to The Eels and The Cuban Mistletoe Crisis this hodgepodge of slightly different but cool yule sounds. And there's a few new tracks as well, most notably from Fitz & The Tantrums and The Diplomats of Solid Sound.
If you're looking to have a more punk rawk type Christmas be sure to check out Jimmy Severe's Punk Rock Advent Calendar. Originals and classics, all done in a great '79 punk style.
Jimmy Severe & His Blue Christmas Boys -- Christmas Dream (2009) The Diplomats Of Solid Sound -- Let It Snow (2010) Fitz & The Tantrums -- Santa Stole My Lady (2010)
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings -- Ain't No Chimney's In The Projects (2008)
Pointed Sticks -- Power Pop Santa (2008)
The Riptides -- I Can't Have A Merry Christmas (2009)
The Eels -- Christmas Is Going To The Dogs (2000)
Swag -- Everyday Is Christmas (2000) Parallax Project -- All I Want For Christmas (Is A Chance) (2008) Julian Casablancas -- I Wish It Was Christmas Today (2009)
The Cuban Misteltoe Crisis -- It's Christmas Time At The Airport Bar (2010)
It's time for the annual Christmas Modcast. This year's show is a cozy little combination of songs that go well with hot chocolate and peppermint schnapse. I've got a few seasonal surprises for you this year from The Shambles, The Wondermints, The Yobs, Girl Trouble and more. I'm sure you've all got a bunch of online shopping to do and I've got loads of Christmas cocktails to shake up, so on with the show.
The Chubbies -- There's Nothing I Want More For Christmas
The Andersons -- A Million Dollars For Christmas
Got questions? Want to bitch about something? There are a few options, leave a comment, or search for Rob Suave on Facebook. Or, you can kick it old school and send me an e-mail to rob@mistersuave.com.download
Welcome to the mod world, where this week the powerchords really are running wild. Lots of power pop from the mod revival/Britpunk era of the late 70s and early 80s, as well as a few other cool tracks.
I was lucky enough to have a chance to interview my old friend Dean Hoth, who is the lead singer of power pop trio The Eddies. We talked not just about what the band is up to, but more importantly to discuss a new Christmas compilation that is the perfect gift for any and all power pop loving mods out there. Powerchords, Harmonies and Mistletoe, which was just releaased last month by Twist Records and the first pressing has already been sold out. Now hear from Dean about how the album came together, what other mod comps are currently being developed and even hear a few of the songs from the CD.
Ordinary Boys -- Run This Town (2011)
Mr. Suave's Reviews You Can Use: Power Chords, Harmonies and Mistletoe (an interview with Dean Hoth of The Eddies)
Little Murders -- Christmas (All Over The World)
Yeh Yeh -- To All Who Cant Attend
The Shambles -- Warm This Winter
The Decibels -- Angles We Have Heard On High
Last Stand -- Just A Number (1981)
The new Romans -- Loving Touch (1980)
The Mods -- If You Got To Go (1980)
The Rivvits -- The Girl Next Door (1978)
Tweed -- I Need You (1979)
999 -- Fun Thing (1980)
Acid House Kings -- Windshield (2011)
Sambassadeur -- Days (2010)
Pelle Carlberg -- I Love You, You Imbicile (2007)
Jimmy Cliff -- Ruby Soho (2011)
The Title Tracks have produced a nice bit of sixties power pop, seventies punk, eighties mod revival, and nineties indie pop. Those are the common threads that run throughout this release. One of the finer power pop records released this year. If this doesn't make a lot of best of lists after Christmas I'll be surprised.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's mod mod world. If eclectic is your thing then you're in for a treat. From the psychadelic garage rock of Trolley to the very swirly power pop from the aptly named Swirl 360 to the Protones a 90s act that channels 70s power pop pretty damn well, then this week's show is a grabbag of goodies. It's kinda like busting open a mod pinata and suddenly there's all this candy for your ears.
How much fiber do you need in your diet? Who the hell cares. What you do need a daily dose of is some cool music and this week's modcast fits the bill. A few sharp blasts from the past, as well as a some more contemporary sounds, all making for a well-rounded show.
It starts with a single helping of Sugar Stems, a band I really should have played before now. Including members of the late great all-girl garage rock combo The Flips and The Jetty Boys, the Sugar Stems have a pretty pitch perfect take on sixties influenced power pop. You get a lot of protein power out of Sick Rose -- both old and new, The Candyskins and The Blades. For the main course there's a review of Title Tracks fantastic 2011 release In Blank. You can round it all out with some sweet treats from Sweden, The Tangerines. Who wouldn't want a meal like this everyday?
Sugar Stems -- Cry Baby
Sick Rose -- Before You Go
Sick Rose -- I Want Love
The Mallrats -- I'd Be Impressed
The Vaccines -- Post Break Up Sex
The Candyskins -- Tired of Being Happy
Mighty Mighty -- Everybody Knows The Monkey
The Blades -- Hot For you
Mr. Suaves Reviews You Can Use: The Title Tracks
Title Tracks -- Shaking Hands
Robbers on High Street -- Shout To The Top
Everything But The Girl -- Each and Everyone
Stone Foundation -- Holy Blue
The Tangerines -- Rock N Roll Girl
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me back to a not so distant past, all the way back to 2008. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a couple of classic modcasts that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Summer will be officially kicking off this week so I've got a bunch of ... what do you think? Wrong! It's not a bunch of songs with summer in the title. Instead, I'm doing songs that remind me of summer, ar least of summer sun and warmth. You're going to hear a bunch of warm, sugary, summery, pop music that might or might not be twee, but certainly has a bit of the sixties and a bit of power pop going for it. So, enjoy this first episode of songs that benfit from the warmth of the sun. There's a second episode coming soon.
Ed James -- Welcome to the Show
The Hellers -- It's 74 in San Francisco
The Love Generation - When the Sun Goes Down
The Free Design -- Kites Are Fun
The Postmarks -- Goodbye
The Bicycles -- Two Girls from Montreal
Patience Please -- Unpublished
Would-Be-Goods -- The Camera Loves Me
The Sails -- Best Day
The Loose Salute -- Deathclub
Rivers Cuomo -- Tomorrow
The Would Be Goods -- Le Crocodile
Modcast #58: The Warmth of The Sun Pt 2
This is The Warmth of the Sun, the second in a special two-part ode to the start of summer and really just an excuse to enjoy some more infectious pop music. The sounds here within are all reminiscent of Bacharach, the Beach Boys and even the Beatles. For this show I've got a bunch of great pop songs that will put you in mind of girl groups with a nod to the sixties, some power pop strumming and all smartly done with catchy pop hooks, harmonies and melodies. What could be more welcoming to summer than this?
Birdie -- Laugh
The Pipettes -- The Burning Ambition Of The Early Diuretics
The Dynette Set -- Seed of Love
The Carrots -- Secret Since '99
Couple -- Gotta Be My Girl
The Boy Least Likely To -- Be Gentle With Me
Acid House Kings -- Tonight is Forever
The Jigsaw Seen -- Jim is the Devil
Fiery Furnaces -- Here Comes The Summer
The Lodger -- My Advice is on Loan
Wolfie -- Hey It's Finally Yay
If you've got rants or raves you can e-mail me at rob@mistersuave.com.
The Lodger -- I love DeathCouple -- Now That I Can See
DJ Ken from The Shingles and his trusty Burt Ward, Daren, are on hand to scare the bejeebers out of you. Don't worry they won't do it with heavy metal or gangsta rap.
Power pop. indie pop. That sums up The Perms latest album, Sofia Nights perfectly. I've been a fan of The Perms for a few years now, and tt's never been hard to figure out The Perms influences. As usual they echo all across Sofia Nights 10 tracks, sometimes bumping up against each other in the same songs even. The Smithereens. Urge Overkill. Cheap Trick. Even 20/20, The Shoes, and The Paul Collins Beat. The Perms definitely should be listed along side all of these groups. Not because they're derivative, but rather because they are following in their footsteps and making their own mark with guitar driven pop. The band has matured. this is both the perms power pop sound long time fans have grown to love, and it's also the perms who have evolved into a bit edgier band, but still with that innocent feeling goodness I've always enjoyed about their music.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World where we've got the power pop ringing loud and clear this week.
Power pop has always been a big part of mod music, right alongside northern soul. And over the years there have been some great power pop bands that hitched their trailer to the mod scene. Since the days of The Who and The Creation, and then later in the mod revival with The Jam, Secret Affair, The Chords and so on. Brit pop of course had a lot of power pop influences and much of the guitar driven indie rock of the 21st century has its roots in power pop.
Coming up on the modcast you'll get some great power pop influenced music from The Crack, Electra, The Corsairs, Sloan, The Rifles, and The Perms. Speaking of which, nestled right there in the middle of the show is another of Mr. Suave's Reviews You Can Use this time around giving you a taste and feel for The Perms great new album, Sofia Nights.
Paul Collins Beat -- Hanging Around With You (2011)
Electra -- Heartbreak is for Fools (2010)
Electra -- The Israelites (2011)
The Rifles -- I Get Low (2011)
Woggles -- Sweet Tea (1997)
The Love Kittens -- Come In The Kitchen (196?)
The Primitives -- Crash (1988)
Mr Suaves Reviews You Can Use The Perms
The Perms -- Live For Today (2011)
The Corsairs -- Never Listen (1986)
The Apemen -- Somebody Help Me (1993)
The Crack -- You Keep Running (1989)
Ursula 1000 -- Stinger (2011)
James Taylor Quartet -- Light Up Your Soul (2011)
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra -- Twinkle Star (2011)
Sloan -- Shadow Of Love (2011)
Happy Mod-o-Ween! Don't be scared this is just Mr. Suave's halloween episode of Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week's show is extra spooky, extra creepy, and extra good. If you like sixties infused garage rock with a bit of punkish power pop thrown in then you are going to be in heaven.
Madness -- I chase the devil
Gorehounds -- Voodoo priest
Groovie Ghoulies -- Daughter of Frankenstein
Dead Kennedys -- Halloween
The Ghastly Ones -- Haulin' Hearse
The B-52s -- Devil in my car
Gravedigger V -- It's spooky
Zombina & The Skeletones -- The grave ... and beyond
The Undertakers -- Born in a graveyard
The Playn Jayn -- Dig my own grave
The Postmarks -- Everyday is Halloween
The Ghastly Ones -- Haulin' HearseMadness -- I chase the devil
Modcast #107: Monsters A-Go-Go!
Halloween Modcast 2008: Monsters A-Go-Go!
Be afraid, be very afraid. Ken from The Shingles is at the controls of the modcast this week and if that doesn't scare you, nothing will. Get haunted.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me back to a not so distant past, all the way back to 2008. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a couple of classic modcasts that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Modcast #27: Coming Tuesday I feel Better Here's a special episode of Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, featuring songs about the days of the week. Enjoy, and I'll have a new episode for you right away.
Small Faces -- Lazy Sunday Corduroy -- Don't Wait for Monday Skyshakers -- A Girl Called Tuesday Jetset -- Wednesday Girl
The Truth, Thursday Club
The Easybeats -- Friday on My Mind The Specials -- Friday Night, Saturday Morning The Jam -- Saturday's Kids Squire -- Saturday Shopping
The Odds, Saturday Night The Incredible Moses Leroy -- It's A Sunday
The Easybeats -- Friday on My Mind
Modcast #29: Biff Bang Mod Welcome to modcast #29. Lots of good stuff this week, including a really cool video from United Future Organization. Now if that ain't mod, I don't know what is! Enjoy the sounds.
Modcast #93 Just Floating By In listening, listening and relistening to this week’s Modcast, I have to say I’ve even impressed myself. This is a damn good show. It starts out strong, and it stays that way throughout. Lots of new stuff here from the Baskervilles, Looker, Radio Days, and The Fores, all of which make the show downright unstoppable. The rest of the show is only that much stronger for showing it’s staying power from the likes of The Kinks to Oasis. This is just a little snap shot of my current mod world. Don’t be so jealous, I’m sure you’re nearly as suave in your own way. Enjoy. Listen Now Download
I get e-mail. Can you believe that? If you have a question then just shoot it over to me at rob@mistersuave.com.
Looker -- Bullet Train
The Kinks -- I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
Modcast #145: Mods Ride Again
I'm back baby. You can't get rid of me that easy. Between guest hosts, and sharing a few of the old shows from the vaults, it seems I haven't done a lot of my modcasting of late. A big shout of thanks to the recent guest hosts who've made me look like such an amateurish hack -- Dan from The New Fidelity (Modcast #140), Neal from Modest Proposal (Modcast #143) and Ken from The Shingles (Modcast #144).
But, I'm back on the beat, Pete. And have I got a show for you. Don't believe me? Just listen in.
Enzo Bontempi -- Bangarang (1968? or 2009?)
The School -- Let It Slip (2008)
New Street Adventure -- Small Town Heroes (2009)
Cool Frog -- Much Than You (2009)
Connett -- Soul Clean (2008)
The Madd -- You Can Be My Baby (2009)
The Cribs -- We Were Aborted (2009)
Nick Gilder -- Got To Get Out (1978)
The Quick -- No No Girl (1976)
Sweet -- Wig Wam Bam (1974)
Graham Day & The Gaolers -- Wanna Smoke (2008)
Regular suavesters know that I've got the world's best dog, a yellow lab/red hound mix we call Kali Shiva, after the goddess of destruction. I walk her everyday for 30 minutes or more listening to my iPod. I'm a slave to shuffle. I just flip it on and whatever comes up is what comes up. Music to walk the dog by.
All of this week's songs came up during the past week's walks with the dog. I've taken some liberties in reordering them, but they're honest to dog, dog walking songs. I guarantee you won't need your pooper scooper. No shit in this show.
Iggy Pop -- King of the Dogs The Vapors -- Waiting for the Weekend
The Agents -- Modern Girl
The Heartbeat -- Why Don't You Dance With Me The Martial Arts -- Frost The Lodger -- Falling Down The Decibels -- Test of Time
The Moving Sounds -- Turning My Heartbeat Up
Neil & Iraiza -- Age 8 & Up DC Fontana -- You Strip Me Bare
The Knockouts -- She Gets Around Locksley -- You Were Right About The High Ripchord -- Heartbreaker
The Shakes -- Sicker
The Brooks -- Once In A While
Julie London -- Mighty Quinn
Michael Quercio -- You and I are the Sunmmertime
Welcome to another modcast jam packed with mod friendly songs, every one a winner. Checking in early in the show are two groups whose line-ups measure up alongside the finest bands.
First, Dot Dash from Washington DC, a new power pop combo that is made up of a bunch of old farts, you know guys my age, from some great bands of the past like Modest Proposal, Julie Ocean, Saturday People and Youth Brigade. Dot Dash is sporting e a cool new album, Spark Flame Ember Ashj, just out from canadian record label The Beautiful Music. It's a great bit of power pop, sort of minimalist and post-punkish in its approach, and overall a good listen. Joining them in the first half is The Kik, a new band out of Rotterdam full of old friends. The Kik includes Dave von Raven, the lead singer and guitartist from The Madd, as well as the Arjen Spies lead singer and guitartist from another great beat band, Mark & The Spies. So you know that The Kik are going to be one kick-ass band.
But wait. Listen now and you'll hear even more like The End, The Funseekers, Nervus Rex, Ko & The Knockouts, The Smithereens, The Mods, Popular Spies, The Yardbirds and more. All shots on goal. All scoring. Like I said, this modcat is For The Win.
Dot Dash -- Learn How To Fly
The Kik -- Here's Hoping
Mark & The Spies -- Something's Gotta Happen
The Madd -- Her Big Man
The Chob -- We're Pretty Quick
Dave & The Diamonds -- Such Is Life
Popular Spies -- Chinatown
The Shades -- Shake It
The Mods -- Sweets For My Sweet
The Maggots -- Nothing But A Heartache
The Rare Breed -- Come And Take A Ride In My Boat
The Smithereens -- I'm Free
Smoove -- I'm A Man
Gaijin A Go-Go -- 1-2-3
The End -- Shades Of Orange
Ko & The Knockouts -- Cry No More
Nervus Rex -- Go-Go Girl
The Funseekers -- I'm With You
The Yardbirds --Baby What's Wrong
The Madd - Good Evening Girl
The Funseekers - Night Train (From "A Northwoods Holiday")
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me back to a not so distant past, all the way back to 2008. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a couple of classic modcasts that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Modcast #91: Oh So Pretty
Kicking this show off is the brand new single Supernatural Supercilious from REM. I'm not a big REM fan, but in 1984 they were breaking new ground in power pop to be sure, and here there are 25 or so years later pounding a really great song, one of the best they've produced in a really long time. Got some great stuff for you on this week's modcast including, The Frowning Clouds, The Charms, The Standells, The Expressos, and a little something from the very earliest days in REM's existence. Be sure to check out the bonus videos from The Charms and The Nice down below.
Modcast #90: I Like What You Say
Welcome to Mr.Suave's Mod Mod World, and do I have a big treat for you all this week. Mike Tholfsen is guest hosting and he's a got a great line up of power pop, jangle pop, pretty much just all great pop, for you. Enjoy, people, enjoy.
What is it about soul music that has captivated every mod since ... well, since the beginning of time? Or at least since the beginning of the 'rock' era. I guess mods like to dance, and truly there really isn't any better dancing music. Pop music dancing, I'm not talking any sort of stuff you have spend six weeks of lessons learning like tango or swing (a thing I've never done, but someday might thanks to Groupon). Nope I'm talking about the music plays, the notes hit your brain, and your toe begins to tap. For most mods the toe tap becomes a shoe shuffling, body spinning, eyes closed sort of religious experience. My wife knows what it looks like, though she associates it a bit more with gin and vodka than Sam and Dave. So be it. Point is mods love soul music. And I think it's because it makes us dance. Maybe we gotta dance because it's in our genes. Or at least in our blood, thank you pharmaceuticals of all sorts. No matter. When the sound is right you gotta go for soul.
The pressing question on my mind of late is whether or not we might be in the midst of a sort of mod revival. Is there a new mod revival in the offing? Hard to say, especially from the middle of the moment. But I do have to say that there are a few things aligning that might be pointing that way.
There's no denying that there are more so-called mod bands on the circuit these days then there were say five years ago when I launched the modcast. And these are bands that don't run from being tagged as mod. There have always been mod friendly bands, --soul groups, beat bands, power pop trios and so on-- but it seems that they often didn't want to get labeled as mod. Not so with the newer bands.
So, are we in the midst of a new mod revival or not? It seems to me that the one thing that is lacking to really have a mod revival is a leader, a figure head, someone like Townsend or Weller. Movements need their leading lights, someone to rally around. The sixties had great bands like The High Numbers, The Creation, The Small Faces, complete with larger than life legends like Pete Townsend and Steve Marriott. And there were complimentary bands like The Zombies, The Beatles, The Kinks and more. In the seventies the first mod revival had Paul Weller and The Jam. The Britpop scene had Olympian-sized bands (with matching egos) like Oasis and Blur. Thus far, while there are perhaps more and better (gasp! did he just say that?) bands, no group or individual has risen to the pinnacle of supreme leader status, that sort of god-like figure that is neccesary to really ignite a revolution.
Let me know what you think. In this modcast I am gonna make a case that there's lots of good mod friendly music being made right this very moment and that's at least half the battle. You let me know in the comments below if that means it's a revival.
Suedehead -- New Traditions (2011)
The Broken Vinyl Club -- I Want You Girl (2011)
The School -- I Want You Back (2010)
Houdini Dax -- O.L.L. (2011)
Steve Craddock -- I--Man (2011)
Raphael Saddiq -- Radio (2011)
Miles Kane -- Counting Down The Days (2011)
Laura Vane & The Vipertones -- All Over Again (2011)
James Taylor Quartet -- Why Can't We Get Along (2011)
DC Fontana -- Sleeping With X (2010)
The Method -- Gunners March (2011)
The Modesty -- 1975 (2010)
Booze -- Rachel (2011)
The Like -- I Can See It In Your Eyes (2010)
The mod world is busier than a fly at a crap convention this week. So, I picked out songs that for the most part need no introduction, by artists that you are all well familiar with. Then I just get out of the way and let the music testify. The verdict? Guilty of greatness I'm sure.
The Jam -- Set The House Ablaze The Kinks -- I'm Not Like Everybody Else The Rolling Stones -- Have You Ever Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadow The Monkees -- Pleasant Valley Sunday The Attack -- Feel Like Flying The Move -- I Can Hear The Grass Grow The Creation -- Through My Eyes Steve Marriott & The Moments -- Good Morning Blues Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66 -- With A Little Help From My Friends Generation X -- Friday's Angels The Specials -- Stereotype The Last Ones -- Number One Again The First Steps -- I Got The News The Jags -- She's So Considerate Secret Affair -- I'm Not Free The Style Council -- Have You Ever Had It Blue Squire -- Girl On A Train Mod Fun -- Your Eyes Reflect The Jetset -- Count The Beating Hearts The Red Button -- Free Graham Coxon -- Freakin' Out
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me back to a not so distant past. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Never mind the gray skies, summer is finally upon us and as usual Ken from The Shingles is here to drive you straight into summer and beyond. And he's got a co-pilot along for the ride, the famous Mike Simmons. So get on board, select your seat, get strapped in and get set for high flying hi-jinks on the annual summer modcast.
Hi-Risers - Summertime Here We Come (Buzz Around With The Hi-Risers 7" single, 2006) Radio Birdman - Aloha Steve & Danno (Aloha Steve And Danno 7" single, 1977) Beach Boys - Amusement Parks U.S.A. ( Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!), 1965) Five Americans - Disneyland (Second LP, 1969) Candy Butchers - California Girl (Live at La BonBonniere, 1996)
http://www.mikeviola.com/ Fountains of Wayne - It Must Be Summer (Utopia Parkway, 1999) Sunrays - I Live for the Sun (Andrea, 1966) Kompost - One Summer Sunday (Single, 2004) Flashing Lights - Summertime Climb (Where the Change Is, 1999) sparkle*jets u.k. - Summertime Dreamin' (He's a Rebel: The Gene Pitney Story Retold, 2002) The Knack - The Man On The Beach (Normal as the Next Guy, 2001) Wondermints - Ride (Mind If We Make Love to You, 2002) Sammy Davis, Jr. - You Can Count On Me (You Can Count On Me, 7" single, 1976) Presidents of the United States of America - Tiki God (II, 1996)
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me back in time. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off two classic modcasts that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Modcast #86: Take a Tip From a Tip Top Mod
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s Mod Mod World, episode #86 in which we have a few interesting connections. Opening act Elton Motello frontman Alan Ward had once been in another band with future Damned member Bryan James, so maybe it’s no surprise that both bands produced great punk rock. Another connection made in the show is between more 70s Brit punks, this time the move from Chelsea to Generation X. Lots of pitch perfect power pop in this week’s show up from the likes of Martha & the Muffins, Clive Culbertson, The Briliant Corners, Fast Eddie and more. And if you head on over to the modcast homepage you can check out this week’s bonus video from Beulah. Thanks for listening.
Modcast #122: Watch. This. Now.
Welcome to modcast #122 and welcome to the Moscow Underground a brand new London mod band on this week's show. They've got a really cool, really heavy mod sound, as does the rest of the show. There's more new stuff as well from Supernova, Morrissey, and the Takeover UK, some garage rock from Los Immediatos and Magic Christian, as well as some Britpop from the likes of Blur and Sleeper.
Steve Cradock is a mod man among mod men. Main man of Britpop modsters Ocean Colour Scene. Long time guitarist in Paul Weller's band. Mod street cred that most wannabe mod up and comers would die for. His latest release is his second, and by far best, solo album -- Peace City West.
Cradock was a mod in the 80s, played in UK mod outfit The Boys, which is when he came to Paul Weller's attention and their lifelong association began. His big break came with Ocean Colour Scene's 2nd album, 1995's Moseley Shoals which became one of Britpop's earliest, biggest successes selling 3 million copies. Alongside Oasis and Weller the band helped to spearhead Britpop's claim to be the scene for the modern mods.
If you dropped your needle down on Peace City West and let it bounce accross the vinyl you might have fleeting thoughts of Supergrass, Kinks, Small Faces, and early David Bowie. Interestingly the one thing that didn't come to mind for me was Ocean Colour Scene.
Peace City West isn't perfect, but it is damn close. Cradock shows himself to be the kind of singer songwriter that Noel Gallegher and Paul Weller probably have always known he was. The songs are smooth, both lyrically and musically. None are deriviative, this isn't retro or vintage. Cradock doesn't dwell in the past as much as builds on it. His songs are evocative of the best of the sixties, sometimes psychadelic like in "Kites Rise Up Against The Wind", and at other times with a nod to the sixties styled power pop mods love so much as with "I-Man". The chorus has Who like guitars ringing out and you can just tell that in a live show this would be a stripped and ripped number.
So many songs stand out on Peace City West it's hard not to mention them all. From the opening "Last Days of the World" with a jangleness that resonates, to the jaunty "Little Girl", Cradock shows off a Welleresque kind of writing and guitar work, and a sort of poppishness you can't not fall in love with. Overall it's very much a product of an old soul, a sixties soul, but one that is still a bit mired in Britpop.
Just listen to "Only Look Up When Your Down. Beatles anyone? Cradock channels Lennon and McCartney pretty perfectly there. And "Steppin Aside" -- it's a bit less sixties and a bit more original, with nice guitar work that signals a real change of pace for what probably would have been considered side two some 40 years back.
Cradock has produced a thoroughly mod album, something you don't find much anymore. You will enjoy it from opening groove to closing chords.
Welcome to the modcast and to another great set of music from pop with power to garage rockin' beats and even some smooth soul to warm the icy corners of your hearts.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the fun filled days of 2009. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off two classic modcasts that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Modcast: #129 Got The Time & Modcast #142: Soundtrak for Groovy Listening Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. Got an eclectic show this week with lots of different types of stuff. The new Joe Jackson Live at the BBC just came out a couple of weeks ago and I've been listening to it continuously, and it's just excellent. The version of Got the Time here is one of the best Jackson ever recorded. Other gems include some nice, rockin' power pop from Star Collector and OK Go, some groovy sixties pop music from The Groop and Yellow Balloon, and a nice set of 2-Tone bands doing easy listening, lounge ska. A little something for everyone.
Star Collector -- #1 (2000) Joe Jackson -- Got The Time (2009)
Classics -- Audio, Audio (1979) Dramarama -- Anything, Anything (I'll Give You) (1985) Remington Super 60 -- The Impractical Guide To The Opposite Sex (2002)
The Groop -- Time Fire (1967) Yellow Balloon -- How Can I Be Down (1967) Madness -- Return of the Los Palmas 7 (1980) The Swingin' Cats -- Mantovani (1980) The Specials -- Holiday Fortnight (1980) OK Go -- You're So Damn Hot (2002)
The Specials -- Rat Race
Madness -- Return of the Los Palmas 7
Modcast #142: Soundtrack for Groovy Living Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This show is nothing short of loungerific, with some groovy instrumentals, some swingin' covers, and just lots of cool songs from beginning to end. French lounge master Chris Joss is in the house with his latest, as is Frank Popp Ensemble. Got a nice little set of pacific northwest lounge acts, The Colorifics, Dudley Manlove Quartet and Johnny Astro all of whom are complimented by the classic sound stylings of Vic Damone, Jeri Southern and the one and only Mel Torme. And there are some great bonus videos of Mel and Vic from back in the day, doing their thing. So, mix yourself a nice little libation and settle back for some sweet lounge sounds.
Witty lyrics, catchy hooks of pop music with lilting horns and vocals, the music sounds like a barefoot hippy running over an overgrown forest lawn. If the Free Designwere reincarnated today they would be the Acid House Kings.
Swirling, tinkling, sparkling, how do you say that in Swedish? Acid House Kings. The Swedish twee band is back and their latest release, Music Sounds Better With You, shimmers with a sugary pop sound that is all too familiar for the band's fans. For twenty years Acid House Kings has defined twee music, they've become synonymous with the lilting, high-voiced indie pop sound.
Lots of bands have plied similar tweepop waters over the years from Birdie to Camera Obscura to She & Him just this year. But none of them do it with the grace and ease of the Acid House Kings. Music Sounds Better With You is chock full of jaunty pop songs that sound like were thrown effortlessly together in a very Bacharach-Morrisey kind of way.
This is music that is perfect for sipping gins and tonics on the patio while chatting with old friends. Music Sounds Better With You fits like a pair of favorite jeans, comfortable and stylish, at times casually unremarkable and yet completely unforgettable when noticed.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, it's time to get some summertime booze. At last, at long last, summer has come to seattle. This has been one of the coldest springs on record in the northwest, but the times they are a changin'. The thermometer has actually eeked up over 80 degrees fahrenheit. Not exactly Vegas temps sure, but I'll take it.
This week you're going to get a full dose of sunny, hot, summer songs.
But don't blame me, it's not my fault. Give credit where credit is due right, so I have to give credit and a shout out to one of the best blogs on the net Music Ruined My Life. If you dig power pop, punk, pop-punk, mod, new wave and so on then Music Ruined My Life should be one of the blogs you follow. Jeffen the man behind the blog recently did a great post featuring summer songs -- which got me to thinking. I started putting together a list in my mind and voila here's the modcast to prove it.
Welcome to Mr. suave's Mod Mod World, it's time to get some while the gettin is good. As always, you'll be getting some good gets with this modcast. A little bit of jazz, a little bit of soul, a little bit of rock and roll. From floor stompers to slow burners, this week you get it all.
The Go! Freaks -- A Ton Of My Love (2011) Belleruche -- Clockwatching (2010) Caro Emerald -- Back It Up (2009)
TM Juke & Alice Russel -- Playground Games (2009) The Bahama Soul Club -- Serious Soul (2010) The Underbelly Feat Roxie Ray -- Confession (2010) Frank Popp Ensemble -- Gettin' Down (2005)
Mr. Suave's Reveiws You Can Use Nick Pride & The Pimptones Nick Pride & The Pimptones Feat Jess Roberts -- Waitin' So Long (2011) Quantic Soul Orchestra -- Hold It Down (2009)
Gabin Feat Z-Star -- Life Can Be So Beautiful (2010) Duffy -- Mercy (2008) Aloe Blacc -- I Need A Dollar (2010) Deep Street Soul Feat Shirley Davis -- Greenbacks (2009) Healer Selecta -- Cruisin' On The Highway (2010)
Smoove Feat Jess Roberts -- Coming Back (2005)
The Greenhornes are a band that has been criminally underrated and ignored over the years. Their 2010 release should have topped every chart last year, and yet it was only a couple months ago that I stumbled across it myself and have since learned how little attention it's received. The album is fantastic, a tour de force of modernized garage styled power pop. And the Greenhornes, well they've cheekily given themselves four stars. The star symbols like you get in all sorts of ratings systems.
The Greenhornes grew out of the detroit and midwest garage rock revival of the turn of the century that produced other bands like The White Stripes and influenced The Strokes, Mooney Suzuki and a host of others. The Greenhornes sound started out with a bluesy, rough and rockin' sound. A mix of soul ala Booker T, with sixties garage rock like The Sonics, and all of it mixed with a lot of British invasion mid-60s R&B.
It's been six years since the band's last release, 2005's East Grand Blues which saw the band slow down and update their sound with an almost shoe gazey madchester type of psychadelia. Since then a few of them have been very busy, as in Raconteurs busy. Whites Stripe's Jack White has been name checking the Greenhornes since the early days of the garage revival back in the motor city, and over the past few years he finally teamed up with them to produce some hard rocking albums.
But at long last, the real Greenhornes are back. From the very first blistering chords you get a Who like buffet of sixties styled power pop guitar and drum driven, garage rock.
No doubt that this was not produced in a garage, the flourishes and polish is just too spot on. the rough edges are ... well not that rough on this their fourth release. And the pace isn't breakneck top to bottom, there are moments, like with "My Sparrow" and "Hard to Find", where the band eases up on the gas, and instead dips into their Stax side and almost (I say almost) tenderly deliver some serious soul ballads.
Their songs sound like they were written by The Sonices and performed by The Yardbirds. Their British invasion sound channeled through a mid-west sixties punk filter has matured into something that has more angles, more depth, more soul even.
The album kicks of with "Saying Goodbye" all very Who and Stones like. That's followed by the anthemic "Underestimator" with the band pounding out a rockin' number that really spotlights Craig Fox's vocals.
Later you get "Cave Drawings" a wild number that builds into a frenzied, psychadelic freakbeat song, but is neatly constrained from total mayhem by the vocal arrangements.
Their sixties roots shine through on songs like "I Left the World Behind" which harkens back to the 80s sound of mod bands like The Shambles or Mod Fun. This is a very mod album even if the Greenhornes don't proclaim it.
Let's hope Jack White doesn't keep the Raconteurs too busy, because the world deserves the sound of the Greenhornes.